What Every Writer Needs to Know to Write Listverse Horror

You love horror—reading and creating it. You were probably the kid who liked to go all out on Halloween.

Or maybe you are simply looking to make some cash at home writing horror content on Listverse.

Horror is one of the most popular lists on Listverse. It’s also among the easiest to get accepted, as long as you:

• Follow the Listverse author guide.
• Dazzle the readers.

While research is a huge part of creating a great horror list, it’s important to write with coherence and engage the reader’s emotions.

What Is Listverse?

Listverse is a website that takes pride in intriguing and educating its readers with knowledge that isn’t available anywhere else on the internet.

It’s one of the first ‘Top 10 Sites’ on the internet and has published over 10,000 lists.

Getting your list published on the site exposes your work to 200,000 plus Listverse followers.

You’re about to find out how you can deliver a top-notch horror list, make some fans, and earn $100.

Tip 1: Set the Right Atmosphere

Think of Stephen King’s horror novels. From the first paragraph, you know it’s going to be an edge-of-your-seat story and an emotional roller coaster.

Your readers will hardly enjoy a horror story that reads like an instructional article. They’ll be craving the tension and fear horror stories create. Give it to them.

Strike the right atmosphere for your listicle using vivid descriptions that cause utmost terror.

If you’re writing about haunted houses, for instance, saying it’s a scary place will not cut it. Use descriptive words.

You could say:

The lifeless and abandoned mansion sits at the top of the hill, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. A thick layer of dust and cobwebs in every corner speaks of the years of abandonment. Broken glass on the floor and ripped, blood-stained curtains tell the story of the people who once occupied the house, now gone. But their spirits live on.”

Listverse only allows verifiable facts in their lists. Carry out your research, and add the most important ingredient—your imagination. The mere suggestion of evil is enough to paint a terrifying picture in the readers’ minds.

You want your readers to squirm on their seats as they read the list, keep them up at night, and haunt them well into the next day.

Use short-structured sentences to make the reader take breaths often, pulling them deeper into the scenes you’re creating in their minds.

Be sure to end each item of your list in a way that creates closure, but also pushes the reader to read the next item.

Tip 2: Tap Into the Audience’s Fears

Terrifying an adult reader using written text is not easy. But here is a simple trick: trigger fear using something the reader wouldn’t expect.

This method of instilling fear is especially effective under these two circumstances:

1. When the source of fear is related to common phobias, like darkness, snakes, spiders, and heights
2. When horrific events strike innocent people. It’s a frightening reminder that bad things can happen to good people

Consider this list published on Listverse on the little-known horrors that joggers face.

The list taps into people’s fear of death by showing real and scary threats lurking in jogging paths, such as machete-wielding attackers and aggressive dogs.

The reader may have no problem jogging in secluded outdoor areas, but the situation could change after reading this list.

Don’t be afraid to stretch into the realm of ghosts, zombies, vampires, or other mythological beings, as long as your list only includes facts.

As much as people know these beings aren’t real, there’s always the question, what if they really exist, and we’ve just never seen them? This uncertainty is what makes them sinister.

Tip 3: Don’t Forget the Basics

In their rules, Listverse states that they don’t expect you to be an expert. You only need to:

• Write like a native English speaker.
• Proofread and edit your work.
• Use short words to make your article readable.
• Use as few words as possible.

But here’s something to keep in mind: You can provide links to your social media channels and blog in the submissions form. Once Listverse publishes your list, these details will appear at the bottom.

This is an excellent way to market your writing skills. Your article should tell any potential clients or customers that you’re a credible, trustworthy, and reliable writer.

So, write professionally. Here are a few pointers:

• Your ideas should flow. Writing an outline before creating the listicle can help you connect your ideas correctly.
• Start strong with a captivating title and a short and engaging introduction. It should spook and hook the reader, making them curious to read the article.
• Use free tools like the Hemmingway App to check the readability of your article.

Use our SEO Copywriting training to learn how to research faster and produce high-quality content. This means you’ll produce more articles, have higher approval rates from Listverse, and earn more.

Getting the Article Approved

The Listverse Author’s Guide provides a list of requirements that’ll get you on the good side of the approval team.

Here are a few:

• Use perfect American English based on the Merriam-Webster dictionary.
• Your list should be between 1,500 and 2,000 words and have 10 items. Each item should be one or two paragraphs.
• Include reputable sources for each item and the facts you state.
• The subject of your list shouldn’t be previously covered on Listverse or any other place on the internet.
• A little humor won’t hurt.
• There’s no need to include images in your content. The Listverse team does it for you.
• The content of your horror list shouldn’t promote or assist people to commit crimes.
• The article should be plagiarism-free.
• Don’t use third parties to submit the article.
• Avoid obscene language.

Ready to Make Your Submission?

Writing Listverse horror could be one of the easiest $100 you make. It’s also a great way to get your name out there and establish yourself as a writer.

It’s simple:

• Get an original subject and do proper research.
• Entertain and excite the readers with your facts and choice of words.
• Write succinctly and proofread your work.
• Stick to Listverse’s requirements regarding submissions.

Once your list is ready, share it on the submission page on Listverse and start working on the next list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Listverse Trustworthy?

Yes, Listverse is trustworthy and has been operational for over ten years. To get paid for your work, you’ll need:

• To be from either South Africa, Canada, US, UK, NZ, Ireland, or Australia.
• An approved list. Stick to the author guide when writing your article, and you’ll have a better chance of having your list accepted.
• A PayPal email address. Listverse only pays through PayPal.

How Much Can You Make on Listverse?

Listverse pays $100 per article approved. There’s no limit to the number of articles you can submit to Listverse.

However, with the amount of research needed to produce a unique and fascinating article that meets all the requirements, you’re likely to submit one article per day and earn $100 daily.

How Do You Write for Listverse?

As long as you can write well, in perfect English, and stick to the rules provided, you can write for Listverse.

Write a unique list of 10 unusual and interesting items and submit it. The list shouldn’t appear anywhere else on the internet. Some of the topics you can cover include:

• Creepy, mysterious, and weird stuff
• Anything awe-striking in entertainment including gaming, movies, TV, arts, music, and pop culture
• Fascinating details about history, books, or little-known facts and misconceptions
• Amazing things about food, health, sport, and travel
• Crime, politics, and religion
• Spellbinding facts about animals, humans, space, technology, and the universe