Writing for RaqsNews: Honoring the Craft & Shaping our Stories
At RaqsNews, we strive to continue the tradition of thoughtful writing about belly dance, following in the footsteps of Gilded Serpent, Bhuz, and others who helped document this art and provide a platform for mindful discussion. Behind every performance, every costume, and every debate in the community, there’s a story worth telling, and telling well.
RaqsNews was launched to serve dancers, teachers, musicians, students, fans, and enthusiasts who care deeply about this art and want to see it represented with respect, clarity, and professionalism. Our mission is to document the evolving world of belly dance and provide context that helps readers think critically, not just scroll passively.
Why Editorial Standards Matter
Belly dance is a global art form deeply rooted in history, community, and culture. As such, accuracy is essential. Articles published on RaqsNews must meet the same journalistic standards that apply to any credible publication: clear sourcing, fact-checking, and fairness in tone.
If you are contributing an article, you’ll need more than to simply write what you think happened or what you believe to be true. Assertions of fact should be verifiable. Cultural interpretations should be handled with care. And if you’re expressing personal opinions or creative reflections, those should be clearly framed as such.
This is not about policing creativity in any form. It’s about honoring the truth and complexity of an art that has been misrepresented far too often. Our goal is to elevate the conversation, not dilute it.
What We Publish
RaqsNews features a mix of traditional journalism, essays, interviews, podcast episodes and commentary. We welcome submissions that:
Report on performances, festivals, and community events.
Explore history, culture, and representation accurately within Middle Eastern and North African dance.
Profile artists and teachers that have blazed a trail in this art or shaping its modern journey.
Reflect on personal experiences or artistic journeys, provided they are written with a clear purpose and respect for broader context.
Analyze industry trends, professional standards, or ethical challenges within the dance world.
If your idea sparks dialogue, provides useful insight, or offers readers a new way of seeing familiar issues, it likely fits here.
How We Edit
Every submission to RaqsNews is reviewed and edited for clarity, accuracy, and style. This includes copyediting for grammar and structure, fact-checking as needed, and ensuring that all pieces align with our publication’s values and tone.
Contributors should expect their work to undergo revisions before publication. These edits are not about changing your voice—they’re about strengthening your message and ensuring your piece reflects the professional standards that RaqsNews upholds.
We know that being edited can feel personal, especially when writing about topics close to your heart. Our approach is collaborative. We may suggest clarifying a claim, reordering a section for flow, or citing a source more precisely. The goal is not to make your story less “you,” but to make it more accessible, credible, and lasting.
Accuracy and Attribution
All factual statements should be supported by verifiable information. When referencing historical events, cite your sources. When quoting others, confirm their consent and accuracy. If you’re uncertain about a detail, say so. Transparency is always preferable to assumption.
Opinion pieces and personal essays are welcome, but should still be grounded in thoughtful observation rather than speculation. Avoid sweeping generalizations about entire communities or regions. Write with nuance, empathy, and awareness of how your words might resonate beyond your own experience.
Tone and Voice
Our editorial tone is informed, respectful, and engaged. We aim to publish writing that sparks meaningful conversation without sensationalism or unnecessary conflict. Write as if you are contributing to a record of our art form, because you are.
Whether you’re dissecting an industry issue or describing a transcendent moment onstage, strive for clarity and precision. Avoid jargon when possible. Trust that your readers are curious, intelligent, and ready to learn.
Ethics and Respect
RaqsNews is built on respect for the source cultures of this art and for the people who continue to sustain it worldwide. We will not publish content that disparages individuals, communities, or cultural groups.
We also take care with images and video. If you submit visual material, ensure that you hold the rights to use it or have received permission from the artist or photographer. Proper credit is mandatory.
An Invitation to Contribute
If you have a story to tell or an idea you’ve been exploring, we’d love to hear from you. You don’t need to be a professional journalist. Only thoughtful, curious, and committed to contributing something meaningful to our shared art form.
To pitch a story or essay, email raqsnews@gmail.com with a short description of your topic, why it matters, and what approach you’d like to take. Please include any relevant links, images, or background information that will help us understand your perspective.
We review all submissions carefully. If your idea feels like a good fit, one of our editors will follow up with next steps and an estimated publication timeline.
In Closing
Good writing about dance can shape how the world sees us and how we see ourselves. By maintaining editorial standards, we protect the integrity of this art form while encouraging thoughtful, informed conversation.
At RaqsNews, we edit because we care. We fact-check because it matters. And we publish because we believe belly dance deserves a record worthy of its beauty, depth, and history.
We invite you to be part of that story.