/* ==========================================================================
   TH Sterling — Static Site Stylesheet
   ==========================================================================
   HOW TO CUSTOMIZE:
   - Change site-wide colors, fonts, and spacing in the :root section below.
   - All colors, fonts, and sizes are CSS variables — edit in ONE place,
     they apply everywhere automatically.
   ========================================================================== */


/* ==========================================================================
   1. DESIGN TOKENS (Global Variables — Edit These to Restyle the Site)
   ========================================================================== */

:root {
  /* --- Colors --- */
  --color-bg:            #000000;      /* main page background */
  --color-bg-secondary:  #0d0d0d;      /* slightly lighter bg for sections */
  --color-bg-card:       #141414;      /* card / panel backgrounds */
  --color-bg-nav:        rgba(0,0,0,0.97); /* nav bar background */
  --color-text:          #d8d8d8;      /* primary body text */
  --color-text-muted:    #888888;      /* secondary / caption text */
  --color-text-light:    #ffffff;      /* white text */
  --color-accent:        #c41e3a;      /* red accent (buttons, highlights) */
  --color-accent-hover:  #e02245;      /* red on hover */
  --color-border:        #2a2a2a;      /* subtle borders */
  --color-overline:      #c41e3a;      /* section overline labels */

  /* --- Typography --- */
  --font-heading: 'Playfair Display', Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;
  --font-body:    'Lato', 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;

  /* --- Sizing --- */
  --nav-height:      54px;
  --max-width:       1080px;
  --section-pad-v:   90px;
  --section-pad-h:   24px;
  --card-radius:     4px;
  --btn-radius:      3px;
}


/* ==========================================================================
   2. RESET & BASE
   ========================================================================== */

*, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }

html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }

body {
  background-color: var(--color-bg);
  color: var(--color-text);
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: 16px;
  line-height: 1.7;
  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
}

img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; }

a { color: var(--color-accent); text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s; }
a:hover { color: var(--color-accent-hover); }

/* Cover-image wrapper links: made clickable so the whole cover links out
   like the button beneath it. display:contents removes the <a> from the
   box model so it doesn't disrupt the flex/grid sizing of the image
   inside it (percentage widths etc. resolve exactly as if unwrapped). */
.story-card-cover a,
.alp-book-thumb a,
.serpent-cover a:not(.btn-serpent),
.alp-novel a:not(.alp-gold-btn),
.alp-short-card a:not(.alp-gold-btn),
.books-cover-item a,
.book-detail-cover a {
  display: contents;
}

h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {
  font-family: var(--font-heading);
  color: var(--color-text-light);
  line-height: 1.25;
}

p { margin-bottom: 1rem; }
p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }

ul { list-style: none; }

/* ==========================================================================
   3. UTILITY CLASSES
   ========================================================================== */

.container {
  max-width: var(--max-width);
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 0 var(--section-pad-h);
}

.section-pad {
  padding: var(--section-pad-v) var(--section-pad-h);
  max-width: var(--max-width);
  margin: 0 auto;
}

/* Section overline label (e.g., "FEATURED SHORT STORY") */
.overline {
  display: block;
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: 0.75rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.18em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--color-overline);
  margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
}

/* Small above-heading tag (e.g., "NEW SERIES") */
.tag-label {
  display: inline-block;
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: 0.7rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.15em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--color-accent);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-accent);
  padding: 3px 10px;
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
}

/* Hide on mobile / desktop */
.desktop-only { display: block; }

/* Visually hidden but still accessible to screen readers/SEO */
.sr-only {
  position: absolute;
  width: 1px;
  height: 1px;
  padding: 0;
  margin: -1px;
  overflow: hidden;
  clip: rect(0, 0, 0, 0);
  white-space: nowrap;
  border: 0;
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .desktop-only { display: none; }
}

.text-center { text-align: center; }
.text-muted  { color: var(--color-text-muted); }

.divider {
  border: none;
  border-top: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  margin: 3rem 0;
}


/* ==========================================================================
   4. BUTTONS
   ========================================================================== */

.btn {
  display: inline-block;
  padding: 13px 32px;
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.15em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  text-decoration: none;
  border-radius: var(--btn-radius);
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: background 0.2s, color 0.2s, border-color 0.2s;
  border: 2px solid transparent;
}

/* Primary button — red fill */
.btn-primary {
  background-color: var(--color-accent);
  color: #fff;
  border-color: var(--color-accent);
}
.btn-primary:hover {
  background-color: var(--color-accent-hover);
  border-color: var(--color-accent-hover);
  color: #fff;
}

/* ==========================================================================
   5. NAVIGATION (Shared — edit components/nav.html to change links/logo)
   ========================================================================== */

/* --- Nav Bar --- */
#site-nav {
  position: fixed;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  right: 0;
  z-index: 1000;
  background: var(--color-bg-nav);
  backdrop-filter: blur(8px);
  border-bottom: none;
  height: var(--nav-height);
}

body {
  padding-top: var(--nav-height);
}

.nav-inner {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  max-width: var(--max-width);
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 0 var(--section-pad-h);
  height: 100%;
}

/* --- Logo --- */
.nav-logo img {
  height: 30px;
  width: auto;
}

/* --- Nav Links --- */
.nav-links {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 2.5rem;
}

.nav-links a {
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  color: var(--color-text);
  text-decoration: none;
  transition: color 0.2s;
  position: relative;
  padding-bottom: 3px;
}

.nav-links a::after {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  bottom: 0; left: 0;
  width: 0; height: 2px;
  background: var(--color-accent);
  transition: width 0.2s;
}

.nav-links a:hover,
.nav-links a.active {
  color: var(--color-text-light);
}

.nav-links a:hover::after,
.nav-links a.active::after {
  width: 100%;
}

/* --- Hamburger Button (Mobile) --- */
.nav-hamburger {
  display: none;
  flex-direction: column;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 5px;
  background: none;
  border: none;
  cursor: pointer;
  padding: 6px;
}

.nav-hamburger span {
  display: block;
  width: 24px;
  height: 2px;
  background: var(--color-text-light);
  transition: transform 0.3s, opacity 0.3s;
}

/* Hamburger → X animation */
.nav-hamburger.open span:nth-child(1) { transform: translateY(7px) rotate(45deg); }
.nav-hamburger.open span:nth-child(2) { opacity: 0; }
.nav-hamburger.open span:nth-child(3) { transform: translateY(-7px) rotate(-45deg); }

/* --- Mobile Menu Dropdown --- */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .nav-links {
    display: none;
    position: absolute;
    top: var(--nav-height);
    left: 0; right: 0;
    background: var(--color-bg-nav);
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: flex-start;
    gap: 1.75rem;
    padding: 1.5rem 0 2rem;
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  }

  .nav-links.open { display: flex; }

  .nav-links a {
    width: 100%;
    padding: 0.4rem var(--section-pad-h);
    font-size: 1rem;
  }

  .nav-links a::after { display: none; }

  .nav-hamburger { display: flex; }

  #site-nav { position: fixed; }
}


/* ==========================================================================
   6. FOOTER (Shared — edit components/footer.html to change links/text)
   ========================================================================== */

#site-footer {
  background: var(--color-bg);
  border-top: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  padding: 1.25rem var(--section-pad-h);
}

.footer-inner {
  max-width: var(--max-width);
  margin: 0 auto;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: row;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
}

.footer-social {
  display: flex;
  gap: 1.25rem;
  list-style: none;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0;
}

.footer-social a {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  color: #ffffff;
  transition: color 0.2s;
}

.footer-social a:hover { color: #cccccc; }

.footer-social svg {
  width: 22px;
  height: 22px;
  fill: currentColor;
}

.footer-links {
  display: flex;
  gap: 1.5rem;
  list-style: none;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0;
}

.footer-links a {
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #ffffff;
  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
}
.footer-links a:hover { color: #cccccc; }

.footer-copy {
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  color: #ffffff;
  margin: 0;
}


/* ==========================================================================
   7. HOME PAGE — Hero Section
   ========================================================================== */

/* --- Desktop Hero: CSS grid, text+form left / image right --- */
.hero {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 55% 1fr;
  grid-template-rows: auto 1fr;
  grid-template-areas:
    "text image"
    "form image";
  width: 80%;
  max-width: 1080px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 80px 0;
}

.hero-text {
  grid-area: text;
  padding: 90px 0 24px 48px;
  text-align: center;
}

.hero-form-area {
  grid-area: form;
  padding: 32px 0 40px 48px;
  text-align: center;
}

.hero-text .hero-welcome {
  font-family: 'Cinzel', serif;
  font-size: clamp(20px, 2.8vw, 40px);
  font-weight: 400;
  letter-spacing: 1px;
  line-height: 1.2;
  color: #ffffff;
  margin: 0;
  display: block;
}

.hero-text h1 {
  font-family: 'Cinzel', serif;
  font-size: clamp(32px, 3.6vw, 65px);
  font-weight: 600;
  line-height: 1.2;
  letter-spacing: 2px;
  color: #ffffff;
  margin: 0;
}

.hero-text h2 {
  font-family: 'Cinzel', serif;
  font-size: clamp(20px, 2.4vw, 45px);
  font-weight: 400;
  font-style: normal;
  letter-spacing: 0;
  line-height: 1.2;
  color: #ffffff;
  margin: 0 0 52px 0;
}

.hero-tagline {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-size: clamp(14px, 1.8vw, 26px);
  color: var(--color-text-light);
  margin: 0;
  line-height: 1.4;
  letter-spacing: 1.5px;
}

.hero-tagline em {
  font-style: normal;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 2px;
}

.hero-image {
  grid-area: image;
  align-self: stretch;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.hero-image img {
  width: 100%;
  height: auto;
  display: block;
}

/* --- Mobile Hero: text → image → form stacked --- */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .hero {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    grid-template-rows: auto auto auto;
    grid-template-areas:
      "text"
      "image"
      "form";
    width: 100%;
    min-height: auto;
  }

  .hero-text {
    padding: 32px 20px 16px;
  }

  .hero-image {
    width: 75%;
    max-width: 320px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    display: block;
    overflow: visible;
    padding: 0;
  }

  .hero-image img {
    width: 100%;
    height: auto;
    display: block;
  }

  .hero-form-area {
    padding: 24px 20px 32px;
  }

  .hero-text h1 { font-size: 2.8rem; }
  .hero-text h2 { font-size: 1.9rem; margin-bottom: 0; }
  /* .hero-signup-box / .hero-signup-fields mobile sizing lives in the
     HERO SIGNUP FORM section below (single source of truth) */
}


/* ==========================================================================
   8. HOME PAGE — Email Signup (EmailOctopus Placeholder)
   ========================================================================== */

/* ==========================================================================
   9. HOME PAGE — Featured Short Story Section
   ========================================================================== */

.featured-story-section {
  position: relative;
  background-color: #120300;
  background-image: url('../images/Background-Texture.webp');
  background-size: cover;
  background-position: center;
}

/* Jagged red divider strip along the top edge, matching production's
   top section divider (Divi "arrow" style, in the brand red #b31217) */
.featured-story-section::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 10px;
  background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMTAwJSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxMDBweCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDEyODAgMTQwIiBwcmVzZXJ2ZUFzcGVjdFJhdGlvPSJub25lIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjxnIGZpbGw9IiNiMzEyMTciPjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0xMjgwIDBMNjQwIDcwIDAgMHYxNDBsNjQwLTcwIDY0MCA3MFYweiIgZmlsbC1vcGFjaXR5PSIuNSIvPjxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0xMjgwIDBIMGw2NDAgNzAgNjQwLTcweiIvPjwvZz48L3N2Zz4=");
  background-size: 100% 10px;
  background-repeat: no-repeat;
  box-shadow: 0px 12px 18px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
  pointer-events: none;
}

.featured-story-header {
  text-align: center;
  padding: 60px 24px 0;
}

.featured-story-title {
  font-family: 'Cinzel', serif;
  font-size: clamp(1.4rem, 2.5vw, 2.2rem);
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.3em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #ffcf75;
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
}

.featured-story-rule {
  width: 70%;
  margin: 0 auto;
  height: 3px;
  border-radius: 2px;
  position: relative;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg,
    rgba(179,18,23,0.12) 0%,
    rgba(179,18,23,0.45) 10%,
    #B31217 50%,
    rgba(179,18,23,0.45) 90%,
    rgba(179,18,23,0.12) 100%
  );
  box-shadow:
    0 0 28px rgba(179,18,23,0.70),
    0 0 14px rgba(179,18,23,0.60);
}

.featured-story-rule::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  left: 50%;
  transform: translateX(-50%);
  bottom: -1px;
  width: 52%;
  height: 10px;
  background: radial-gradient(ellipse at 50% 50%,
    rgba(179,18,23,0.90) 0%,
    rgba(179,18,23,0.35) 32%,
    rgba(179,18,23,0) 75%
  );
  filter: blur(8px);
  pointer-events: none;
}

.featured-story-inner {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 240px 1fr;
  gap: 64px;
  align-items: center;
  padding: 60px 40px var(--section-pad-v);
  width: 80%;
  max-width: 1080px;
  margin: 0 auto;
}

/* Cover glow — matches production CSS exactly */
.featured-story-cover {
  position: relative;
  overflow: visible;
  display: inline-block;
}

.featured-story-cover a {
  position: relative;
  overflow: visible;
  display: inline-block;
}

.featured-story-cover img {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
  border-radius: 0;
  width: 100%;
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px rgba(213,183,106,0.75);
  filter:
    drop-shadow(0 0 6px rgba(179,18,23,1))
    drop-shadow(0 0 18px rgba(179,18,23,0.65))
    drop-shadow(0 0 32px rgba(179,18,23,0.40));
}

.featured-story-cover a::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  top: -10px; right: -10px; bottom: -10px; left: -10px;
  z-index: 0;
  pointer-events: none;
  background: radial-gradient(110% 60% at 50% 50%,
    rgba(179,18,23,0.25) 0%,
    rgba(179,18,23,0.12) 40%,
    rgba(213,183,106,0.08) 65%,
    rgba(213,183,106,0) 100%);
  filter: blur(8px);
}

.featured-story-content {
  text-align: center;
}

.featured-story-content .section-title {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: clamp(1.2rem, 2vw, 1.7rem);
  font-style: normal;
  margin-bottom: 1.25rem;
  color: #ffcf75;
  font-weight: 700;
}

.featured-story-content p {
  color: #ffcf75;
  font-size: 1.1rem;
  line-height: 1.8;
  text-align: left;
}

.btn-featured {
  display: inline-block;
  padding: 0.85rem 2.5rem;
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.15em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  text-decoration: none;
  color: #ffcf75;
  border: 2px solid #b31217;
  background: transparent;
  border-radius: var(--btn-radius);
  transition: background 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s;
  margin-top: 1.5rem;
  cursor: pointer;
  box-shadow:
    0 0 12px rgba(179,18,23,0.50),
    0 0 24px rgba(179,18,23,0.25);
}

.btn-featured:hover {
  color: #ffcf75;
  background: rgba(179, 18, 23, 0.2);
  box-shadow:
    0 0 18px rgba(179,18,23,0.70),
    0 0 36px rgba(179,18,23,0.35);
}

@media (max-width: 900px) {
  .featured-story-inner {
    grid-template-columns: 200px 1fr;
    gap: 40px;
    max-width: 95%;
    padding: 40px 32px 60px;
  }
}

@media (max-width: 640px) {
  .featured-story-rule { display: none; }
  .featured-story-content p { display: none; }
  .featured-story-inner {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    text-align: center;
    padding: 32px 24px 60px;
  }
  .featured-story-cover {
    width: 70%;
    max-width: 300px;
    margin: 0 auto;
  }
}


/* ==========================================================================
   9b. FEATURED SHORT STORY — VARIANT 2: Purple / Gold
   Hero divider color for this variant: #6c2fd3
   ========================================================================== */

.featured-story--v2 {
  background-color: #1a1420;
  background-image: none;
}

/* Hide V1's plain rule — V2 uses a glowing pseudo-element on the title */
.featured-story--v2 .featured-story-rule {
  display: none;
}

/* Title: gold text + glowing purple underline */
.featured-story--v2 .featured-story-title {
  color: #d5b76a;
  padding-bottom: 1.2rem;
  position: relative;
}

.featured-story--v2 .featured-story-title::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  left: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0;
  height: 3px;
  border-radius: 2px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg,
    rgba(108,47,211,0.12) 0%,
    rgba(108,47,211,0.45) 10%,
    #6c2fd3 50%,
    rgba(108,47,211,0.45) 90%,
    rgba(108,47,211,0.12) 100%
  );
  box-shadow:
    0 0 28px rgba(108,47,211,0.70),
    0 0 14px rgba(108,47,211,0.60);
}

.featured-story--v2 .featured-story-title::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  left: 50%;
  transform: translateX(-50%);
  bottom: -1px;
  width: 52%;
  height: 10px;
  background: radial-gradient(ellipse at 50% 50%,
    rgba(108,47,211,0.90) 0%,
    rgba(108,47,211,0.35) 32%,
    rgba(108,47,211,0) 75%
  );
  filter: blur(8px);
  pointer-events: none;
}

/* Cover image: gold rim + purple glow + backing glow */
.featured-story--v2 .featured-story-cover img {
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px #d5b76a;
  filter:
    drop-shadow(0 0 6px  rgba(108,47,211,1))
    drop-shadow(0 0 18px rgba(108,47,211,0.65))
    drop-shadow(0 0 32px rgba(108,47,211,0.40));
}

.featured-story--v2 .featured-story-cover a::after {
  background: radial-gradient(110% 60% at 50% 50%,
    rgba(108,47,211,0.25) 0%,
    rgba(108,47,211,0.12) 40%,
    rgba(213,183,106,0.08) 65%,
    rgba(213,183,106,0) 100%);
}

/* Button: transparent, purple border, gold text, purple glow */
.featured-story--v2 .btn-featured {
  color: #d5b76a;
  border-color: #6c2fd3;
  box-shadow:
    0 0 12px rgba(108,47,211,0.50),
    0 0 24px rgba(108,47,211,0.25);
}

.featured-story--v2 .btn-featured:hover {
  background: rgba(108,47,211,0.15);
  box-shadow:
    0 0 18px rgba(108,47,211,0.70),
    0 0 36px rgba(108,47,211,0.35);
}

@media (max-width: 767px) {
  .featured-story--v2 .featured-story-title::after,
  .featured-story--v2 .featured-story-title::before {
    height: 2px;
  }
}


/* ==========================================================================
   9c. FEATURED SHORT STORY — VARIANT 3: Burnt Orange / Amber
   Hero divider color for this variant: #ff7518
   ========================================================================== */

.featured-story--v3 {
  background-color: #3b1a0b;
  background-image: none;
}

.featured-story--v3 .featured-story-rule {
  display: none;
}

.featured-story--v3 .featured-story-title {
  color: #ffae5a;
  padding-bottom: 1.2rem;
  position: relative;
}

.featured-story--v3 .featured-story-title::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  left: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0;
  height: 3px;
  border-radius: 2px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg,
    rgba(255,117,24,0.12) 0%,
    rgba(255,117,24,0.45) 10%,
    #ff7518 50%,
    rgba(255,117,24,0.45) 90%,
    rgba(255,117,24,0.12) 100%
  );
  box-shadow:
    0 0 28px rgba(255,117,24,0.70),
    0 0 14px rgba(255,117,24,0.60);
}

.featured-story--v3 .featured-story-title::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  left: 50%;
  transform: translateX(-50%);
  bottom: -1px;
  width: 52%;
  height: 10px;
  background: radial-gradient(ellipse at 50% 50%,
    rgba(255,165,90,0.90) 0%,
    rgba(255,117,24,0.35) 32%,
    rgba(255,117,24,0) 75%
  );
  filter: blur(8px);
  pointer-events: none;
}

.featured-story--v3 .featured-story-cover img {
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px #ff8a3c;
  filter:
    drop-shadow(0 0 4px  rgba(255,117,24,1))
    drop-shadow(0 0 10px rgba(255,117,24,0.9))
    drop-shadow(0 0 20px rgba(255,117,24,0.7))
    drop-shadow(0 0 32px rgba(255,117,24,0.45));
}

.featured-story--v3 .featured-story-cover a::after {
  background: radial-gradient(110% 60% at 50% 50%,
    rgba(255,117,24,0.35) 0%,
    rgba(255,117,24,0.18) 40%,
    rgba(255,117,24,0.05) 65%,
    rgba(255,117,24,0) 100%);
}

.featured-story--v3 .btn-featured {
  color: #ffae5a;
  border-color: #ff7518;
  box-shadow:
    0 0 12px rgba(255,117,24,0.50),
    0 0 24px rgba(255,117,24,0.25);
}

.featured-story--v3 .btn-featured:hover {
  background: rgba(255,117,24,0.15);
  box-shadow:
    0 0 18px rgba(255,117,24,0.70),
    0 0 36px rgba(255,117,24,0.35);
}

@media (max-width: 767px) {
  .featured-story--v3 .featured-story-title::after,
  .featured-story--v3 .featured-story-title::before {
    height: 2px;
  }
}


/* ==========================================================================
   10. HOME PAGE — ALP Series Teaser
   ========================================================================== */

.alp-section {
  position: relative;
  background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);
  background-image:
    linear-gradient(rgb(214, 184, 117) 70%, rgb(59, 31, 15) 99%),
    url('../images/parchment_bg_optimized.webp');
  background-size: cover, cover;
  background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%;
  background-blend-mode: soft-light, soft-light;
}

/* Hard raised-edge shadow at top */
.alp-section::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  top: 0; left: 0; right: 0;
  height: 4px;
  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9);
  box-shadow: 0 3px 12px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35);
  pointer-events: none;
  z-index: 1;
}

.alp-teaser {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  padding: 56px var(--section-pad-h) 40px;
  max-width: var(--max-width);
  margin: 0 auto;
  text-align: center;
}

.alp-new-series {
  font-family: 'Lato', sans-serif;
  font-size: 20px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #a02c2c;
  text-align: center;
  margin-bottom: 0.15rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
}

.alp-enter {
  font-family: 'Cinzel', serif;
  font-size: 27px;
  font-weight: 400;
  color: #4a2600;
  text-align: center;
  margin-bottom: 0.1rem;
}

.alp-title {
  font-family: 'Cinzel', serif;
  font-size: 51px;
  font-weight: 600;
  color: #4a2600;
  text-align: center;
  margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
  line-height: 1.15;
}

.alp-hook {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: 21px;
  font-weight: 400;
  color: #4a2600;
  text-align: center;
  margin: 0 auto 0.2rem;
  line-height: 1.5;
}

/* Outline button styled for parchment background */
.btn-alp-outline {
  display: inline-block;
  padding: 13px 40px;
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  text-decoration: none;
  color: #2a1a00;
  border: 2px solid #333333;
  background: transparent;
  border-radius: var(--btn-radius);
  transition: background 0.2s, color 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s, transform 0.2s;
  margin-top: 1.5rem;
  margin-bottom: 2.5rem;
  box-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(42,26,0,0.35);
}
.btn-alp-outline:hover {
  background: rgba(42,26,0,0.12);
  color: #2a1a00;
  box-shadow: 0 6px 20px rgba(42,26,0,0.45);
  transform: translateY(-2px);
}

.alp-books-row {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 80px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}

.alp-book-thumb {
  width: 220px;
  flex-shrink: 0;
  text-align: center;
}

.alp-book-thumb img {
  width: 100%;
  border-radius: var(--card-radius);
  box-shadow: 0 16px 48px rgba(0,0,0,0.45);
  transition: transform 0.3s;
  margin-bottom: 1.25rem;
}
.alp-book-thumb img:hover { transform: translateY(-6px); }

.alp-book-desc {
  font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;
  font-size: 16px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #2a1200;
  line-height: 2;
  margin: 0;
}

@media (max-width: 600px) {
  .alp-new-series { font-size: 22px; }
  .alp-title { font-size: 42px; }
  .alp-enter { font-size: 24px; }
  .alp-hook  { font-size: 26px; }
  .btn-alp-outline { padding: 17px 40px; font-size: 1.15rem; }
  .alp-books-row { flex-direction: column; align-items: center; gap: 32px; }
  .alp-book-thumb { width: 220px; max-width: 70%; }
}


/* ==========================================================================
   11. HOME PAGE — Serpent Shield Feature Section
   ========================================================================== */

/* ── Serpent Shield ── */
.serpent-section {
  background: #ffffff;
  padding: 25px 0 60px;
}

.serpent-inner {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 210px 1fr;
  gap: 55px;
  align-items: start;
  max-width: 1002px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 0 20px;
}

/* Cover column: push image down 25px so pullquote floats above it */
.serpent-cover {
  padding-top: 25px;
}

.serpent-cover img {
  width: 100%;
  border-radius: 15px;
}

.serpent-cover .btn-serpent {
  margin-top: 20px;
}

/* Pullquote */
.serpent-pullquote {
  font-family: 'Oswald', sans-serif;
  font-size: 21px;
  font-weight: 300;
  font-style: italic;
  color: rgb(51, 51, 51);
  margin: 0 0 16px;
  line-height: 1.4;
  text-align: center;
}

/* Rules heading */
.serpent-rules-heading {
  font-family: 'Oswald', sans-serif;
  font-size: 17px;
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 2px;
  color: rgb(0, 0, 0);
  margin: 0 0 6px;
  line-height: 1.4;
}

/* Rules list */
.serpent-rules {
  list-style: none;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0 0 16px;
}

.serpent-rules li {
  font-family: 'Oswald', sans-serif;
  font-size: 17px;
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 2px;
  color: rgb(0, 0, 0);
  padding-left: 40px;
  line-height: 1.6;
}

/* Body paragraphs */
.serpent-body {
  font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
  font-size: 15px;
  font-weight: 500;
  color: rgb(0, 0, 0);
  margin: 0 0 14px;
  line-height: 1.7;
}

.serpent-body-italic {
  font-weight: 600;
  font-style: italic;
}

/* Buy button — full width under cover */
.btn-serpent {
  display: block;
  width: 100%;
  text-align: center;
  background-color: rgb(9, 82, 160);
  color: #ffffff;
  font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 3px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  text-decoration: none;
  padding: 10px 0;
  margin: 12px 0 6px;
  border: none;
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: background-color 0.2s;
  box-sizing: border-box;
}
.btn-serpent:hover {
  background-color: rgb(6, 60, 120);
}

/* "Available at..." */
.serpent-retailer {
  font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 300;
  font-style: italic;
  color: rgb(51, 51, 51);
  margin: 0;
  text-align: center;
}

@media (max-width: 900px) {
  .serpent-inner {
    grid-template-columns: 160px 1fr;
    gap: 35px;
  }
}

@media (max-width: 640px) {
  .serpent-inner {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    text-align: center;
  }
  .serpent-cover {
    width: 80%;
    max-width: 340px;
    margin: 0 auto;
  }
  .serpent-rules-heading,
  .serpent-rules,
  .serpent-body { display: none; }
}


/* ==========================================================================
   12. BOOKS PAGE
   ========================================================================== */

.page-header {
  padding: 70px var(--section-pad-h) 50px;
  max-width: var(--max-width);
  margin: 0 auto;
  text-align: center;
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--color-border);
}

.page-header .overline { font-size: 0.7rem; }

.page-header h1 {
  font-size: clamp(2rem, 4vw, 3.2rem);
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
}

.page-header p {
  font-size: 1rem;
  color: var(--color-text);
  max-width: 680px;
  margin: 0 auto;
}

/* Series heading block */
.series-header {
  text-align: center;
  padding: 70px var(--section-pad-h) 40px;
  max-width: var(--max-width);
  margin: 0 auto;
}

.series-header h2 {
  font-size: clamp(2rem, 4vw, 3rem);
  margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
}

.series-header h3 {
  font-size: clamp(1rem, 2vw, 1.4rem);
  font-weight: 400;
  font-style: italic;
  color: var(--color-text);
}

.series-strong {
  font-weight: 700;
  font-style: normal;
  color: var(--color-text-light);
}

/* Three-book row on Books page */
.books-row {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 36px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  padding: 0 var(--section-pad-h) 60px;
  max-width: var(--max-width);
  margin: 0 auto;
}


/* ==========================================================================
   13. SHORT STORIES PAGE
   ========================================================================== */

/* ── Stories Section (teal) ── */
.stories-section {
  /* rgba(30,111,115,0.29) computed over white */
  background-color: rgb(190, 213, 214);
  padding: 30px 0 32px;
}

.stories-inner {
  max-width: var(--max-width);
  margin: 8px auto 21px;
  padding: 0 var(--section-pad-h);
}

/* -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   STORY GRID — Each card is a .story-card block.
   To add a new story: copy one article block and paste it.
   To rearrange: cut and paste the entire article block.
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------- */

.stories-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  gap: 40px;
}

.story-card {
  background: rgb(255, 255, 255);
  border: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
  border-radius: 10px;
  box-shadow: 6px 6px 18px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3);
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.story-card-cover {
  height: 310px;
  padding: 16px 0 0;
  box-sizing: border-box;
  display: flex;
  align-items: flex-start;
  justify-content: center;
}

.story-card-cover img {
  max-width: 178px;
  max-height: 294px;
  width: auto;
  height: auto;
  display: block;
  border-radius: 10px;
}

.story-card-body {
  padding: 12px 16px 16px;
  flex: 1;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: flex-start;
  text-align: left;
}

.story-genre {
  display: block;
  font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 600;
  font-style: italic;
  color: rgb(0, 0, 0);
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.story-card-body p {
  font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 500;
  color: rgb(0, 0, 0);
  flex: 1;
  margin-bottom: 14px;
  line-height: 1.7;
}

/* Free stories — plain blue text link, centered */
.story-card-link {
  display: block;
  width: 100%;
  font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 500;
  color: rgb(46, 163, 242);
  background: transparent;
  border: none;
  border-radius: var(--btn-radius);
  padding: 0;
  text-align: center;
  text-decoration: none;
}
.story-card-link:hover {
  text-decoration: underline;
}

/* Amazon stories — navy button, centered */
.story-card-link--amazon {
  display: block;
  align-self: center;
  width: fit-content;
  font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #ffffff;
  background: rgb(29, 53, 87);
  border: none;
  border-radius: var(--btn-radius);
  padding: 8px 20px;
  text-align: center;
  text-decoration: none;
  letter-spacing: 0.5px;
  transition: background 0.2s;
}
.story-card-link--amazon:hover {
  background: rgb(20, 40, 68);
  color: #ffffff;
}

@media (max-width: 900px) {
  .stories-inner { max-width: 100%; padding: 0 30px; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .stories-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 24px; }

  .story-card-cover {
    height: auto;
    padding: 20px 0 0;
    display: flex;
    justify-content: center;
  }
  .story-card-cover img {
    max-width: 60%;
    max-height: none;
    height: auto;
  }
  .story-genre {
    text-transform: none;
    font-style: italic;
    font-weight: 400;
    font-size: 13px;
    letter-spacing: 0;
  }
  .story-card-body {
    padding: 14px 20px 20px;
  }
}

@media (max-width: 500px) {
  .stories-inner { padding: 0 16px; }
}


/* ==========================================================================
   14. ABOUT PAGE
   ========================================================================== */

/* Contact Form */
.contact-section {
  background-color: rgb(23, 23, 23);
  padding: 60px 20px 80px;
  width: 100%;
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

.contact-heading {
  font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;
  font-size: 26px;
  font-weight: 500;
  color: #ffffff;
  text-align: center;
  margin: 0 0 32px;
}

.contact-form {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 16px;
  max-width: 780px;
  margin: 0 auto;
}

.contact-form input,
.contact-form textarea {
  width: 100%;
  padding: 13px 16px;
  background: rgb(30, 30, 30) !important;
  border: 1px solid #ffffff !important;
  color: #ffffff !important;
  -webkit-text-fill-color: #ffffff !important;
  font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;
  font-size: 16px;
  border-radius: 0;
  outline: none;
  box-sizing: border-box;
  transition: border-color 0.2s;
  -webkit-appearance: none;
  appearance: none;
}

.contact-form input:focus,
.contact-form textarea:focus {
  border-color: rgb(30, 111, 115) !important;
}

/* Override Chrome/Safari autofill's default white background */
.contact-form input:-webkit-autofill,
.contact-form input:-webkit-autofill:hover,
.contact-form input:-webkit-autofill:focus,
.contact-form input:-webkit-autofill:active {
  -webkit-box-shadow: 0 0 0 1000px rgb(30, 30, 30) inset !important;
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 1000px rgb(30, 30, 30) inset !important;
  -webkit-text-fill-color: #ffffff !important;
  caret-color: #ffffff;
  transition: background-color 5000s ease-in-out 0s;
}

.contact-form input::placeholder,
.contact-form textarea::placeholder {
  color: #ffffff !important;
  -webkit-text-fill-color: #ffffff !important;
  opacity: 1;
}

.contact-form textarea {
  min-height: 160px;
  resize: vertical;
}

.contact-form-footer {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: flex-end;
}

.contact-send-btn {
  background-color: rgb(30, 111, 115);
  color: #ffffff;
  font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;
  font-size: 16px;
  font-weight: 700;
  border: none;
  padding: 10px 32px;
  cursor: pointer;
  letter-spacing: 0.5px;
  transition: background 0.2s;
}

.contact-send-btn:hover {
  background-color: rgb(22, 85, 88);
}

.form-success-msg {
  display: none;
  max-width: 780px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 16px;
  background: rgba(30, 111, 115, 0.2);
  border: 1px solid rgb(30, 111, 115);
  color: #ffffff;
  font-size: 0.95rem;
}

.form-error-msg {
  display: none;
  max-width: 780px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 16px;
  background: rgba(150, 40, 40, 0.2);
  border: 1px solid rgb(150, 40, 40);
  color: #ffffff;
  font-size: 0.95rem;
}


/* ==========================================================================
   15. ALP SERIES LANDING PAGE
   ========================================================================== */

/* ==========================================================================
   ALP SERIES LANDING PAGE
   ========================================================================== */

/* Gold button used throughout the ALP page */
.alp-gold-btn {
  display: inline-block;
  background-color: #c9a344;
  color: #2d1a0f;
  font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;
  font-size: 15px;
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 1px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  text-decoration: none;
  padding: 0.3em 1em;
  margin-top: 14px;
  border: none;
  border-radius: 5px;
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: background-color 300ms ease 0ms;
}
.alp-gold-btn:hover { background-color: #e5b24b; color: #2d1a0f; }

/* ── Section 0: Gold gradient hero ── */
.alp-hero-section {
  background-blend-mode: soft-light;
  background-image: linear-gradient(180deg, #d6b875 70%, #3b1f0f 99%), url('/assets/images/parchment_bg_optimized.webp');
  background-size: cover;
  background-position: center;
  padding: 4px 0 120px;
  width: 100%;
}

.alp-hero-inner {
  max-width: 1080px;
  margin: 20px auto -13px;
  padding: 0 20px;
  text-align: center;
}

.alp-welcome {
  font-family: 'Cinzel', serif;
  font-size: 35px;
  font-weight: 400;
  color: rgb(74, 38, 0);
  margin: 0 0 6px;
  line-height: 1.2;
}

.alp-main-title {
  font-family: 'Cinzel', serif;
  font-size: 55px;
  font-weight: 600;
  color: rgb(74, 38, 0);
  letter-spacing: 2px;
  margin: 0 0 18px;
  line-height: 1.1;
}

.alp-hook {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: 22px;
  font-weight: 400;
  color: rgb(74, 38, 0);
  margin: 0 0 4px;
  line-height: 1.1em;
}

/* Two main novels row */
.alp-novels-row {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 60px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  margin-top: 0;
  padding-top: 11px;
}

.alp-novel {
  text-align: center;
  width: 288px;
}

.alp-novel img {
  width: 100%;
  max-width: 100%;
  height: auto;
  display: block;
  margin: 0 auto 17px;
  box-shadow: 0 12px 40px rgba(0,0,0,0.4);
  border: 1px solid #8c6900;
  transition: transform 0.3s;
}
.alp-novel img:hover { transform: translateY(-6px); }

.alp-novel-tagline {
  font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;
  font-size: 16px;
  color: #ffffff;
  margin: 14px 0 16px;
  line-height: 1.5;
}

/* ── Section 1: Dark red-brown ── */
.alp-brown-section {
  background-color: #3b1f0f;
  background-image: linear-gradient(180deg, #b76e2a 0%, #541d00 1%);
  padding: 35px 0 25px;
}

.alp-brown-inner {
  max-width: 1080px;
  margin: -132px auto 0;
  padding: 11px 20px 13px;
  position: relative;
}

/* Gold section labels */
.alp-section-label {
  font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;
  font-size: 20px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #ffdd77;
  text-align: left;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 2px;
  margin: 20px 0 0;
  padding-top: 16px;
  padding-bottom: 12px;
  border-top: 1px solid #d6b875;
}

/* Short story cards */
.alp-shorts-row {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 60px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  margin-bottom: 0;
}

.alp-short-card {
  text-align: center;
  width: 280px;
}

.alp-short-card img {
  width: 70%;
  max-width: 70%;
  height: auto;
  display: block;
  margin: 0 auto 10px;
  box-shadow: 0 8px 28px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);
  border: 1px solid #8c6900;
  transition: transform 0.3s;
}
.alp-short-card img:hover { transform: translateY(-4px); }

.alp-short-tagline {
  font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;
  font-size: 16px;
  color: #ffffff;
  margin: 0 0 14px;
  line-height: 1.5;
}

.alp-section-label--lore {
  margin-top: 34px;
}

/* Lore text */
.alp-lore-text {
  max-width: 100%;
}

.alp-lore-text p {
  font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;
  font-size: 16px;
  color: #ffffff;
  line-height: 1.8;
  margin: 0 0 14px;
}

.alp-lore-text p strong { color: #ffffff; }
.alp-lore-text p em { color: #ffffff; }

/* Responsive — tablet (≤980px) */
@media (max-width: 980px) {
  .alp-brown-inner { margin-top: -120px; }
}

/* Responsive — mobile (≤767px) */
@media (max-width: 767px) {
  .alp-hero-section {
    background-image: linear-gradient(180deg, #d6b875 92%, #3b1f0f 99%), url('/assets/images/parchment_bg_optimized.webp');
    padding-bottom: 36px;
  }
  .alp-brown-inner { margin-top: 0px; }
  .alp-welcome { font-size: 24px; }
  .alp-main-title { font-size: 38px; }
  .alp-hook { font-size: 18px; }
  .alp-novels-row {
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 32px;
  }
  .alp-novel { width: 240px; }

  /* Short stories: vertical stack, cover + button only */
  .alp-shorts-row {
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 32px;
  }
  .alp-short-card {
    width: 240px;
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center;
  }
  .alp-short-card img {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
  }
  .alp-short-tagline { display: none; }
}


/* ==========================================================================
   16. EVOLUTION OF A SHADOW LANDING PAGE
   ========================================================================== */

/* EOS page — white background overrides global dark body */
body:has(.eos-header) {
  background-color: #ffffff;
}

.eos-header {
  background: #fff;
  padding: 16px 60px 8px;
  max-width: 1100px;
  margin: 0 auto;
}

.eos-header h1 {
  font-size: 45px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #333;
  text-align: left;
  text-shadow: 0.08em 0.08em 0.08em rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);
  margin: 0 0 4px;
  line-height: 1.1;
}

.eos-series-label {
  font-size: 20px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #333;
  margin: 0;
}

.eos-page {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 320px 1fr;
  align-items: start;
  background: #fff;
  padding: 12px 60px 40px;
  gap: 40px;
  max-width: 1100px;
  margin: 0 auto;
}

.eos-cover {
  position: sticky;
  top: 80px;
}

.eos-cover img {
  width: 100%;
  max-width: 380px;
  height: auto;
  display: block;
}

.eos-content {
  padding: 0;
}

.eos-content p {
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  color: #444;
  line-height: 1.6;
  margin-bottom: 0.7rem;
}

.eos-content p.eos-signup-label {
  font-size: 19px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #0C71C3;
  text-align: center;
  margin: 0.75rem 0 0.5rem;
}

@media (max-width: 900px) {
  .eos-header { padding: 30px 24px 16px; }
  .eos-header h1 { font-size: 2rem; }
  .eos-page {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    padding: 20px 24px 40px;
    gap: 24px;
  }
  .eos-cover { position: relative; top: 0; }
}

@media (max-width: 640px) {
  .eos-cover {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: center;
  }
  .eos-cover img {
    width: 55%;
    max-width: 220px;
  }
}


/* ==========================================================================
   17. PRIVACY POLICY PAGE
   ========================================================================== */

.privacy-content {
  background: #ffffff;
  padding: var(--section-pad-v) var(--section-pad-h);
  max-width: var(--max-width);
  margin: 0 auto;
}

.privacy-content h1 {
  font-size: 1.6rem;
  color: #111111;
  margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
}

.privacy-content .effective-date {
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  color: #666666;
  margin-bottom: 2.5rem;
}

.privacy-content h2 {
  font-size: 1.05rem;
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #111111;
  margin: 2rem 0 0.6rem;
}

.privacy-content p {
  font-size: 0.93rem;
  color: #333333;
  line-height: 1.8;
}

.privacy-content a {
  color: var(--color-accent);
}


/* ==========================================================================
   18. NAV-FREE PAGES — Minimal Header & Footer
   ========================================================================== */

.nav-free-header {
  padding: 28px var(--section-pad-h);
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--color-border);
}

.nav-free-header a img {
  height: 36px;
  width: auto;
}


/* ==========================================================================
   19. RESPONSIVE TYPOGRAPHY FALLBACKS
   ========================================================================== */

@media (max-width: 480px) {
  :root {
    --section-pad-v: 60px;
    --section-pad-h: 16px;
  }
}


/* ==========================================================================
   20. HERO SIGNUP FORM
   Dark box with red border, sits inside the hero text column.
   ========================================================================== */

/* Mobile-only line break in signup headline */
.mobile-break { display: none; }

.hero-signup-box {
  max-width: 520px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  background: transparent;
  border: 2px solid #7a0a0a;
  border-radius: 8px;
  padding: 12px 16px;
  text-align: center;
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  font-family: 'Cinzel', serif;
}

.hero-signup-headline {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', var(--font-body);
  font-weight: 600;
  color: #f0f0f0;
  font-size: 15px;
  line-height: 1.3;
  letter-spacing: 0.3px;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.hero-signup-sub {
  color: #dcdcdc;
  font-size: 14px;
  margin-top: 6px;
}

.hero-signup-fields {
  display: flex;
  gap: 8px;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: stretch;
}

.hero-signup-fields input[type="email"] {
  flex: 1;
  max-width: 280px;
  background: #0e0e0e;
  border: 1px solid #7a0a0a;
  border-radius: 6px;
  color: #f5f5f5;
  height: 40px;
  padding: 0 12px;
  font-size: 16px;
  font-family: 'Cinzel', serif;
}

.hero-signup-fields input[type="email"]::placeholder { color: #aaaaaa; }
.hero-signup-fields input[type="email"]:focus {
  outline: none;
  border-color: #a00000;
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(160,0,0,.25);
}

.hero-signup-fields input[type="submit"] {
  background: #a00000;
  border: none;
  border-radius: 6px;
  height: 40px;
  padding: 0 18px;
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 600;
  font-family: 'Cinzel', serif;
  letter-spacing: 0.5px;
  color: #fff;
  cursor: pointer;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}

.hero-signup-fields input[type="submit"]:hover {
  background: #6c0000;
  box-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(160,0,0,.35);
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .mobile-break { display: inline; }

  .hero-signup-box {
    max-width: 360px;
    width: 85%;
    margin: 0 auto;
    padding: 14px 16px;
  }
  .hero-signup-fields {
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: stretch;
    gap: 8px;
  }
  .hero-signup-fields input[type="email"] {
    -webkit-appearance: none;
    appearance: none;
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 100%;
    padding: 8px 18px;
    font-size: 16px;
    box-sizing: border-box;
    line-height: normal;
  }
  .hero-signup-fields input[type="submit"] {
    width: 100%;
    max-width: none;
    height: 44px;
    font-size: 17px;
    letter-spacing: 1px;
    padding: 0;
  }
}


/* ==========================================================================
   21. NEWSLETTER SECTION (Parallax — bottom of Home, Books, Short Stories)
   Edit heading/copy in components/newsletter.html
   ========================================================================== */

.newsletter-section {
  position: relative;
  background-image: url('/assets/images/Graveyard.webp');
  background-attachment: fixed;     /* parallax scroll effect */
  background-size: cover;
  background-position: center 20%;
  padding: 60px var(--section-pad-h);
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
}

/* iOS Safari doesn't support background-attachment: fixed — fall back gracefully */
@supports (-webkit-touch-callout: none) {
  .newsletter-section { background-attachment: scroll; }
}

/* No overlay — dark box provides contrast */

/* Content box */
.newsletter-box {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.88);
  border-radius: 8px;
  padding: 24px 32px;
  max-width: 640px;
  width: 100%;
}

.newsletter-heading {
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: 1.3rem;
  font-weight: 400;
  color: #ffffff;
  line-height: 1.3;
  margin-bottom: 0.4rem;
}

.newsletter-sub {
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  color: #ffffff;
  margin-bottom: 1rem;
  line-height: 1.6;
  font-weight: 400;
}

/* Placeholder form row (delete when MailerLite embed is pasted in) */
.newsletter-fields {
  display: flex;
  gap: 10px;
}

.newsletter-fields input[type="email"] {
  flex: 1;
  background: #ffffff;
  border: 1px solid #cccccc;
  border-radius: 4px;
  padding: 0 14px;
  height: 44px;
  font-size: 16px;
  color: #111;
}

.newsletter-fields input[type="email"]::placeholder { color: #999; }

.newsletter-fields button {
  background: #3d5a8a;
  border: none;
  border-radius: 4px;
  height: 44px;
  padding: 0 24px;
  font-size: 13px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #fff;
  cursor: pointer;
  flex-shrink: 0;
  letter-spacing: 0.02em;
}

.newsletter-fields button:hover { background: #2d4570; }

/* Success message */
.newsletter-success { display: none; color: var(--color-text-light); }

/* ALP series signup form — stacked layout inside the alp-signup section */
.alp-signup-form {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 10px;
  width: 100%;
  max-width: 420px;
  margin: 0 auto;
}

.alp-signup-form input[type="email"] {
  width: 100%;
  background: #111;
  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
  border-radius: 6px;
  color: var(--color-text);
  height: 44px;
  padding: 0 14px;
  font-size: 16px;
}

.alp-signup-form input[type="email"]::placeholder { color: #666; }
.alp-signup-form input[type="email"]:focus {
  outline: none;
  border-color: var(--color-accent);
}

.alp-signup-form .btn {
  width: 100%;
  text-align: center;
}

/* EOFS landing page signup form */
.eos-signup-form form {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: row;
  gap: 8px;
  width: 100%;
}

.eos-signup-form input[type="email"] {
  flex: 1;
  background: #fff;
  border: 1px solid #ccc;
  border-radius: 6px;
  color: #333;
  height: 44px;
  padding: 0 14px;
  font-size: 16px;
}

.eos-signup-form input[type="email"]::placeholder { color: #999; }
.eos-signup-form input[type="email"]:focus {
  outline: none;
  border-color: #1e6f73;
}

.eos-signup-form .btn {
  width: auto;
  white-space: nowrap;
  text-align: center;
  background-color: #1e6f73;
  color: #fff;
  border: none;
  border-radius: 6px;
  padding: 0.5rem 1rem;
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: background-color 0.2s;
}
.eos-signup-form .btn:hover { background-color: #2c8d93; }
.newsletter-success h4 {
  font-family: var(--font-heading);
  font-size: 1.4rem;
  margin-bottom: 0.4rem;
}

@media (max-width: 640px) {
  .newsletter-box { padding: 20px 24px; }
  .newsletter-heading { font-size: 1.1rem; margin-bottom: 12px; }
  .newsletter-sub { margin-bottom: 16px; }
  .newsletter-fields { flex-direction: column; }
  .newsletter-fields input[type="email"],
  .newsletter-fields button { width: 100%; }
  .newsletter-fields input[type="email"] {
    -webkit-appearance: none;
    appearance: none;
    font-size: 16px;
    padding: 8px 14px;
    box-sizing: border-box;
    line-height: normal;
  }
  .newsletter-fields button { height: 36px !important; font-size: 13px; padding: 0; }
}


/* ==========================================================================
   19. BOOKS PAGE
   ========================================================================== */

/* ── Books Page Header (navy blue) ── */
.books-page-header {
  display: block;
  width: 100%;
  background-color: rgb(29, 53, 87);
  padding: 0 0 28px;
}

.books-page-header-inner {
  max-width: var(--max-width);
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 25px var(--section-pad-h) 0;
}

.books-page-header-overline {
  font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
  font-size: 14px;
  font-weight: 500;
  color: rgb(255, 255, 255);
  letter-spacing: 1px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.books-page-header-title {
  font-family: 'Abril Fatface', serif;
  font-size: 50px;
  font-weight: 500;
  color: rgb(255, 255, 255);
  line-height: 1.1;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.books-page-header-body {
  font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
  font-size: 16px;
  font-weight: 500;
  color: rgb(255, 255, 255);
  line-height: 1.6;
  margin: 0;
}

/* ── Books ALP Section (parchment) ── */
.books-alp-section {
  position: relative;
  background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);
  background-image: linear-gradient(rgb(214, 184, 117) 70%, rgb(59, 31, 15) 99%), url('/assets/images/parchment_bg_optimized.webp');
  background-size: cover, cover;
  background-position: 50% 50%, 50% 50%;
  background-blend-mode: soft-light, soft-light;
  padding: 4px 0 2px;
}

/* No top shadow/transition line on books page ALP (unlike home page ALP) */

.books-alp-inner {
  max-width: 1003px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 25px 20px 24px;
  text-align: center;
}

.books-alp-title {
  font-family: 'Cinzel', serif;
  font-size: 55px;
  font-weight: 600;
  color: rgb(74, 38, 0);
  letter-spacing: 2px;
  margin-bottom: 18px;
}

/* Wrap the two hook lines together to get the -13px offset from the H1 */
.books-alp-hooks {
  margin-top: -13px;
}

.books-alp-hook {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: 22px;
  font-weight: 400;
  color: rgb(74, 38, 0);
  text-align: center;
  margin-top: 0;
  margin-bottom: 4px;
  line-height: 1.5;
}

/* Three book covers row */
.books-covers-row {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 55px;
  margin: 20px auto 0;
  padding-top: 11px;
}

.books-cover-item {
  width: 220px;
}

.books-cover-item img {
  width: 100%;
  border-radius: 4px;
  box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);
}

@media (max-width: 640px) {
  .books-covers-row {
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 28px;
  }
  .books-cover-item { width: 220px; max-width: 70%; }
}

/* Explore the Series button */
.books-alp-cta {
  text-align: center;
  margin: 42px 0 20px;
}

.books-btn-dark {
  color: #ffffff;
  border-color: #a02c2c;
  background: #a02c2c;
  font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;
  font-size: 16px;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 2px;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  box-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(42,26,0,0.35);
  transition: background 0.2s, color 0.2s, border-color 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s, transform 0.2s;
}

.books-btn-dark:hover {
  background: #841f1f;
  border-color: #841f1f;
  color: #ffffff;
  box-shadow: 0 6px 20px rgba(42,26,0,0.45);
  transform: translateY(-2px);
}

/* ── Book Detail Section (white) ── */
.book-detail-section {
  background: #ffffff;
  padding: 50px 0 87px;
}

.book-detail-inner {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 210px 1fr;
  gap: 55px;
  align-items: start;
  max-width: 1003px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 0 20px;
}

.book-detail-cover img {
  width: 100%;
  border-radius: 15px;
  box-shadow: 0 4px 18px rgba(0,0,0,0.15);
}

.book-detail-title {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: 48px;
  font-weight: 500;
  color: rgb(51, 51, 51);
  margin-bottom: 12px;
  line-height: 1.2;
}

.book-detail-body {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif;
  font-size: 15px;
  font-weight: 500;
  color: rgb(0, 0, 0);
  margin-bottom: 14px;
  line-height: 1.7;
}

.book-detail-btn {
  display: inline-block;
  margin-top: 10px;
  background-color: rgb(9, 82, 160);
  color: rgb(255, 255, 255);
  font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;
  font-size: 20px;
  font-weight: 700;
  border: none;
  padding: 10px 28px;
  border-radius: 0;
  text-decoration: none;
}

.book-detail-btn:hover {
  background-color: rgb(6, 60, 120);
  color: #ffffff;
}

@media (max-width: 640px) {
  /* 1. Page header title smaller */
  .books-page-header-title {
    font-size: 32px;
  }

  /* 2. Body text smaller with a bit more space above */
  .books-page-header-body {
    font-size: 16px;
    margin-top: 12px;
  }

  /* 4 & 5. Serpent Shield: stack cover on top, hide title & body text */
  .book-detail-inner {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
    gap: 0;
    text-align: center;
  }
  .book-detail-section { padding-bottom: 36px; }
  .book-detail-cover {
    width: 80%;
    max-width: 340px;
    margin: 0 auto 16px;
  }
  .book-detail-title,
  .book-detail-body { display: none; }
  .book-detail-btn {
    display: block;
    width: 220px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    font-size: 16px;
    padding: 14px 0;
    text-align: center;
    box-sizing: border-box;
  }
}


/* ==========================================================================
   ABOUT PAGE
   ========================================================================== */

/* Hero banner image */
.about-hero-banner {
  width: 100%;
  height: 230px;
  background-image: url('/assets/images/about-hero.webp');
  background-size: 100% auto;
  background-position: center bottom;
  background-repeat: no-repeat;
}

/* Dark teal bio section */
.about-bio-section {
  background-color: rgb(51, 81, 81);
  padding: 53px 20px 50px;
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

/* Centered white card */
.about-bio-card {
  background: #ffffff;
  border-radius: 6px;
  max-width: 800px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 40px 60px 48px;
  box-sizing: border-box;
  text-align: center;
}

/* Circular author photo */
.about-bio-photo {
  width: 120px;
  height: 120px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  object-fit: cover;
  display: block;
  margin: 0 auto 20px;
}

/* Author name heading */
.about-bio-name {
  font-family: 'Abril Fatface', serif;
  font-size: 32px;
  font-weight: 400;
  color: rgb(17, 17, 17);
  margin: 0 0 20px;
  line-height: 1.2;
}

/* Bio paragraphs */
.about-bio-card p {
  font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
  font-size: 16px;
  font-weight: 400;
  color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.64);
  line-height: 1.7;
  margin: 0 0 16px;
  text-align: left;
}

.about-bio-card p:last-child {
  margin-bottom: 0;
}

.about-bio-card p strong {
  font-weight: 700;
  color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);
}

/* Responsive */
@media (max-width: 700px) {
  .about-hero-banner { height: 200px; background-size: cover; background-position: center center; }
  .about-bio-card { padding: 28px 24px 36px; }
  .about-bio-name { font-size: 26px; }
}


/* ==========================================================================
   GHOST TOUR LANDING PAGE
   ========================================================================== */

.ghost-tour-page {
  min-height: 100vh;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  background-image: url('/assets/images/ghost-tour-bg.webp?v=7');
  background-size: cover;
  background-position: center bottom;
  padding: 60px 24px;
  box-sizing: border-box;
}

.ghost-tour-card {
  width: 100%;
  max-width: 620px;
  position: relative;
  background: rgba(10,6,12,0.90);
  backdrop-filter: blur(6px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(6px);
  border: 1px solid #E2BD58;
  border-radius: 18px;
  box-shadow: 0 30px 70px rgba(0,0,0,.55), inset 0 0 70px rgba(0,0,0,.4);
  padding: 34px 52px 32px;
  text-align: center;
}

.ghost-tour-logo {
  height: 68px;
  width: auto;
  display: block;
  margin: -78px auto 4px;
  position: relative;
  z-index: 2;
  filter: drop-shadow(0 3px 10px rgba(0,0,0,.7)) drop-shadow(0 0 18px rgba(226,189,88,.55));
}

.ghost-tour-brand {
  font-family: 'Cinzel', serif;
  font-size: 13px;
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 0.22em;
  color: #f5ede0;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  margin: 0 0 26px;
}

.ghost-tour-tagline {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-style: normal;
  font-weight: 500;
  font-size: 23px;
  color: #f5ede0;
  line-height: 1.32;
  margin: 0 24px 24px;
}

.ghost-tour-divider {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 12px;
  margin: 0 0 24px;
  color: #E2BD58;
}
.ghost-tour-divider::before,
.ghost-tour-divider::after {
  content: '';
  height: 1px;
  width: 44px;
  background: rgba(226,189,88,0.5);
}
.ghost-tour-divider svg { width: 10px; height: 10px; fill: currentColor; transform: rotate(45deg); }

.ghost-tour-title {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 39px;
  line-height: 1.15;
  color: #f7f2ea;
  margin: 0 0 24px;
  text-shadow: 0 2px 12px rgba(0,0,0,.6), 0 0 26px rgba(226,189,88,.35);
}

.ghost-tour-body {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', var(--font-body);
  font-weight: 500;
  font-size: 14px;
  letter-spacing: 0.045em;
  color: #e8e2d3;
  line-height: 1.6;
  margin: 0 0 24px;
}

.ghost-tour-punchline {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-style: italic;
  font-weight: 400;
  font-size: 18px;
  color: #e8e2d3;
  margin: 0 0 24px;
}

.ghost-tour-hook {
  font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif;
  font-weight: 400;
  font-size: 16px;
  letter-spacing: 0.01em;
  line-height: 1.4;
  color: #E8C85A;
  margin: 0 0 24px;
}

.ghost-tour-form-row form {
  display: flex;
  gap: 10px;
  justify-content: center;
}

.ghost-tour-form-row input[type="email"] {
  flex: 1;
  min-width: 0;
  background: #0e0e0e;
  border: 1px solid #E2BD58;
  border-radius: 6px;
  color: #f5f5f5;
  height: 50px;
  padding: 0 16px;
  font-size: 16px;
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  -webkit-appearance: none;
  appearance: none;
}
.ghost-tour-form-row input[type="email"]::placeholder { color: #999999; font-size: 14px; }
.ghost-tour-form-row input[type="email"]:focus {
  outline: none;
  border-color: #ecc879;
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(226,189,88,.3);
}

.ghost-tour-form-row button[type="submit"] {
  background: #a00000;
  border: none;
  border-radius: 6px;
  height: 50px;
  padding: 0 22px;
  font-family: 'Montserrat', var(--font-body);
  font-size: 13px;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #ffffff;
  cursor: pointer;
  white-space: nowrap;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}
.ghost-tour-form-row button[type="submit"]:hover {
  background: #6c0000;
  box-shadow: 0 4px 14px rgba(160,0,0,.35);
}

.ghost-tour-success p:first-child {
  font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;
  font-size: 20px;
  color: #f7f2ea;
}
.ghost-tour-success p:last-child {
  font-size: 14px;
  color: #b8b8b8;
  margin-top: 6px;
}

@media (max-width: 640px) {
  .ghost-tour-page { padding: 40px 16px; }
  .ghost-tour-card { padding: 32px 24px 30px; border-radius: 14px; }
  .ghost-tour-title { font-size: 30px; }
  .ghost-tour-tagline { font-size: 20px; }
  .ghost-tour-body { font-size: 13px; }
  .ghost-tour-form-row form {
    flex-direction: column;
  }
  .ghost-tour-form-row input[type="email"] {
    width: 100%;
    height: auto;
    padding: 14px 16px;
    font-size: 16px;
    box-sizing: border-box;
  }
  .ghost-tour-form-row button[type="submit"] {
    width: 100%;
    height: 44px;
    font-size: 14px;
  }
}