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Submissions

Electric Literature will open for submissions in ALL CATEGORIES on April 1, 2024, for two weeks or until the submission cap of 750 (per category) is reached.

The Commuter has reached its submissions cap in prose and poetry, but remains open for graphic narrative. Recommended Reading and Personal Narrative remain open.

Electric Literature accepts submissions of short stories, personal narratives, cultural criticism, poetry, flash prose, and graphic narratives through Submittable during designated submission periods two to four times a year. Pitches for critical essays, humor pieces, interviews, and reading lists are accepted via email year-round. General information for these categories is provided below, and specific dates for submission periods can be found on Electric Literature’s Submittable page.

We announce open submission periods one to two weeks in advance. The best way to find out about upcoming submission windows is to subscribe to our eNewsletter, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Please familiarize yourself with the work we publish before submitting. Only one submission per category will be accept during any given submission period, though you may submit across multiple categories at once. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please let us know immediately if a submission is accepted elsewhere.

Member Submissions  – All Categories, Year Round

Never wait for an open submission period again! Members of Electric Literature who make a monthly contribution of $5 or more per month, or $50 per year, get access to year-round submissions in any genre, with a guaranteed response within three months. Become a member and submit your work today!

Member-exclusive submission links for essays (Cultural Criticism and/or Personal Narrative), The Commuter, and Recommended Reading can be found in the welcome email you received upon subscribing. If you can’t find the email or did not receive one, please contact Wynter K Miller: wynter@electricliterature.com.

For detailed guidelines and to submit, visit Electric Literature’s Submittable page: electricliterature.submittable.com

Electric Literature’s weekly fiction magazine publishes short stories and novel excerpts by today’s most dynamic voices every Monday, recommended by your favorite writers.

  • Accepts previously unpublished fiction between 2,000 and 10,000 words.
  • Two one-week submissions periods per year, usually in Spring and Fall.
  • Response time: Six to eight months
  • Pay: $300

For candid advice from our editors on how to make your stories stand out, watch our video “How to Get Published in Recommended Reading.”

The Commuter – Flash Prose, Poetry, Graphic Narratives

Electric Literature’s second weekly magazine publishes strange and diverting poetry, flash prose, and graphic narratives every Wednesday.

  • Accepts previously unpublished flash prose, poetry, and graphic narratives under 1,500 words.
  • Two to three one-week submissions periods per year.
  • Response time: Three to six months
  • Pay: $100

For candid advice from our editors on how to make your poems, flash prose, and graphic narratives stand out, watch our video “How to Get Published in The Commuter.”

Essays – Personal Narrative

Personal Narrative submissions must be full drafts of creative nonfiction essays submitted via Submittable. While there are no restrictions on form or subject matter, submissions should center narrative and consider what it means to essay as a verb; in other words, what it means to use prose to interrogate, investigate, adventure, and introspect. Submissions must be between 2,000 and 6,500 words, and previously published work will not be considered.

  • Writers may submit one essay per submission period, but may have active submissions across other categories. 
  • Response: Six to eight months
  • Pay: $100 

For more information on what we’re looking for, please watch our salon on EL’s General Nonfiction Program.

Essays – Cultural Criticism

Pitches for cultural criticism essays may be submitted year round via email. Cultural criticism essays should be 3,500 words or less.

For greater accessibility, Electric Literature does not require full drafts in the cultural criticism category. Instead, please send a detailed pitch to editors@electricliterature.com with the subject line “PITCH:” followed by the title of your piece. Pitches should describe the subject matter of the essay and give a sense of the argument you plan to make or the story you plan to tell. Please do not send a full draft unless specifically requested to do so by an editor; we cannot guarantee attached drafts will be read due to the high volume of pitches we receive daily.

Cultural criticism essays should feature subject matter that is linked to cultural, art, or media, such as books, the craft of writing, TV,  film, fashion, food, music, or visual art. We are looking for essays that leverage the piece of art as a lens; essays should consider the piece of art within the context of a broader cultural trend or personal experience. We welcome essays that braid personal narrative with analysis or critique. 

We do not accept reviews or strictly academic essays. Requests for Electric Literature to cover your book or your client’s book are not considered pitches (see Interviews and Reading Lists below). For a better idea of what we’re looking for, please take a look at our recent cultural criticism pieces. 

Response time: Though we aim to respond to every pitch we receive, this isn’t always possible. You are welcome to follow up with us if you have not received a response after two weeks. If you don’t hear back from us within a month from the date of your submission, please assume that we have passed on the piece. 

If you are a member with a full draft of a cultural criticism essay you would like us to consider, you may submit using your Members-Only submission link. 

  • Pay: $100

For candid advice from our editors on how to make your pitches stand out, watch our video “How to Pitch Electric Lit [Updated].” 

Interviews, Cover Reveals, and Reading Lists

Electric Literature covers forthcoming literary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, literature in translation, and graphic narratives; we do not cover self-published books, YA, personal development, self-help, romance, crime or mass-market mystery, or children’s literature. We welcome pitches about books from independent/small/university presses. Pitches regarding interviews, cover reveals, and reading lists should be sent to editor Jo Lou at books@electricliterature.com

Interviews
Please pitch with the subject line “Interview Pitch: [Book] By [Author, Pub Date, Publishing House].” The ideal time to pitch is 2 to 6 months before the book’s publication date. We’re looking for interview pitches with strong angles that focus on the themes of the book. We’re generally not looking for craft-based interviews about the writing/publishing/editorial process, but will make exceptions for certain titles. Please include information about yourself (including relevant clips), the book, and whether you’re in touch with the author or publisher already (it’s okay if you’re not). Pitches should include examples of questions you plan to ask the author, the angle of the  interview, and the themes you’re interested in exploring with the conversation. Please wait at least two weeks to follow up. Due to high volume of submissions and limited bandwidth, we very rarely accept interviews that need a quick turnaround.

  • Pay: $75

For candid advice from our writers on how to pitch and interview authors, watch our video “The Secrets of Successful Author Interviews.”

Cover Reveals
Please pitch with the subject line “Cover Reveal: [Book] by [Author], [Publishing House].” We’re looking to publish exclusive cover reveals of forthcoming books, along with a statement from the author and designer about the process of creating the cover. Please allow at least two weeks of lead time.

Reading Lists
Please pitch with the subject line “Reading List Pitch: [Topic].” We’re looking for diverse and contemporary reading lists based on themes, topics, subgenres, events, holidays, and author backgrounds or identities readers might seek out or find motivating. Our reading lists consist of an intro of two to four paragraphs contextualizing the theme, and short descriptions of the seven to ten books. The descriptions of each book should be reader-oriented and focus more on the contents of the book rather than a personal reaction. The entire article, including book descriptions and the introduction, should be original, with citation and attributions for any language that is not your own. Please check the website to make sure we haven’t already published a list on the topic you’re pitching. Please wait at least two weeks to follow up. 

For publicists or authors looking to write a reading list to promote their books, we offer an ad swap package in lieu of payment along with a purchase link and book cover image in the article. In order to time the article close to the book’s pub date, we recommend pitching 2-6 months early. But you’re welcome to pitch even after your book has been published.

  • Pay: $75

Manuscript Consultations

Manuscript Consultations are offered seasonally throughout the year. During each cycle, a limited number of writers may enroll to receive a comprehensive manuscript review, with detailed notes, and a video call with an EL editor. Deadlines, instructions, and more information can be found here.

In each cycle, slots are reserved for EL members at a 5% discount. The remaining slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more about becoming an EL member here.

After you purchase a manuscript consultation here, we will send you a private Submittable link to submit your manuscript. Once you have purchased a manuscript consultation, your slot is secured, and you have until the deadline to submit your manuscript.

To purchase a manuscript consultation as a gift, simply forward the confirmation email that contains the submission link to the gift recipient. 

Contests

Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize
The Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize is an annual writing competition sponsored by the stage and radio series Selected Shorts. The winning work will be performed and recorded live at a Selected Shorts performance at Symphony Space, and published on Electric Literature. The winning writer will receive $1000 and a free ten-week course with Gotham Writers. Read more about the competition here.