Members Only — Essays

As a part of your Electric Literature membership, you have exclusive access to this Members Only essays submissions portal. By using this portal, you may submit at any time, up to 4 times per year, and receive a response within 3 months. It's our way of thanking you for supporting the great writing at Electric Literature.

Please only submit one essay at a time. You may have active submissions across other categories (The Commuter or Recommended Reading). 

You may submit in one of following two essays categories:

Cultural Criticism 

Cultural criticism essays should 3,500 words or less and 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. 

Personal Narrative

Personal Narrative submissions should be creative nonfiction between 2,000 and 6,500 words. 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. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please let us know immediately if a submission is accepted elsewhere. Previously published work will not be considered.