MC-Guide
Content Writing
Website 38: Electricliterature.com
How Can You Earn Money Writing For “Electricliterature.com” Website
This guide shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch and sell stories to Electricliterature.com.
You will learn what Electricliterature.com wants, how to test your idea, how to write a pitch, and how payment roughly works. You can use this like a small SOP.
Guide: How to Submit to Electric Literature and Earn (Beginner-Friendly)
This longform guide walks you, step by step, through Electric Literature’s submission ecosystem — how to pick the right category (Recommended Reading, The Commuter, Essays, etc.), prepare a clean submission, use their Submittable portal, and understand membership benefits, pay, and rights. It’s written so a beginner can follow and gain practical confidence.
Where helpful we link directly to submission pages, membership pages, and editorial guidance so you can jump straight to the official forms. Open links in new tabs while you read.
Section 1 · What Electric Literature is
Quick orientation: the publication, mission, and why it matters
Electric Literature (also written Electric Lit or ElectricLiterature.com) is a widely-read digital literary publisher that runs a suite of weekly and special editorial series — including fiction (Recommended Reading), short-form flash & The Commuter, essays, book lists, interviews, and cultural criticism. It is organized as a nonprofit and emphasizes accessible, inclusive literary publishing and discovering new voices. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Two practical consequences: first, Electric Literature publishes a range of forms (from flash under 2,000 words to longer fiction and personal essays), so you should match your work to the right category. Second, because it’s mission-driven and nonprofit, they run membership programs and occasional member-exclusive submission windows to support their work — which affects how and when you can submit. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Frequent categories include:
- Recommended Reading — weekly fiction and longer short stories (often 2,000–10,000 words).
- The Commuter — short fiction and flash pieces; good for very short work.
- Personal Essays / Essays — narrative nonfiction and personal writing.
- Reading lists, interviews, and book-focused pieces for the website.
- Intern roles and reader applications if you want editorial experience.
Electric Literature uses Submittable as their official submissions hub. All open calls and category forms live there — so learn Submittable basics (file types, simultaneous submission rules, response-time notes). You’ll use the Submittable form to upload your manuscript and enter bio/contact info. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Section 2 · Which category fits your work?
Match your piece to the correct editorial bucket
Choosing the correct category is the most common submission mistake. Below are the main categories you’ll likely consider and quick rules for each.
Longer fiction & curated stories
Recommended Reading often publishes original short fiction (commonly 2,000–10,000 words) with an editorial foreword from a guest writer. If you have a finished short story or a reading-list-style piece, this is the slot. Response times and pay details have been published for some categories — see the pay note later. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Flash, microfiction, and short-form work
The Commuter publishes short pieces — flash fiction, micro-essays, comics, and very short fiction. If your piece is under 2,000 words and tight in focus, consider this form. When they open for submissions, read the specific length and theme notes on Submittable.
Narrative nonfiction, essays, and memoir fragments
If your writing is creative nonfiction—first-person, reflective, with a narrative arc—submit to the Essays / Personal Narrative form during open periods. Some essay pages list preferred word ranges (for example, many personal essays are 2,000–6,500 words). :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Lists, interviews, internships, and editorial roles
Electric Lit also runs reading lists, interviews, and seasonal calls for interns and readers. These show up on Submittable and on EL’s site; apply if you want editorial experience or to build relationships before pitching fiction or essays. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Section 3 · Build a small portfolio before you submit
Why samples, prior publication, and a short writing resume help
Editors appreciate authors who can finish polished work. If you’re a beginning writer, publishing elsewhere first (a blog, a small literary magazine, Medium, or even a curated newsletter) gives you samples to show in the Submittable form and helps you learn the revision process.
- Short story or essay on your blog or a small lit zine.
- A reading-list or capsule review that demonstrates your voice.
- A microfiction or flash published on a micro lit account or social space.
- Keep all links live when you submit so editors can sample your work quickly.
- Get feedback from a writer’s group or a paid manuscript consult if possible.
- Line-edit and proofread for grammar and clarity; small errors suggest a rushed submission.
- Format according to the Submittable form — follow word limits strictly.
Section 4 · Exact Submittable SOP (do this every time)
A step-by-step submission workflow — keep this open during your first submissions
Keep this checklist near your desk. Follow every step carefully when you submit through Electric Literature’s Submittable forms. Small mistakes (wrong category, missing bio, wrong file type) are the fastest way to get a rejection without full consideration.
Find the correct form on the Submittable hub
Open the Electric Literature Submittable hub. Choose the specific call that matches your work (Recommended Reading, The Commuter, Essays, Members-Only forms). Read the long description — length, simultaneous submission policy, and whether previously published work is allowed are spelled out there. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Format your file and include front-matter
Use a clean, readable font (12pt Times or 12pt Georgia is common), double-space if requested, and include a title and word count on the first page. If the form asks for a cover letter or author bio, prepare a 1–3 sentence bio that mentions prior publications or relevant experience. Attach files as PDF or DOCX per the form’s instructions.
Answer form questions honestly
Submittable forms typically request contact info, short bio, prior publications, and whether the work is previously unpublished. Answer clearly. If it’s a simultaneous submission (you sent it to multiple places), follow the form rules: some categories allow simultaneous submissions; others do not. If unsure, mention simultaneous status in the form.
Click submit and note the confirmation
Once you submit, Submittable sends a confirmation email. Save that. The confirmation often includes an estimated response time listed on the form (members-only forms sometimes have faster processing windows).
Track outcomes and respect response times
Electric Literature editors can take months to respond to general submissions (some categories list 6–8 months). Member-only submissions sometimes receive faster review — for example, members may have up to four submissions per year with quicker turnarounds as a membership benefit. Keep accurate records of submission dates and where you sent each piece. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Section 5 · Money, rights, and what to expect
How payment and rights usually work — realistic expectations
Payment rates and rights vary by category and over time. Electric Literature has, in some categories (for example Recommended Reading), offered payment around $300 for publishing rights — this appears in public Submittable forms and editorial notes for certain open calls. Always confirm the exact fee on the specific Submittable form or editor communication before assuming payment. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Rights often vary: some pieces are published with a limited exclusive period (where the publisher has first-run rights) and then authors may be allowed to repost their work after that period. Others may request first North American or world English rights. Read any acceptance email or contract carefully; if in doubt, ask the editor for clarification before signing.
- Formal acceptance email with next steps and rights agreement.
- Editing: EL editors typically copy-edit and provide editorial suggestions.
- Payment as agreed (flat fee for publishing rights is common in certain categories).
- Publication on electricliterature.com with promotion across their channels.
- Use one paid acceptance as a portfolio credential to pitch other paying markets.
- Turn an EL story/essay into readings, grants, or small book-length work later.
- Consider membership and manuscript consults if you plan many submissions.
Section 6 · Membership: why it helps
What membership gives you and how it affects submissions
Electric Literature runs membership programs to fund the nonprofit mission and offer benefits to supporters. Membership sometimes includes perks like year-round submissions privileges, discounted manuscript consultations, or access to members-only submission portals that provide faster review windows. Check EL’s membership/support page for current benefits and how membership affects submissions. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
- Year-round submission options for members (instead of waiting for open windows).
- Discounted or exclusive manuscript consultations with editors.
- Access to members-only essays submission portals and occasionally quicker response times.
- Supporting the nonprofit mission: proceeds fund editorial work and writer fees.
- If you plan multiple submissions per year, membership can be a time-saver.
- If you want feedback and consults, see the pricing for manuscript review offers.
- For many emerging writers, membership plus one or two consults can accelerate quality and readiness.
Section 7 · Ethics, edits, and revision tips
How editors view revision, AI, and accuracy
Electric Literature’s editorial reputation relies on authenticity and craft. Editors prefer writing that demonstrates honest experience, clear craft, and care in revision. If you use AI tools to help brainstorm or edit, do so transparently in your process — the words you submit should be your own, carefully vetted and true to your experience.
- Do not submit plagiarized text — editors check for originality.
- Do not invent case studies, quotes, or personal experiences you cannot verify.
- Avoid submitting untested or obviously placeholder drafts; polish before upload.
- Let the piece sit for 48 hours, then re-edit for clarity and arc.
- Read aloud to catch rhythm problems and sentence-level awkwardness.
- Share with 1–2 trusted readers or a writing group for focused feedback.
- When an editor requests changes, respond promptly and professionally; revisions are normal.
Section 8 · Final pre-submission checklist
Micro-SOP: the last 12 checks before clicking submit
Run this checklist before submission. It’s short but often saves hours of follow-up later.
Section 9 · FAQ & resources (links you should open now)
Quick answers and clickable resources
- Electric Literature Submissions (Submittable) — main hub. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
- Essays — Personal Narrative Submittable form (example). :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
- Members-Only — Essays portal (if you’re a member). :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
- Intern application & editorial roles (example). :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
- Electric Literature — Membership & Support (official membership page — check current benefits).
- Electric Literature — Mission (learn the nonprofit aims and editorial values).
- Electric Literature — background (Wikipedia). :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}