Pitches wanted from trans / GNC writers of color | $500 per article

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: ELECTRIC LIT

Deadline: 31 August 2022

Electric Literature is seeking pitches for Both/And, a new limited essay series focused on personal narrative from trans and gender non-conforming writers of color. Historically, trans people have been forced to imagine, or conjure, representation of ourselves into existing narratives that never sought to include us, often using the stories and fictional lives of canonically cishet characters as foundations for possible trans stories. As people of color, we’re often asked by cishet folks to minimize our queer selves in favor of emphasizing another pressing concern: the matter of racial equity. Both/And is an essay series that seeks to elevate the stories of those at the forefront of the fight for racial and transgender equality. We want to hear from, and work with trans writers of color, so we can uplift those most targeted by the larger cultural obsession with transness, but whose voices are rarely centered in it.

As the only major literary publication helmed by a Black, openly transgender woman, Denne Michele Norris, Electric Literature offers the unique opportunity for trans and gender non-conforming writers of color to be edited and published by a fellow trans writer of color. Though new and established voices are welcome, we want to emphasize that previous publication is not necessary for consideration. Pitches should center personal narrative and engage with any of the following themes and questions:

• Imagination as liberation
• Coming to light, being seen
• Balancing and/or integrating multiple, and sometimes conflicting identities
• Trans lives and voices as transgressive
• Heightened visibility and/or heightened invisibility
• Trans joy, euphoria, or freedom
• Trans anger, rage, or revenge

Additional ideas are welcome as befitting the spirit and themes of the series. We are looking to publish 12 essays, all of which should fall between 2k words and 5k words in length. We will consider pitches on a rolling basis beginning July 18th until August 31st, and begin publishing from the series in September. We’ve completed a dedicated fundraising campaign in order to pay Both/And contributors a higher rate than our standard fee, and are offering $500 per essay—5x our standard rate.

Pitches should be no more than 2-3 paragraphs in length, and can be addressed directly to Denne Michele Norris through submittable. For additional information about how to write a pitch, please watch our video, “How to Pitch Electric Lit: Updated with our new editors.” Those planning to submit to the series can use the code bothand2022 to watch the video for free.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Submissions: Via Submittable

Website: https://electricliterature.com

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