Submissions will soon open forElectric Lit for Personal Narrative. Their guidelines say, “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; in other words, write to interrogate, investigate, adventure, and introspect”. You can see past examples of personal narrative essays here. (They also accept pitches for cultural criticism essays, interviews, or reading lists on an ongoing basis; see the relevant sections on their guidelines page).
They’ll open submissions for The Commuter as well, in which they publish short prose, poetry, and graphic narrative; see published examples here.
Both sections (personal narrative and The Commuter) will open on 18th May, and will close on 24th May, or when they reach a submission cap, whichever is earlier. Length guidelines are 2,000-6,500 words for personal narrative essays, and up to 1,500 words for prose or 4-6 poems for The Commuter submissions (see guidelines). They pay $100 for personal narratives and The Commuter. Details here.

Deadline: May 24th, 2026