Announcing a New Chapter for Electric Literature

Dear Reader, 

I am writing to share the news that after 16 years at Electric Literature, 14 as the editor of Recommended Reading, and 10 as Executive Director (EL’s first), I will be stepping down in June. 

It’s difficult to leave an organization that I love, but the decision was easier knowing that I’m leaving Electric Lit in capable hands. Editor-in-Chief Denne Michele Norris will assume the reconfigured role of Executive Director and Publisher, Wynter K. Miller will become Director of Operations and Fiction Editor, and Katie Henken Robinson will be Deputy Editor. I am proud of what we have accomplished together so far, and I have full faith in their ability to take Electric Lit to the next level. 

Electric Literature’s mission is one I care about deeply. There were times I thought I’d be happy to lead the organization indefinitely—but I find myself ready for a new chapter, both personally and for EL. In addition to publishing my debut novel and writing my next book, I plan to pursue teaching and editing. I will remain close with Electric Lit, and be open to new opportunities. 

During my tenure, in close collaboration with the board and many talented staff and writers, I established Electric Lit as a nonprofit, earned the support of the New York State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, created EL’s membership program, won the Whiting Literary Magazine Prize, grew the annual budget from $0 to $500,000, and transformed the staff from a pair of volunteers to a paid staff of ten, with three full-time positions. 

I co-founded EL’s weekly fiction magazine, Recommended Reading, and helped start The Commuter, EL’s home for flash, poetry, and graphic narrative. As editor of Recommended Reading, I have overseen 717 issues, over 100 of which I personally edited and wrote introductions for. Electric Literature’s website, electricliterature.com, grew from a literary blog with 225,000 annual visitors to the culture’s preeminent literary website, reaching over 5 million readers. Electric Literature has launched the careers of countless writers, and helped to sustain many more. We have connected readers with life-changing literature, and carefully read tens of thousands of submissions. Work published in EL has been repeatedly recognized by Best American Short Stories, Poetry, and Essays, the O. Henry and Pushcart Prizes, and other anthologies and awards. 

Over the years Electric Lit’s work has been more than my vocation; it has formed an essential part of my identity, and I will forever cherish and rely on the lessons I learned in this role. Even as EL has professionalized and become more financially secure, we have made sure to preserve the vital independent spirit we started with. There is no other publication like Electric Literature, and its value in the literary landscape cannot be overstated. 

The team will be preparing over the next four months to make this transition as seamless as possible. It’s a big change, but I believe that for thoughtful, creative, and analytical people, the change you choose is almost always for the better. Please consider supporting our work at this watershed moment, either by making a donation or becoming a member.

I am tremendously grateful for your time, attention, and encouragement. Thank you all for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

Yours,

Halimah Marcus