The 10 Most Popular Electric Literature Articles of 2016

As 2016 winds down, here’s a look back at our 10 most popular articles of the year. Give them a read if you missed them the first time around.

1. 10 Fictional Mothers Who Will Make You Thank God for Yours

Carrie Mullins looks at books about horrible mothers, from Jane Austen to Stephen King.

10 Fictional Mothers Who Will Make You Thank God for Yours

2. Everything You Wanted to Know about Book Sales (But Were Afraid to Ask)

Electric Literature editor-in-chief Lincoln Michel breaks down the hows, whats, and whys of book selling, and challenges some myths about book selling with hard data.

Everything You Wanted to Know about Book Sales (But Were Afraid to Ask)

3. 12 Things I Noticed While Reading Every Short Story Published in 2014–15

Electric Literature contributing editor Kelly Luce explains what she learned reading for the O. Henry Prize anthology, and decides that “For a form whose death is continually prophesied, the story is doing pretty damn well.”

12 Things I Noticed While Reading Every Short Story Published in 2014–15

4. In Search of the Novel’s First Sentence: A Secret History

Andrew Heisel looks at the history of the first sentence, and how our expectations of a story’s start have changed over time.

In Search of the Novel’s First Sentence: A Secret History

5. An Illustrated Guide to Writing Scenes and Stories

Best-selling author Jeff VanderMeer provides an in-depth (and illustrated!) guide to using scenes in fiction.

An Illustrated Guide to Writing Scenes and Stories

6. Let’s Get to Work: Practical Ways for Writers and Teachers to Get Involved Right Now

In the wake of the 2016 election, Electric Literature contributing editor Anu Jindal looks at resources and organizations that writers can get involved with to help make the world a better place.

Let’s Get to Work: Practical Ways for Writers and Teachers to Get Involved Right Now

7. Let Us Now Praise Famous Short Story Writers (And Demand They Write a Novel)

Short story author Amber Sparks talks about the importance of stories, and wishes that not every fiction writer was expected to write novels.

Let Us Now Praise Famous Short Story Writers (And Demand They Write a Novel)

8. Writer Horoscopes for February 2016: Metaphor in Retrograde

The great seer Apostrodamus tells your literary fortune in these writer horoscopes.

Writer Horoscopes for February 2016: Metaphor in Retrograde

9. The Best Possible Outcome if Trump Wins the Election

This election day comic from Emma Hunsinger sadly hasn’t come to pass yet.

The Best Possible Outcome if Trump Wins the Election

10. Keep Culture Weird: 10 Eerie & Monstrous Books for Fans of Netflix’s Stranger Things

If you loved the weird science fiction of 80’s nostalgia show Stranger Things, you’ll love these book recommendations from JW McCormack.

Keep Culture Weird: 10 Eerie & Monstrous Books for Fans of Netflix’s Stranger Things