named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Electric Lit Books
Imprint publishing original books and anthologies that expand the reach of literary writing
Electric Literature Weekly
Curated publication of short fiction and essays from emerging and established authors
Recommended Reading
Series featuring curated short stories selected by guest editors from the literary community
activities · 1 group
What they do
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Literary and Cultural Publishing 4 activities
- Advancing literature through digital innovation and writer supportAdvances literature as a vital part of popular culture by leveraging digital innovation and supporting writers, with published works recognized in major anthologies including Best American Short Stories, Best American Essays, Best American Poetry, Pushcart Prize, and O. Henry Prize.
- Promoting literary translations and international authorsPublishes and promotes English-language translations of international literary works, such as Cecilia Eudave’s novel "The Summer of the Serpent," highlighting themes of violence, memory, narrative conflict, and social difference in historical and cultural context.
- Publishing and promoting original literature through digital magazinesPublishes original fiction, poetry, flash prose, graphic narratives, and form-breaking work weekly through its digital magazines _Recommended Reading_ (Mondays) and _The Commuter_ (Wednesdays), connecting over 500 writers with three million readers annually. Maintains the largest free archive of contemporary literature outside of a library system via these publications.
- Regular publication of essays, interviews, and curated reading contentUpdates its website every weekday with literature, essays, author interviews, and reading lists, including a personal narrative essay published every Thursday. Conducts and publishes in-depth author interviews, such as with Cecilia Eudave and translator Robin Myers about "The Summer of the Serpent."
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$446K
Contributions & grants$294K66%
Program service revenue$128K29%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$24K
expenses
Total expenses$486K
Program expenses81%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising14%
Salaries & benefits$231K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$19K
Cash$15K
Investments$0
Liabilities$67K
Net assets$-48K
Liquid reserves0.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -6.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HALIMAH MARCUS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $62K |
board members · 6
- DEESHA PHILYAW — BOARD MEMBER
- MEREDITH TALUSAN — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM — BOARD MEMBER
- NICOLE CLIFFE — BOARD MEMBER
- RUSSELL A HUNTER — BOARD CHAIRMAN/FOUNDER
- SARA NELSON — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 9
Who they work with
- Amazon Literary Partnership Literary Magazine Fund Funder — Financial supporter of Electric Literature
- Bookshop.org Partner — Partnered to promote and link to book sales through affiliate marketing
- Cecilia Eudave Partner — Author of "The Summer of the Serpent," whose work was featured and discussed in an interview about narrative voice, trauma, and translation.
- Community of Literary Magazines & Presses Funder — Financial supporter of Electric Literature
- National Endowment for the Arts Government — Provided support from 2016 to 2025
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Financial supporter of Electric Literature
- Robin Myers Partner — Translator of "The Summer of the Serpent" from Spanish to English, interviewed alongside the author about the translation process.
- Soho Press Partner — Publisher of the English translation of "The Summer of the Serpent," collaborated with translator Robin Myers on editorial decisions.
- Whiting Literary Magazine Prize Funder — Financial supporter and award provider for Electric Literature
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Co-Creative Reading Modelmethodology: reader_co-creationBy using sensory and imagistic prose that resists factual reconstruction, we produce deeper reader engagement and meaning-making, because inviting readers to co-construct narrative fosters active, interpretive participation in understanding trauma and identity.
- Inclusive Literary Ecosystemmethodology: inclusive-literatureBy publishing accessible, contemporary fiction and investing in under-supported writers, we produce a more vibrant and inclusive literary culture, because diverse voices generate broader engagement and sustain literature’s relevance in popular culture.