Both/And Essay Series

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.

Country of Publication & Year Established

United States

Established in 2020