Every blogger is essentially writer, so finding blogs referring to writing communities is kind of ironic.
Here’s where Electric Literature comes in. Electric Literature, first established in 2009, is every writing connoisseur’s dream. With the mission statement being ” to amplify the power of storytelling with digital innovation, and to ensure that literature remains a vibrant presence in popular culture by supporting writers, embracing new technologies, and building community to broaden the audience for literature,” they provide outlets for upcoming authors to submit their work, staff writers to write essays or reviews, and access to their literature magazine. Here, Electric Literature provides plenty of new content for readers to take in at their leisure, even at a scheduled leisure if you choose to subscribe to their news letter. They provide you with all of the electric feels.
With a Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram following promoted seamlessly through their website’s layout, this blog is not intruding their readers’ space in a form of permission marketing. However, there are quite a few pop-ups, prompting readers to subscribe – which is an obvious form of interruptive marketing. I believe that having as healthy of a balance like Electric Literature doesn’t make the marketing implemented feel like they’re forcing content into your face too much. It’s not overdone, yet it’s not underdone.
The layout of their website is aesthetically pleasing and different than most blogs. While most blogs tend to avoid color, Electric Literature plays into their name by implementing a touch of golden yellow – like a lightning bolt – within all of their content.
Their post layouts is admirable and pretty electric; I’ll stop with the electric puns now. Firstly, the complimenting colors of the bright yellow with the navy blue works into the whole color theory idea, but also it creates a good sense of juxtaposition that works in not overbearing their readers. They have a slider at the top with the post’s title in the box, and as you scroll, it fills into a golden gradient to signal how far you are into their article. They even provide you with a little synopsis of who or what they’re talking about and even their twitter handles; this part of the blog follows you as you scroll. Design wise, Electric Literature understands how to attract their readers. Get it?
On the down side, there’s a bit of convolution business when it comes to their tool bar layout. It’s not in alphabetical order was the first thing that I noticed. What I also noticed is that there’s a store button but also a shopping cart button, both of which referring to their online shop. I feel as though one is unnecessary, and they should probably clean that up, as well as their bottom tool bar that just feels crowded. However, this is me nitpicking their blog. I personally think they have a nice balance of content and layout going on.
In all, Electric Literature shocks you with all of their electric goodness. They clearly understand who their audience is, but they allow for there to be room for new and experimenting viewers to be able to join in on the conversation.
Taheera's Blog 