Lucky Jefferson is the literary journal that talks back—generating constructive and interactive conversations around poetry, art, and publishing; redefining publication page by page. We live for poets/writers who have never been published, especially those who sought to pursue poetry and writing later in life. We represent the people and firmly believe that marginalized voices deserve a better platform.
Submission Guidelines:
Lucky Jefferson accepts submissions of unpublished poetry and flash fiction on subjects relating to the current theme or collection.
When submitting:
- Send no more than three poems in a submission. Poems should be separated by titles or page breaks.
- Flash fiction should not exceed any more than 1000 words (Microfiction is what's up).
- Include a cover page highlighting your name, email address, mailing address, and bio (third-person, 50 words max). Get creative, don't bore us with the same bio you share with everyone else.
- Submissions sent via e-mail will not be accepted (unless you're a student—all students submit for free).
- We do not accept translations or work that has been previously published in print or online.
Please absolutely no sexually explicit poems or works highlighting extreme violence, racism, antisemitism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, insta poems or love poems. We're hopeless romantics, but we're not interested in printing romance unless it's a unique perspective
*Please visit https://luckyjefferson.com/submit for important info should your work be accepted*
In an effort to increase the diversity of voices published, for a limited time only, you can submit your work to our next upcoming print issue for FREE.
Early Bird Submissions will end on 10/31/20.
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Upcoming Print Issue, Meliora
Submissions for this winter 2020 issue should bend the rules and challenge form; submissions should speak to the raw, healing nature of owning one’s truth, new beginnings, or the concept of ever better.
What does Meliora mean to you?
For this celebratory issue, we are interested in unpublished experimental, visual/concrete, and hybrid poetry; we tend to adore shorter poems (less than 30 lines in length). We're also looking for refreshing art (preferably comics).
*Here's an example of the types of poems we're looking for regarding poem form/structure.
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When submitting:
- Send no more than three experimental poems in a submission. Poems should be submitted in a single file, with poems separated by titles or page breaks.
- We only desire experimental poetry for this issue. (concrete, hybrid, micro, and flash poems, etc.)
- Include a short and sweet cover page highlighting: your name, email address, mailing address, and bio (third-person, 50 words max). Get creative; don't bore us with the same bio you share with everyone else.
- Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but please let us know if we can't publish something okay? Cause we catch feelings fast.
- No translations or work that has been previously published in print or online.
- Please absolutely no sexually explicit poems or works highlighting extreme violence, racism, antisemitism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, insta poems or love poems. We're hopeless romantics, but we're not interested in printing romance unless it's a unique perspective.
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*If you'd like to support our work during Early Bird Submissions, we appreciate any and all donations received. Donations help us print and ship issues, afford tech, and continue to teach students in our internship programs.
*Please visit https://luckyjefferson.com/submit for important info should your work be accepted*
PLEASE REVIEW BEFORE SUBMITTING
Awake
Lucky Jefferson's digital zine Awake seeks to amplify the experiences and perspectives of Black writers in American society.
The second issue of our digital zine will explore Black culture through cuisine. Send us your most savory and decadent poems, essays, flash fiction, and art on foods that inspired your identity and exude blackness.
Upon acceptance, submissions will be included on our website and publicized on social media.
Writers looking to be published in upcoming print issues should plan to submit their work to the appropriate form during open calls.
When submitting:
- Send no more than three poems in a submission. Poems should be separated by titles or page breaks.
- If sharing an essay, include an essay with no more than 1500 words.
- Send no more than three pieces of art. Artwork that offers social commentary on the Black experience is highly preferred (We love comics and collage pieces!).
- Include a cover page highlighting your name, email address, current address, and bio (third-person, 50 words max).
We do not accept translations or work that has been previously published in print or online.
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**We encourage you to make a donation with your submission to help us keep this ship sailing. Your contribution fuels the publication of Lucky Jefferson as we are a budding independent journal with an all-volunteer staff.
**Previously accepted poets/writers should wait 2 quarters, or two issues, from the time of acceptance, before submitting new work to any open call.**
Little Jefferson
Calling all kiddos aspiring to become writers or pursue the arts when they grow up!
Little Jefferson is Lucky Jefferson's way of creating empowering spaces and opportunities for children and pre-teens ages 9-13 to explore and deepen their joy of writing and grow as young artists.
Upon acceptance, submissions will be included on our website.
When submitting:
• Send no more than three poems or one story in a submission. Poems should be submitted in a single file, with poems separated by titles or page breaks.
• Include a cover page highlighting the young poet’s name, email address (if applicable), biography, and mailing address. Biographical statements should be 2-3 sentences or 50-75 words—have fun with this and tell us something we'd never know!
Parents/Guardians are allowed to submit on their child's behalf.
**We do not accept translations or work that has been previously published in print or online.**