Lucky Jefferson (LJ)
banner
luckyjefferson.com
Lucky Jefferson (LJ)
@luckyjefferson.com
we're the sugar to publishing's kool-aid; publishing emerging writers & artists everywhere. follow our newsroom @15west.org.

OPEN FOR SUBS 👉🏽 luckyjefferson.com
Pinned
This one’s for anyone seeking softness, kindness in a world that grows more scary each day.

In collaboration with #826NYC, #MakingtheWorldSoft is an otherworldly fantasy anthology shaped by the minds of 9 young writers who dared to dream beyond the ordinary.

Who dared to create new worlds.
Reposted by Lucky Jefferson (LJ)
Honored to have my poem named a finalist in the 2025 Lucky Jefferson Poetry & Prose Contest! It’ll appear in the 365 Collection this January. Thank you to @luckyjefferson.com for believing in my work.
November 13, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Eeeeee! Nothing and we mean nothing could have prepared us for a mailbox OVERFLOWING with submissions for our forthcoming book #Bond — a publication that highlights the relationships of those currently and previously navigating our criminal justice system.
November 1, 2025 at 4:07 PM
The latest story from our newsroom @15west.org!
Accessibility, at whose expense?

Riders have navigated a detour stemming from @chicagocta.bsky.social’s closure of the Austin station.

The updates are long overdue, but commuters relying on the Green Line have experienced lengthened daily trips since June.

Swipe ⬆️ for the TLDR.
October 18, 2025 at 6:52 PM
This one’s for anyone seeking softness, kindness in a world that grows more scary each day.

In collaboration with #826NYC, #MakingtheWorldSoft is an otherworldly fantasy anthology shaped by the minds of 9 young writers who dared to dream beyond the ordinary.

Who dared to create new worlds.
October 13, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Reposted by Lucky Jefferson (LJ)
At La Cocina de Irma in Little Village, “Grandma Irma” feeds everyone—no matter what language they speak or how much money they have.

⬇️ Swipe for the TLDR or head here to read more: www.15west.org/grandma-irma...
Grandma Irma's Cocina Feeds Everyone
After 36 years as a waitress, Irma Ceballos opened her own Mexican restaurant in Little Village, where family recipes and unconditional hospitality have made her a neighborhood pillar.
www.15west.org
September 3, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Reposted by Lucky Jefferson (LJ)
It has been a pleasure working with Lucky Jefferson again for Estallido! I hope everyone takes some time to check out this issue full of inspirational pieces.
Starting off Sunday with the release of our second Latine issue, #Estallido!

#Estallido centers 6 Latin-American and Latin-identifying writers, poets, and artists, each of them inviting the radical act of protest into their work.

luckyjefferson.com/estallido
August 26, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Reposted by Lucky Jefferson (LJ)
#poetryoftheday is my brilliant friend Disha Trivedi's "be here to mother me at the end of the world" in the latest issue of @luckyjefferson.com

"Weather-green, that book, the cover, like chutney, or the slick mint sari for a wedding I won’t have."

luckyjefferson.com/fissure/

#poetry
Fissure -
Fissure celebrates 14 writers and artists who dare to examine the cracks in our world, and within ourselves. Each contributor in this issue confronts the question: how do we find […]
luckyjefferson.com
September 2, 2025 at 3:20 PM
FREE WORKSHOP ALERT!

Join Lucky Jefferson and Jasmine Barnes on Saturday, September 6th, for a free 1.5-hour virtual writing workshop designed for writers interested in using poetry to explore our connections to others. ✍️📝💌

Register here: events.humanitix.com/letters-to-o...
jasbarnes.com
Letters to Our Ancestors: Epistle Poems as Connection
Join Lucky Jefferson and Jasmine Barnes for a free 1.5 hr virtual writing workshop for writers interested in using poetry to explore our connections.
events.humanitix.com
August 25, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Starting off Sunday with the release of our second Latine issue, #Estallido!

#Estallido centers 6 Latin-American and Latin-identifying writers, poets, and artists, each of them inviting the radical act of protest into their work.

luckyjefferson.com/estallido
August 24, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Reposted by Lucky Jefferson (LJ)
Read WILDFLOWER from @luckyjefferson.com for #DisabilityPrideMonth! This digital issue celebrating eight autistic BIPOC writers features writing by J. D. Harlock, Shel Moring, Greta McGee, and more: luckyjefferson.com/wildflower/
Wildflower -
Wildflower celebrates 8 BIPOC writers from across the country, each of them opening a window into our lives and journeys on and across the spectrum.
luckyjefferson.com
July 23, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Reposted by Lucky Jefferson (LJ)
👋🏽 We’re hosting media literacy workshops for anyone curious about misinformation and community journalism.

Over 3 weeks you’ll learn to:

• decode misinformation
• critically engage with media
• write your own narratives through hands-on training in digital publishing and community journalism
Learn
News for everyone
15west.org
July 22, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Still so grateful for IFF’s support! 🥹

This is our largest gift to date. And with everything going on in the world, it feels surreal to be included among this list of organizations fighting for the arts.

Learn more about our plans at the link below
July 10, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Reposted by Lucky Jefferson (LJ)
Man self-promo is tuff but here goes.

If you’re seeing this, I’ve started a newsroom called 15 West (@15West.org)!

This wouldn’t be possible without a grant from Cook County and @citybureau.bsky.social.
Writing for 15 West
15 West is short for 15 miles west. Berwyn and Cicero, where we're based, are located less than 15 miles west of downtown Chicago. When reaching out to us with story ideas, consider neighborhoods wes...
15west.org
June 30, 2025 at 6:24 PM
We launching a newsroom (@15west.org)!

Please support with a follow or share.
Get ready for #news for everyone.

Who are we? #15West is a new volunteer-supported newsroom and a fiscally sponsored project of @luckyjefferson.com dedicated to connecting people mile by mile, block by block, throughout neighborhoods west of Chicago.
June 21, 2025 at 6:36 PM
We have two FREE virtual workshops happening in July!

REGISTER here: luckyjefferson.com/programs/
June 11, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Paying for #contests sucks. Sooo don't?

For the third year, we're calling all poetry and prose writers to submit to our summer contest!

Two finalists will win a cash prize and LJ swag pack.

Plus, it’s FREEE to enter.

More info: luckyjefferson.com/poetry-prose...
May 28, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Ain’t no party like a speculative poetry party!

Learned so much from Katherine Quevedo in today’s generative writing workshop.
April 12, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Calling all emerging photographers in Chicago!

We just opened applications for a new 1-month fellowship we’re launching with Buddy in The Chicago Cultural Center.

Fellows will receive:

- $250 stipend
- Workshops
- Mentorship
- An exhibition
- Plus some

APPLY BY JUNE 1:
bit.ly/EmergingPhot...
a cartoon of spider-man holding a camera with the words neat below him
Alt: a cartoon of spider-man holding a camera with the words neat below him
media.tenor.com
March 27, 2025 at 7:40 PM
🗣️ Make some noise for our FREE, virtual #NationalPoetryMonth writing workshops!

Check out our lineup, then register:

luckyjefferson.com/programs/
Events - Lucky Jefferson
Upcoming Events Exhibitions Past Events How We Make Fire: A Generative Writing Workshop Designed to celebrate our uniqueness outdoors, to promote knowledge of the outdoors and natural resources, and t...
luckyjefferson.com
March 11, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Reposted by Lucky Jefferson (LJ)
awesome foundation met at @beermiscuous.bsky.social tonight and heard from last months grantees about @luckyjefferson.com 's bonds behind bars issue and Seneca's Dream girl studios sewing workshop.
February 26, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Reposted by Lucky Jefferson (LJ)
New Year New Latin American focused sub call! I'm guest editing an issue with
@luckyjefferson.com
again for "Estallido." Paid opportunity! We accept prose, poetry and visual artwork.
luckyjefferson.submittable.com/submit/31971...
Lucky Jefferson - Issue 17: Estallído (for Latin/Latin-American Writers and Artists)
Upcoming Digital Issue, Estallído   You know what’s happening. You know about the injustices in the world, the abuse of power, and the suffering it causes. But you also know about the people resisting...
luckyjefferson.submittable.com
February 4, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Reposted by Lucky Jefferson (LJ)
We don’t open up the rest of our calls until 2/1, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop.

If you’re a D&D lover
@anodynemag.bsky.social has a friggin cool workshop that‘ll get the words flowing.

🎲 Get your roll on: anodynemag.com/event/roll-f...
Roll For Poetry with Beks Roen – Anodyne Magazine
anodynemag.com
January 24, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Lucky Jefferson (LJ)
This year I published my third chapbook, 6 individual poems, 2 essays, and a hybrid lyric essay.

Thankful for @ghostcitypress.bsky.social @luckyjefferson.com @feversof.bsky.social @fahmidanjournal.bsky.social for making it possible 🙏🏽

Can’t wait for 2025
December 20, 2024 at 8:29 PM