Lucky Jefferson is an online literary journal founded in 2018 currently open for submissions of poetry with the theme: If instruments could speak, what would they say? They have a quick response time of just 3-4 weeks. “Lucky Jefferson isn’t your typical literary journal—we generate constructive and interactive conversations around poetry, art, and publishing and redefine the way journals are produced and shared with readers and writers.”

Join Lucky Jefferson for their first poetic and collaborative jam session-esque issue! For Issue 6 entitled “Riff,” Lucky Jefferson is accepting poetry between 20-27 lines that includes the following refrain:

first line: A burst of sudden tempo evokes tremors
end line: rubato rhythms, inclined ears exalt(line limit includes refrain)

All submitted work should begin with the first line and conclude with the end line. Help set the tone, inspire rhythm, create tempo, birth soul by describing what sounds you hear, expressing how the music and art of others liberate, and/or describing what you see unfolding in this jam session. All submissions will be used to create a larger “never-ending” musical poem.

For more information on Lucky Jefferson, see my updated interview with Founder and Editor-in-Chief Nabeela Washington and a link to submission guidelines below.

HOPKINSON: Tell me a little bit about Lucky Jefferson.

WASHINGTON: Lucky Jefferson is a publisher that takes pride in publishing new, emerging, and established writers, especially those who are BIPOC, LGBTQIA, or people of color-identifying. Established around 2018, our mission isn’t simply to publish but to educate our literary community and expose them to diverse perspectives and worldviews—to generate and sustain conversations around new contemporary literature and art. We spent much of 2018 dreaming up what Lucky Jefferson is currently. Our first issue debuted on November 17, 2019.

HOPKINSON: How/why was Lucky Jefferson originally started?

WASHINGTON: Lucky Jefferson was honestly born out of weariness—we were sick of seeing writers of color have their stories misrepresented or grossly distorted or omitted in favor of, other, less diverse stories. We were annoyed with how disengaged certain publishers seemed; how archaic certain aspects of publishing are. In everything we do, we aim to reimagine publishing. We aren’t really trying to reinvent the wheel more like, we want readers and authors to seek connection and engage with our work not just once, but repeatedly. We wanted to create a literary community that truly champions everyone involved, from the artists that create our art, to the editors, to authors dreaming up new realities.

After failing to ignore this surge of emotions a moment longer, we spent 24 sleepless hours building our initial website, which was pretty bare-bones at the time, and began informing everyone of this dream we had, this dream of Lucky Jefferson. And this all happened on a hazy Saturday, late August of 2019; we didn’t launch the site until that following Sunday. Fun fact: this is why we normally release things on Sundays or weekends. Call it a throwback to our humble beginnings 🙂

HOPKINSON: Who is your target reader audience?

WASHINGTON: Our core readers are really a quirky, diverse bunch—they embrace our message and what we are trying to do and are eager to join us in our vision. They are sassy and hungry for the world to hear their stories, whether they are fresh to the writing game or on their second chapbook. We honor emerging authors, especially those who didn’t have the courage to pursue writing earlier on. But really, all are welcome.

HOPKINSON: What type of work are you looking for?

WASHINGTON: We are looking for work that makes our heart and soul go “damn, that’s good”. Whatever form this work comes in (poem, flash fiction, etc.) we embrace it with open minds and arms. We’re lucky we don’t have to turn over too many rocks to find authors we want to publish.

HOPKINSON: What do you wish you’d see submitted, but rarely comes in?

WASHINGTON: Illustrated stories or poems and flash fiction that fall under the genre of fantasy. More hybrid forms.

HOPKINSON: What are some of your favorite lit mags/journals?

WASHINGTON: We really admire Blood Orange Tarot. Their entire aesthetic and purpose is such a vibe.

HOPKINSON: What is your favorite part of being on staff with Lucky Jefferson?

WASHINGTON: While I love reading and editing submissions, my favorite part has to be working with our interns. They are some of the smartest most creative beings I’ve ever been so fortunate to work with and they are the heart of our journals and ability to sustain relationships with authors well after their publication. I love supporting our students, educating them about LJ, and most of all, I’m also so eager to see what art they’ll make each week. I’m an artist myself so our conversations are just so enlightening and almost therapeutic.

HOPKINSON: Where can we send submissions?

WASHINGTON: https://luckyjefferson.submittable.com/submit

HOPKINSON: If someone has a question, how can they contact you?

WASHINGTON: submissions@luckyjefferson.com

DEADLINE: February 28, 2021

SUBMISSION FEE: None

THEME: “Riff” If instruments could speak, what would they say?

FORMS: poetry

FORMAT: Print and Online

ISSUE FREQUENCY: quarterly

AVERAGE RESPONSE TIME: 3 – 4 weeks

SUBMISSION METHOD: Submittable; Students may email us submissions

SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS: yes

PAYMENT: 1 complimentary copy of the issue

SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

DUOTROPE: https://duotrope.com/listing/27483/lucky-jefferson

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