The Opportunity
Lucky Jefferson is excited to announce its 3rd Poetry and Prose contest!
Why are we doing this? We believe writers deserve opportunities like this (and so much more) and one core part of our mission includes being the difference. Many contests charge fees to enter or make writers and artists jump through hoops with no real return. We want to change that.
Let’s break things down:
• For starters, it’s free to enter or submit.
• You’ll have 2 months to submit any original and unpublished poetry and prose you want.
• Up to 20 finalists will receive publication in Lucky Jefferson‘s digital 365 Collection.
• Two of those finalists (one poetry and one prose) will each receive $100, publication, and a swag pack.
Meet Ahmad Almallah, this year’s judge.
Ahmad Almallah grew up in Palestine and currently lives in Philadelphia. His newest poetry collection, Wrong Winds, is out with Fonograf Editions (2025). His other collections include Border Wisdom (Winter Editions 2023) and Bitter English (Chicago 2019). He is currently artist in residence in English and Creative Writing at UPenn.
Artwork designed by Dana Ross.
How to Submit
No Frills Submission Guide
• Anyone, over the age of 10 is welcome to submit.
• Send your five best poems or prose pieces (per submission).
• Poems should be < 14 lines. Prose should be < 1500 words.
• You will be asked to share your name, email address, current mailing address, and a short bio (third-person, 50 words max) in the submission form.
• Only original and previously unpublished work. And please no soulless ai-generated pieces. Head here for even more details.
Everyone Wins..Kinda
Selected Poetry Winner: will receive $100, an LJ swag box, publication in The 365 Collection (digital), and eligibility for social media press.
Selected Prose Winner: will receive $100, an LJ swag box, publication in The 365 Collection (digital), and eligibility for social media press.
Top 20 Finalists: will receive publication in The 365 Collection (digital), and eligibility for social media press.
While we plan to publish up to 20 writers in this contest, we reserve the right to publish more than the number listed.
Your Rights
We ask for exclusive first worldwide print and electronic rights for up to three months from the date of publication and non-exclusive rights to include published works in our archive indefinitely.
Basically, we’d like to be the first to publish your submission and after three months, you’re free to redistribute it how you’d like. Nevertheless, it’ll be a part of our collection forever.
If your work is forthcoming in a manuscript, or published somewhere else (online or print) after publication in Lucky Jefferson, you agree to give credit to your family at Lucky Jefferson.
Representation Matters
Lucky Jefferson is a women and people-of-color-led organization and welcomes all to share their words with us.
Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and historically underrepresented writers are encouraged to submit as we continue to prioritize these communities in our ongoing work.
Avoid This
We will not tolerate any work that promotes harmful stereotypes and perspectives including: racism, bigotry, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, islamophobia, xenophobia, antisemitism, ableism.
We also kindly request that you refrain from sending us any sexually explicit pieces, or works highlighting extreme violence.
Submissions Open: May 25, 2025 – August 17, 2025 @ 11:59 PM CT
Finalists Announced: September 2025
Winners Announced: October 2025
For questions and additional info, visit our FAQ page.