Jo Jefferson

Jo Jefferson (they/them) is a Toronto-based queer writer, parent, and community worker who spent their first 50 years in Mi’kma’ki, Nova Scotia. Their poetry, short fiction, and personal essays have been published by Prairie Fire, The Antigonish Review, Understorey Magazine, Syracuse Cultural Workers, and in various anthologies. Their essay “The Swimsuit” appeared in Caitlin Press’s 2020 collection Big: Stories About Life in Plus-sized Bodies. Jo’s first novel, Lightning and Blackberries, was released by Nimbus Publishing in 2008.

They write about apocalypse, queerness, history, weather, travel, and family. When they’re not writing or reading, Jo hangs out with their kids, works at a queer community centre, plays softball, explores the world, and facilitates workshops with curious creators of all ages

Jo is a Long Form 2016 mentee and worked with Olive Senior.