Jessica Wilson

Poet

San Fernando, CA
California US

Author's Bio

Jessica is a 3rd generation Beatnik... a Beat Poet from the lines of Jack Spicer to Paul Vangelisti, and the heartbeat of the visual Muse and Master Poet, Maurya Simon. She completed her BA in Creative Writing and Art History from the University of California, Riverside in Riverside, CA, and obtained her Master of Fine Arts from Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, CA. In 2009 she founded the Los Angeles Poet Society and began a string of literary events and open mics such as: Writers' Row: The DTLA Artwalk's Showcase of the Written Art, SoapBox Poets Open Mic, Salon @ NoHo, Gallery 19, LAPS Presents on Full Spectrum, and Writer Wednesday. She teaches poetry with California Poets in the Schools, the oldest non-profit dedicated to the empowerment of our youth in CA, and also teaches Poetry and Expression with the non-profit group, New Earth Organization, with a mission to provide a safe space for youth empowerment and transformation to end the recidivism of youth incarceration in LA county. Jessica teaches in the F.L.O.W. poetry program. Her books of poetry include: What Breathes, Raw Kit, Marie Morrison, and most recently, Serious Longing, published by Swan World Press in Paris, France. Jessica is an International Poet!

Publications & Prizes

Anthologies:
Rise: an Anthology of Power and Unity (Vagabond, 2017)
,
Revolutionary Poets Brigade: Los Angeles (Vagabond Press, 2016)
Books:
The Coiled Serpent: Poets Arising from the Cultural Quakes and Shifts of Los Angeles (Tia Chucha Press, 2016)
,
In the Company of Women (Edgar and Lenore's Publishing House, 2012)
,
What Breathes (, 2003)
Chapbook:
Raw Kit (, 2007)
Journals: ,
poeticdiversity
,
StickYourNeckOut
Prizes won: 

New Directions Scholar for Creative Writing, 2002, University of California

Recognition of Los Angeles Poet Society for P&W Connecting Cultures, 2016

Personal Favorites

Favorite authors: 
Allen Ginsberg, Jim Morrison, Maurya Simon, Luis J. Rodriguez, Iris De Anda, S.A. Griffin, Jack Kerouac, Dagoberto Gilb, Juan Cardenas, Michael C. Ford, Dorothy Randall Gray
What I'm reading now: 
RISE Anthology by mulitple authors, The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry by Edited by S.A. Griffin

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
Mixed-Race
Prefers to work with: 
Any
Fluent in: 
English
Born in: 
Los Angeles, CA
California
Raised in: 
CA
California
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Dec 05, 2023