Lighthouse is more than just a name; it embodies the essence of a safe haven, a guiding light, and a place of belonging. Our community has evolved, one word at a time, into a family of writers who illuminate the world with their stories. When we join together to create and share our stories, we recognize what we have in common. This Colorado Gives Day, we invite you to support Lighthouse so we can continue building a diverse and inclusive community that fosters creativity, supports emerging voices, and makes a positive impact on countless lives. Here's Jihyun's story.
When Jihyun Yun was in college, she was an overworked psychology student in need of an “easy” class. She’d heard that writing workshops were a quick way to earn an A, and she signed up for a poetry class.
“I enrolled, not expecting to fall in love, but that’s exactly what happened,” said Jihyun.
After that class, Jihyun started on a lifelong writing adventure—one that has brought her to different places—New York City for an MFA, Seoul for a Fulbright Junior Research program creative writing grant, and to Denver for Lighthouse.
When Jihyun moved to a new city, she knew only her partner and was missing the routine and structure that you find organically amongst other writers.
“I found Lighthouse during a time when I was feeling very lonely and wanted a writing community.”
Jihyun was drawn to Lighthouse while searching for low-residency programs and liked our openness to genre since she wanted to write a young adult novel.
In 2021, she was accepted into the Book Project with mentor Erika Krouse and received the Book Project Fellowship. Like many others during the Covid lockdown, Jihyun had lost her job, but with the fellowship, she was able to stay in the program.
“I’m really lucky I had the cohort that I did, and Erika Krouse is such an amazing mentor. All of them made the experience so special. I truly don’t think my writing life would be where it is now without them and the Book Project.”
During most of her two years in the Book Project, Jihyun was living in Seoul, South Korea. For weekend intensives, she’d wake up at 2:00 AM to zoom into classes and cohort meetings.
“It’s funny to think about in retrospect—rolling out of bed into an intense craft discussion in my pajamas in the middle of the night. But it’s a fond memory, and I’d totally do it again.”
Jihyun’s debut, And The River Drags Her Down, a young adult gothic horror novel, will be published in September 2025 with Knopf BFYR (US) and Rock the Boat (UK), as part of a two-book deal. She already has a first draft on her editor’s desk!
