ABOUT SDSPS
In 1927, Dr. James C. Lindberg founded SDSPS at Northern State College in Aberdeen after publishing its first official literary magazine, Pasque Petals, the year before. Directed by a board of up to fifteen South Dakotans, SDSPS selects the editors for Pasque Petals, oversees its annual statewide poetry contest, and assists with the South Dakota Festival of Books. SDSPS also interviews candidates and makes a recommendation for South Dakota Poet Laureate to the Governor.
SDSPS, incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1970, focuses on the promotion of poetry across the state. Our mission: “Connecting to all South Dakota writers, rural and urban, and contributing to the state’s cultural growth, SDSPS seeks to foster the creation and appreciation of poetry that appeals to the senses, challenges the imagination, and stimulates creative and intellectual thought."
SDSPS publications, activities, and events are meant to encourage and foster the reading and writing of poetry for South Dakotans of all ages, and to contribute to the unique culture of South Dakota. Our journal Pasque Petals, published twice each year, is the oldest official poetry journal in continuous publication of any state poetry society within the National Federation of State Poetry Societies.
In 2015 the SDSPS placed its considerable archives in the Hilton M. Briggs Library at South Dakota State University for care and to make them accessible to the public in perpetuity.
SDSPS Archive at Hilton M. Briggs Library:
South Dakota State Poetry Society Records
South Dakota State Poetry Society Digital Collection
The SDSPS Board of Directors usually meets quarterly, including an annual meeting held during the South Dakota Humanities Council’s annual South Dakota Festival of Books.
SDSPS organizes and supports poetry readings and events across the state, in schools, communities, and prisons. We facilitate the South Dakota Festival of Books poetry track each year. In addition to Pasque Petals, the Society holds an annual chapbook contest and publishes the winning manuscript. We also hold annual youth and adult individual poem contests and publish the winning poems in Pasque Petals. We also offer mini-grants opportunities to SDSPS Members. If you have an idea for a mini-grant program or other program or activity with which the SDSPS can help, please contact us.
MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MARCELLA REMUND
President
BETTY BEER
JOHN NELSON
WHITNEE COY
DAN SNETHEN
Vice President
LAWRENCE DIGGS
XAVIER PASTRANO
DIANE DOUIYSSI
Secretary
JEAN HELMER
ANN TWEEDY
HOLLY MOSELEY
Treasurer / Membership
MATT MILLER
DANA YOST
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
BRUCE ROSELAND
(current poet laureate)
CHRISTINE STEWART
(past poet laureate)
DAVID ALLEN EVANS
(past poet laureate)
LEE ANN RORIPAUGH
(past poet laureate)
Volunteer or Join the Board!
Are you interesting in volunteering or joining the South Dakota State Poetry Society Board of Directors? Contact us for more information!