SDSPS Poet of Merit Award Nominations Open

SOUTH DAKOTA POET OF MERIT AWARDS

The South Dakota Poetry Society announces the creation of a Poet of Merit Award, in two categories: Living and Posthumous. A South Dakota Poet of Merit Award may be granted in either or both of the two categories during each of the years in which a new South Dakota Poet Laureate is not named.

The South Dakota Poet of Merit Award is a lifetime honor, and may be granted regardless of whether or not the poet has served or may in the future serve as a South Dakota Poet Laureate.

Any SDSPS member not on the current SDSPS Poet of Merit Committee may nominate one poet in either or both categories of the South Dakota Poet of Merit Award. Nominees must have been either born in South Dakota or have been a resident for 5+ years. Ideally, if the nominee has moved out of state, he or she shall have maintained South Dakota ties.

To nominate a Poet of Merit in either or both categories, SDSPS members should submit the following to our SDSPS Submittable page at https://sdsps.submittable.com/submit

a) a cover letter stating why the poet deserves the honor; b) A sample of the poet’s work, not to exceed 15 pages or 10 minutes of recorded audio and/or video. (If poems are published, indicate where and when.); and c) a bio of the poet, not to exceed three typed pages. (Note: At their discretion, the committee may choose to further read or research  the Poets’ writing and accomplishments in addition to considering the submitted nomination materials.)

The committee will choose a South Dakota Poet of Merit in either or both of the two categories by March 1, in order that the recipient(s) may be announced in the Spring issue of Pasque Petals. If the committee does not deem any nominations adequately meritorious, they may choose to not name a South Dakota Poet of Merit for that year.

Living South Dakota Poet of Merit Award winners will be invited to add copies of their work to the SDSPS Archives at SDSU’s Briggs Library. Works of South Dakota Poet of Merit winners in the Posthumous category may also be collected by the committee and submitted to the archives.