SDSPS was organized in 1927 and incorporated as a South Dakota non-profit on August 8, 1970.
Our Mission
To encourage and foster the writing and publication of poetry by South Dakota writers and to promote excellence therein; to arouse in students of high school and college age, interest in the creative writing of poetry; to foster or publish Pasque Petals, a magazine, on a regular basis, thereby continuing the publication which was begun before the Society was organized, which publication is devoted chiefly to poetry, to stimulate by such proper means as the sponsoring of contests, awarding of prizes, and by other means of encouragement, the writing of poetry; and by these means to aid in the cultural growth of South Dakota.
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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 …
Brookings Poetry Roundtable: You’re Invited!
Brookings, SD. Earlier this month a group of area poets gathered at the downtown Cottonwood Coffee shop for the first meeting of the Brookings Poetry Roundtable. Five poets brought poems to share, and we spent an hour taking turns reading our poem and gathering feedback from the group. It was an enjoyable time of coffee …
Writing with Artists
On August 15-17, Northern Prairie Arts in Watertown hosted a plein air, “Paint the Northern Prairie.” I’ve enjoyed working with artists for a long time because their work inspires me. Not only do I get to see things from another artist’s point of view, but I deepen my understanding of their artistic processes. Last night …
Writing Groups by Holly Moseley
Do you belong to a writing group? Recently, a judge for a regional poetry contest told me he was surprised at how few entrants belonged to one. “They are such a help,” he said, “and it’s obvious who doesn’t have the benefit of good critiques.” Ouch! Who knew? I flew solo for years. My first …
Regaining the Spark for Writing by Holly Moseley
Probably everyone who wants to be any kind of writer has already read Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg’s much cited book about writing. I’m a bit slow to the table here, though I’ve known of the book for quite a while, and I want to encourage others who might have put off reading it to DO …
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SDSPS Announces Mini-Grant Opportunities
At its June meeting, the SDSPS Board of Directors established a mini-grant program to award matching grants for projects that support South Dakota poets and poetry. The program is effective immediately and applications are open. Up to four SDSPS Mini Grants of up to $250 each will be awarded annually. Proposals will be accepted on …