Submit Your Poems
The South Dakota State Poetry Society is always eager to discover fresh perspectives and poetic voices from across our beautiful state. Whether you're a seasoned poet or just beginning your journey with words, we invite you to explore our submission opportunities and contests below. The poems you submit are an opportunity to spark connection and contribute to South Dakota's poetic tradition.
We can't wait to read your work!
Below are our regular submission opportunities.
Pasque Petals
Submissions for each issue open once the current issue is published, closing February 1 for the spring issue and August 1 for the fall.
Pasque Petals, the South Dakota State Poetry Society’s literary magazine, is published twice a year.
Guidelines: All guidelines are listed on Submittable. Entries that do not follow those guidelines will be disqualified.
Fees: If you are a member of SDSPS, there is no fee; if you are not a member, there is a $3 fee.
Annual Poetry Contest
Submissions open August 1 through December 1 each year
Poets may enter in two categories: Portrait or Landscape.
Portrait Category: Poems about you or someone you know from South Dakota.
Landscape Category: Poems about the land and features that make South Dakota unique.
There will be honorees of $100, $75, and $50 for the top places in each of the two categories. Winning poems will be published in the spring issue of Pasque Petals.
Guidelines: All guidelines are listed on Submittable. Entries that do not follow those guidelines will be disqualified.
Fees: If you are a member of SDSPS, the fee is $5; if you are not a member, the fee is $10.
Annual Chapbook Contest
Submissions open February 15 through May 1 each year
The annual Chapbook Contest is open to all South Dakota residents. The winner of the chapbook contest receives publication and author copies, and the chapbook is typically debuted at the annual South Dakota Festival of Books. Copies are sent to SDSPS members as part of their membership benefits, and additional copies are available for purchase.
Eligibility: Open to South Dakota residents only.
Guidelines: All guidelines are listed on Submittable. Entries that do not follow those guidelines will be disqualified.
Fees: If you are a member of SDSPS, the fee is $15; if you are not a member, the fee is $20.
The Louine Schaufler Youth Poetry Contest
Submissions open August 1 through November 15 each year
The Louine Schaufler Youth Poetry Contest was established in the fall of 2021. The purpose of the contest is to encourage poem-making by South Dakota students. Judging will be conducted by members of the South Dakota State Poetry Society board.
Each category (middle school and high school) is judged separately. The prizes are $75 for first place, $50 for second, and $25 for third in each category.
Eligibility: Middle school and high school students in South Dakota.
Guidelines: Find much more detailed information by going to this page.
Fees: There are no fees to enter.
Pasque Press
Submissions will open November 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024
In 2020, the South Dakota State Poetry Society formed Pasque Press. The purpose of Pasque Press is to publish, under the direction of SDSPS, a series of full-length, single-authored poetry collections.
The Press’s inaugural imprint, Skin Reverberations by Jodi Andrews, was published in 2022. Our second book, Bootjack by John Nelson, was published in 2023.
Eligibility: To submit a manuscript, a poet must be
a current member of SDSPS; AND
(1) a current resident of South Dakota writing about any topic/theme; OR (2) a South Dakota affiliated poet who has lived but is no longer living in the state but writing about South Dakota.
Guidelines: All guidelines are listed on Submittable. Entries that do not follow those guidelines will be disqualified.
Fees: There is no fee to submit your manuscript,