A New Year of Opportunities
Welcome to 2026! No one can doubt that 2025 was a challenging, sometimes tumultuous, and often frustrating year. But as I scroll Facebook, which I do more often than I’d like to admit, I’m struck by how many times POETRY—posted poems, quoted poems, poems turned memes, interviews with poets, poems as graphics, etc.—is the mode of expression for our thoughts and feelings about the year behind and the year ahead. Poetry really is a language for ALL people.
Here at SDSPS, we have a number of opportunities for you to let YOUR poetic voice be heard. Just click on any of the links below for more info. We hope you’ll take advantage of any/all of these as you work with us to make 2026 a wonderful year in poetry for South Dakota!
Poetry on the Road – We have 15 stops coming up for Poetry on the Road. Each event is a chance for you to hear readings by SDSPS member poets, often including our state Poet Laureate Bruce Roseland. You’ll also have the chance to read your own poems at our Poetry On the Road open mics. You can go to our Poetry on the Road page and scroll down to see our schedule. Join us on the road as often as you can.
Louine Schaufler Youth Contest – Open for submissions 1/1/26 to 3/1/26 – If you know middle school or high school poets, this contest is for them. Or, if you are or know of middle or high school teachers, help us spread the word! Cash prizes for the winning poems.
Pasque Petals – Deadline for submissions for the Spring 2026 issue is 2/1/26 – Get your poems to us now to be considered for publication in the Spring issue.
Chapbook Contest – Open for submissions 2/15/26 to 5/1/26 – Polish up that chapbook and get it in for your chance to win our annual contest.
Poet of Merit – Open for nominations 1/1/26 to 4/1/26 – If you know poets in/from South Dakota who you would like to see recognized with this honor, please consider nominating them. You can nominate poets in two categories: living and posthumous.
We could all use more beauty in our lives - more art, music, dance, and good books to see us through these bumpy times. So THANK YOU for helping SDSPS contribute to the culture & beauty of our state by ringing in the new year with POETRY!