10 South Dakota Writing Resources
Posted by David Duhr in 
Today our State Writing Resources series takes us to the great state of South Dakota, capital Pierre, largest city Sioux Falls, biggest tourist attraction Mount Rushmore (in fact, South Dakota’s official nickname is the Mount Rushmore State). South Dakota is the 17th largest state in area, but is 46th in population.
South Dakota writing can boast of bigwigs such as: Laura Ingalls Wilder, whose time in South Dakota she fictionalized in Little Town on the Prairie; Adam Johnson, whose The Orphan Master’s Son was a smash hit in 2012; Vine Deloria Jr., famous for Custer Dies For Your Sins and, to me, memorable for writing the introduction to Black Elk Speaks; and screenwriter Bob Nelson, nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Oscar for South Dakota Nebraska.
Presented in no particular order, here are 10 South Dakota writing resources, from conferences to local critique groups to literary magazines. If you are a Mount Rushmore Stater or are planning to become one, these are some organizations you might want to take a peek at.
A nonprofit teachers’ organization at the University of South Dakota that focuses on improving the teaching of writing and improving learning at all grade levels and in all subject areas.
2) Prairie Winds
A gathering place for teacher and student writers from around the state. Publishes a journal with new South Dakota writing and artwork.
3) South Dakota Center for the Book
A chapter of the Library of Congress Center for the Book. Hosts an annual book festival.
A membership group offering monthly meetings, critiquing and camaraderie.
Established in 1963, South Dakota Review is a national literary, scholarly journal containing works which have a slight western regional emphasis, although selection is based primarily on the quality of the work rather than on subject matter. New, established and emerging writers appear in each issue.
A state agency which provides grants, services and information to artists, arts organizations, schools and the public.
7) Vermillion Literary Project
USD’s literary and creative writing organization, VLP runs a literary journal, short story contests, poetry slams, writing camps and more.
8) South Dakota State Poetry Society
Publishes the bi-annual poetry magazine Pasque Petals and sponsors poetry contests and events throughout South Dakota.
9) Pasque Petals
Launched in 1970, this is the oldest poetry journal in continuous publication in the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. Puts out two annual professionally-printed editions that exhibit a wide swath of writers who use various genres to express their regional imagery and ideas.
10) South Dakota Authors Association
A nonprofit organization created to support, encourage and promote authors, both published and unpublished, who are residents or natives of South Dakota. Helps establish South Dakota writing groups, seminars, workshops and more.
Help us add to this list, Mount Rushmore Staters! Do you run a local writing group or a lit journal we should be aware of? Feel free to share info and links in the comments section below.