Many South Dakota State University students may not realize there is a campus publication dedicated entirely to creative writing and visual art – and that it is open to submissions from students of all majors.
Oakwood magazine, SDSU’s annual literary and arts journal, is currently accepting submissions through Jan. 31, and faculty advisers say the biggest thing holding students back is not a lack of talent, but hesitation.
“Oakwood is a literary magazine that includes poetry, fiction and nonfiction, as well as visual art,” faculty adviser Amber Jensen said. “It’s created by students, and it’s a really good experiential learning opportunity to be part of the publishing world while still in college.”
Published each spring, Oakwood features work by SDSU students alongside writers and artists from the broader Great Plains region. The magazine is produced through a publishing practicum course, where students serve as editors and designers, reviewing submissions and shaping the final publication.
According to Jensen and co-adviser Jodilyn Andrews, many students assume Oakwood is only for English or arts majors, or that their work must be “good enough” before submitting – a misconception they hope to change.
“Publishing can feel intimidating,” Andrews said. “There’s this idea that you have to be something before you start submitting your work, when really what you have to do is just be writing.”
Jensen emphasized that rejection should not be taken personally.
“One of the things we teach students is that the text is an object outside of yourself,” she said. “If a piece gets rejected, you are not getting rejected. It’s separate from you.”
That mindset, the advisers said, is key to helping emerging writers and artists build confidence and grow creatively. Submitting work, regardless of acceptance, is part of the learning process.
“What makes a strong submission isn’t perfection,” Jensen said. “It’s whether it makes us feel something. Does it make us pause and think, ‘I hadn’t thought of it in that way before?’”
Andrews added that strong pieces often show a clear sense of intention.
“One piece of advice I come back to is, ‘No surprise for the writer means no surprise for the reader,’” she said. “When a writer is willing to explore something honestly, readers can feel that.”
Submissions must follow Oakwood’s guidelines and be polished, but the editors stress that students should not overthink the process. Poetry submissions are limited to three poems, while prose submissions must be 3,000 words or fewer.
Beyond publishing opportunities, Oakwood also serves as a creative outlet for students across disciplines. Jensen noted that students in majors such as engineering, nursing and agriculture often seek creative spaces to process their experiences.
“Writing and art help process life,” Jensen said. “If you do that alone and never share it, you miss out on the community-building part of creativity.”
That emphasis on community extends beyond campus. Oakwood celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025, with every issue archived online through Open PRAIRIE, SDSU’s digital repository.
“It’s really a time capsule,” Jensen said. “You can look back over 50 years and see what people in this region were thinking about, feeling and experiencing.”
The publication culminates in a public launch event each spring, where contributors read their work and attendees receive free copies of the magazine.
“There’s food, there’s a free book, and you get to hear writers read their work,” Andrews said. “It’s a really welcoming space, even for people who didn’t submit.”
Submissions are open through Jan. 31, and the magazine is scheduled for release in April.
For students considering whether to submit, the advisors offer simple advice.
“Submit, submit, submit,” Jensen said. “The worst thing that can happen is someone says no. But someone will read your work and take it seriously – and that matters.”
Submission guidelines and past issues of Oakwood magazine can be found through SDSU’s Open PRAIRIE website.
