TALKING STICK VOLUME 35
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
SHORT Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Celebrating the short form again with a Creative Twist
THE TALKING STICK is a locally published and nationally recognized publication.
1. Writers must be from Minnesota or have some connection to this area. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE VERY SHORT. Focus on short forms, cutting all unnecessary words. Create an elegant moment that hints of a longer, more complex story. Think of these as compressed creations.
2. DEADLINE: March 1, 2026. This year they will offer monetary prizes in each of 4 categories. Writers may submit in more than one category. Their Editorial Board will select the poetry and prose to be published in TS35. A published Minnesota author will judge for the monetary prizes from the selected submissions, with authors’ names removed. Writers will be invited to their Release Party in September 2026. Tentative date for a writers’ workshop and book party is September 19, 2026. PLEASE READ SUBMISSION GUIDELINES COMPLETELY.
3. Prizes are $200 for first place and $100 for second place in each of the 4 categories. Works must be UNPUBLISHED. This includes Websites and Blogs. They want new writings, unseen by the public. No simultaneous submissions, please. Submit manuscripts with name, address, email address, and phone number in upper right corner of each page. THIS MUST BE THE WAY YOU WANT YOUR NAME IN THE BOOK. Clearly mark the genre for which you are submitting: POETRY, CREATIVE NONFICTION, or FICTION. Please do NOT just call it “short story.” They need to know if it is creative nonfiction or fiction. They would prefer that you do NOT start out your written piece with “inspirational” or “referenced” quotes from other literary works because of possible copyright issues, etc. They accept no political or religious rants and no children’s writings. EIGHT total submissions allowed per writer.
POETRY—Limit TWO poems per writer, either a Prose Poem no longer than ½ page or a poem with line breaks but either one no longer than 35 LINES total (and this must include counting the blank lines), typed single-spaced. They have 35 lines available on each book page, whether you use them as blank lines or lines of words. Note also that the books are small. Long lines will wrap and take up an extra line. (Approximately 65 characters per line.) No word count necessary. See other requirements under #3 above.
CREATIVE NON-FICTION—Limit TWO entries of 650 words or less each, typed single-spaced. Number the pages and include word count on last page. See other requirements under #3 above.
FICTION—Limit TWO short stories of 900 words or less each, typed single-spaced. Number the pages and include word count on last page. See other requirements under #3 above.
CREATIVE TWIST—Limit TWO entries, each using the attached word list. They only have ONE word list this year. See rules for this new genre on a separate page but they must also follow the rules for poetry or stories line length as listed above.
5. Send only ONE copy of each submission (one side of paper only) along with SHORT bio (50 word limit). If you have a pen name, you MUST stress in a cover letter what your real name is (for the contract and mailing) and the name you want in the book (on the submission page, in the table of contents, and back of book). PERHAPS PUT BOTH NAMES ON THE PAGE(S) OF SUBMITTED WORK. If you do not make this clear, they cannot promise that they will catch the different name. PLEASE SEND ALL OF YOUR WORK AT THE SAME TIME.
6. Send ONE SASE so they can send an acceptance letter and contract to you. All contracts MUST be signed and returned, but in the event a contract is not returned, submission implies permission to publish. FORMAL NOTIFICATION is required if you wish to withdraw your submission or if it is published elsewhere during this time period. After May 1, 2026, submissions cannot be withdrawn. SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE RETURNED. Decision of the editorial board and judges is final. Editors and editorial board of the JWB and JWB board members are eligible for publication in TS35, but not for the monetary prizes in this contest.
7. Send hard copy to: Sharon Harris, TS SUBMISSIONS, 13320 149th Ave, Menahga, MN 56464. Send ALL your submissions for ALL categories in ONE 9×12 ENVELOPE—do not fold or staple sheets. Submission guidelines are also on their website: www.jackpinewriters.com. They are accepting submissions in electronic format. Check the website for details. They will NOT accept submissions in the body of an email—only with their electronic form, either pdf or Word document. Do NOT send docx files — they cannot guarantee format to be correct. A SASE is not required but would be greatly appreciated.
8. Contributors who have one or more pieces selected for publication in TS35 will receive ONE free copy of TS35. Your copy may be picked up at our Book Release Party in September 2026. Any books not picked up will be mailed later — they appreciate receiving $4.00 for postage. JWB requires first publication rights only. Books will be for sale on Amazon later.
WATCH FOR WRITING WORKSHOPS IN OR NEAR PARK RAPIDS THIS YEAR
SPONSORED BY JACKPINE WRITERS’ BLOC, INC.
To those writers who send them a SASE (even when using their electronic form) and those writers who send us postage for their free copy: THANK YOU! You are helping keep our nonprofit alive to publish more writers in the future.
CREATIVE TWIST RULES
CREATIVE TWIST—For several years the members of The Jackpine Writers’ Bloc have been stretching their creativity with a monthly writing exercise. Sharon emails a list of seven to nine words to the active members of the writing group. Each member is encouraged, but not required, to create a poem or a short fiction or short creative nonfiction piece that includes each of those words.
Writers’ group members have been amazed at the creative work that has come out of this exercise. The list of words often forms a theme or a pattern in the writer’s mind and the end result is a creative piece that never would have happened without the stimulation. Many of these works have later been published in The Talking Stick.
To add to the fun and encourage creativity, they have created a separate category for writings that come from these word lists. Please submit only ONE or TWO writings from this ONE list of words, any genre. If you send two, try to make them quite different. THESE MUST BE LABELED CREATIVE TWIST. It is very important to UNDERLINE the special words in each of your submissions. One first place prize for this genre and one second place prize will be awarded for this category, no matter the genre (poetry, creative nonfiction, or fiction).
Here is the list of words. Try it! You might be surprised at the results. Any form of the word may be used.
TWIST LIST: Measure, signature, key, instrument, radio, tune, listen, notes
If you have questions on these rules, please email sharrick1@wcta.net.
ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION FORM
Call for Songwriters, Composers, and Others in the
Music Industry!
Help Us Celebrate the Artists Behind the Music!
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is sponsoring an exhibit featuring songwriters, composers, and others involved in the music industry opening mid-January through April at our gallery in Thief River Falls.
Who are we looking for?
Singer/Songwriters
Composers
Performers
Instrument Makers
Others involved in music publishing, recording, management, production, distribution, marketing, merchandising, art design, and more!
What are the items that will be showcased?
Gig posters
Musical Instruments
Picks
Drum Sticks
Notebooks with music or lyrics
Awards
Newspaper/magazine articles
Photos
Sheet music
Albums
CD cases
Clothing or Merch
Other
Those featured will primarily be residents of our 7 county region. Former residents or others with a connection to the region can also be included.
Please reach out with questions and interest. We will need bios, artist statements, websites, and contact information. treyeverettcreates@gmail.com or 218-280-4917
The Pennington SWCD and Red Lake Watershed District are planning a storm drain painting event. They would like involvement from local artists. Maybe you have a fun idea for them? They are hoping to bring more engagement and awareness by asking members of the community to help and possibly create a different image. A date has not been set for this event but they expect it to be the earlier part of July. Please reach out to Marissa (contact is below) if you are interested in participating or if you have ideas for them.
Marisa Newton, Outreach Coordinator
Pennington SWCD
marisa.newton@pennington.mnswcd.org
Office: 218.683.7075 or Cell: 218.686.8278
Call for Artists
People’s Choice Art Competition with cash prizes
The Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance (PRCA) in Morris, Minn., is looking for artists to compete in the Fall Into Art Festival art competition — with cash prizes — on Sept. 6, 2025 at East Side Park in Morris.
The theme for the art competition is “Nature in 3-D.” They are looking for original three-dimensional artworks that include nature motifs.
These could be sculptures in any medium; 3-D artworks in wood, metal, ceramic, fiber, found materials, glass, mosaic, concrete, mixed media; furniture; garden or yard art; planters, bird baths, rain barrel art, etc. Be creative and push the boundaries of three-dimensional art. All sizes accepted. Artworks should have a minimum value of $100. All contest entries will be eligible for cash prizes and a free artist booth.
The Fall Into Art Festival is a fundraiser to benefit the PRCA, a local, volunteer arts organization. Contest entries will be considered donations to the PRCA and will be auctioned off in a live auction following the contest.
How to participate in the Fall Into Art Festival Art Contest
1. Create a 3-D artwork with a nature motif to enter into the contest. All works of art entered in the contest are eligible for $600 in cash prizes, to be awarded by audience voting on the day of the festival. People’s choice awards will be given for 1st ($300), 2nd ($200), and 3rd place ($100.00). All works of art entered in the contest will be considered donations to the PRCA, and will be auctioned off in a live auction following the contest. As part of the auction, artists will have a chance to speak about their art. Auction proceeds will benefit the PRCA.
2. Every artist who donates an artwork to the art contest also gets a FREE vendor space to display and /or sell their artwork during the festival.
3. Contest art must be original, have a nature motif, and be viewable in three dimensions (contest does not include traditional photography or paintings). 3-D works may be any size and medium.
4. Register your artwork by August 25, by e-mailing prca@prairierenaissance.org. Please include your name, address, phone number, the approximate dimensions of your artwork, and the value of your artwork. It is very helpful if you could include a photo of your contest piece. Also indicate if you would like to have a booth to display or sell your artwork.
5. Bring your artwork to Eastside Park, East 7 St., Morris, MN on Saturday, Sept. 6, between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. This free outdoor art festival runs from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and includes live music, dancing, food and beverages, art vendors, and free art activities.
PRCA is also looking for artists vendors to participate in the festival.
For more information or questions, contact Diane Trew at 320-314-2262, or email her at prca@prairierenaissance.org
PRCA 630 Atlantic Ave., Morris, MN 56267 320-585-5037 •prca@prairierenaissance.org
Capitol Art Exhibit Advisory Committee Call for Art
The Capitol Art Exhibit Advisory Committee is excited to continue to announce the next Call for Art Exhibit Proposals. CAEAC is accepting proposals until July 6, 2025. This call for art is for the 3rd floor gallery at the Capitol building in St Paul, which offers great exposure and a resume builder opportunity. The time period is the calendar year 2027. Three exhibits will be chosen.
Requirements for Proposed Exhibitions
Exhibits must comply with (at least) one of the criteria outlined in Minnesota Statues 15B.36―that art exhibits should tell Minnesota stories and engage people to:
reflect on Minnesota history;
understand Minnesota government;
recognize the contributions of Minnesota's diverse peoples;
inspire citizen engagement; and
appreciate the varied landscapes of Minnesota.
Proposals will be evaluated based on the depth by which the art addresses these requirements and the provided scoring criteria.
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The 2027 Call for Proposal series opens May 1 through July 6!
Information regarding the CAEAC and the Call for Proposal can be found on the CAEAC website, which is hosted by the Department of Administration.
Here are quick links to the 2027 Call for Proposal information page, and the application form. Note: applicants will need to log in to apply and to submit images with the following credentials - username: capitol.art@mnhs.org, password: Minn?sota2027?
Please reach out to Lindsey Rulon-Miller (she/her), Capitol & MNHS Sites Art Program Specialist at the Minnesota Historical Society at 651-259-3252 with questions.
We will share more information as it becomes available.
The East Grand Forks Campbell Library is now accepting submissions for their 2025 Community Art Exhibit.
The exhibit opens Monday, July 14th and will run for 6 weeks. If you are interested in submitting, please send Andrea an email with your name, phone number, and the number of pieces you would like to show (up to 5 pieces for an individual at this time).
Submissions will be accepted until July 3rd.
Submissions or Questions? Reach out to Andrea Lorenz, Program Coordinator at alorenz@egflibrary.org or (218) 773-9121. egflibrary.org
Call to Artists from Polk and Norman counties for Public Art Project!
Request for Proposals for Book Return
Due April 28
Calling artists in Polk and Norman counties! Lake Agassiz Regional Library is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) to create an artistic design for metal book return boxes at the following locations: Hawley Public Library, Lake Park LINK Site, Rothsay Library LINK Site and McIntosh Public Library.
The artwork will celebrate the libraries through one or more region-specific, artistic, cultural, and/or historical attribute(s). Once completed, the book returns will be viewable in a high-traffic location outside the libraries for all to enjoy. The designs will be printed on vinyl wraps.
Eligibility: The RFP is open to all artists 18 years or older living in Becker, Clay, Clearwater, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk and Wilkin counties working in any medium suitable for a vinyl wrap.
Project Budget: Total amount paid to artist will be $750 inclusive of all artist fees, research, design and materials used by the artist. Amount does not include the cost of the vinyl wrap.
Deadline for Applications: Monday, April 28, 2025
Access the RFP Document Here!
This project is funded in part with funds from Minnesota’s Art & Cultural Heritage Legacy Fund.
Call for Art
Welcome the Whimsical Art Exhibit
Submissions Accepted Now Until Friday, May 9
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is pleased to announce a call for art for an upcoming exhibit Welcome the Whimsical: An Art Exhibit Featuring Your Imagination. The deadline for submissions is May 9.
Welcome the Whimsical features other worldly experiences. Think playful, unusual, odd, quaint, imagination, or fanciful art or Dr. Seuss-type images. This exhibit is open to students and adults in our 7 county area (Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Roseau, and Red Lake). Entry for the exhibit is free.
All mediums will be accepted including chalk, oil, sculpture, pencil, folk art, photography, writing, music, watercolor, acrylic, collage, mixed media, fiber, pen and ink, crayon, clay, pottery, and more!
The exhibit will be open May 21- August 15 at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. Artwork will need to be dropped off on Monday, May 19 at NCTC in Thief River Falls between 12 PM noon to 6 PM.
For Submissions
Please reach out to NWMAC Showcase Specialist Trey Everett at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com with questions or for submissions email him the title, dimensions, medium, for sale price, any info about the piece (meaning, why created it, etc), and a photo of the piece.
McCanna House Artist-in-residence Application Now Open to Artists in Music, Theatre, Literature, & Visual Arts
The North Dakota Museum of Art is accepting applications for the 2025 McCanna House Artist-in-residence season. Artists working in music, theatre, literature, or the visual arts are encouraged to apply. Open to artists in all stages of their career.
The Program
The residency consists of 2 - 4 week blocks of time layered throughout the operating year. The house is open from June 1 through the end of September or early October. There will only be one artist on the property at a time unless a group project is specified in the application process. There are no expectations for the artist to complete work during the residency. However, artists are asked to use their time wisely and be aware of the transformative potential of time spent there.
Deadline: Applications will be accepted until January 15, 2025
Announcements: February 15, 2025.
Amenities
Wireless Internet
Well-lit French country-style farmhouse, detached 40x70 foot steel building, and ample outdoor space with yards and surrounding tree lines.
3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms
Washer and dryer
Well-appointed kitchen
Screened-in porch area with convenient BBQ
Opportunities to work with surrounding community groups
10 miles from the town of Larimore (pop.2,000), yet it feels remote and private
35 miles from Grand Forks (pop.55,000), with its thriving art scene and good shopping/dining
5 hours to Minneapolis and 2 hours to Winnipeg, Manitoba
Well-stocked library
Fruit trees
Surrounded by working fields producing soybeans, potatoes, canola, and more...
Endless sky
Big weather
The Public Arts Commission of Hutchinson, Minnesota is currently seeking applicants for its 2025 Sculpture Stroll, a juried public arts sculpture walk. The City of Hutchinson has 13 beautiful locations for public art around the city. These locations are primarily in our historic downtown district, but also along the Luce Line Trail and in city parks along the Crow River.
Application deadline is January 1, 2025. No exceptions.
Artists may submit up to 3 separate artworks.
Selected artists will be notified by Jan 31, 2025 with installations beginning in May 2025
All selected artists will receive a $1,000 honorarium per artwork selected, and are eligible for the Judge’s and People’s Choice awards ($500 each).
To apply please complete the application on www.hutchinsonpublicarts.com and email the completed application and required materials to info@hutchinsonpublicarts.com