About the Press

“Producing books reflecting the rich and varied history of South Dakota and the region.”

What the Press Publishes

The Press has 113 titles in print on the history and culture of South Dakota and the Northern Great Plains. Browse all books.

Northern Plains history and Lakota/Dakota/Nakota scholarship
Biography
Children’s picture books
South Dakota History, the quarterly journal, now 56 volumes deep

The Press’s best known book is Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography , Laura Ingalls Wilder’s autobiography, published in 2014.

Read South Dakota History.

Press Staff

The people who edit and produce each book and each issue of the journal.

Dedra McDonald Birzer

Press Director (Publisher and Editor-in-Chief), Pioneer Girl Project Director

Dedra.Birzer@state.sd.us (605) 773-4371

Dedra McDonald Birzer joined the Press staff as director and editor-in-chief in late October 2020. As press director she works with potential authors to shape their ideas into book proposals, reads submitted manuscripts, and leads a talented team that produces high quality books on the rich and varied history and culture of South Dakota and the Northern Great Plains.

Favorite Press Book: Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer's Life By Pamela Smith Hill
Slater Sabo

Managing Editor

Slater.Sabo@state.sd.us (605) 773-6008

As managing editor for SDHS Press, Sabo oversees the press's quarterly journal, South Dakota History, secures and oversees copyright permissions, and edits journal articles and book manuscripts for publication.

Favorite Press Book: The Frontier Army: Episodes from Dakota and the West Edited by R. Eli Paul
Brianna Garner

Associate Editor

Brianna.Garner@state.sd.us (605) 773-8380

As associate editor, Garner edits book manuscripts, assists with the press's marketing for new books and backlist titles, and helps process book orders.
Jess Zuber

Inventory Manager

Jessica.Zuber@state.sd.us (605) 773-6009

As inventory manager, Zuber assists customers with placing orders for press books and the South Dakota History journal and oversees order fulfillment and invoicing.