Is there a way to distribute objects around a circle? I am working on a clock face and want to distribute tick marks around the outside edge of the circle. 

Thanks

There are several ways. Tiled Clones is the procedure attached, please note the rotation center (little cross) placement. Rotation must be set at 36 in the Rotation tab (not shown).

I just started inkscape. which dialogue is this? 

Hi and welcome. Tiled clones are a little more advanced. It is under the Edit menu. Edit > Clone.

There are several ways to arrive at what you are after. Below is one way and simple. See the screen captures below.

(By the way - in reviewing the part about moving your rotation center, you can place this any distance away that you want - the farther away, the "larger" the resulting circle appearance.)

@ScottEdLittle you can find it in Edit/Clones/Tiled Clones, see also the chapter of my book I've attached as pdf.

There's an extension/add-on called "Knob Scale Generator" which lets you make scales of many kind including labels (Which I find not easy to set up for a full 360° circle):

Hi. Here is one more possible way. Using Stitch Sub-Paths.

https://inkscape.org/forums/tutorials/create-evenly-spaced-hour-and-minute-marks-around-clock-circle/

The Rotate Copies Path Effect does this easily and dynamically.

Ok this is what I got when I tried it. What's with the offset? 

sorry here's the pic

Grab the node-tool and adjust the diameter accordingly.

thanks.