Submissions are being accepted for the 2008 Langston Hughes Creative Writing Awards.

Poetry and fiction writers who have lived in Douglas County for at least a year, are 21 or older, have not published a book-length volume of poetry or fiction and have not previously won the Langston Hughes aware are eligible.

Applications consist of a resume, writing samples and a completed application form, which can be picked up at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H. Application deadline is Thursday.

Winners – each of whom will receive $500 – will be notified in early January and honored at a reception on Feb. 1, the anniversary of Hughes’ birthday.

The award is co-sponsored by the Lawrence Arts Center and the Raven Bookstore.