The Lawrence Arts Center and Raven Book Store are seeking entries to the 2011 Langston Hughes Creative Writing Awards. Two awards of $500 each will be given, one in the area of poetry and one in the area of fiction.

A native of Lawrence, Hughes wrote in diverse genres–poetry, fiction, drama, memoir and travel narrative drama.

Writers 21 years or older who have lived in Douglas County at least one year are eligible to enter. Writers who have published a book-length volume of poetry or fiction are not eligible. (Self-published works are exempted.) Previous winners are not eligible.

The application deadline for submissions is Friday. All manuscripts should be submitted electronically, via e-mail. Selection will be based on artistic quality of the materials submitted and will be made by a committee of outstanding regional writers. See more information at www.lawrenceartscenter.org.