LOCAL UPDATE: FREE POETRY CONTEST OPEN TO AREA RESIDENTS

The National Library of Poetry has announced that $48,000 in prizes will be awarded this year in the North American Open Poetry Contest. Poets from the Jackson area, particularly beginners, are welcome to try to win their share of our 250 prizes. The deadline for the contest is December 1, 1998. The contest is open to everyone and entry is free.

To enter, send one original poem, any subject and any style, to: The National Library of Poetry, Suite 1996, 1 Poetry Plaza, Owings Mills, Md., 21117-6282, or go to www.poetry.com. The poem should be no more than 20 lines and the poet's name and address should appear on the top of the page. Entries must be postmarked or sent via the Internet by December 31. A new contest opens January 1, 1999.