Just Buffalo Literary Center is pleased to announce a new annual poetry reading and contest for members to be judged by R.D. Pohl, editor of the poetry page at the Buffalo News. Winners will be announced at a special member’s reading at CEPA Gallery during their member’s exhibition on Saturday, March 14, 2009.

All contest entrants will be given a chance to read their poems in person at this event. Audience members will also be given the opportunity to choose an Audience Award for one of the poems. Audience Award and Jury Prize winners will each receive a $50 cash prize, a gift from Talking Leaves Books, a certificate of recognition from Just Buffalo, and publication in Artvoice. The contest is open to writers of poetry who are members in good standing at the time of submission. Contestants may join Just Buffalo at the time of submission by visiting the Just Buffalo Web site (www.justbuffalo.org) or by sending a check along with their entry. Guidelines:

1. Submit one poem in any form on any subject of no more than five pages in length and a separate cover page that includes name, address, telephone and email. DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON THE POEMS THEMSELVES. JUDGING IS BLIND. One poem per entrant, please.

2. Submit by email to: submissions@justbuffalo.org or by mail to MEMBERS POETRY CONTEST, c/o Just Buffalo Literary Center, 617 Main St., Suit 202A, Buffalo, NY 14203.

3. Submissions will not be returned. Submissions by non-members or lapsed members will be rejected unless annual membership ($35) is paid in full before contest deadline.

4. DEADLINE: February 14.

5. Winners will be announced at the end of the Member reading on March 14, 2009.