Organizers of the 2009 Riverside Artsfest are requesting entries for their literary contest, which will recognize and encourage the writing art form locally. The state this year’s Artsfest will highlight is Rhode Island. The contest has two categories, short fiction and poetry. Short fiction entries—only one per author—must be original works of 2,500 words or less, never have been entered in competition before and not coached. Poetry—one entry per author—must be original works of 50 lines or less, never been entered in any competition before and not coached. Topics are not directed. Authors must be from Decatur County or counties bordering on Decatur County. School system and home-schooled students have a separate contest. Adult entries will be judged separately from those submitted by school students. Prizes in each category are first place, $300; second place, $200, and third place, $100. Entries must be postmarked on or before Feb. 14, and can be mailed to CONTEST, P.O. Box 7541, Bainbridge, GA 39818.