Family Circle 2007 Fiction Contest

This year fiction writers (or those who aspire to be) can once again test their skills in writing short stories and enter for prizes in the Family Circle 2007 Fiction Contest. This contest is open to amateur writers who are legal residents of the U.S. or the District of Columbia, and are over the age of twenty-one.

Judges are looking for original fiction in the form of a short story with 2,500 words or less. Stories are to be original and unpublished, and are not to have previously won any prizes or awards. All entries become the property of the Meridith Corporation, and are not returned.

Stories will be judged according to the following criteria:

25% Sustained Writing Ability

25% Topic Creativity

25% Originality

25% Overall Excellence

Submissions are to be typed on 8 1/2 X 11 paper with your name, address, daytime telephone number, and email address (optional) on all pages. Entries must be postmarked by August 31, 2007, and received no later than September 7, 2007. Mail up to two unique submissions to:

Family Circle Fiction Story Contest

c/o Family Circle Magazine

375 Lexington Avenue, Ninth Floor

New York, NY 10017

On or about October 15, 2007 judges will choose one grand prize winner and two semi-finalists. Grand Prize winner will receive $750, a gift certificate to a mediabistro.com course of the winner's choice, a one year mediabistro.com AvantGuild membership, and possible publication in Family Circle magazine (priceless?). Total Grand Prize package valued at $1,490.

Runners-up will receive $250, a one year mediabistro.com AvantGuild membership, and possible publication on FamilyCircle.com, with a total value of $299.

This contest may have a good number of submissions, however, if you have a quality story, it is well-worth entering.

If you''d like to learn more about this contest, you can find the official rules Here .

See last year's winning entries Here .

By Jennifer L. Thompson

Photos by Wonderwolf

The Sundance Channel is currently sponsoring a contest called "What's the Big Idea?" This is a contest where entrants are asked to submit a one minute video describing a "big idea" for an "environmental initiative that would lead to sustainability of life and resources on our planet", according to the official rules.

Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

~ 25% Creativity/Originality

~ 25% Appropriateness to Contest Theme

~ 25% Feasibility of Idea

~ 25% Presentation/Expression of Idea

The first leg of this contest ends April 30th, 2007, making it a good choice for creative entrants as the total entry time is less than 30 days. Daily entries are also allowed to increase your odds, though each submission must be unique. In other words, if you come up with more than one idea, you can submit them all as long as you submit no more than one video per day for the duration of the contest.

Upon the close of the entry portion of the contest, up to 25 qualified entries will be chosen as semi-finalists whose entries will be posted on the Sundance Channel's website, where visitors will vote for their favorites. The five entries with the most votes will then move on to the final round, where the judges will then choose the grand prize winner, to be announced on or about May 25, 2007.

The grand prize winner will then be awarded $10,000 in the form of a check (with hopes of getting your green idea started), and a one-year lease for a Lexus vehicle (total ARV $19,000) with four semi-finalists receiving a GREEN bag filled with selected items of the sponsor's choice (ARV $100).

This is an amateur competition, so all entries must be original, non-published material that has been produced without professional-level assistance. Only video files of less than 100MB which are compressed to a 320x240 screen size, with a 4:3 aspect ratio, will be accepted. Entrant must be a resident of the 48 contiguous United States, and be a licensed driver over the age of 18. Release forms will also need to accompany the entry if anyone other than the contest entrant is featured in the video, or if someone else's artwork, etc. is featured.

Realistically speaking, if you can create a clear, concise video with an original idea, I would definitely recommend entering this one.

You can view the contest rules and upload your videos Here .

By Jennifer L. Thompson

Win a PS3 Superbundle!

Does having a good bit of self-confidence help one to win contests and sweepstakes? You bet it does! Here are a few reasons why, and some things you can do to help increase your self-confidence.

What is the first thing that comes into your mind when you find a great contest that you really feel you have the skills to win? Is it something like "I know I could be the one to win this one, BUT... I would be afraid to take the trip to get there", or "I have to lose some weight first... I wouldn't want my picture taken like this!" or maybe even "I'm too old".

It's ok to be a bit apprehensive, in fact, it's normal. However, when self-criticism keeps us from doing the things we love, it then becomes unhealthy and can keep us from living a full and happy life. The way we "talk" to ourselves can have a big impact on our actions, or lack thereof, so it is important to be just as kind with ourselves as we would be with anybody. You wouldn't tell your best friend that she was too "big" to have her picture taken as the "grand prize winner", in fact, it most likely wouldn't even come to mind. Instead, you would be supportive and encouraging. So why not be just as loving and caring with yourself?

Increasing self-confidence can start with agreeing to be your own best friend. Look at your strengths, compliment yourself for any job well-done, and replace self-critical comments with loving ones. When you have thoughts of passing on a particular contest that you would love to win, stop yourself and become the loving and encouraging friend that you need in order to get over that initial hurdle, and just enter! Taking that first step will increase your confidence level, and you may find it to be much easier than you had ever anticipated.

Being prepared increases confidence tremendously, as well. For example, if you have always dreamed of overseas travel, yet have been unwilling to enter sweepstakes with vacation prizes to overseas destinations because you may not be able to find anyone to watch the kids while you are away, set some time aside and look over the details of what is really needed to make a trip such as this happen. Ask Grandma or another available relative if she'd be a willing standby for when the win really does come, and then go ahead and get your passport now, along with making any other arrangements that can be done in advance (someone to feed the cat, etc.). This will also have an added benefit of stress relief in not having to do everything at the last minute, keeping the pace relaxed and care-free. Then you can better have the confidence level to enter for that trip to Italy (or to anywhere else) you've always wanted, without having apprehension or unfounded fears stopping you.

By taking small steps over time, you will find that most of the fears that may have kept you from entering in the past will all melt away, leaving you much happier and feeling more fulfilled... with a winning attitude!

By Jennifer L. Thompson

Increase Self-confidence

The top ten reasons to be a sweepstaker...

Reason number 10

"You can be the only person you know who's not a thief and still has three TVs in every room!"

Reason number 9

"Unexplained trips to the post office!"

Reason number 8

"Stamps are oooh-so-very cheap!"

Reason number 7

"You could end up rich!"

Reason number 6

"You get to learn a whole new language and say things like NAZ and DOB!"

Reason number 5

"Vacations, vacations, vacations!"

Reason number 4

"Online entry!"

Reason number 3

"Things like... Free ice cream for a year!"

Reason number 2

"You can do it in your bathrobe!"

And the Number 1 Reason to be a Sweepstaker is...

"Sweepstaking rules!"

Best Sweepstakes Newsletter

For quick entry... text by cell phone!

Pizza Hut "The Cheesy Hunt" Sweepstakes

Enter daily to win a Grand Prize of $30,000. Five first prizes of a $4,000 Gift card for an entertainment package at the retailer of the sponsor's choice, twenty second prizes of a $400 Pizza Hut Gift Card, and 500 third prizes of a $5 Gift Card for music downloads.

Enter Daily, Ends March 24, 2007.

To enter, text either the word "bites", or the code word found in the Pizza Hut Commercials to 843488 (THEHUT).

Online entry also available here: Cheesy Hunt Sweepstakes

There is also unlimited entries by postal mail, so if you prefer this method, be sure to check the website as the instructions are listed on the landing page.

Lifetime Romantic Escape Sweepstakes

One Grand Prize of a luxurious spa getaway for two to Daytona Beach. Ends February 15, 2007.

To enter, text the word ESCAPE to 58463 (LTIME).

Online entry here: Lifetime Romantic Escape Sweepstakes

By Jennifer L. Thompson

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Fun accessories for your cell phone!

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There are several methods available for entering sweepstakes. Some can be entered with online methods, others using standard entry forms available through various venues (such as at stores carrying the sponsor's goods, or on the labels of the sponsor's products), and still others utilizing standard postal methods. If you have a cell phone, there is also a growing trend towards entry through text messaging.

Most sweepstakes will offer multiple means of entry. Many have both an online entry form, and an offline address to send entries via postal methods. The way you choose to enter is merely a matter of personal preference, and may also have to do with the tools you have available. If you are new to sweepstaking, and wish to enter through multiple venues, there are a few basic items that will get you started effortlessly and with ease.

Obviously, anyone who has access to a computer with online services can enter online sweepstakes, and someone with a cell phone can use text messaging. For postal methods, there are a few supplies that are generally accepted as standard throughout the industry, and are commonly used items according to the official rules of most sweepstakes. These supplies can easily be found in the office supply section of almost any department store, or at your local post office.

If you have not yet done it, and wish to add postal entry to your repertoire of entry methods, this simple list of tools will get you started, and the rest is up to you!

Blank 3"x5" Cards

These are used as an entry form for filling out personal information, such as your name and address, and must be the type without any lines. These are sometimes referred to as index cards.

Blank 3"x5" Papers

When this is specified, it must be paper (not the stiff cards) in order to be qualified for entry.

Number 10 Envelopes

These are standard 4 1/8 x 9 1/2 inch business sized envelopes. If no specific size is stated in the rules, others are acceptable, however, keeping these on hand is a good idea, as many sweepstakes will specify this size as a requirement for entry. Of course, you will also need stamps to go along with this method of entry.

Postcards

You can buy these already stamped at your post office. They come in a standard size of 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches. Occasionally official rules will specify using a different size, such as 4x6 inches, however, this is the exception rather than the rule.

In a nutshell, though no one of these things is absolutely required in order to enter sweepstakes, with these supplies on hand, you will have enough to give yourself a well-rounded realm of opportunity with multiple means of entry.

Here are six contests and sweepstakes from around the U.S. and Canada. Some are limited to regional entry.

Win Tickets to the Boys' Sweet 16

Located in Lexington, KY, though no requirements are stated in the official rules as to residency requirements for entering.

One winner will receive two tickets to the National City/KHSAA Boys’ State Basketball Tournament in Lexington, Kentucky's Rupp Arena, March 14-18, 2007, including all semi-final games and the championship game. Enter once, contest ends March 7th, 2007.

Enter HERE

Garlic Fest 2007 Sweepstakes

Open to residents of Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, Indian River, St. Lucie, Okeechobee and Hendry counties in Florida

Grand prize is eight single day admission tickets to the Garlic Fest in downtown Delray Beach, along with four backstage passes for the "Sister Hazel" and "The Alan Parsons Project" concerts. Four first prizes of four single-day tickets good for any day of this year's Garlic Fest. Sweepstakes ends February 8, 2007. The Garlic Fest runs Friday February 16th through Sunday February 18th, 2007.

Enter Here

Houston Eats Giveaway

Prize is from a restaurant located in downtown Houston, TX, with sweepstakes entry open to U.S. residents.

One prize of a $25 Gift Certificate to Cabo will be given away daily. Entries must be received by noon on February 23, 2007.

Enter Here

Arch Madness

Open to residents of Illinois and Missouri who are 18 years of age or older, and who have not won a prize from KMOV radio in the last 90 days.

Two Grand Prize Winners will each receive four single-session ticket vouchers for the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, held March 1- 4, 2007, at Scottrade Center, located in St. Louis, Missouri. Each prize package includes a one night stay at the Crowne Plaza St. Louis, one on March 1st, and the other on March 2nd. Contest ends February 18, 2007, one entry per household. Prize package valued at $300 each.

Enter Here

Enter for a chance to win tickets to see a RACHAEL RAY show taping in New York City

Open to residents of metropolitan Rochester, New York, or within the broadcast area of CW-WHAM or 13WHAM-TV in Rochester, New York.

This contest starts February 26, 2007, so be sure to mark it on your calendar, however, it does not state the number of tickets that will be given away.

Enter daily,one prize per household. Grand Prize winner will be selected on Monday March 19, 2007.

Enter Here

Win a Lightspeed Fusion Kayak from the Vancouver Sun and the Vancouver Boat Show

For residents of British Columbia, Canada.

One lucky winner will be awarded a 12'1" Fusion Kayak with accessories, valued at CDN $1,633.95. Only one entry per email address allowed, contest ends February 9, 2007. Need not be present at the show to win.

Enter Here

By Jennifer L. Thompson

Strapya.com