Girls with Grit Writing Contest – 2011-2012
Official Rules
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
1. Eligibility
The Girls with Grit Writing Contest (the “Promotion”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including District of Columbia) and Canada who are at least thirteen (13) years old as at the time of entry. Void where prohibited by law, including Quebec Province. Employees of Figment, LLC, Groundwood Books or any of its respective affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising agencies, or any other company or individual involved with the design, production execution or distribution of the Promotion and their immediate family (spouse, parents and step-parents, siblings and step-siblings, and children and step-children) and household members (people who share the same residence at least three (3) months out of the year) of each such employee are not eligible. The Promotion is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Promotion. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
2. Sponsor
Figment, LLC, 118 East 64th Street, New York, NY 10065.
3. Entry Period
The Promotion begins on November 1, 2011 at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends on February 29, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. ET (the “Promotion Entry Period”). Sponsor’s computer is the official time keeping device for this Promotion.
4. How to Enter
During the Promotion Entry Period visit www.figment.com and become a registered user of the website. Becoming a registered user is free. After you become a registered user you are able to enter the Promotion. To enter the Promotion you must submit one (1) original story about a girl with grit (the “Submission”). You will write the Submission on Figment.com and click on “Publish Now”. On the “Details” page, put girlswithgrit in “Tags”. Limit of one (1) Submission per person during the Promotion Entry Period.
You retain all right, title, and interest in and to your Submission, including the copyright, provided, however, that by participating in the Promotion, you hereby grant Sponsor and Groundwood Books the non-exclusive, royalty-free right and license to publish your Submission, in whole or in part, and your name, image, likeness, and biographical information on the Figment Website and Blog for publicity, advertising, and promotional purposes, without limitation, and without consideration whether or not such Submission is selected as a winning Submission.
The promotion of your Submission is not allowed on Figment. This includes self-promotion and the promotion of other users’ Submissions in the Figment forums, the comments and reviews of stories, and the Figment Facebook page. Independent promotion on sites unrelated to Figment, like personal Facebook or Twitter accounts, is fine.
The creation of multiple accounts to heart or otherwise vote for your Submission on Figment is prohibited, and may result in the disqualification of that entry, the deletion of your Figment account, and/or the blocking of your IP address permanently from the site, at the moderator’s discretion.
5. Submission Requirements
- Submission must be no more than 3,000 words and no fewer than 1,500 words.
- Submission must be an original work created solely by you, has not been previously published, and does not infringe upon any third-party copyrights or other intellectual property rights.
- Submission must be suitable for publication (i.e., may not be sexually explicit, obscene or indecent).
- Submission must not contain defamatory statements.
- Submission must not promote racism, bigotry, hatred or physical harm or harassment of any kind against any group or individual.
- Submission must not contain any telephone numbers, street addresses or email addresses of any individual.
- Submission must not invade privacy, publicity or other rights of any person, firm or entity.
All Submissions will be reviewed for content eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules before being judged. Submissions containing prohibited material or inappropriate content, as determined by the Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may be disqualified. Sponsor makes the final determination as to what Entries are eligible to take part in this Promotion.
6. Display of Submissions. Public Voting and Selection of Finalists
Submissions will be posted on www.figment.com on a rolling basis. If a Submission is disqualified or otherwise does not meet the Submission requirements it will not be posted or may be taken down. All Contestants will have equal access to Submissions posted on the website. Non-Contestants interested in the Challenge are also encouraged to register. Registration will be required by Non-Contestants in order to be eligible to vote. Registered visitors will be able to vote for their favorite Submission. The public voting will take place between on or about March 1, 2012 at 12:00:01 AM EST, and March 14, 2012 at 11:59PM EST. Public voting will determine the twenty (20) finalists (the “Finalists”). Each registered visitor is able to vote for (heart) their favorite Submissions, but may only vote for a Submission once during the voting period. Use of an automated process or similar device to submit an electronic vote is strictly prohibited. Any attempt to circumvent the one vote limit per Submission or to use automated vote process will subject all votes from the person to disqualification. If a Contestant receives multiple and/or irregular votes (hearts) from the same user or users, including but not limited to, votes generated by a robotic, programmed, script, macro, other automated means or other source, the Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify the Contestant in their sole discretion. If the voting process fails to operate properly or appears to be tampered with or tainted with errors, fraud or unfair practices, the Sponsor in its sole discretion reserves the right to use another means to determine the Finalists, i.e. random selection or appointing a panel of judges. Contestants may not pay people or provide any other type of consideration in exchange for votes. Any Contestant who violates the ban on paying or providing consideration in exchange for votes will be disqualified. Public votes may be displayed on the competition website, on a real-time basis, before being verified for integrity. These unverified votes do not necessarily reflect accurately the Finalists. The Finalists will be the entrants who are contacted directly by the Sponsor after votes have been verified. Sponsor reserve the right to modify the voting period at anytime for any reason.
7. Review Finalists’ Submission to Determine Grand Prize Winner
The Finalists’ Submissions will be ranked in the following three (3) criteria: (a) originality (33.33%), (b) creativity (33.33%), and (c) writing skill (33.33%). One (1) individual whose entry earns the highest overall score will win the Grand Prize. In the event of a tie, winner will be selected based on the criteria described in (a), then (b) and finally (c). Judges will be fair and impartial. Decisions of the judging panel will be final. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible Entries received and quality of the Finalists’ Submissions. Judging will be completed on or about June 1, 2012.
8. POTENTIAL PROMOTION WINNER IS SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY SPONSOR WHOSE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE PROMOTION.
9. Verification of Potential Winner
Potential winner must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. The potential winner will be notified by email, telephone, or registered mail after the date of the judging. The potential winner may be required to sign and return to Sponsor, within seventy-two (72) hours of the date notice is sent, an affidavit of eligibility, and liability/publicity release (except where prohibited) in order to claim his/her prize if applicable. If a potential winner of any prize cannot be contacted, fails to sign and return the affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release within the required time period (if applicable), or if the prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, potential winner forfeits prize. In the event that a potential winner of a prize is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor may award the applicable prize to an alternate winner who had the highest amount of votes (hearts).
10. Grand Prize
One (1) Grand prize will be awarded. Grand prize winner will receive a book cover for his/her story designed by a Groundwood Books book designer, a specially printed limited edition of his/her story and book cover, and feedback from a Groundwood Books editor. His/her story will also be posted on the Groundwood Books website. Approximate Retail Value of the Grand Prize is: $550. Three runners-up will also get their stories featured on the Groundwood Books website. Approximate Retail Value of the runner-up prizes is $0. No cash equivalent for the prizes. Prizes are non-transferable and no substitution will be made except as provided herein at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute the listed prize for one of equal or greater value for any reason. Winner is responsible for all taxes and fees associated with prize receipt and/or use.
11. Entry Conditions and Release
By entering, each participant agrees to: (a) comply with and be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, and/or the Promotion judges which are binding and final in all matters relating to this Promotion; (b) release and hold harmless the Sponsor and its respective parent, subsidiary, and affiliated companies, the prize suppliers and any other organizations responsible for sponsoring, fulfilling, administering, advertising or promoting the Promotion, and all of their respective past and present officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to negligence and damages of any kind to persons and property, including but not limited to invasion of privacy (under appropriation, intrusion, public disclosure of private facts, false light in the public eye or other legal theory), defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, infringement of trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights, property damage, or death or personal injury arising out of or relating to a participant’s entry, creation of an entry or submission of an entry, participation in the Promotion, acceptance or use or misuse of prize (including any travel or activity related thereto) and/or the broadcast, exploitation or use of entry; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Sponsor from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys fees) arising out of or relating to an entrant’s participation in the Promotion, the Submission and/or entrant’s acceptance, use or misuse of prize.
12. Publicity
Except where prohibited, participation in the Promotion constitutes winners consent to Sponsor’s and its agents’ use of winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions and/or hometown and state for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration.
13. General Conditions
Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Promotion, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Promotion, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Promotion or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Promotion may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
14. Limitations of Liability
The Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrants, printing errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Promotion; (2) technical failures of any kind, including, but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Promotion; (4) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Promotion or the processing of entries; or (5) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Promotion or receipt or use or misuse of any prize. If for any reason an entrant’s Submission is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or otherwise destroyed or corrupted, entrant’s sole remedy is another Submission in the Promotion. No more than the stated number of prizes will be awarded.
15. Disputes
Entrant agrees that: (i) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Promotion, or any prizes awarded, other than those concerning the administration of the Promotion or the determination of winners, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (ii) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Promotion, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved exclusively by the United States District Court or the appropriate New York State Court located in New York County, New York; (iii) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Promotion, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (iv) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrant and Sponsor in connection with the Promotion, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.
16. Entrant’s Personal Information
Information collected from entrants is subject to the Sponsor’s Privacy Policy which is available at http://figment.com/privacy.
17. Promotion Results
For Promotion results email you request to info@figment.com. Requests for the winner list must be received by with 60 days of the end of the Promotion Entry Period. DO NOT SEND ANY OTHER CORRESPONDENCE OR SUBMISSIONS TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS.
It says you must be 13 years of age to enter, but there is no maximum age limit? I am 35 – can I enter? The information says “teen” writers, but the official rules do not give a cut-off age. Please advise. Thank you.
Hi Cresta,
Yes, you can enter.
im ten but i really love writing can i write in the contest?
Hi mo75,
Unfortunately, only users aged 13 and over may enter.
If I am Chosen for the published story, is it okay to have the name under a pen name?
Absolutely!
why is it only for American citizens? I am an Australian teenager (14) and this would be a great thing to have with me for the career I want in writing…I think its highly unfair that its only for Americans.
Hi Ash,
Unfortunately, we can only offer contests to U.S. residents because of legal issues. Sorry! If you’d like a more detailed explanation, feel free to email me at rebecca@figment.com.
Oh not again! I got so excited for this when reading the contest description on the blog, but unfortunately I live in Quebec. Of course it’s the only place in Canada where the contest isn’t open. Lucky me. I’m definitely moving out of this province as soon as I can.
I read the questions and because I’m in BC, Canada, I can’t enter?
Hi Tamara,
Actually, Canadians can enter: “open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including District of Columbia) and Canada who are at least thirteen (13) years old as at the time of entry.” Good luck!
I’m in BC, Canada and I read that I can’t enter because I’m not in the US?
Yay! Finally a contest I can enter! There have only been 2 contests for Canadians in 3 months! Anyways, can this story be any genre we want, or do we have to stick to more realistic topics?
Hi D.Marie,
It can be any genre as long as it features a girl with grit! Good luck.
THANKS! I appreciate the opportunity.
I was wondering if it’s okay if the story I’ve got in mind switches perspectives, and one of those people is a boy. Also, in this story I don’t go into details of inapropriate things, but they’re referred to. Should I use a different story? If so, I’ve got plenty, I was just wondering.
Hi Tamera,
It’s fine to change perspectives! And as long as the inappropriate things are in a legitimate context and are not gratuitously violent or explicit, feel free to use the story.
Great, thanks! Don’t worry, because I dislike stories that go into real details of that stuff, but I wanted to be sure, because some of what happens wouldn’t make sense if I just skipped over some things entirely.
What is a girl with grit?
Hi Kenna,
A girl with grit is a girl who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself/ what she believes in, and who is willing to make sacrifices in pursuit of her goals, etc. Hope this helps!
Can this be in the form of a poem or does it have to be in paragraph form?
Hi Isabella,
It can definitely be in poem form. Good luck!
I want to enter, but I have NO idea how, I’m new, and I would really like to enter. Can you tell me how Rebecca?
Hi Emanisha,
So excited you’re entering the contest! All you have to do is go to the “my writing” tab on your profile, and click create something new.” Once you’ve finished writing your contest entry, click the “details” tab and where is says “tags”, type in girlswithgrit. Hope this helps! Feel free to email me at rebecca@figment.com if you need more help!
Are we alowed to swap to get hearts?
Hi Hannah,
Swapping contest entries for hearts is strictly not allowed, and could result in disqualification from the contest. Feel free to swap non-contest entries, though! Good luck
can I write about my grandmother who died this summer? It said: Submission must not invade privacy, publicity or other rights of any person, firm or entity.
can I still write about what she went through without “invading privacy”? I knew her well enough that she wouldn’t mind.
Hi Amber,
Yes, that’s fine. If you’re worried, you can always change the names.
Is it ok if it’s based on real life? Like our own life except names have been changed? I haven’t entered up until now because of this potential limitation….
Hi Vann,
It’s absolutely okay if it’s based on real life.
What does swapping hearts mean? I’m kinda new to Figment and don’t really know all the quirks and details of this site yet.
& I have a Quibblo writing account, would I be allowed to post this story there or should I wait until this contest is over to post it there?
Hi Chelsea,
“Swapping hearts” means you heart someone’s work and they heart your work (although this is strictly prohibited for contest entries, feel free to swap as much as you want with a non-contest entry). Also, you can post the story wherever you want! Feel free to email me at rebecca@figment.com if you have any more questions, and welcome to Figment!
I would love to enter this, but i’m from the Caribbean. I read what the contest was about and it’s just so unfair:(
Can I do two entries? I have only one out now, but I have an idea for another…
Hi Tara,
There is a “Limit of one (1) Submission per person during the Promotion Entry Period.” Thank you and good luck!
This is totally hypothetical, but if, for some contest, I wanted to enter a story that I had already written and published, would I be able to do that? What about if I had asked for people to swap with me for it in the past (not after the contest had begun)? This isn’t for this contest, but just for future reference. Thanks!
Hi Maya,
You would have to republish the story to make it an official contest entry (within the entry period), so your heart count would be reset at 0. Hope this helps!
Oh, and I was also wondering whether we could promote a story on websites other than Figment. Like Facebook or Twitter or something like that. I heard on the forums that we could, but I just wanted to make sure. Thanks again!
Hi Maya,
Yes, you can promote your stories anywhere outside Figment, but nowhere on the Figment website. Good luck!
Hi, I’m wrote a story for this contest but it has some violence and a death in it. It’s not very descriptive, it just shows how a girl saves someone else from a criminal. There’s a struggle toward the end where the girl and the criminal fight and she’s hurt and a gun is pulled . . . is that too much for me to join this contest?
Hi Ashtyn,
Nope! That should be fine as long as it’s within the context of your story. Good luck!
Hi! I was wondering if we were allowed to write in first person? As in, the narrator would be considered the “girl with grit”?
Yes!
Hi,
I was wondering if the story was allowed to be written in first person? As in, the narrator would be considered the “girl with grit”?
Yes, absolutely! Good luck
Where exactly can we promote our story? I’ve been promoting it on Facebook and Twitter. Is there anywhere else? If I don’t promote on this website, then am I safe?
Hi Holly,
Yes, you can promote anywhere outside of Figment/ Figment’s facebook wall. Feel free to tell your friends and family! Just make sure that, if they want to create an account to vote for you, they use a valid email address that doesn’t look fishy. Good luck!
Hey I was wondering if there were any genre limitations? Ie. Fanatasy,adventure, domestic, mystery, setting it in a different time period perhaps? etc.
Hi Ash,
Nope! No genre limitations! Just a girl with grit.
It’s tragic that it’s just for americans. I’m a Mexican,16, I’m actually really close to the U.S. I hope I can enter a contest soon. -.-
Hello,
I wrote several pieces as possible submissions for the girls with grit contest, intending to choose the best one and submit it. However, I accidentally published a second entry that was tagged girlswithgrit; I completely forgot to un-tag it. I’d published that second piece because I’d liked the way it came out. If I destroy that second piece (which I intend to), am I still eligible for the contest?
Hi Moorea,
As long as you delete it now and make sure you only have one entry per contest, then yes.
hi:) I’m 15 and i love to wright. but i do have a question. i am writing a story that i would like to put into this contest. i did read the rules but I’m still confused. is there a specific topic or subject that the writings have to be about? or can it be with anything that we make up as long as its approved.
Hi Kassandra,
As long as it features a “girl with girt” as a character, the story should be fine. See the post above for a definition of a “girl with grit”. Good luck!
Hi! So I understand that this contest is for anyone 13 years of age and up, and that the subject matter is girls with grit, but do you have to be female to enter? I combed through the contest details and it never specified. I’m just curious, cause I come from a family of pretty strong women and feel that a lot of my stories often revolve around a woman with strong moral character. If I can’t enter, no harm no foul. Just thought I’d ask!
Hi Jerry,
The entrants can be male or female. Good luck!
Does the girl in question have to be a youth, or can it be a female of any age?
Hi Silken,
Any age!
My story is about a girl who gets raped and then deals with the aftermath. As long as I don’t give much description, will it be okay?
Hi Abby,
As long as what you write fits the context of your story and is not gratuitous, you should be fine.
The story i would to like to use involves drug use, and the main character later getting help for her drug problem. Is it ok for there to be scenes of her using a drug? Thank you for taking the time to answer!
Hi Kristen,
Yes! As long as the events fit the context of your story. Feel free to email me at rebecca@figment.com with more questions.
sorry, i have another question. Is it ok that my story doesn’t have the main character really standing up with herself until the end?
Hi Kristen,
Yes! That sounds fine. Good luck!
I am 12 is it okay for me to enter this contest I hope I am eligible to enter because I really want to.
Hi Dariana,
Unfortunately, all members must be at least 13 years old to join Figment and participate in contests.
Just a few questions. It can be entirely fictional, right? I am considering entering and I do have a particular character in mind. It is an entirely fictional character in an entirely fictional world. The situation is not anything a regular girl could probably connect to. (Though I guess some heroine characters could?) She is certainly a “girl with grit” who fights for what she believes with all she’s got.
Oops, I meant *a question.* My apologies.
Hi Angel,
Yes, that sounds great!
Hey! So, when it says that we can’t promote the book on Figment, is it okay to ask people to heart it or is that the same as promoting? Sometimes when people ask if they can swap, I’ll want to ask them to read my submission. Is that okay?
Hi Angelica,
Yes, asking people to “heart” your story is contest promotion, and is not allowed.
Okay, thanks!
Hi!
I was wondering. I’d like to enter the contest, but I prefer to do fictional stories. Would that be okay?? I just wanna make sure
Thanks!
Hi Cheyenne,
Yes! That’s absolutely fine. Good luck!
Thank You Sooo Much!!
I think its unfair that it can only be in America. I mean I’m fourteen, and I’m sort of from South Africa and Germany and now I can’t enter. That really sucks.
Does this have to be real? Or can it be fictional?
Hi Dawn,
It can be fictional!
Can American citizens living over seas enter into contests? Or just citizens living in America?
Hi Mariana,
You must be a resident of the U.S. (or Canada, excluding Quebec) with a permanent U.S. (or Canada, excluding Quebec) address to enter contests. Please email me at rebecca@figment.com if you have further questions.
hi im only ten but love to write. can i enter, PLEASE?
Hi m075,
No. Unfortunately, only members of Figment (13 and over) may enter the contest.
Sorry, a little confused. Can we promote our entries on other sites and to our family, classmates, and friends?
Thanks.
Hi Paige,
Yes, you may. Just not on Figment or on Figment’s twitter/Facebook.