Kitchen Catastrophe Memoir Contest – FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When is the contest deadline?
The contest will begin on August 7, 2012 at 12:01 a.m. (EST) and will end on August 21, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. (EST). All entries must be received by midnight on Tuesday, August 21, 2012.
Q. When are the winners announced?
The finalists will be announced on August 28, 2012. All finalists' entries will be posted for two weeks on Biographile to allow readers to vote using Facebook likes as votes. Voting ends September 10, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. (EST). On September 12, 2012, the winners will be announced.
Q. Who is eligible to enter?
This contest is open to all legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are age 18 years or older as of August 7, 2012
Q. Why 750 words? What happens if I go over?
Seven hundred and fifty words is long enough to dive into a subject, but easy enough to read online. You may write as short as you like, but anything over 750 words may be disqualified from the competition.
Q. Can I send my entry through snail mail?
No. Because of the time constraints of the contest, we wouldn't be able to receive through the mail and post it in time to allow readers to vote.
Q. Can you confirm that you received my entry?
Each entrant will receive an email confirming that his or her essay was received.
Q. How will I know if I've won?
Winners will be notified by email on September 12, 2012. Biographile will announce the winners on the site the same day. For the names of the winners, available after September 12, 2012, you can also send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Random House, Inc, attn: Joseph Muscolino, 1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.
Q. Can I submit work I've published elsewhere?
No. Submissions need to be unpublished work.
Q. Can I submit my essay to other publications?
Yes. You retain most rights to your essay. The top five submissions will remain live on Biographile after the contest. However, you may publish them elsewhere after the contest is over.
Q. My essay is very, very personal. Can I publish under a pseudonym?
Yes. We can publish your essay under a screen-name if you choose. However, we will need to know your real name when you enter, in case you win the contest.
Q. Can I send photos to support my essay?
No. This is a writing contest and the writing must stand on its own.
Q. How are you evaluating the writing? What are your judging criteria?
We're primarily looking for good writing and heartfelt stories. Essays that are too long or are not about a kitchen catastrophe may be disqualified.
Have more questions? Email us: info (at) biographile (dot) com
