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Update: Win a chance to review 'Tales of the Beedle the Bard' in London from Amazon 
APRIL 9, 2008 at 7:43 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: Business Wire
Last December we told you that Amazon had purchased J.K. Rowling's Tales of the Beedle the Bard for £1,950,000 (USD$3,980,128.89). Now they are giving fans a chance to review the book for a weekend in a writing contest.
The contest is for the chance to win a trip for two to London, England, and spend a weekend with the book (security guards included).
According to the press release
:
The Beedle the Bard Ballad Writing Contest challenges Amazon customers 13 and older to creatively write a short, English-language submission of 100 or fewer words answering one of the following three questions:
- What songs do wizards use to celebrate birthdays?
- What other sports do wizards play besides Quidditch?
- What have you learned from the Harry Potter series that you use in everyday life?
Contest submissions will be accepted for two weeks, from April 9 -22, in two age categories: 13-17 and 18 and older. The contest is open to customers in 24 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, China and Canada.
An Amazon committee will choose 10 semifinalists from each age group based on creativity and originality of idea as well as the writing style of the submission. On May 5, Amazon will post the semi-finalist submissions from both age groups and allow Amazon customers one week to vote for their favorite entry in each of the two age categories. The winner in each age group will move on to become one of two finalists who will compete for the grand prize. In the final phase, Amazon customers will have one more opportunity to vote for their favorite submission and determine the grand prize winner of the trip to London and weekend with The Tales of Beedle the Bard, which Amazon purchased at auction in December 2007 for $4 million. The proceeds of the purchase benefited The Children's Voice, Ms. Rowling’s charity for orphaned children around the world.
The two finalists will be announced in mid-May. In addition to being eligible for the grand prize, each of the finalists will receive a $1,000 gift certificate redeemable at www.amazon.com. The grand prize winner is slated to be announced on May 22.
The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 and you can enter here (in the U.S.) and here (in the UK). If you are under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must complete the entry form and submit the entry using the instructions on the form.
Good luck to all who enter.
UPDATE: Thanks to BlogHowarts for letting us know that Amazon has answered the question as to why only fans from certain countries are allowed to enter the contest.
We conducted research to determine our list of more than 20 countries, and focused on those countries where there are large English-speaking populations and where laws would permit the contest. Some countries are legally ineligible for these types of contests. I hope this information is helpful. Thanks for your interest in the contest and we hope to see your entry! Good luck!
Reader Comments (38)
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Auror
Points: 2125
Nataly says:
Good luck to everyone! Great idea!
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 8:38 AM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8291
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Sounds like a great contest. The prize is really great. But it takes a lot of hoops to jump through. My guess is that it will be really difficut and stiff competition.
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 9:24 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1728
zues says:
Very nice, good luck to everyone. I myself would love to see the book.
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 9:32 AM EST
Mistress of Music
Points: 8649
ViolaNut says:
100 words, eh? They sure don't want to have to look at more than necessary! Hmmmm... Y'know, I may have to give this a try. NO chance of course, but what the heck...
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 9:41 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1631
Hermione's younger sister says:
That would be so cool to win! I bet there will be a lot of entries for a thing like this. I'd really like to go through the book, I don't exactly get what it's about.
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 9:52 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1658
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
Sounds like fun. I won't enter, but good luck to those who do.
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 10:30 AM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 26018
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
Oooh so cool!!!!!!!!!
I stink at writing and stuff so I don't even have a chance...haha
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 11:00 AM EST
Points: 7828
Rococoed says:
It would be marvelous to see the book in person! I definitely am planning to submit an essay. It would be easy, I think!
Good luck to all who will compete for the prize!
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 2:57 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1238
Flawed Hero says:
I have to try this! Beedle the Bard! Wow thats exciting
Whoever wins, I hope they can tell us about it...
Hmm... "security guards included"- they aren't taking any chances
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 4:34 PM EST
Witch
Points: 728
Bleak Angel says:
That's a very nice idea, it would be great to see the book. Best of luck to anyone who enters.
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 4:51 PM EST
Ravenclaw Mastermind
Points: 9722
Isilwen Ciryatan says:
I imagine many, many people will be entering, but the prize is certainly worth going for. Not sure how my creative writing skills are, but I would love the chance to read Beedle's tales.
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 5:06 PM EST
Squib
Points: 170
dobbysfan says:
Looks like a great competion, might give it some thought and maybe have a go.
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 5:23 PM EST
Witch
Points: 614
Harry_Hermoine_Fanz says:
Aww...if I were 13, I would join it, but too bad I'm younger.
Good luck to people that join!
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 5:36 PM EST
Antipodean Snow Goddess
Points: 2941
Tikihaha says:
This is an amazing opportunity open to most HP fans across the globe!! How refreshing to see a competition where countries like Australia finally have the chance to win something awesome.
Good luck to all HPANA members who enter it - hopefully at least one HPANA fan may win and tell us EVERYTHING!!
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 5:44 PM EST
Bellatrix's daughter
Points: 2670
Lili Marlene says:
Oh, I would so try this if I would just live in some NORMAL country... :( Well, good luck to all those people who try!!! :D
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 6:49 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1608
~Harry's true love~ says:
Ahh! No way! That's great, I don't think I'm going to do it. But To actually be able to see The book *with sicurity* is amazing! Maybe some day I'll be able to see it?!
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 7:10 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2768
H/HrShipper4Ever says:
That sounds very cool.. Too bad I can't compeate..School takes up way too much time. But good luck to all of those who enter..
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 7:26 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4486
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
Ah, this is so cool! I want to review 'Tales of the Beedle and the Bard'!
~Drish~
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 7:38 PM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 2590
Hecate3fold says:
What a great idea for up and coming writers to have their talents published for the world to see.
This is a wonderful way to get a free trip to see the book.
Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 8:37 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3221
HufflepuffActress says:
I would love to win this. I’ll have to think about which one I wasn’t to write about. Not sure which one I will pick yet.
Posted Apr 9, 2008 at 9:36 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2312
SlytherinStarGazer says:
This is such a cool idea. I would love to win this, along with at least a million others I am sure :P
Anyhow, Good Luck to everyone!!! i wish all of us fans could win..:P
Posted Apr 10, 2008 at 12:14 AM EST
Witch
Points: 576
accio_kim says:
I love all the amazing contests that Harry Potter fans have a chance to take part in! I would LOVE to read those tales!
Good luck HPANA-ers, maybe one of us will win!
Posted Apr 10, 2008 at 5:02 AM EST
Witch
Points: 966
Helena xx says:
What a brilliant idea for a completition!!!
Definitely worth entering!!!
Good Luck to everyone who goes for it!!!!
Posted Apr 10, 2008 at 9:40 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 29
Le*Soleil says:
This is amazing.
I'm most definitely going to have to enter! *dreams*
Good luck to everyone else who is entering!
Posted Apr 11, 2008 at 12:38 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4091
ILoveHP! says:
I can't find out what the whole 24 countries are!!!! Is Philippines included?! Oh please....
Posted Apr 11, 2008 at 12:53 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2350
mad_eye muggle says:
Wicked cool!That.....is sooooo awesome!Good luck to those who will join!
Posted Apr 11, 2008 at 7:05 AM EST
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