The Carpet People Writing Contest

Sponsored by:: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers
Judge:: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers
Contest dates:: November 4 - December 13, 2013
Num entries:: 73

When Terry Pratchett wrote The Carpet People at the age of 17, little did he know that his wildly imaginative tale about the adventures of tiny people living inside a carpet would mark the beginning of an amazing career. He would go on to become one of the world's most beloved storytellers, writing more than fifty novels, which have sold 85 million copies.

Do you want to be a writer like Terry Pratchett ? Now's your chance to show the world what you can do in the Carpet People Writing Contest !

Read the excerpt above for inspiration, then imagine a miniature world in any household object - like a couch, refrigerator, TV or even your Xbox. Now write a short fictional story (100-300 words) about this miniature world. Stories can be funny, dramatic or bizarre.

Requirements Rules

The Carpet People Writing Contest for Grades 4-8

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. All students who are legal residents of, and currently reside in, the 50 United States (and the District of Columbia) and Canada (excluding Quebec) and who are currently enrolled in grades 4–8 are eligible to enter, except that students in the following categories are NOT eligible to participate or enter: students who are immediate family members (i.e., daughter, son, sister, or brother, regardless of where they live) or who reside in the same household (whether related or not) of any persons who, after November 4, 2013, are employees or agents of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and/or each of their respective shareholders, employees, parents, directors, officers, affiliates, representatives, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the "HMH entities" or the “Sponsor”), or DOGO Media, Inc., its shareholders, employees, parents, directors, officers, affiliates, representatives, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, "DOGO") or any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising agencies, cooperatives, or franchisees or employees or agents of service agencies or independent contractors of any of the above organizations; individuals engaged in the development, production, or distribution of materials for this contest; or individuals involved in the judging process.

Limit one entry per student.

How to Enter:

1.) Create an iDOGO account at www.dogobooks.com/contests

2.) Download, complete and send back the Parental Consent Form

3.) Write a short story of between 100 and 300 words, online at www.dogobooks.com/contests

Entries may only be submitted online at www.dogobooks.com/contests. NO OTHER METHOD OF ENTRY WILL BE ACCEPTED

DOGO and the HMH Entities are not responsible for late, lost, damaged, stolen, incomplete, illegible, or misdirected entries; for interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections; for lack of availability or accessibility, or miscommunications due to failed computer, satellite, telephone, or cable transmissions or lines; for technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions; for computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures, or difficulties; or for any other computer, network, technical, typographical, human or other error, problem, or malfunction related to or in connection with the Contest.

Each story must be between 100 and 300 words.

Stories will be judged on criteria including, writing quality, originality, and creativity. In addition correct grammar and spelling will also be considered.

All stories must be fictional. Factual stories and based on the student's real-life experience will be disqualified.

Selection of Winners: Entries submitted will be judged solely by and at the sole discretion of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Prospective winners and their parent/guardian will be notified by email on or about January 6, 2014. Entries, and all rights in winning entries, become the property of DOGO and will not be returned. Each prospective winner and his/her parent/guardian (where applicable) agree to be bound by the Official Rules, and the decision of the judge is final in all matters relating to this Contest. Each prospective winner and his/her parent/legal guardian (where applicable) will be required to sign and return, within ten (10) days of date of notification: (1) the Parental Consent Form; (2) a publicity release permitting DOGO, the HMH Entities and each of their respective designees to (i) use the winner's name, address, likeness, biographical information and/or winner's story; (ii) reprint the winner's submission, in whole or in part, in any future publication(s); and/or (iii) use the winner's services, including all live and taped performances of winner's media interviews, photo/video and/or autograph sessions in connection with this Contest in any and all media now known or hereafter developed, worldwide without limitation, including for any advertising, publicity, and promotional purposes, without additional notice or compensation, notification or permission, except where prohibited by law; and (3) a release of liability signed by the parent/legal guardian of the winner (where applicable), if the above are not executed and received by DOGO Media, Inc. within ten (10) days of date of notification, prizes may be awarded to an alternate winner from among all remaining eligible entries. In addition, each winner and/or parent/legal guardian of the winner (where applicable) must execute all other documents requested by DOGO and/or the HMH Entities.

Each entrant and his/her parent/guardian (where applicable) hereby release and hold harmless DOGO and each of the HMH Entities from any and all claims, demands, losses, promises, causes of action, and liabilities arising out of the preparation for or participation in this Contest, or any use/misuse of any prize (or any portion thereof) awarded hereunder, including any travel or activity related thereto.

DOGO and the HMH Entities assume no responsibility or liability for the selection of any winner. The acceptance of any prizes constitutes a release of DOGO and the HMH Entities from such responsibilities and liabilities.

Prizes: 

First 30 Entries:
Prizes will be awarded to the first thirty (30) entrants whose submissions are accepted and posted on www.dogobooks.com/contests. First thirty (30) entries prize winners will receive an Advanced Reader Copy of The Carpet People (estimated retail value: $17.99)

Best Story Prize:
Three (3) Best Story Winner Prizes will be awarded from all eligible entries.
Winner Prize student winners will receive:

1.) Hardcover edition of the Carpet People by Terry Pratchett. (estimated retail value: $17.99)

2.) A Deluxe Art Print featuring Terry Pratchett's illustrations (estimated retail value: $4.99)
3.) A $25.00 gift card for iTunes (estimated retail value: $25.00)

No cash substitutions for prizes. In the event of prize unavailability, a prize of equal or greater value will be awarded as determined in HMH's sole discretion. Prizes are nontransferable. All federal, state, and local taxes (including any applicable taxes on Canadian residents), if any, are the sole responsibility of the winners. Void where restricted or prohibited.

Sponsor:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers
215 Park Avenue South, 11th Fl
New York, NY 10003

This promotion and all matters arising in connection with this promotion shall only be construed and evaluated according to United States law.

Judging Criteria

The contest has ended!

Winners have been selected!

Contest Winners

Bizarre Entry
ian21tangabout 11 years
Deep in the heart of the land of Aircondition, Joe Bobb and his friend Larry Mahone were known for their adventures. One day, Joe and Larry started heading for the Plug, the most dangerous part of Aircondition. As they walked through the land, Joe started noticing that the colors were starting to change. Soon, the laws of motion and the laws of perspective had been broken. All of a sudden, Larry noticed a huge giant about five feet away from them. as they continued to walk on cautiously, they noticed that they still hadn't reached the giant yet, even after walking 100 feet! Then everything changed. The ground gave way and ground became water and water became land. the started sinking until all of a sudden the water froze. Joe tried to use his hands to break the newly formed ice around them, but nothing happened. Joe and Larry both took out their emergency pens and papers and began to write their will. When they finished writing, it began to get warmer and warmer until BOOM! a massive underwater/underground-whichever way you put it-geyser blasted Joe and Larry up until they hit their heads on something hard. They were the first people to reach the Battery Compartment. They climbed and climbed until all of a sudden the whole platform gave way and they plummeted to their deaths. "We're lucky we wrote those wills," Joe said. "I'm too young to die!!!" wailed Larry. Right when they were going to hit land, a giant air bag popped up and saved them. The bad thing was, the air bag destroyed all towns in a 50 mile radius. Joe and Larry sighed and walked away sullenly.
Dramatic Entry
ilovewolvesalmost 11 years
I wonder why no one ever understands. I'm not gross. I don't love slime or muck or any of that stuff. I just have to live, right? And I have to live somewhere. Even though that place happens to be the shower drain. Quite honestly, it's not bad. I mean, sure. My bed may be a hairball. And I may never be able to read my favorite book, cause of the absence of light. But there is lot's of good things too. Like the slime-skating rink. I got my first pair of slime-skates for my third birthday. Another good thing is... well, that's about it. But I don't complain. Even when my pet spider, Wolfie ran away, I don't complain. Even when the five giant weird skin-like tentacles, each topped with a giant nail snatched up my living room couch, with my parents on it, I don't complain. But that was before. Before the explosions. Before the Destructor came. Before I was in the light. Now, I have been renamed Bunny McDusty. I live in an area where I have to run from these giants with giant tentacles connected to their arms. I must admit, I didn't expect to see old Wolfie again. I was even more surprised to find where my old pet now lived: Under the couch.