New Forks Writers’ Contest Official Rules

1.            Sponsor.  This skill contest is sponsored by New Forks, LLC (“New Forks”), located at New Forks, LLC, Ina Mae Rude Center, 4200 James Ray Drive, Suite 182, Grand Forks, ND 58203-1968. 

2.         How to Enter.  Enter the New Forks Writers’ Contest (the “Contest”) online at our web site, located at www.newforks.net.  There are two categories to enter:  previously published works, and unpublished works.  Previously published works must have been published in a news publication of note.  Unpublished works may not have been previously published in any medium, including online.  Each work, whether previously published or unpublished must be an original, factual, human-interest story about the space sector, between 2600 and 2800 words in length.  Complete the required online application form and submit the story via our web site at www.newforks.net.  You may enter one or both categories more than once, but each entry must include a unique story and must be separately submitted.

By entering the Contest, each entrant acknowledges and agrees to abide by and be bound by these Official Rules and by the decisions of New Forks judges, which are final and binding in all respects.  Prizes will be awarded only to winning eligible entrants who comply fully with these Official Rules.  The Official Rules are located at www.newforks.net/contest/rules.html.

3.            Judging the Entries.  New Forks will judge the stories received based on writing quality, originality, and reader appeal.  The judges will select one Grand Prize winner from each category.  The Grand Prize winner from each category will receive an award of three thousand dollars (US$3000).  There are no other prizes.  Any and all prize-related expenses, including without limitation and cost of delivery, any and all federal, state and local taxes, are the sole responsibility of the winners.  Only one prize per person.

4.            Release.  By submitting an entry in the unpublished works category, you give New Forks the royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right to use, distribute, display and create derivative works from the entry, and otherwise edit the entry, in any and all media, in any manner, in whole or in part, without any restriction or responsibilities to you, for a period of one (1) year, commencing on the End Date (as defined below).  Without limiting the foregoing, you give New Forks the right to publish or to authorize third parties to publish your entry, in whole or in part, without any restriction (except that you will be identified as the author of the entry) or responsibilities to you.  You further guarantee that your work will not have been published before.  New Forks reserves the right to check the facts of an entry submitted in either category by any means New Forks reasonably deems necessary, including without limitation by contacting the entrant and/or third parties.

5.            Guarantee.  By submitting an entry in either category, you guarantee to New Forks that your entry will be your own original work and will not violate the copyright of any person, or be libelous or otherwise unlawful.

6.         Time Period.  The Contest begins on September 14, 2006 at 12:01 a.m. (“Start Date”), and ends on December 31, 2006 at 11:59 p.m. (“End Date”).  No entries will be accepted before the Start Date or after the End Date.

6.            Eligibility.  The Contest is open only to individuals who are eighteen (18) years of age or older as of the Start Date and possess the legal capacity to be bound by and carry out all of the terms and conditions of these Official Rules.  Persons in any of the following categories are NOT eligible to participate or win prizes in the Contest:  (a) persons who on or after the Start Date, were or are employees or agents of New Forks; and (b) persons who are immediate family (defined as mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, son or spouse) of any person identified in (a), regardless of where they live; or who reside in the same household, as any person identified in (a), whether related or not.

7.            Winner Notification and Acceptance.  The Grand Prize winner in each category will be selected on January 30, 2007.  The winners will be announced on www.newforks.net on February 20, 2007.  The winners will be notified by telephone or email.  The winners must confirm acceptance of the prize by completing an Affidavit of Eligibility and Assignment within five (5) days of winning notification.  Additionally the winners may be required to complete any other forms or documents required by New Forks or by tax or other governmental authorities.  If a winner does not claim the prize or confirm acceptance within the required time frame, no substitute winner will be selected. 

8.            General Terms and Conditions.  By participating in this Contest, you agree to be bound by these rules and by the decisions of New Forks, which are final and binding in all respects.  You agree to release, discharge and hold harmless New Forks, its agents and representatives, and the officers, directors and employees of each, from any and all claims, charges, injuries, liability, loss or misdirection of the prize.  The Contest is void in whole or in part where prohibited by law. Should the winner make any false statement in any document referenced above, the winner may be required promptly to return the prize to New Forks.  New Forks is not responsible for incorrect, incomplete, inaccurate, illegible, unintelligible, misdirected, late, lost or delayed entries, which may be disqualified, whether caused by technical malfunction or human error. New Forks reserves the right, without prior notice and at any time, to terminate the Contest if New Forks believes that the Contest has been or will be compromised in any way.  New Forks reserves the right to void any entry submitted for a prize, if it believes such entry or its submission does not comply with these Official Rules.  Minnesota law governs this Contest.