Contest Info

Mason-Dixon reserves the right to modify contest rules as necessary. Check this website for rule updates.

• Entries must be received by 11:59 PM EST, 8/31/10.
• Maximum Length is 30,000 characters (approximately 10 pages).
• Minimum length is 2,000 words (approximately 4 pages).
• A Non-Refundable Entry Fee of $10 must accompany submission.
• Every entry must be a first hand account of personal experiences surrounding the campaign, inauguration or presidency of Barack Obama.

At least 10 winning entries will be gathered in an anthology entitled, Obama's America: Personal Stories of Change from Across the Political Spectrum. One winner will receive the grand prize of $500. Entries will be judged anonymously by qualified readers and ranked using a scoring rubric.

Click here to view the Rubric Scoring Sheet.

All entrants will receive personalized feedback on their entries. Entrants may resubmit revised entries up to two times for a fee of $7.50 for the first revision and $6.50 for a second revision. Previously published works are acceptable if the author has retained full rights to all of the writing in the entry, and if citation is provided at the time of submission.

Children under 18 may enter the contest, however Mason-Dixon Publishing must receive signed, written permission from the child's parent or legal guardian. To provide consent for your child please print out the parental consent form and mail it to Mason Dixon Publishing at: Mason-Dixon Publishing, LLP P.O. Box 30 Maumee, Ohio, 43537.

Actual awarding of the prize is contingent upon the entrant(s) or their legal guardian(s) entering into a publishing agreement with Mason-Dixon Publishing, LLP after being informed that they have been chosen as a potential contest winner. If an agreement cannot be reached, Mason-Dixon, LLP reserves the right to rescind the offer and award the prize to another entrant or other entrants.

Entrants who are not chosen for publication retain all rights to their submissions.