Do you like long walks? Are you most happy in your partner’s arms? Write a poem or open letter about where you feel most at peace.
1st place prize – $200 – Selected By Judges
2nd place prize $50 – Selected By Judges
Bonus Prize – Billboard (We will post you on a digital billboard for two hours. We don’t have billboards available in every city. So, if there is not a billboard near your home, we will get one near us and take a picture for you.) – Selected By Votes
Member votes count 5x. Non-Member Votes Count 1x
Our Winners will be announced on September 1st, 2024. Please read the rules here before you enter
The Rules
What
The Unsealed wants you to write a letter or poem to the world about where and when you feel most at peace.
Who
You must be over 18 and a member of The Unsealed Community. You must remain a member of The Unsealed throughout the contest to remain eligible. You can sign up for The Unsealed Here
*no relatives or employees on The Unsealed are permitted to enter
When
All Entries must be in by 11:59 PM on June 1st, 2024 Eastern
Those moving on to round two will be announced on August 1st
Member votes count 5x. Non-Member Votes Count 1x
Voting will go from August 1 to midnight on August 31st
Winners will be announced September 1st
Letter Requirements
- Entries must be in English
- They must be typed and submitted on theunsealed.com
- Your entry must be a true story about your life
- The letter/poem can’t mention anyone’s name except yourself (For example: you can call someone a friend, a neighbor, a teammate or a family member, but you can’t call them by their name, John Smith)
- The letter/poem must be original writing from the person submitting the letter.
- The letter/poem must not have been published anywhere else
- The letter/poem can’t can’t be defamatory toward another person or say anything negative about an identifiable person (even if it’s true)
- The letter must be less than 800 words
- Only one entry per person
- Include a headline for your letter and a photo that goes with your story
Rights
You will own the rights to your entry, but by entering the contest, you will give us permission/limited license to publish the letter and any pictures you provide on The Unsealed. You will also allow us to promote your entry on social media using your letter and the provided picture.
How it will be judged
Members of the media and The Unsealed will judge the contest. Below is a sample of some of the people who have judged our contests in the past.
Our judges will be members of the media, including but not limited to Willard Ogan (Managing Editor at the Black News Channel), Tim Graham (writer at The Athletic), Branson Wright (journalist/filmmaker), Mo Brooks ( nba.com writer), Gab Kreuz (sportscaster), Ron Insana (CNBC Contributor) and Willie Parker (Assignment manager at Stadium/Marquee Sports Network).
What the letters will be judged on
- Organization that is logical and effective, is the letter easy to read and understand?
- Creativity/originality, is there anything that makes this letter unique?
- Message/insight – does the letter offer a thoughtful message?
- Impact/Inspirational – is the story powerful and inspirational?
- Accurately addresses the topic – does this letter share a message of resilience?
Good Luck!