The Rules

What to Write

Write a poem or letter about a time the universe gave you a very clear message. What did it say? How did you know? And how did it change you?

Who Can Enter

• You must be 18 years or older.

• You must be an active member of The Unsealed Community throughout the contest.
  You can sign up for The Unsealed here.

• Employees and relatives of The Unsealed are not eligible to enter.

Key Dates

• Submission Deadline:
  Thursday July 23rd, 2025, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time

• Round Two Notifications:
  By Wednesday September, 24 , 2025

• Voting Period:
  September 24, 2025 –  October 24, 2025 (ends at 11:59 PM ET)

• Winner Announced:
  Monday, October 27, 2025

Letter Guidelines

• Must be written in English

• Must be submitted on TheUnsealed.com

• Must be a true story from your life

• Do not include anyone’s name except your own
  (You may use general terms such as “a friend,” “a neighbor,” or “a family member”)

• Must be original and unpublished

• Cannot include defamatory content or identify others in a negative light
  (Even general identifiers such as “mom” or “dad” may count as identifiable)

• Must be 800 words or fewer

• One entry per person

• Include a headline and a photo that relates to your story

Rights and Usage

You will retain ownership of your entry.
By submitting, you grant The Unsealed a limited license to:

• Publish your letter and photo on TheUnsealed.com

• Promote your entry on social media using your story and photo

Judging Panel

Your letter will be judged by members of the media and The Unsealed team.
Past judges have included:

• Willard Ogan (Managing Editor, Black News Channel)

• Tim Graham (Writer, The Athletic)

• Branson Wright (Journalist and Filmmaker)

• Mo Brooks (Writer, NBA.com)

• Gab Kreuz (Sportscaster)

• Ron Insana (CNBC Contributor)

• Willie Parker (Assignment Manager, Stadium/Marquee Sports Network)

Judging Criteria

• Organization – Is the letter clear, logical, and easy to read?

• Creativity and Originality – Does the letter stand out in a unique way?

• Message and Insight – Does it offer thoughtful reflection or a meaningful message?

• Impact and Inspiration – Is the story powerful and emotionally moving?

• Relevance – Does it address the theme of resilience?

Good Luck

Your story has value. Your voice matters.
We look forward to reading your letter.