The Next Big Story is now closed

THIS IS A SKILL-BASED CONTEST. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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YOUR ENTRY IN THIS CONTEST MEANS THESE OFFICIAL RULES FORM A BINDING LEGAL CONTRACT, SO READ THEM CAREFULLY BEFORE PARTICIPATING. WITHOUT LIMITATION, AND TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES FOR YOUR INDEMNIFICATION OF THE SPONSOR, ADMINISTRATOR, AND OTHER PARTIES, THE WAIVER OF THE RIGHTS TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION OR A JURY TRIAL, AND A REQUIREMENT THAT MOST DISPUTES WILL BE SETTLED BY MANDATORY BINDING ARBITRATION.

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THIS CONTEST TAKES PLACE IN THE UNITED STATES AND IS SUBJECT TO UNITED STATES LAW. BY PARTICIPATING IN THE CONTEST, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU CAN UNDERSTAND ENGLISH AND AGREE TO THESE OFFICIAL RULES.

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1. Eligibility.

The Next Big Story (the “Contest”) is open only to individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years of age and the age of majority in their local jurisdiction and who are not represented by a literary agent. Individuals who reside in OFAC-sanctioned countries or who appear on the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Specially Designated Nationals List are not eligible to participate in the Sweepstakes. The Sweepstakes is otherwise void wherever prohibited or restricted by applicable law, including any territories that require translation of these Official Rules (for example and without limitation, Belarus, Burma, China, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, North Korea, Russia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Zimbabwe, and the Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine). Directors, management, staff, and employees of Sponsor (defined below), Administrator (defined below), or any of its/their parent(s), subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising agencies, agents, consultants, suppliers, distributors, or retailers, or any other company or individual who directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by, the Sponsor or Administrator or who is involved with the design, production, execution or distribution of the Contest or the supply of goods or services in connection with the Contest, and their immediate family (spouse, ex-spouse, de facto partner, parents and step parents, grandparents and step grandparents, siblings and step siblings, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, brother, sister, step brother, step sister, first cousin and children and stepchildren) and household members (people who share the same residence at least three (3) months out of the year) of each such employee are not eligible. The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, provincial, and local laws and regulations. Where permitted by applicable laws, participation constitutes entrant’s (“Entrant”) full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. Winning a Prize (defined below) is contingent upon selected Entrant(s) fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

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2. Sponsor and Administrator.

Sponsor: The Novelry Group Limited, 6th Floor Charlotte Building, 17 Gresse Street, London, United Kingdom, W1T 1QL

Administrator: The Novelry USA, Inc., 447 Broadway 2F, New York, NY 10013

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3. Contest Entry Period.

The Contest entry period starts on May 1, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends on July 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET (the “Contest Entry Period”). Entries received outside the Contest Entry Period will be void. Administrator is the official timekeeper for this Contest.

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4. How to Enter the Contest.

To receive one (1) entry in the Contest, complete each of the following steps during the Contest Entry Period:

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a. Write the first three pages of your fiction story (“Submission”). Your Submission must be no longer than 1,500 words and must otherwise comply with the “Submission Guidelines” and requirements below.

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b. Go to the Contest website at www.thenovelry.com/prize (the “Website”).

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c. Access the online entry form by clicking “Enter.”

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d. Complete and submit the pre-qualification form by confirming that you are 18 years of age or older and have reached the age of majority in your state, province, or territory of legal residence, your Submission is written in English, you wholly own all rights in and to your Submission, your Submission has not been previously published, and you reside in a jurisdiction within the Territory.

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e. Complete the entry form by providing your first name, last name, email address, mailing address, and your Submission. Your Submission must be pasted directly in the box provided (there is no option to upload Submissions in alternate formats). Confirm your acceptance of these Official Rules and submit the entry form.

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f. Enter your payment details to pay the entry fee (£15 (includes VAT) for Entrants in the United Kingdom and US$15 for all other Entrants). Entry fees are non-refundable. For Entrants who reside in jurisdictions that do not permit payment of an entry fee, see below details for how to enter without paying an entry fee.  

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g. Follow the prompts to finalize and submit your entry. Entrants should carefully review these Official Rules, including the Submission Guidelines before entering.

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Entering Without Entry Fee: We are bound to offer residents of certain countries, per their regulations, the right to enter without paying a fee. They may also enter by paying a fee. Entrants that reside in jurisdictions that do not permit payment of an entry fee (including, for example, the U.S. states of Maryland, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Colorado, in addition to Canada ), may also enter the Contest without paying the entry fee by mailing their Submission to Administrator at 447 Broadway 2F, New York, NY 10013. All mailed Submissions must be accompanied by a separate cover page that includes the Entrant’s first name, last name, email address, and mailing address. All mailed Submissions must be postmarked by July 31, 2025, and received by Administrator no later than August 18, 2025. All mailed Submissions must be typed. Handwritten mailed Submissions will not be accepted. All entries, the Submissions, become the sole and exclusive property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Sponsor will not confirm receipt of entries via phone or email. Use of multiple email addresses or any automated system to enter is prohibited and will result in disqualification, as determined in Sponsor’s sole discretion.

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By submitting an entry, Entrant retains full ownership and copyright of their work. However, Entrant grants to Sponsor, Administrator, and their respective affiliates, successors, assignees, and licensees a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, display, and share the Submission (your entry of 1500 words) solely in connection with the administration, promotion, and future marketing of this Contest and any similar contests. Entrants acknowledge that if selected as a Finalist, their Submission may be showcased publicly as part of Contest-related promotions, including on websites, social media, or in promotional materials. Entrant agrees to cooperate in good faith with Sponsor for any minimal formalities necessary to confirm these rights. By submitting a Submission, Entrant agrees to fully cooperate with Sponsor to execute any documents and perform any actions reasonably necessary to effectuate the above license. Selected Finalists agree to include an appropriate acknowledgment of the Sponsor in any future publication of novels associated with the Finalists. Nothing in these terms transfers ownership or restricts the Entrant’s ability to use, publish, or commercialize their Submission independently.

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Do not contact Sponsor, Administrator, or any of Sponsor’s or Administrator’s affiliates regarding any entry. Neither Sponsor nor Administrator will discuss or comment on any specific entry or Submission. Feedback will not be given.

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Submissions must: (a) be the original work product of Entrant; (b) be solely owned by Entrant and with no other person or entity having any right or interest in it; and (c) not violate any third-party rights including but not limited to copyright, trademark, patent, contract, and/or publicity or privacy rights, of any other person or entity. Entrant shall not directly or indirectly include any trademark, logo, or intellectual property in his/her entry in any way unless owned exclusively by Entrant. By submitting a Submission, Entrant represents his or her compliance with these terms.

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Sponsor may reject any Submissions in its sole discretion if the entry in whole or in part: contains any illegal or offensive activity, or is obscene, defamatory, likely to incite violence or illegal; includes any material in violation of any third-party’s rights; contains material which is (or promotes activities which are) sexually explicit, obscene, pornographic, violent, self-mutilating or mutilating of animals, discriminatory (based upon race, sex, religion, natural origin, physical disability, sexual orientation or age); is threatening, profane or harassing; portrays Sponsor or any person or entity negatively; violates any third-party rights including but not limited to copyright, trademark, patent, contract, and/or publicity or privacy rights, of any other person or entity; includes directly or indirectly any trademark, logo, or intellectual property in any way unless owned exclusively by Entrant, and/or which is otherwise deemed to be inappropriate or demeaning in Sponsor’s sole discretion. Submissions must not attempt to reproduce, duplicate, or substantially copy any other Submission or third-party work. Notwithstanding, Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any Submission that is duplicative or substantially similar to another Submission and Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, disqualify any Submission that violates these parameters and/or any other part of Official Rules.

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All Submissions must also be consistent with the following Submission Guidelines:

- Originality: Submissions must be your original work and must not be produced or edited by ChatGPT or any other AI creation tool. As determined in Sponsor’s sole discretion, Submissions evidencing any use of AI or plagiarism shall be disqualified.

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- Fiction Only: Submissions must be works of fiction. Without limitation, the following texts are ineligible: graphic novels, picture books, plays, screenplays, poetry, memoirs, and non-fiction work.

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- Length: There is a limit of 1,500 words per Submission.  

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- Co-Authorship: Submissions must be solely the work of the applicable Entrant. Co-authored works are not eligible.

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- Author/Entrant Must Be Living: Works cannot be submitted posthumously.

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- Language: All Submissions must be in the English language.

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- Prior Publication: Submissions must not have been previously published or available for sale, either in print or electronically. Submissions will become ineligible should they be published or receive notification of future publication while the Contest Entry Period is ongoing, or the winners have not yet been announced. Entrants must inform Sponsor or Administrator (as applicable) immediately should any Submission be published prior to the winners being announced.

- Representation: Entrant must not be currently represented by a literary agent.

- Anonymity: Entrant’s name or personal details must not be included in the Submission itself. All Submissions shall be judged anonymously.

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5. Contest Winner Selection.

At the end of the Contest Entry Period, entries that comply with these Official Rules will be evaluated in multiple rounds based on the following equally weighted judging criteria, as further outlined below. All Submissions will be evaluated anonymously. The judges will not have access to any Entrant’s personal details.

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-  Person (5 points): This is the main character of the story. The judges will assess the strength of character development in the Submission. The character does not have to be extraordinary, heroic, or exceptional, but the judges will be examining how well the character appears as a real person with weaknesses and faults.

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- Problem (5 points): A story is born when we have a main character in a tight spot. The judges will be assessing the drama and high-stakes nature of the problem, or “hook” of the novel. The problem is what makes the story a “page-turner.”

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- Place (5 points): This is the setting of the story. Whether it is a specific place or time, the choice of where and when the story takes place can add drama and dynamics to the story. The judges will assess how well entrants use their imaginations to travel through space and time in order to create a specific setting for the story.

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- Plot (5 points): This is the progression of the story. The judges will consider what keeps the readers invested in the story. It is important to pace the story to take the character on a life-changing journey, facing their fears to arrive at a new understanding of their place in the world. Although you will not be expected to know everything about the plot at the beginning, it is important to demonstrate that you have considered the outcome.

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- Prose (5 points): This is the language that you use to tell the story. The judges will assess how well you use your natural speaking voice to tell the story. It is important to consider what words to leave in and what to take out. The judges will be looking at the writer’s own unique brand and style, and how they are reflected in the Submission.

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a. Round One

All eligible Submissions received during the Contest Entry Period will be evaluated by a qualified panel of judges selected by Sponsor who will evaluate each Submission based on the equally weighted judging criteria. Each Submission will be awarded a score out of five for each judging criteria. Submissions that receive a total score of 23 or more out of a possible 25 points will move on to Round Two.

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b. Round Two

Submissions that advance to Round Two will be evaluated by a separate qualified panel of judges selected by Sponsor who will evaluate each Submission based on the same equally weighted judging criteria. The Submissions with the top 30 highest cumulative scores will advance to Round Three (“Round Three Qualifiers”). In the event of a tie, judges will re-score the Submissions and the Submission with the highest cumulative score will advance.

Administrator may contact selected Round Three Qualifiers via email.

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c. Round Three

In Round Three, the qualified panel of judges will meet and confer to discuss the Round Three Qualifiers. During this meeting, the judges will discuss each of the Submissions and the judging criteria. At the end of the meeting, the judges will select the eight (8) strongest Submissions that they believe reflect the judging criteria. These eight (8) Submissions will be deemed finalists (“Finalists”).

Each verified Finalist will receive a Finalist Prize (defined below).

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d. Final Round

As part of the Final Round, Sponsor will post each of the eight (8) Finalist Submissions on its website at www.thenovelry.com. During the period from September 28, 2025 to October 5, 2025 (the “Voting Period”), the public will be able to vote for their favorite Submission. Finalists are strictly prohibited from offering compensation, in any form whatsoever, including monetary or otherwise, in exchange for votes. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any Finalist determined to be soliciting votes through an offer of compensation. Finalists, however, may request votes from friends, blog communities, social media groups, or similar communication mechanism, provided that Finalists do not offer or provide any compensation, monetary or otherwise, as part of the request. If it is discovered that attempts were made by any individual to use (or attempt to use) any automated, script, macro, robotic or other program(s) to generate votes in a manner that the Sponsor deems, in its sole and absolute discretion, to violate the letter or spirit of this Contest, then it may result in the disqualification, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Sponsor, of the votes, the entry and/or Finalist to which such votes relate.

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Using the same judging criteria, the panel of judges will assess each of the Finalist Submissions to determine the Grand Prize Winner. The Grand Prize Winner will be awarded the Grand Prize (defined below). The public vote may be considered by the judges in determining the Grand Prize winner (“Grand Prize Winner”), as determined in the judges’ sole discretion. However, the judges are not required to deem the Finalist with the highest number of votes as the Grand Prize Winner.

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There may not be a Finalist from each of the participating jurisdictions.

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6. Prize.

There is one (1) grand prize (“Grand Prize”). The Grand Prize is US$100,000 (£75,000 if the winner is a UK resident).

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There are eight (8) finalist prizes (each a “Finalist Prize”). Each Finalist Prize is one (1) The Finished Novel Course. The approximate retail value (“ARV”) of each Finalist Prize is US$4,995.

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Grand Prize and Finalist Prizes individually and collectively referred to herein as “Prize(s).”

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Total approximate retail value of all Prizes in the Contest: US$139,960.

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There is a single collective prize pool. There may not be a Finalist selected in any applicable jurisdiction.

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PRIZES ARE OFFERED AND PROVIDED "AS IS" WITH NO WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE BY SPONSOR OR ADMINISTRATOR OTHER THAN WHAT IS EXPRESSLY INCLUDED WTH THE PRIZE.

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For Australian Entrants: The Australian Consumer Law and corresponding legislation in Australian State jurisdictions in certain circumstances imply mandatory conditions and warranties into consumer contracts (“Consumer Warranties”). These Official Rules do not exclude or limit the application of the Consumer Warranties. Other than the Consumer Warranties, Sponsor and Administrator disclaim all warranties.

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All expenses and costs not expressly listed in these Official Rules are the sole responsibility of the verified Prize winner(s) (“Verified Prize Winner(s)”). Verified Prize Winner(s) will be responsible for all other expenses relating to the receipt and use of the Prize. Prizes are nontransferable and Finalist Prizes may not be substituted or redeemed for cash by Verified Prize Winner(s). Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a Prize, in whole or in part, for one of equal or greater value. All federal, state, and local taxes are solely the responsibility of Verified Prize Winner(s).

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Neither Sponsor nor Administrator are responsible for any change of email address and/or mailing address of Entrants, nor is Sponsor or Administrator responsible for any lost or damaged mail.

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Maximum Number of Prizes: Maximum of one (1) Finalist Prize per person in connection with the Contest.

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7. Verification of Potential Prize Winner.

POTENTIAL FINALIST AND GRAND PRIZE WINNER’S ELIGIBILITY IS SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY SPONSOR, WHOSE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE CONTEST. Any potential Finalist or Grand Prize winner must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. Sponsor may run a background check on any potential Finalist or Grand Prize winner. Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, disqualify any potential Finalist or Grand Prize winner based on the results of such background check. The potential Grand Prize winner may be required to execute and return to Sponsor or Administrator (as applicable) for its receipt within five (5) business days of notification, an additional Affidavit in order to claim his/her Grand Prize. Sponsor may, but is not obligated to, exercise its rights under such Affidavit. In the event: (a) potential Grand Prize winner cannot be reached for whatever reason after a reasonable effort has been exerted or the potential Grand Prize winner notification or Affidavit is returned as undeliverable; (b) potential Grand Prize winner declines or cannot accept, receive or use the Grand Prize for any reason; (c) of noncompliance with the above or within any of the aforesaid time periods; (d) potential Grand Prize winner is found to be ineligible to enter the Contest or receive the Grand Prize; (e) potential Grand Prize winner cannot or does not comply with the Official Rules; or (f) potential Grand Prize winner fails to fulfill the Affidavit-related obligations, the potential Grand Prize winner shall be disqualified from the Contest and an alternate potential Grand Prize winner may be selected from the remaining Finalists pursuant to the judging criteria set forth herein. To the extent permitted by applicable laws, Sponsor reserves the right to modify the notification and Affidavit procedures in connection with the selection of alternate potential Grand Prize winner, if any. Potential Grand Prize winner will be contacted by email using the email address used to enter the Contest. Entrants are responsible for checking their own spam folders. It is recommended that Entrants whitelist emails from Sponsor. Failure to respond to the initial verification contact within forty-eight (48) hours of notification may, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, result in disqualification and a new potential Grand Prize winner may be selected pursuant to the judging criteria and processes set forth herein. Verified Finalist and Grand Prize Winner(s) will be solely responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes on Finalist and Grand Prize(s) and may receive an IRS Form 1099 or the equivalent form in the country of residence of the Verified Finalist and Grand Prize Winner(s) for the retail value of the Finalist and/or Grand Prize, or any other applicable tax document, and must provide Sponsor or Administrator (as applicable) with a valid social security or identity number or any other applicable information if requested for tax reporting purposes.

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8. Entry Conditions and Release.

8.              Entry Conditions and Release.

By entering, each Entrant agrees to: (a) comply with and be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor and/or its designee(s) which are binding and final in all matters relating to these Contest; (b) release and hold harmless Sponsor, Administrator, and their respective parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies, the Prize suppliers and any other organizations and/or persons responsible for sponsoring, fulfilling, administering, advertising or promoting the Contest, and all of their respective past and present officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any and all claims, expenses and liability, including but not limited to negligence and damages of any kind to persons and property, including but not limited to invasion of privacy (under appropriation, intrusion, public disclosure of private facts, false light in the public eye or other legal theory), defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, infringement of trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights, property damage, or death or personal injury arising out of or relating to a participant’s entry, creation of an entry or submission of an entry, participation in the Contest, acceptance or use or misuse of Prize (including any travel or activity related thereto) and/or the broadcast, exploitation or use of entry; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to an Entrant’s participation in the Contest and/or Entrant’s acceptance, use or misuse of any Prize.

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The Released Parties are not responsible for: (a) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by Entrant, or programming associated with or used in the Contest; (b) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (c) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Contest; (d) technical or human error, which may occur in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; (e) any injury or damage to persons or property, which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from Entrant’s participation in the Contest or receipt or use or misuse of any Prize; or (f) entries, prize claims or notifications that are lost, late, incomplete, illegible, unintelligible, damaged or otherwise not received by the intended recipient, in whole or in part, due to computer, human or technical error of any kind, including but not limited to, by reason of unauthorized human intervention, spam filters, privacy settings, inactive email accounts or an entrant’s failure to monitor its email account. If for any reason an Entrant’s entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost or otherwise destroyed or corrupted, Entrant’s sole remedy is another entry in the Contest. No more than the stated number of Prizes will be awarded.  If, for any reason, the Contest cannot be executed as planned, including, but not limited to, any governmental order, epidemic, pandemic, force majeure, social media mandate, printing, administrative or other error of any kind, transmission failure, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsor or Administrator (as applicable) that corrupt or affect the security, administration, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest, or if the Contest is compromised or becomes technically corrupted in any way, electronically or otherwise, Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, modify or terminate the Contest and, if terminated before the original end date, to select the winners from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received as of the date/time of termination pursuant to the winner selection criteria and process outlined herein.

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9. Publicity.

Except where prohibited, Entrants agree that participation in the Contest constitutes Verified Prize Winners’ consent to Sponsor’s, Administrator’s, and their agents’ use of each such winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions and/or hometown and state for promotional purposes in any media (whether now known or invented in the future), worldwide, without further limitation, restriction, notice, review, approval, payment or consideration but that neither Sponsor nor Administrator are required to make such use.

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10. General Conditions.

This Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or LinkedIn. Entrant agrees to release and hold harmless Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn against any claims related to the Contest. Entrant’s entry shall comply with Sponsor’s, Administrator’s and/or any third-party platform provider’s terms of service/use and privacy policies, and shall not: (a) contain material which is (or promoting activities which are) sexually explicit, obscene, pornographic, violent, self-mutilation, discriminatory (based on race, sex, religion, natural origin, physical disability, sexual orientation or age), illegal (e.g. underage drinking, substance abuse, computer hacking, etc.), offensive, threatening, profane, or harassing; (b) contain content which would be derogatory and/or insulting of any others, including Sponsor and/or other persons or entities, products or services; (c) contain content which refers to and/or is complimentary of any competitors of Sponsor or which is complimentary of and/or refers to any product competitive with any product or service of Sponsor; (d) include personally identifiable information or any other information or indicia of any person other than Entrant and should the Entrant include personally identifiable information about him/herself in his/her entry, Entrant acknowledges and agrees that such information will be disclosed publicly and Entrant is solely responsible for any consequences thereof; and (e) contain material that violates or infringes another’s rights, including but not limited to privacy, publicity or intellectual property rights, including copyright infringement. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Contest, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s or Administrator’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Contest, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

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In the event of a dispute regarding the identity of any Entrant, the authorized account holder of the email address used to enter the Contest will be deemed to be the Entrant. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address. Potential Prize winner(s) of any Prize may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder to be awarded the Prize. All entry information becomes the sole and exclusive property of Sponsor and will not be returned or cancelled.

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11. Limitations of Liability.

BY ENTERING THE CONTEST, ENTRANT AGREES THAT, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW: (1) ANY AND ALL DISPUTES, CLAIMS AND CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH THE CONTEST, OR ANY PRIZE(S) AWARDED WILL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL, OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS INCURRED (IF ANY) NOT TO EXCEED FIFTEEN DOLLARS ($15.00), BUT IN NO EVENT WILL ATTORNEYS’ FEES BE AWARDED OR RECOVERABLE; AND (2) UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL ANY ENTRANT BE PERMITTED TO OBTAIN ANY AWARD FOR, AND ENTRANT HEREBY KNOWINGLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO SEEK, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, LOST PROFITS AND/OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES AND/OR ANY RIGHTS TO HAVE DAMAGES MULTIPLIED OR OTHERWISE INCREASED.

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SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE FOREGOING LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

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For Australian Entrants: Nothing in the Official Rules limit, exclude or modifies the statutory consumer guarantees as provided under the Australian Consumer Law, as well as any other implied warranties under similar consumer protection laws in the State and Territories of Australia.

FOR CALIFORNIA ENTRANTS: EACH ENTRANT UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT ALL RIGHTS UNDER SECTION 1542 OF THE CIVIL CODE OF CALIFORNIA AND ANY SIMILAR LAW OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES ARE HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVED BY HIM/HER AGAINST THE RELEASED PARTIES. SECTION 1542 READS AS FOLLOWS:

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“CERTAIN CLAIMS NOT AFFECTED BY A GENERAL RELEASE. A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.”

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12. BINDING ARBITRATION AGREEMENT AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER.

Except where prohibited by law, as a condition of participating in this Contest, each Entrant agrees as follows:

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Binding Arbitration Agreement. Except as otherwise stated below, any and all legal issue, claim or dispute arising out of or connected or related in any way to the Contest, including but not limited to Prize awarded, shall be resolved through final, binding arbitration. Entrant specifically agrees that, except as otherwise provided herein, entry into the Contest waives all rights to bring a lawsuit based on such claim(s) or dispute(s) and the right to have such lawsuit resolved by a judge or a jury.

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This Arbitration Agreement shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, (9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.). Any arbitration will be commenced and administered by JAMS under the rules of JAMS, including JAMS Consumer Arbitration Minimum Standards https://www.jamsadr.com/consumer-minimum-standards/. If JAMS’ criteria are met by the nature of the dispute, the Entrant agrees that the arbitration shall be conducted under JAMS Streamlined Arbitration Rules & Procedures https://www.jamsadr.com/rules-streamlined-arbitration/. Judgment upon any arbitration award may be entered in any court of appropriate jurisdiction.

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Each party will pay the fees for his/her or its own attorneys, subject to any remedies to which that party may later be entitled under applicable law. However, if Entrant is unable to pay JAMS’ costs, Sponsor will pay all arbitration fees and expenses. If JAMS is unavailable, unwilling, or otherwise unable to administer an arbitration in accordance with these rules, then another arbitration administrator will do, to be selected by agreement of the parties.

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Neither Entrant nor Sponsor shall be permitted to obtain awards, and all parties hereby waive all rights to claim, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, or any other damages, including attorneys’ fees, other than Entrant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e., costs associated with participating in this Contest). The parties further waive all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.

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The arbitrator has the same authority to award relief on an individual basis that a judge in a court of law would have.  The award of the arbitrator is final and binding upon both you and us. Additionally, the arbitrator, and not any federal, state, or local court or agency, shall have the exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, or formation of this Arbitration Agreement, except that this sentence shall not apply to the Class Action Waiver provisions described below. The arbitrator will render a decision in writing. A court of competent jurisdiction shall have the authority to enter judgment upon the arbitrator's decision/award. This Arbitration Agreement will survive the termination of your relationship with us.

Excluded Disputes.  Notwithstanding the binding arbitration requirement set forth in this section, Entrant may bring qualifying claims in small claims court so long as the matter remains in such court and advances only on an individual, non-class, non-representative basis.

Class Action Waiver. To fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you and we agree to bring any claim or dispute, whether in arbitration, or court as permitted by these terms, ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS ONLY, AND NOT AS A CLASS ACTION OR COLLECTIVE ACTION. There shall be no right or authority for any claim or dispute to be brought, heard or arbitrated as a class or collective action ("Class Action Waiver"). The arbitration will decide the rights and liabilities, if any, of you and us.  The arbitration proceeding will not be consolidated with any other matters or joined with any other cases or parties. The arbitrator may award any remedy to which a party is entitled under applicable law, but remedies shall be limited to those that would be available to a party in their individual capacity. Regardless of anything else in this Arbitration Agreement and/or the applicable JAMS rules, the interpretation, applicability, enforceability or formation of the Class Action Waiver may only be determined by a court and not an arbitrator. This Class-Action Waiver will survive the termination of your relationship with us.

One-Year Time Limit to Raise Disputes or Claims. You agree that any dispute, claim or lawsuit, regardless of form, that may arise out of or related to the Contest, must be filed within ONE (1) YEAR of the action, omission, event or occurrence giving rise to the dispute, claim(s) or lawsuit. After the expiration of the one-year period, such dispute, claim(s) or lawsuit will be time-barred and prohibited, without regard to any longer period of time which may be provided by any period of limitation or pursuant to law or statute.

Waiver of Jury Trial. BOTH ENTRANT AND SPONSOR HEREBY WAIVE ANY CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY RIGHTS TO SUE IN COURT AND HAVE A TRIAL IN FRONT OF A JUDGE OR A JURY, except as provided herein.  We are instead mutually electing that all disputes, claims, or requests for relief shall be resolved by arbitration under this Arbitration Agreement, except as specified herein.  An arbitrator can award on an individual basis the same damages and relief as a court and must follow this Agreement as a court would.  However, there is no judge or jury in arbitration, and court review of an arbitration award is subject to very limited review.

Location of Arbitration. Entrant may choose to have the arbitration conducted by video conference technology such as zoom or based on written submissions. Otherwise, the location of the arbitration proceeding shall take place in the city or state where Entrant resides, unless each party to the arbitration agrees otherwise, or at another mutually agreed upon location.

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13. Governing Law.

To the extent permitted by applicable laws, these Official Rules and any disputes between us shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

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14. Severability.

In the event any provision of these Official Rules is determined to be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of these terms, which shall continue to be in force and enforceable.    

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15. Entrant’s Personal Information.

When registering for the Contest, you expressly agree to receive promotional communications from Sponsor and Administrator. Information collected from Entrants is subject to the Sponsor’s Privacy Policy, which is available at https://www.thenovelry.com/policies/privacy-policy. If you are selected as a Potential or Verified Prize Winner, your name, city and state may also be included in a publicly available Winners' List.

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If you have any questions, you can email hello@thenovelry.com. You cannot enter the Contest via this email, and Sponsor will not engage in correspondence regarding any specific Submission via this email.

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