2012 Contest Rules

KUED 7

PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest Rules 2012

The Contest will begin from February 27th.
Competition Ends April 9, 2012.
All Entries due to KUED by April 9th, 5:00pm.

Eligibility & Entry Guidelines

• Entrants must be in kindergarten through sixth.
• Children of employees of KUED 7, WNED, sales representatives, subsidiaries or parent companies, advertising/sales promotion agencies, and judges are not eligible.
• Only one entry per person will be accepted; all subsequent entries will be disqualified.
• Only single author stories qualify (no co-authored stories).
• Stories can be fact or fiction, and prose or poetry.
• Any failure to adhere to these Contest Rules may result in disqualification from the contest.
• No purchase is necessary.

Word Count

• Kindergarten and first grade stories must have a minimum of 50 words and a maximum of 200 words.
• Second and third grade stories must have a minimum of 100 words and a maximum of 350 words.
• Third through sixth grade must have a minimum of 150 words and a maximum of 350 words
• The word count includes "a," "an," and "the," but not the words on non-story pages such as the title page or those that enhance the illustrations.
• Text must be printed or written legibly or typed.
• Children who cannot write may dictate their story to be printed, written legibly or typed.
• Text may be integrated into the illustration pages or on separate pages.
• Non-English text must be translated on the same page and the translation text must adhere to word count.
• Invented spelling is accepted.

Format & Illustrations

• Stories must have at least 5 original, clear and colorful illustrations.
• Original art can include drawings, photographs, collages, and 3-D.
• Stories must be created on one side of the paper and numbered on the back of each page.

Official Entry Form

• Each entry must include the official PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest Entry Form 2012, with the required signature of a parent/guardian (and, if appropriate, the optional signature of the sponsoring teacher), confirming that the story and art are original, and granting certain rights to the entry materials.
• The entry form must be complete and legible.

Judging, Awards & Notification

Entries will be judged on originality, creative expression, storytelling and integration of text and illustrations. will judge local submissions. All decisions of the judges are final and not subject to appeal or review. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received at participating stations. Local prizes for the 2012 Contest are determined by A celebration event will be held for all participants with a Magic Show with Magic Mike and prizes for the winning entries.

Return of Entries

The Contest administrators will make every effort, but are not required, to return entries only if accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope of an appropriate size. KUED 7 is not responsible for late, lost, stolen, misdirected, damaged, mutilated, incomplete or illegible entries, or postage-due mail.

Rights Associated with Contest

Submission of the Entry Form constitutes permission for KUED 7 and WNED to use the participants' name, likeness, biographical information, information and materials contained in the Entry Form, photographs, and any statements or remarks made about the Contest in advertising and promotion without further compensation or permission, except where prohibited by law. All entries, and any copyrights therein, become the sole property of KUED 7 and WNED. By entering, entrants agree to abide by the above stated rules, and warrant that their entry is their original work and does not infringe upon or violate rights of any third party, and grant to KUED 7 and WNED the right to edit, publish, promote, and otherwise use their entry materials without permission, notice or compensation. No royalties will be paid at this or any time.

By submitting an entry and Entry Form, each participant (and parent or guardian) assigns all right, title, and interest in and to the entry and Entry Form to KUED 7 and WNED and warrants that the participant (and parent or guardian) have the authority to assign such right, title, and interest. In the event that any applicable law requires certain formalities to be fulfilled to effectuate such grant of rights, each participant (and parent or guardian) agrees to cooperate with KUED 7 and WNED to achieve fulfillment of such formalities.

By submitting an Entry Form, each participant (and parent or guardian) agree to be bound by these Contest Rules. Each participant (and parent or guardian) agrees to release and hold KUED 7 and WNED, and their employees, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, representatives, subsidiaries, parent companies, or other affiliated companies harmless from any and all damages, losses, claims and liabilities arising out of participation in the Contest or resulting from acceptance or claiming of any prize hereunder. KUED 7 and WNED reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to terminate, suspend or otherwise cancel the Contest at any time. Income and all other taxes are the responsibility of the prize recipient. KUED 7 and WNED are not responsible for any expenses incurred in connection with participation in the Contest.

Please Note: PBS member stations are permitted to use the PBS name and PBS KIDS GO! logo for this contest, but PBS does not produce or sponsor the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest. PBS takes no part in the receipt or judging of entries and the awarding of prizes. The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest is operated entirely by WNED and your local station.

The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest 2012 is being coordinated by WNED-TV, Buffalo/Toronto ("WNED"). WNED supports local station development for this year's Contest until a national sponsor can be secured. The Contest traditionally runs from January through March, with the judging taking place in April. Local winner announcements should be made no later than May 31st to allow for consistency