Contest Details & Prizes | Official Contest Guidelines | Contest Entry Rules | Timelines & Notifications | Submit Your Letter

OFFICIAL CONTEST GUIDELINES

1. Dear Daughter Letter Writing Contest is open to all women wishing to write to their daughters—for women are mothers of the world, giving birth to something bigger than ourselves. We regard all women as being in divine motherhood, including:
   • Mothers writing to their daughters
   • Mothers-in-law writing to their daughters-in-law
   • Mothers writing to their step-daughters
   • Mothers writing to their adopted daughters (legally or spiritually)
   • Mothers writing to their unborn or deceased daughters
   • Mothers writing to the daughter they wish to have
   • Mothers/Women writing to the daughters who they are mentoring
   • Grandmothers writing to their granddaughters
   • Women giving birth to new ideas (their “ideas” being their “daughters” in the world).

2. Representatives from the Letters from the Heart Project specifically ask for letters that evoke emotion, and offer insight and depth. Honest expression of feelings is of highest priority. Your letter might feature heartfelt expressions of truth and lessons learned. Be yourself. Put your personality and wisdom into the letter. Share your reflections. Celebrate your daughter.

   For guidance and encouragement in writing your letters, download the article  “Seven Ways to Write A Letter to Your Daughter We also encourage you to download Debbie Miam's Meditation: Connect to the Heart of Your Daughter (an exceprt from Moment of Peace, Relaxation for Parents CD).

3. Possible categories for Dear Daughter letters and questions to consider in your letter writing:

Baby Boomer moms (born between 1945 and 1965):

• What legacy does a mother want to leave for her daughter?
• What does a mother say to her daughter as she herself becomes more childlike and her daughter has to care for her in old age?
• What will a mother write to her daughter when she’s a grandmother to her daughter’s daughter?
• What does a mother say to her grown daughter whom she had given away for adoption years before?
• What would a mother write to her daughter on her wedding day?

Gen X and Millennium moms (born between 1966 and 1990):

• What does a mother say to a daughter when she has to go back to work and leave her daughter with child care?
• What feelings, emotions, and secrets do celebrity mothers write about to their daughters?

All generations:

• How does a mother pass along what it means to be a woman to her own daughter?
• What does a mother say to her dying daughter?
• What would a mother write to her daughter when she is remarrying?
• What would a mother write to her daughter when she is changing from a young daughter to a young woman?
• What does a mother say to her unborn child?
• What does a mother say to her daughter on the day she was born?
• What does a mother say to her daughter during the teenage years?

Women giving birth to new ideas:

• What does a woman say to her “daughter” (idea) when birthing it into the world? (e.g., a painting, a photograph, a product, a book, any artistic or nurturing business endeavor, etc.)

Contest Entry Rules

1. Letters From The Heart Project™ requires your letter to be 500 to 1000 words. We prefer each entry to be typed, double-spaced, and on one side of white paper. We will accept a handwritten letter if you do not have access to a computer.

2. You must be at least 16 years of age to enter the contest.

3. Your entry must be original, in English, unpublished, and unproduced, and not accepted by any other publisher or producer at the time of submission.

4. Please complete the official entry form below. This is required to enter the contest. Type or write the number of words, name, contact information, fax number (if you have one), address, and email address on this form. Note: We respect your privacy and do not sell any addresses. We require your contact information for announcements, special offers, and news about the book Dear Daughter and Letters From The Heart Project. If you do not want your name released to the public, please request anonymity on the entry form and give a pseudonym.

5. By entering into the contest, you are granting use to Heartfelt Matters, LLC and Robyn Freedman Spizman Literary Works, LLC and the publisher (hereinafter) the exclusive rights to edit and use the material in whole or in part in the Dear Daughter book, and in all future publications, printings, revisions of the book including the translation of the book in all languages and in all territories throughout the world. This also includes the advertising and /or material in an audio version of the book, electronic, or other expression of the book including radio, film, television, theatrical productions, and newspaper syndication. By submitting your letter, you grant us full copyrights to the material. In the book, Dear Daughter, you will be credited for your material.  You must be free to enter into this agreement and that any material written or provided for this contest or in connection with the book will not violate any laws, including statutory or common law copyright, libel, and invasion of privacy laws, or violate any proprietary right of any other persons.

6. What is required to enter the contest:

• You enter into the contest

• Fill out the form provided below

• Sign the form (provide link)

• Attach the form with your entry letter

Contest Entry Timelines and Notification of Winners

1. All entries must be postmarked by January 31st, 2008. Letters will not be returned, so please make a copy of what you send. If you would like to receive delivery notification, please send your letter certified mail. We accept entries electronically and through the mail.

2. Winners will be announced on March 31st, 2008.

3. All final entries will be read by a panel of independent readers to finalize the winners. Letters will be selected based on depth, breath, and content for the book Dear Daughter, and the ability to articulate emotions effectively and powerfully. Whether or not your letter is selected for Dear Daughter, the act of writing it and giving it to your daughter is the greatest gift! 

4. Selected letters submitted the letter writing contest will be included in the forthcoming book, Dear Daughter. Note: In addition to the letters, writings of special guests (e.g., celebrities) who are not part of the contest will be sprinkled throughout the book.
    

WINNERS