Last month, we told you of a contest that Amazon.com was holding, where you could win a trip for two to London, England, and read the special handwritten copy of "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" by J.K. Rowling. The contest required written entries, and fans can now read and vote on the 20 semi-finalists for this contest. You can read entries from 13-17 age group, here, and read the selections from the 18- and over group via this link.
Voting is for this round is open now until May 11th. On May 13 Amazon will reveal the final two contestants, where voting will run again for one week until the winner is announced on May 22. As a reminder, the “Beedle the Bard” tales were mentioned Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, with Amazon the winner of the charity auction of one of the seven hand written Beedle books by J.K. Rowling. Until now, only photos of the book and short summaries have been revealed. You can see photos and read the summaries here via Amazon.
I was very pleased at the talent among the under 18 group. I only saw one clear choice in the over 18 group. Why would anyone care what country the contestant came from? I voted for the poems that spoke to me.
It is rather odd that almost all of the semi-finalist entries were verse, but after all the Bard wrote mostly in verse. :)
Well I see my niece and nephew aren’t alone in being angry! It does seem obvious the “judges” much preferred something in verse or ballad form even though they did state oherwise. My nephew (19) is more angry about something else tho’- the topics were what you learned from reading Harry and used everyday, what songS (plural) wizards used for birthdays, and what sportS(plural) they play other than quidditch. I am sorry to go all english teacher here, but I have to say he has a point. When I read the topics and the rules I did think it was an interesting challenge to set a 100 word limit on those questions. It tests a different sort of creativity really- it’s far more simple to seem creative on a single subject in 100 words than it is to cover a topic. In the chosen pieces, virtually all of those choosing sports or songs concentrated on one sport or one song. I very much enjoyed reading them all, but I would have to agree most do not really follow the topics as they were set. I have to wonder if the judges and those who set the topics and rules spent much time in discussion. Anyway,poor Amazon! My niece and nephew don’t feel much like buying anything from them at the moment, and I know they are really good customers-I’m sure that’s not what they intended!
Hi guysss.
I’m one of the semi finalists. In the 13-17s category.
And I would be so amazingly grateful if anyone has or is going to vote for me.
It was kinda funny cos in some ways I felt like I didn’t want anyone to read what I’d written, but wanting to win has kind of overcome that feeling. lol.
Thanks for just reading everyone’s entries.
In a way it’s nice to have something of mine read.
:D
I agree that the country didn’t matter for me in this contest. I ended up actually voting for no one in the U.S., I just voted for the poems that spoke to me, and I almost cried (I am a softie) for the poem in 13-17 about the most of all learning to read ….. but good luck to all of the semi-finalists. They are really lucky, and talented!
Oh my God! It nearly made you cry? Thank you so much … I wrote that poem, I’m from Australia and I’m really glad that someone enjoyed it! It’s a true story, too … You have made me very happy today, Stenojoz.
I am so excited for this competition! I loved lots of the entries in the 13 – 17 category, not so much the adult section, though. I love Harry Potter!
Hey you’re a semi-finalist? I’m a semi-finalist!
That’s cool! :D
It’s nice to be able to say something to another semi-finalist.
Your poem was really good. :)
I hope someone from our category wins overall. It’d be cool.
I read your poem, Rachael, if you are reading these comments! Turns out you are from the UK … and it occurs to me that we are the oldest in our category. Along with one other girl.
It’s lovely to talk to random HP fans from around the world.
Hey, I’m Laura H., one of those ‘disappointing’ adults in the 18+ group! :-) There doesn’t seem to be a very positive opinion of the adults’ entries in general, but I hope at least some of you liked mine! I really enjoyed writing it, and was so amazed and excited that it was chosen. Harry Potter means so much to me, and the chance to go to London and read that book would be unbelievable. Anyway, I just wanted to say best of luck to Rachael and Rhiannon, who both had fantastic entries, and also good luck to any of the other semi-finalists reading this. And a huge thank you to anyone who might have voted for me!
We are the oldest in our category… :)
It is cool to talk to HP fans from around the world.
Certainly no one I know personally is as obsessed with me. And my friends are always giving me funny looks and rolling their eyes at me whenever I talk about Harry Potter – and that’s why I love leaky – HP fans from around the World who like it as much as me!
Laura…I absolutely loved your entry – I voted for it. :) I so hope you are the finalist for the adult category!
Thanks, Rachael! I loved yours, and Rhiannon’s too! And I agree about finding fellow fans online. That’s what’s great about Leaky, and other HP sites – you can find a whole “family” of people who love the same things you do!
Cheers for thanking me Sue!