Kelly. If Random House offers to let me skip all the usual hoops one has to jump through to get its notice (i.e., by entering a contest), then I'm going to do it. One still assumes that to win, one has to have talent and thus will have earned the recognition. Whew, a lot of comments to catch up on, and thank you to everyone for keeping the conversation a civil, polite and productive debate. I honestly had worries, as I've been known to set a blog on fire like a Molotov cocktail. @ Jay -- I'm in if you're in. I'm not doing this alone. To all: I think that people have to stand up and fight for what is good without always seeing the potential negative. Maybe Jonathan worded his contest poorly; I don't know. My personal values tell me that if my girls ever want to enter a competition to see if they can win something so they feel better, more confident, learn about not being first, or get a little fame, they shall, with my strong support. There is nothing wrong with what Jonathan proposed, in my eyes, and there was no reason for him to be manipulated into a forced back down with what he felt was right and good to begin with. First of all, my sympathies on the bad time you're having lately, and you have my full support. I've been flamed like hell before, and I know it's a terrible, terrible experience.