Write a Novel and Win $10,000 + Trip to Hongkong

Started in 2007, the Man Asian Literary Prize aims to bring exciting new Asian authors to the attention of the world literary community, facilitate publishing and translation of Asian literature in and into English, and highlight Asia's developing role in world literature. Last year's prize was won by a Filipino writer, Miguel Syjuco, who submitted the novel novel Ilustrado, a fictional account of a young Filipino caught within a notorious scandal spanning over the Philippine history.

Will another Filipino win the Man Asian Literary Prize this year? Give this writing contest a shot and who knows, you might become a literary superstar!

PRIZE:

US$10,000 to the winning author

Authors of shortlisted works will be invited to attend the awards ceremony in Hong Kong. The Prize will cover the cost of transportation to and from the author’s country of residency and accommodations while in Hong Kong.

HOW TO JOIN:

1. You must be an author of 18 years of age or older who is both a citizen and resident of
an Asian country or territory for you to join the contest.

2. Submitted work must be in English and submitted through the Prize’s website
(www.manasianliteraryprize.org) no later than 31 March 2009 in .txt, .doc, .rtf or .pdf format.
3. Submissions must use 1½ or double spacing and have margins of at least 2cm (.8 inches) on all sides.

4. Works must be original and submitted by the author. Partial submissions of 10,000 or more words will be accepted by 31 March. (However, a complete submission must be made by 1 August 2009 or the work will not be considered.)

DEADLINE:

31 March 2009
[Photo credit: Nationalpost.com]

Win a 6-month Subscription to the National Geographic Magazine and a Pair of Singapore Airlines Economy Class tickets

I'm a big fan of the National Geographic Magazine, so I was very delighted to find out about this contest. I love reading the well-researched articles and looking at the fantastic photos that the magazine contains. It's a great way to learn about other cultures around the world, and keeping abreast with important discoveries and technological innovations.

If you're a fan of National Geographic like me, then join this cool contest. Who knows, you might just win a free subscription, plus a pair of roundtrip tickets from Singapore Airlines!

PRIZE:

Prize for each of the 5 rounds is a free 6-month subscription to the National Geographic Magazine

Grand Prize is a pair of Singapore Airlines economy class return tickets from the winner's nearest Singapore Airlines' departure point to any Singapore Airlines' destination

HOW TO JOIN:

1. The Competition consists of 5 rounds.

2. Go to this microsite and click on 'Join Contests'. Answer the three True or False questions. Tip: you might have to watch the video in 'Home' to get the info that you need to answer some of the questions correctly.)

3. State in 100 words or less what your dream destination is and why you would like to visit that destination.

4. All entrants are required to use their skill and judgment to provide correct and best answers to all questions in that round. Questions in each round may be different.

5. Enter your name, email address and country.

6. Click on 'Submit'.

7. In each of the five rounds, the entry judged to contain all correct and best answers will qualify to win a prize in that round. There will be only one prize for each round. The prize is a free 6-month subscription to the National Geographic Magazine.

8. In the final round, the entry judged to contain all correct and best answers from all 5 rounds will win the Grand Prize, which is a pair of Singapore Airlines economy class return tickets from the winner's nearest Singapore Airlines' departure point to any Singapore Airlines' destination.

DEADLINE:

Round 1 -- 10 March 2009
Round 2 -- 26 April 2009
Round 3 -- 7 June 2009
Round 4 -- 19 July 2009
Round 5 -- 30 August 2009

Win Rail Passes and Hotel Accommodations in Europe

As part of France's promotional efforts billing itself as "your gateway to Europe", a contest is being held where you can win train tickets and hotel accommodations. Note that this contest DOES NOT include airfare to France. Join this promo if you happen to go to Europe this year and you might just win rail passes and hotel accommodation!

PRIZES:

1st Prize = 2 “First Class Eurail Select pass” for travel in 5 European countries and a 2-night stay for 2 persons in the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel hotel in France.

2nd Prize = 2 “First Class Eurail Selectpass” for travel in 3 European countries

3rd and 4th Prizes = 2 “First Class 4-day flexi France Railpasses”

5th Prize = a round trip in Eurostar for 2 between Paris and London, one way on First Class travel and one way on Second Class.

HOW TO JOIN:

1. Participation in the contest is open to all residents in South East Asia aged 18 and above.

2. Go to this page and answer the question: "What is the famous train that links Paris to London in less than 2h30mins?"

3. Enter your registration details and answer the short survey questionnaire.

4. Enter the security code and check the box that says "I have read and accept the Terms and Conditions of the contest."

5. The winner will be picked randomly. NOTE: No air travel is included in the prizes.

DEADLINE:

29 March 2009
[Photo credit: Eurostar.com]

Win 100,000 Yen from an Essay Writing Contest

The United Nations has designated 2001-2010 as the "International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World" and 2005-2014 as the "United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development." Not only should young people benefit from these global initiatives, but they should be empowered to play a leading role in them.

In connection to this special decace, the Goi Peace Foundation and UNESCO are holding an essay contest with big prizes at stake. The theme of this year's International Essay Contest is "The role of science in building a better world." Young people from around the world are invited to submit their innovative ideas on this theme. If you're 25 years old or below, read on for more details!

PRIZES:

One 1st Prize Winner- Certificate and prize of 100,000 Yen (approx. US$1,000) + round-trip tickets to Tokyo, Japan for the awarding ceremony
Two 2nd Prize Winners - Certificate and prize of 50,000 Yen (approx. US$500)
Five 3rd Prize Winners - Certificate and gift
Twenty Five Honorable Mention Winners - Certificate and gift

HOW TO JOIN:

1. Essays may be submitted by anyone up to 25 years old (as of June 30, 2009) in one of the following age categories:
a) Children (ages up to 14) b) Youth (ages 15 - 25)

2. Essays must be 800 words or less, typed or printed in English, French, Spanish or German.

3. Essays must have a cover page indicating: (1) category (Children or Youth) (2) essay title (3) your name (4) postal address (5) phone number (6) e-mail address (7) nationality (8) age as of June 30, 2009 (9) sex (10) school name (if applicable) (11) word count. Teachers and youth directors may submit a collection of essays from their class or group. Please enclose a list of participants' names and the name and contact information of the submitting teacher or director. (Entries missing any of the above information will not be considered.)

4. Entries may be submitted by postal mail or e-mail. (Email entries must be in text or MS Word format, with the cover page and essay sent together as one document.)

5. Essays must be original and unpublished. Each essay must be written by one person. Co-authored essays are not accepted.

6. Please send your entries to: International Essay Contest c/o The Goi Peace Foundation
1-4-5 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093 Japan, OR email your essay to: essay@goipeace.or.jp

DEADLINE:

30 January 2009

30 JUNE 2009 (Thanks to reader Sabrina for pointing out the typo. Have a blessed Sunday!)

Win a Luxury Vacation to Barbados

Don't you just love the beach? Here's your chance to win a luxury vacation to a tropical paradise and be treated like royalty! GreatBarbados.com wants you to experience Barbados and they're giving away exciting vacation packages! Read on for more details about this fabulous contest open worldwide.

PRIZE:

Airline tickets for two and 7 nights at The Crane’s luxurious residences

HOW TO JOIN:

1. Register at GreatBarbados.com by going to this page and entering your registration details.
2. Click on 'Register Now'.

DEADLINE:

30 April 2009

Win a Trip for Two to Indochina

GeckoGo and Buffalo Tours have teamed up to offer you a chance to win an Indochina trip. Buffalo Tours is a Vietnamese based tour operator specializing in creative, meaningful trips through Indochina. Trips include volunteer holidays and authentic travel experiences. Enter this contest for your chance to win a trip valued between $2000 and $3000 USD!

PRIZES:

A trip for two to Indochina worth $2,000 to $3,000

HOW TO JOIN:

1. Get five entries for entering the contest here.
2. Get a bonus entry every time you:

- Login to your profile (1x / day)
- Write a tip
- Write a review
- Contribute to a city or country guide
- Post a blog update
- Invite a friend
- When your friend accepts

3. All contributions should be your own original material. There is no limit to the number of entries per person. However, spammers will be disqualified, so don't sign up with multiple e-mail addresses or submit nonsense.

DEADLINE:

15 January 2009
[Photo credit: Buffalotours.com]

Win an Adventure Holiday Worth AU$10,000 from Lonely Planet

Are you a wanderlust who loves exploring new places? Get a chance to win an adventure holiday worth AU$10,000 from Lonely Planet, with the prize provided by Peregrine, a tour operator that specializes on small group adventures around the world. Join now and win an amazing experience of a lifetime!

PRIZE:

Grand Prize - A Peregrine Adventures tours of your choice worth AU$5,00 and AU$5,000 for flights
One Runner-up - Lonely Planet book pack worth AU$350

HOW TO JOIN:

1. Go tot this website and answer in 50 words (or less) where you would like to travel to next year and why.
2. Fill in your registration details and click on "Enter Competition".
3. You can enter the contest as many times as you like.

DEADLINE:

3PM AEST, 19 December 2008

Win an All Expense Paid Trip to Boracay with Your Barkada

Wouldn't it be amazing to win a trip to Boracay with your barkada AND have your group picture printed on soda cans? It's fame and fun, all rolled into one! Join Pepsi's 'Kada Can promo and get the ultimate bonding experience with your closest friends.

PRIZE:

“The People’s Choice Barkada” (barkada with the highest number of total online and mobile votes) will win an all expense paid trip to Boracay.
The top 5 barkadas with the highest number of votes will get their pictures printed on limited edition Pepsi cans.
Three (3) online voters and three (3) mobile voters will win one digital camera each after an electronic raffle draw.

HOW TO JOIN:

1. Upload your barkada photos here. Follow the requirements for your barkada to be qualified to the promo.
2. Alternatively, get your barkada picture taken at the Pepsi ‘Kada Can booth. See the schedule here.
3. All barkadas must have 3-6 members.
4. Uploaded photos will undergo screening by Pepsi and upon approval, will appear on the website after 3-4 days.
5. Vote for your favorite barkada online by registering on the site or via mobile by texting PEPSI VOTE to 2861.

DEADLINE:

19 December 2008 for the submission of barkada photos
20 January 2009 for the voting period