20something/20something

So my first instinct upon seeing this linked on Publishers Lunch was to immediately rack my brain for ideas in order to enter ASAP. Because every Manhattan-bound girl could use an extra 20 grand. But then I read some of the fine print:

              • Don’t trust anyone over 30.

First of all, that statement was obviously concocted by people way, way over thirty who remember the 1960s with fondness. Which isn’t a bad thing, just telling.

ELIGIBILITY.

              The contest is open to legal residents of the United States excluding
              Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Florida and Puerto Rico.

Now, I know there’s a good reason why all of these states are excluded, but usually when I see contests advertised, it’s just Puerto Rico that’s excluded. What’s wrong with the other ones? Surely there are some brilliant twentysomething writers whose work is just waiting to be discovered?

Or will they have to become instant “legal residents” of some other state to enter.

Anyway, I’m really just nitpicking the fine print. The end result is that 28 people will see their essays anthologized in a book to be published in September 2006. And they might not all be New York bloggers…