Frequently Asked Questions
Maine Property Contest 2026
Click 'Enter the Contest' from any page. You'll complete a short form with your information, upload your essay (500–1,500 words, PDF or DOCX), agree to the official rules and privacy policy, and pay the $150 entry fee via Stripe. You'll receive a confirmation email with your unique Entry ID once payment is confirmed.
"What makes you the best candidate for this land?" Your essay should answer this question specifically and personally. Essays are graded 50% on the substance of your answer, 25% on grammar and structure, and 25% on creativity and style.
Between 500 and 1,500 words. Essays under 500 words or over 1,500 words will not be accepted. Word count is verified at submission.
PDF and Microsoft Word (.docx) files are both accepted. Maximum file size is 10MB.
If the minimum of 2,000 paid entries is not reached by November 1, 2026, every entrant receives a full refund of their $150 entry fee. Refunds are processed automatically — no action required on your part.
All essays are reviewed anonymously — judges see a reference number, not your name. Essays are scored by our judging panel using the 50/25/25 rubric. All submissions are also scanned for AI-generated content; essays exceeding the AI threshold are disqualified.
No. Essays must be your own original work. All submissions are scanned using AI detection software. Any essay flagged as more than 60% AI-generated will be disqualified. The entry fee for disqualified entries will not be refunded.
The winner will be selected and notified during November 2026, following the close of submissions on November 1. A public announcement will follow.
The contest is open to legal residents of the United States and Washington D.C., aged 18 or older, EXCEPT residents of Arizona and Colorado, who are not eligible to participate. Void where prohibited by law.
Your personal information is encrypted and stored securely. For judging purposes, all essays are reviewed anonymously. Your information is only revealed if you are selected as the winner. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
Essay Dreams is sponsored by Soleil Bakery, a Connecticut-based business with over 20,000 followers. The contest owner and the bakery owner are the same person, ensuring full accountability and transparency.
The complete official rules are published at essaydreams.com/rules. A link to the full rules is also included in the entry form before you agree to them.