The two finalists in Amazon.com’s Beedle the Bard Ballad Writing Contest have been chosen after a week long voting period we told you about earlier where the public picked a top entry in the 13-17 age group and 18 and over categories. As we reported previously, the winner of this contest will receive a weekend with the handwritten tale by Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling in London, England. In the 13-17 year old category, 16-year-old Rhiannon D. from Australia was chosen along with Laura H. of Fresno, Calif., who was named the finalist in the 18 and older category. In the press release, Rhiannon said this of being picked as one of the two finalists:
“I’m so excited to have made it this far in the contest. I never imagined I’d be chosen as a finalist. Thank you, Amazon customers!”
Laura H. of the 18 and older group shared the enthusiasm and is quoted as saying:
“It’s a dream come true to be a finalist in this contest. I want to thank all the Amazon customers who voted for me. I couldn’t have made it this far without you.”
The final round of voting is open now and will run through May 19th. You can vote for the winner on Amazon.com at this link. Amazon.com will announce the winner on May 22nd.
As readers will remember, Amazon.com purchased this handwritten copy of “Tales of Beedle the Bard,” stories which were mentioned in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” at a charity auction earlier in the year. One of only seven in existence, until now only photos and short summaries have been revealed to the public. Amazon.com features further information and photos at this link.
Thank you so much, everyone!! I’m so excited and nervous, I can hardly sit still. When Amazon first posted their reviews of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, I used super-human will power to avoid reading them. I didn’t want the plots to be ruined, just on the outside chance the stories would be published someday, and I might actually get to read them. I never really imagined that dream might actually come true!
I really, really appreciate everyone who voted for me (and I understand if you didn’t, too!). You guys are fantastic!
Good luck to both of them. Although I wish I were one of the finalists, I can imagine how insanely excited they are to be in that position. It would be SO cool to read it though
These are amazing! I haven’t read the other entries, so I can’t compaire them. Unfortunately I won’t be able to vote again, because it’s too hard to chose…
I must say that I love both poems. Both were among my initial favorites. I like that both poems are very personal and elegant in their simplicity. I haven’t voted yet - I’ll have to enlist my family’s input! Both are so touching - I really think they BOTH should win. It’s a bit unfair to pit a minor against an adult. Good luck to BOTH talented authors!
I thought they were both great and should both get to meet J.K. but I voted for Rhiannon. I could relate better I suppose. Good job to the two of you!!:)
"Good, aren't they?" said Malfoy smoothly. "But perhaps the Gryffindor team will be able to raise some gold and get new brooms, too. You could raffle off those Cleansweep Fives; I expect a museum would bid for them."
Thank you so much, everyone!! I’m so excited and nervous, I can hardly sit still. When Amazon first posted their reviews of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, I used super-human will power to avoid reading them. I didn’t want the plots to be ruined, just on the outside chance the stories would be published someday, and I might actually get to read them. I never really imagined that dream might actually come true!
I really, really appreciate everyone who voted for me (and I understand if you didn’t, too!). You guys are fantastic!