Reader's Digest Unveils Once-in-a-Lifetime Contest for U.S. Residents: Be Published to Its 30 Million Readers and Receive $25,000

NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognizing the belief of many Americans that their personal stories are worthy of being widely read, Reader's Digest North American President Dan Lagani today unveiled Your Life... The Reader's Digest Version, a contest on the Reader's Digest Facebook page to determine whose life stories will be published by Reader's Digest and earn the storytellers cash awards.

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The contest is a real-time version of the highly-anticipated book, Life... The Reader's Digest Version, available starting today in e-book and hardcover and the first in a series of The Reader's Digest Version books.  The book is excerpted and a cover story in the September issue of Reader's Digest magazine.

"Your Life... The Reader's Digest Version combines the power of Reader's Digest with digital and social media to bring some of the most interesting personal stories in America to life for millions of people in a simple, engaging way," said Lagani.

Your Life… The Reader's Digest Version, which opened today and runs exclusively on the Reader's Digest popular brand Facebook page – facebook.com/ReadersDigest – asks Americans to write in 150 words or fewer "a lesson, simple advice, funny moment or other story from your life."  

Said Reader's Digest Global Editor-in-Chief Peggy Northrop, who wrote Life... The Reader's Digest Version with her staff members and will judge the contest with them, "We've collected hundreds of thousands of stories and jokes from our readers over the years.  This opens the door for them to share in a whole new way and to get their friends, families and fellow readers involved in the action."

All Your Life… The Reader's Digest Version contest entrants and voters on the Reader's Digest Facebook page will receive a free digital download of a multiple-chapter excerpt from Life… The Reader's Digest Version.  Those who purchase the book receive a free subscription to Reader's Digest magazine.

The new series Life... The Reader's Digest Version continues with its second book, Health... The Reader's Digest Version, out in December.

Reader's Digest also announced today that Jane Lynch, the popular star of the hit Fox television series "Glee" and the host of next month's Emmy Awards, has become an ambassador of the Your Life... The Reader's Digest Version contest.  Lynch has submitted the contest's first entry, which can be read on the Reader's Digest Facebook page.  

Said Lynch, whose memoir Happy Accidents will be published next month, "It's a happy accident that I learned about the Your Life... The Reader's Digest Version contest.  We all need to express ourselves concisely, the way Reader's Digest does best.  I'm very happy to be an ambassador to this program to let people know about the opportunity to have their stories told.  I'd say more, but I'm afraid I might start going over 150 words."  

Your Life... The Reader's Digest Version will crown one grand prize winner, whose story will be published in the magazine and earn $25,000, plus 10 runners-up, whose stories will be published on ReadersDigest.com and win $2,500 each.  One top vote-getter will also earn $2,500. The contest runs through November 1.

ABOUT READER'S DIGEST

Reader's Digest is one of the world's best-known and trusted brands.  It is universally recognized as the leader in providing expertly-selected information that enriches and simplifies consumers' lives. Its flagship publication Reader's Digest is the world's largest paid-circulation magazine and the bestselling magazine on the world's most popular e-reader, Kindle.  Reader's Digest products include mobile apps, books, music, websites, e-newsletters and special interest publications.  

SOURCE Reader's Digest