I get these things all the time from a writers group I belong to and ignore them, not being a contest person, but I thought someone might be interested.

Vanity Fair has just announced its 2005 Essay Contest. (There's NO FEE to enter.)

This year's contest asks entrants to respond to the question, "What is on the minds of America's youth today?" Essays must be 1500 words,
maximum, and received by midnight E.D.T. on September 30, 2005.

The competition is open to entrants 18 years of age or older and legal residents of one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia at
the time of entry.

The prize packages include a grand prize package of $15,000, plus a trip to Italy and six nights' accommodation at the Santa Maddalena Writers' Colony, plus a Montblanc Meiserstück 149 fountain pen.
(Montblanc is sponsoring the contest.)

Complete rules and guidelines are currently posted at
http://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/pressroom/

Good luck!
smile