1. Sponsor
The Woman They Looked For — Reader Detective Challenge (the “Contest”) is sponsored by Corey King (“Sponsor”). Sponsor contact: kingcorey1221@gmail.com.
2. Eligibility
Open only to legal residents of the fifty United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at entry. Employees, contractors, and immediate family or household members of Sponsor are not eligible. Void where prohibited.
3. Contest Period
The Contest begins when the entry form is made public and ends July 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time. Sponsor’s designated system is the official timekeeper. Winners are scheduled to be announced live on August 1, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT.
4. How to Enter
Read a borrowed, gifted, purchased, or otherwise legally accessed copy of The Woman They Looked For. Complete the official entry form, answer the stated detective question, and explain your reasoning. One entry per person. Proof of purchase and a book review are not required, and reviews do not affect judging. Incomplete, late, or inaccessible entries may be disqualified.
5. Judging
Eligible entries will be evaluated by Sponsor or designated judges using the following 100-point rubric:
- Accuracy of factual answer: 40 points
- Depth and quality of explanation: 25 points
- Attention to detail and understanding: 20 points
- Original insight: 10 points
- Clarity and completeness: 5 points
The highest scoring entries will be potential winners. Judges’ decisions are final.
6. Tiebreakers
Ties will be resolved first by the higher Accuracy score, then Depth and Quality of Explanation, then Attention to Detail and Understanding, then Original Insight, then Clarity and Completeness. If a tie remains, the judges will conduct a final comparative evaluation of the tied entries based on the overall strength of textual support.
7. Prizes
First Place
- $50 Amazon Gift Card
- Signed hardcover copy of The Woman They Looked For
- Signed paperback copy of The I of the Storm
- Early access to Book Two before public release
- Winner’s name listed in the acknowledgments of Book Two, with permission
- Winner’s first name, nickname, or an author-approved variation used for a fictional character in Corey King’s next novel
Second Place
- $25 Amazon Gift Card
- Signed paperback copy of either The Woman They Looked For or The I of the Storm, winner’s choice
- Early access to Book Two before public release
Third Place
- Signed paperback copy of either The Woman They Looked For or The I of the Storm, winner’s choice
- Exclusive digital bonus story
- Signed bookmark
8. Character Naming Prize Conditions
The applicable winner may propose their first name, nickname, or an author-approved variation for possible use as a fictional character name. The author retains full creative control over the character’s role, personality, actions, storyline, name variation, and final inclusion. The prize does not grant editorial control, ownership, approval rights, royalties, or other compensation. Sponsor may reject a name for creative, legal, safety, or practical reasons and request an alternative.
9. Original Work and Prohibited Assistance
Each entry must be the entrant’s own original analysis. Plagiarized content, copied answers, and answers generated by artificial intelligence are prohibited. Sponsor may request clarification or supporting information and may disqualify an entry when originality cannot reasonably be verified.
10. Winner Notification
Potential winners will be contacted using the information provided in the entry form and may be required to confirm eligibility, accept the prize, and complete reasonable releases or tax documents. Failure to respond by the stated deadline in the notification may result in disqualification and selection of the next highest-scoring eligible entry.
11. Publicity
Where lawful, winners may be asked for permission to use their approved first name, nickname, city/state, likeness, and submitted response in Contest announcements. Any acknowledgment or character-name use requiring permission will proceed only after that permission is obtained.
12. Privacy
Entry information will be used to administer the Contest, verify eligibility, contact entrants, award prizes, and comply with law. Information will not be added to a marketing list without separate consent. See the site Privacy Policy for additional information.
13. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, corrupted, misdirected, or inaccessible entries; technical failures; unauthorized interference; or events beyond reasonable control. Nothing in these Rules limits liability that cannot legally be limited.
14. Right to Modify or Cancel
Sponsor may suspend, modify, or cancel the Contest if fraud, technical failure, legal requirements, force majeure, or another circumstance materially affects its fairness or administration. Any change will be posted on this site, and Sponsor will seek to preserve fair treatment of valid entries where practical.
15. Platform Disclaimers
This Contest is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Amazon, Google, Facebook, Instagram, X, or any other third-party platform. Amazon gift cards are subject to the issuer’s terms. Entrants release those platforms from claims arising from the Contest to the extent permitted by law.
16. Governing Law
These Rules and the Contest are governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute will be handled in a court of competent jurisdiction in New York, except where applicable law requires otherwise.
17. General Conditions
Sponsor may disqualify anyone who tampers with the entry process, acts disruptively, submits false information, or violates these Rules. If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect. Void where prohibited.