I’m Not Allowed To Enter the Medium Writing Contest

And this is why

I was super excited to read the Medium post inviting writers to participate in their storytelling contest on the subjects of Reentry, Death, Work and Space. My mind instantaneously starting whirring with ideas — until I read the fine print:

Except for residents in Quebec, Canada, open to Medium users who are at least age 18 (or the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence, whichever is older) at the time of entry.

WHAT? You’re kidding me!

Yup! Good ol’ Quebec has stopped me in my writing tracks.

It’s not the first time I have noticed the ‘Except for Quebec Residents’ on a contest. Many a time I have been ready to submit my name to one and that fine print has dashed my chance of being in to win.

I don’t blame Medium. If you look at Quebec’s Sweepstake law, the province makes it really difficult for sponsors of contests to include us in their promotion:

Register the sweepstakes rules and all advertisements used to promote the contest with the Quebec government at least 30 days ahead of the sweepstakes’ launch.

Publish the full text of the sweepstakes’ rules at least 10 days before the giveaway begins.

Pay a fee of up to 10% of the sweepstakes’ value, depending on who is allowed to enter.

Agree to allow the government of Quebec to mediate any lawsuits arising from the contest.

Follow strict guidelines about the contents of the sweepstakes rules.

Allow the government of Quebec the right to approve any changes to the giveaway that need to be made once it has started, and to approve cancelling the giveaway if it becomes necessary to do so.

File a written report after the contest has concluded, attesting that the prizes have been delivered or attempted to be delivered.

Agree to let the RACJ mediate any disagreements with the public.

File security in the amount of the prize value, to ensure that the prizes are actually awarded.

Offer the sweepstakes rules in French as well as English.

It seems like a money-grabbing law to me — 10% fee and the need to cough up the rules in French? I can understand this if the sponsor resides in Quebec, but to hold all contests to these rules is outright ridiculous.

I am pissed!

But now I am also worried because another writing platform doesn’t seem to pay attention to this law, and I often participate in contests over there.

If anything, it proves to me that Medium is a trustworthy platform that has done its due diligence before offering a contest. I admire that.

I am bitterly disappointed, but I get it. In this case, it’s not worth Medium allowing the few — I have no idea how many writers this affects — Quebecers to participate. Better to be safe than sorry.

Instead, I shall be clapping and commenting like a fiend and wishing all my fellow Mediumites all the best. It’s up to you!

Bonne chance tout le monde!