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FoST Preorder Official Rules

FUTURE OF STORYTELLING SWEEPSTAKES 
OFFICIAL RULES 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW 

BY ENTERING THIS SWEEPSTAKES, YOU AGREE TO THESE OFFICIAL RULES (“Official Rules”).    

  1. SPONSOR: Hachette Book Group, Inc. (the “Sponsor”), 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104. 
  1. ELIGIBILITY: The FUTURE OF STORYTELLING Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia (“Territory”) who are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry. Any individuals (including but not limited to employees, consultants, independent contractors, and interns) who have, within the past six (6) months, performed services for Sponsor, Charles Melcher (“Author”), The Future of Storytelling, Inc. (“FOS”), Sandbox VR, Inc. (“Sandbox”), Meow Wolf, Inc. (“Meow Wolf”), and AirBnB, Inc. (“ABNB”), any organizations responsible for sponsoring, fulfilling, administering, advertising or promoting the Sweepstakes and/or each of their respective parent, subsidiary, affiliated and successor companies (collectively, “Sweepstakes Entities”), and immediate family and household members of such individuals, are not eligible to enter. “Immediate family members” shall mean parents, step-parents, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, or spouses, regardless of where they live. “Household members” shall mean people who share the same residence at least three (3) months a year, whether related or not. 
  1. SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY: The Sweepstakes begins at 12:00 AM (midnight) Eastern Time (“ET”), September 2, 2025, and ends at 11:59 PM ET, November 3, 2025 (“Entry Period”). For purposes of these Official Rules, all times and days are Eastern Time. Sponsor’s computer is the official clock for all matters related to this Sweepstakes. 

There are two (2) ways to enter the Sweepstakes: (A) via Pre-Ordering a copy of THE FUTURE OF STORYTELLING book (“Book”) and Submitting Related Online Form; or (B) via Mail-in Entry Without Purchasing THE FUTURE OF STORYTELLING book. 

(A) Entry via Pre-Ordering a Copy of the FUTURE OF STORYTELLING book and Submitting Related Online Form: 

During the Entry Period you will be able to earn one (1) entry into the Sweepstakes for the pre-order purchase of the FUTURE OF STORYTELLING book products and submitting a related online form, subject to the entry limit in Rule 5 below (each such entry, an “entry via a pre-order of Book purchase”).  After your purchase of The FUTURE OF STORYTELLING, visit https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/landing-page/fost-preorder/ (“Website”) and follow these steps: 

  1. Complete the entry form including your full name, email address, and the name of the store or merchant that sold the FUTURE OF STORYTELLING book to you (“Retailer”) according to your proof of purchase. 
  1. Upload a copy of your proof of purchase (i.e., cash register receipt or online invoice with name of Retailer and the date of purchase clearly indicated thereon) of the FUTURE OF STORYTELLING book. 
  1. Click the “Enter” button. 

In submitting an entry via FUTURE OF STORYTELLING book purchase, you represent and warrant that the purchase included as part of your entry was a legitimate household purchase.     

CLICK THE CHECK BOX SIGNIFYING THAT YOU MEET THE SWEEPSTAKES ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND THE SPONSOR’S TERMS OF USE (https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/terms-and-policies/terms-of-use/) AND PRIVACY POLICY (https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/terms-and-policies/privacy-policy/). IF YOU DO NOT CHECK THE BOX INDICATING YOUR AGREEMENT TO THE ABOVE, YOU WILL NOT BE ENTERED IN THE SWEEPSTAKES AND CANNOT WIN ANY PRIZE(S). DO NOT CHECK THE BOX WITHOUT FIRST REVIEWING THESE RULES, SPONSOR’S TERMS OF USE AND SPONSOR’S PRIVACY POLICY. Then, click the designated button to submit your entry. All entries via FUTURE OF STORYTELLING book purchase must be received by November 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET (the “Entry Deadline”). Normal internet access and usage charges imposed by your internet service provider may apply. It is your sole responsibility to notify the Sponsor of a change in your e-mail address.  

During the entry process, you may be asked to consent to receive promotional e-mails and reminder e-mails from Sponsor. Consenting to receive promotional e-mails and reminder e-mails is optional, not required to be eligible to participate in the Sweepstakes, and does not improve your chances of winning. In the event you do consent to receive these e-mails, the use of such e-mails shall be subject to the privacy policy of Sponsor (https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/terms-and-policies/privacy-policy/) and you may opt out of receiving these e-mails at any time. 

(B) Entry via Mail-in Entry Without Purchasing FUTURE OF STORYTELLING book: 

To enter without pre-ordering a copy of the FUTURE OF STORYTELLING book, on a 3”x5” card, handprint your name, mailing address (with zip code), email address, and daytime phone number for an entry into the random drawing. Mail it in a business size (#10) envelope to: Hachette Book Group, Inc., 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104, Attention: A.M., #5NW, FoST Sweepstakes Entry. 

Mail-in Entries must be postmarked by November 3, 2025 and received by November 7, 2025. A valid 3”x5” card entry will result in one (1) entry in the random drawing. BY SUBMITTING A MAIL-IN ENTRY, YOU REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT YOU MEET THE SWEEPSTAKES ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND THE SPONSOR’S TERMS OF USE (https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/terms-and-policies/terms-of-use/) AND PRIVACY POLICY (https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/terms-and-policies/privacy-policy/).   

No photocopies, facsimiles, or mechanically reproduced mail-in entries will be accepted. Sponsor and Administrator are not responsible for entries that are, for any reason, late, lost, misdirected, damaged, incomplete, illegible, or have insufficient postage. Each mail-in entry must be mailed separately. 

  1. LIMITATIONS: Limit of one (1) entry per person during the Entry Period, regardless of the entry method. Multiple entries exceeding the limit and/or mass entry attempts or other attempts to bypass the limit will result in disqualification of all entries by such person. Entries via FUTURE OF STORYTELLING book purchase must be made by the entrant; use of automated entry devices or programs, or entries by third parties are prohibited. Entries that do not conform to or that violate these Official Rules or are submitted in any manner other than stated in these Official Rules will be disqualified. Without limitation, no entry via FUTURE OF STORYTELLING book purchase will be valid if (a) the proof of purchase is corrupted, inaccessible, garbled, irregular or otherwise unacceptable; (b) the FUTURE OF STORYTELLING book purchase was not made during the Entry Period; (c) the proof of purchase is not included at time of submission of the entry form (piecemeal or partial submissions will not be accepted); (d) the FUTURE OF STORYTELLING book were received in exchange for the return of other product(s); or (e) the Retailer identified on the proof of purchase is not the same as the Retailer selected on the entry form (to the extent  applicable). Proof of submission of an online entry form or 3”x5” card does not constitute proof of receipt of same or proof of entry. Receipt of entries will not be acknowledged. By entering this Sweepstakes, entrants agree to these Official Rules and the decisions of the Administrator and Sponsor, which are binding and final in all matters relating to this Sweepstakes. 

*IMPORTANT: Data rates may apply if online Sweepstakes entry is submitted via your mobile device according to the terms and conditions of your service agreement with your wireless carrier. Other charges may apply (such as normal airtime and carrier charges as well as charges for wireless Internet access) and may appear on your mobile phone bill or be deducted from your prepaid account balance. Wireless carriers’ rate plans may vary, and you should contact your wireless carrier for more information on messaging/data rate plans and charges relating to your participation in this Sweepstakes. Mobile device service may not be available in all areas. Check your device’s capabilities for specific instructions. 

  1. RANDOM DRAWINGS/SELECTION OF WINNERS/ODDS: Potential winner (“Winner”) will be selected from eligible entries during the Entry Period via a random drawing conducted on or about November 10, 2025.  All drawings will be conducted by Administrator, whose decisions are final and binding on all matters related to the Sweepstakes.   

Odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received during the Entry Period. 

  1. PRIZES/APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUES (“ARV”): 

ONE (1) GRAND PRIZE (“Grand Prize”) is available to be won.  Grand Prize Winner will receive a Sandbox VR Golden Ticket which entitles the winner and one guest to book five different VR experiences at a participating United States Sandbox VR location of Winner’s choice valid through the Redemption Date specified below (defined below) (“Sandbox Prize”), A Meow Wolf Annual Portal Pass Supremium which allows the winner unlimited admission to any of the five Meow Wolf locations valid through the Redemption Date specified below (“Meow Wolf Prize”), and an AirBnB gift card to stay in the city and accommodation of Winners choice (“ABNB Prize”) 

The total approximate retail value (“ARV”) of Grand Prize: $1,089.00 broken down as Sandbox Prize ARV $550; the Meow Wolf prize ARV $139, and the ABNB Prize ARV $500. The ARV for the Grand Prize is an estimate made before the Sweepstakes begins. The actual value of the Grand Prize awarded may vary depending on a number of factors, including the change of prize provider pricing. Therefore, the actual value of the Grand Prize awarded may be lower or higher at the time it is fulfilled. The Grand Prize Winner will not receive compensation for any element(s) of the Grand Prize that Grand Prize Winner is unable to use for any reason, and such unused portion(s) of the Grand Prize will be forfeited. Any difference between the ARV and the actual cost of the Grand Prize will not be awarded. No more than one (1) Grand Prize will be awarded. 

The Sandbox Prize and the Meow Wolf Prize (collectively the “Experience Prizing”) must be redeemed by November 14, 2026 (“Redemption Date”). If Experience Prizing is not completed by November 14, 2026, that portion of the Grand Prize will be forfeited without compensation of any kind. Sponsor reserves the right to change the allowable dates, the Experience Prizing period, or any other component of the Experience Prizing, for any reason and in its sole discretion. Grand Prize dates and accommodations are subject to availability; certain restrictions and block-out dates may apply.  Grand Prize Winner will be responsible for contacting each Experience Prizing vendor and/or AirBnB directly to arrange for redemption of any portion of the Grand Prize. Failure of the Grand Prize Winner to redeem any element of the Grand Prize by the Redemption Date will be forfeited without compensation of any kind.  Any depiction of the Grand Prize is for illustrative purposes only. 

In the event the Grand Prize Winner and/or their guest(s) engage in behavior that, as determined by Sponsor in its sole and absolute discretion, is obnoxious or threatening, illegal, is intended to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person, or is contrary to either Sandbox VR, Meow Wolf or Air BnB’s (or its or their affiliates’) property rules or policies in effect at the time, Sponsor reserves the right to terminate the Grand Prize or other applicable experience early, in whole or in part, with no further compensation. Grand Prize Winner acknowledges and agrees to be solely responsible for any actions, claims or liabilities of any of its guests. 

Experience Prizing locations are subject to availability, closures, change or cancellation without notice or liability. Admission and offering options are not guaranteed.  

Grand Prize Winner will receive an IRS Form 1099-MISC reflecting the total fair market value of the Grand Prize.  

There is a limit of one (1) Prize per person, family, household or address. Prizes are not redeemable for cash or transferable where required by applicable law.  The Grand Prize components may not be sold, traded, transferred, rescheduled to dates not within the fulfillment period set forth above, or refunded. Except as set forth in these Official Rules and at Sponsor’s sole discretion, a Prize of comparable or equal value may be provided. No further substitutions will be allowed. In the event there is a discrepancy or inconsistency between disclosures or other statements contained in any Sweepstakes promotional materials and the terms and conditions of these Official Rules, these Official Rules shall prevail and govern.   

  1. WINNER NOTIFICATION: The Winners may be notified by email on or about November 10, 2025. Grand Prize Winner will be required to complete, sign and return within three (3) business days of date of notification an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability Release and Indemnification, and a Publicity Release where allowed by law, as well as other documents that Sponsor may require (collectively, “Prize Claim Documents”). Failure to respond to the initial notification within three (3) business days after notification, return of email notification as undeliverable after two (2) attempts, or failure to return the completed and signed Prize Claim Documents within the indicated time period (for Grand Prize Winner) will result in disqualification, prize forfeiture and selection of an alternate potential Winner from among all remaining eligible entries received for the applicable random drawing. 

In the event of any dispute concerning the identity of any entrant, the entry will be deemed submitted by the natural person who is the Authorized Account Holder of the email address provided on the entry form or 3”x5” card. For purposes of these Official Rules, “Authorized Account Holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address. 

  1. CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: 

By participating in this Sweepstakes, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Sweepstakes Entities, as well as each of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives and each of their respective successors, representatives and assigns, as well as Meta Platforms, Inc., TikTok, Inc., and X Corp. (collectively, “Released Parties“) from any and all actions, claims, injury, loss or damage arising in any manner, directly or indirectly, from participation in this Sweepstakes or any Sweepstakes-related activity or travel, and/or acceptance, receipt, possession or use/misuse of any Grand Prize component. 

By entering, entrants also authorize the Sponsor and its designees to use their name, voice, likeness, photograph, Prize information (if applicable), biographical data and city and state of residence in programming, advertising and/or promotional material or on a Winners’ list (if applicable) without compensation to the extent permitted by law. Sponsor is not obligated to use any of the above-mentioned information or materials, but may do so and may edit such information or materials, at Sponsor’s sole discretion, without obligation or compensation. 

All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. All entries become the property of the Sponsor. 

Sponsor and its agencies are not responsible for failed, partial or garbled computer transmissions, or for technical failures of any kind affecting the Sweepstakes in any manner, including but not limited to electronic malfunction or damage of any network, hardware or software. If for any reason the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, including, but not limited to, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud or technical failures beyond Sponsor’s control that corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes (including entries or otherwise), Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual, whether or not the individual is a participant in the Sweepstakes, who tampers with the entry process, and to terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes. In such event, Sponsor reserves the right to conduct the Sweepstakes and award the Prizes in a manner which is fair, appropriate and consistent with these Official Rules, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Notice of termination/modification/suspension of Sweepstakes will be posted on the Website. No responsibility is assumed for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or loss, destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries; or any problems or technical malfunctions of any telephone network or lines, computer or internet online systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any email or electronic entry or participation to be received on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website/platform, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to any person’s computer related to or resulting from participation in or downloading any materials from this Sweepstakes. Failure of Sponsor to enforce any provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute the waiver of such provision. If any provision of these Official Rules is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. 

Entrants further agree not to knowingly damage or cause interruption of the Sweepstakes and/or prevent others from participating in the Sweepstakes. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DAMAGE ANY ONLINE SERVICE, WEBSITE OR PLATFORM OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES, MAY VIOLATE CRIMINAL OR CIVIL LAWS. IF SUCH AN ATTEMPT IS MADE, SPONSOR MAY DISQUALIFY ANY PERSON, WHETHER OR NOT THE INDIVIDUAL IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE SWEEPSTAKES, MAKING SUCH ATTEMPT AND SEEK DAMAGES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW. 

THIS SWEEPSTAKES AND THE GRAND PRIZE AND ANY COMPONENT THEREOF ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT ANY REPRESENTATION, GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT 

  1. DISPUTES: To the fullest extent permitted by law, entrant agrees that: (1) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action at law or in equity arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes, the Grand Prize or any component thereof or the awarding of the Grand Prize shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by courts located in the State of New York within New York County; (2) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (3) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, indirect, punitive, incidental, special and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrant and Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York. 
  1. PRIVACY POLICY/DATA COLLECTION: Information provided by you in conjunction with a Sweepstakes entry is subject to Sponsor’s privacy policy, available at https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/terms-and-policies/privacy-policy/. 
  1. WINNERS LIST: For the first name, last initial, and city of the Winners, mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: The FUTURE OF STORYTELLING Sweepstakes Winners, c Hachette Book Group, Inc., 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104, Attention: A.M., #5NW, FoST Sweepstakes. All such requests must be received by December 15, 2025. 

This Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Meta Platforms, Inc., Tik Tok, Inc., or X Corp. You understand that you are providing your information to claim prize(s) you may win to Sponsor and not to Meta Platforms, Inc., Tik Tok, Inc. or X Corp.