Amazon Customer Votes from Around the World Narrow the “Amazon Beedle the Bard Ballad Writing Contest” Field to Two Finalists

Customers vote this week to determine the grand prize winner, who will spend a weekend in London with J.K. Rowling’s rare book, “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” (security guards included)

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) customers around the world have spoken, and today 16-year-old Rhiannon D. of Jones Hill, Australia, and Laura H. of Fresno, Calif., representing the 18 and older age group, are moving on as the two finalists in the Amazon Beedle the Bard Ballad Writing Contest (www.amazon.com/beedleballads, www.amazon.co.uk/beedleballads). The final round of voting begins today, as Amazon customers around the world determine which finalist will win the grand prize-- a weekend trip for two to London with “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” (security guards included). Launched in April, the contest challenged Muggles age 13 and older to creatively answer one of three Harry Potter-related questions (in 100 words or less). Rhiannon, who competed in the category for ages 13 to 17, and Laura earned the most customer votes among 20 semi-finalists (10 in each age group) to become the two finalists in the contest and will now face off in the final round for the grand prize.

“I never imagined I’d be chosen as a finalist. Thank you, Amazon customers!”

“I’m so excited to have made it this far in the contest,” said Rhiannon D. “I never imagined I’d be chosen as a finalist. Thank you, Amazon customers!”

“It’s a dream come true to be a finalist in this contest,” said Laura H. “I want to thank all the Amazon customers who voted for me. I couldn’t have made it this far without you.”

Customers have one final week to vote for their favorite finalist submission by logging on to www.amazon.com/beedleballads or www.amazon.co.uk/beedleballads. This last round of customer voting begins today and closes on Monday, May 19 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. The entrant with the most votes will be crowned the grand prize winner and receive the trip for two to London to spend a weekend with “The Tales of Beedle the Bard.” The book, which Amazon purchased at auction in December 2007 for $4 million, is one of seven, handwritten and illustrated copies by J.K. Rowling. The proceeds of the purchase benefited The Children’s Voice, Ms. Rowling’s charity for orphaned children around the world.

The grand prize winner will be announced on May 22.

To read the finalists’ entries and vote for your favorite Amazon Beedle the Bard Ballad Writing Contest submission visit www.amazon.com/beedleballads or www.amazon.co.uk/beedleballads. The Amazon Beedle the Bard Ballad Writing Contest is sponsored by Amazon Services, LLC. For full contest rules and frequently asked questions about the Amazon Beedle the Bard Ballad Writing Contest, visit www.amazon.com/beedleballads or www.amazon.co.uk/beedleballads.

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