Laurie Notaro has an uncanny ability to attract insanity–and leave readers doubled over with laughter. In <b>The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death</b>, she experiences the popular phenomenon of laser hair removal (because at least one of her chins should be stubble-free); bemoans the scourge of the Open Mouth Coughers on America's airplanes; welcomes the newest ex-con (yay, a sex offender!) to her neighborhood; and watches, against her own better judgment, every <i>Discovery Health Channel </i>special on parasites and tapeworms that has ever aired–resulting in an overwhelming fear that a worm the size of a python will soon come a-knocking on her back door.<br><br><i>The Cleveland Plain Dealer</i> says that Laurie Notaro is “a scream, the freak-magnet of a girlfriend you can't wait to meet for a drink to hear her latest story.” With The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death, Notaro proves she's not only funny but resigned to the fact that you can't look bad ass in a Prius. Don't even try.<br><br><b>Enter Laurie Notaro's THE IDIOT GIRL AND THE FLAMING TANTRUM OF DEATH Essay Contest!</b><br><br>OFFICIAL RULES—NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.<br>Open to legal residents of the U.S. who are 18 years of age or older as of June 30th, 2009. Contest ends June 30th, 2009. <br><br><b>TO ENTER:</b><br>Enter online at any time beginning at 12:00 Midnight, Eastern Daylight Savings Time (EDT), June 1, 2009 through 11:59 PM, (EDT), June 30, 2009, by emailing <u>[email protected]</u> with the subject line “Idiot Girl” and attach an essay of no more than 450 words about your funniest Idiot Girl adventure. You must include your name, age, mailing address and valid email address along with your original contest submission (English language only; 450 words or less.) Limit one entry per person. Only entries submitted electronically in accordance with these rules will be eligible for consideration. Mechanically reproduced entries not accepted. All entries become the property of Random House, Inc. (“Sponsor”) upon submission. All applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Contest void wherever prohibited or restricted by law. Entries received from persons residing in geographic areas in which entry is not permissible will be disqualified. <br>Publisher/author is not responsible for lost/late/misdirected entries or computer malfunctions. <br><br><b>WINNER SELECTION:</b><br>One (1) Grand Prize Winner and three (3) first prize winners will be chosen by the Sponsor's Marketing Department for having the best writing style and the most outrageous Idiot Girl tale. Winner will be picked from all eligible entries on or about July 31st, 2009. The decision of the judges will be final and binding in all matters relating to the Contest. <br><br><b>PRIZES:</b><br>One (1) Grand Prize – winner will have their essay story posted on author's website, <u>www.laurienotaro.com</u> for one (1) year, AND have their name used as a character name in Laurie's next novel published by Sponsor; each of three (3) First Prize winners will receive One (1) copy of THE IDIOT GIRL AND THE FLAMING TANTRUM OF DEATH in trade paperback format (ISBN: 9780812975741). (Approximate retail value of all prizes: $42.00.) <br><br><b>WHO CAN PARTICIPATE:</b><br>Open to legal residents of the U.S., who are 18 years of age or older as of June 30, 2009. Employees of Random House, Inc., (including Random House's parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, and agencies) and immediate families and persons living in the same household of such employees are not eligible. <br><br><b>GENERAL CONDITIONS:</b><br>All Prize Winners must be 18 years of age or older. Noncompliance with any condition will result in disqualification and selection of an alternate Winner. Grand Prize Winner will be notified by e-mail on or about August 1, 2009 and First Prize Winners will be notified by e-mail on or about August 15th, 2009. Return of any prize notification as undeliverable,