Win A Copy Of 'The Answers' By Catherine Lacey Elle

 Named one of publishing magazine Granta’s best young American novelists, Chicago-based Lacey’s second novel follows the plight of the somewhat reclusive and chronically pained Mary, whose mystery disease is becoming increasingly unbearable – and she increasingly desperate for a cure. She becomes hooked on the New Age ways of an alternative health practitioner, who specialises in “neuro-physio-chi bodywork” – but as anyone who’s ever tried to claim Kinesiology on their health fund can attest to, his promise of a fix doesn’t come cheap. To help foot the bill, Mary responds to an ambiguous job ad she finds pinned up in a health food store, and before she knows it, has been recruited to The Girlfriend Experience (or ‘GX’), a The Bachelor-style social experiment constructed by a wealthy actor, seemingly frustrated by his inability to find a true and lasting connection with any one woman.
Mary is assigned the role of the Emotional Girlfriend to Kurt, but there’s also the Intellectual Girlfriend, Mundanity Girlfriend and the Maternal Girlfriend, among others. Along with a generous salary, Mary’s given a list of pre-approved Signs of Affection and an Emotional Girlfriend Handbook containing a series of bizarre requests, like, “at some point after two and four months we’re going to need you to be able to cry in front of Kurt”. As the GX progresses, Kurt and the Girlfriends’ search for answers about love ultimately leads them further down the experiment’s complex (and often messy) rabbit hole – making for an irreverent take on common affairs of the heart, and the way our identities can shape-shift as we navigate relationships. Lacey also isn’t afraid to cast an (often amusing) light on the lengths our crystal-cleansing, IV-drip-injecting generation will go to in search of a fix – whether real or perceived. “It didn’t matter if I believed in [Ed] or not,” reflects Mary. “It didn’t even matter if he was right. It was an explanation. A story.”
Instructions on how to enter and prizes form part of these conditions of entry. Participation in this promotion is deemed acceptance of these conditions of entry. Entry is open to residents of Australia aged 18 and over only. Employees of the Promoter, and their immediate families and agencies associated with this promotion are not eligible to enter. All entrants must enter the competition for recreational purposes only. Only one entry per person will be permitted. The promotional period commences on 24th July 2017 and closes at 11:59pm (AEDST) on 21st August 2017. The judging will be done by a panel of judges appointed by the Promoter. The judging will take place at Bauer Media, 54 Park Street, Sydney NSW 2000 and will begin on 26th June 2017. The winners will be notified by email using contact details provided in their entry. To enter, entrants must go to elle.com.au and follow the prompts to the competition entry page during the promotional period, and fill in the entry form including their full name, mailing address, current email address, daytime telephone number and answer to the competition question in 25 words or less “Why would you like to win a copy of The Answers?” and submit the entry as instructed. This is a game of skill; chance plays no part in determining the winner. Each entry will be individually judged based on its literary and creative merit of the answer to the question provided. The judges’ decision in relation to any aspect of the competition will be final and binding on every person who enters. No correspondence will be entered into. The Entrant warrants to the Promoter that the entry submitted is an original artistic work of the Entrant that does not infringe the rights of any third parties. If the entry or any part of the information provided to the Entrant in relation to the entry was provided by a third party, the Entrant warrants that they have obtained the relevant copyright permission to submit the entry for the purposes of this promotion. The entrant agrees to indemnify the promoter against all claims and costs by third parties arising from a breach of the warranty set out in this condition. The Promoter is entitled to use any of the entries submitted in any manner and for any purpose at its absolute discretion, including using the entries for future promoter’s or their agents book publications, promotional, marketing and publicity purposes without any further reference or payment or other compensation to the entrant. The promoter is entitled to amend, edit, select, crop, retouch, add to or delete from any part of the submitted entry. Entries must not be offensive, defamatory or racist. Any entry which the judges deem inappropriate will be invalid. The entrant agrees to indemnify the Promoter. The Promoter reserves the right, at any time, to verify the validity of entries and entrants (including an entrant’s identity, age and place of residence) and to disqualify any entrant who submits an entry that is not in accordance with these Terms and Conditions or who tampers with the entry process. Errors and omissions will be accepted at the Promoter's discretion. Failure by the Promoter to enforce any of its rights at any stage does not constitute a waiver of those rights. The best twenty five (25) valid entries as determined by the judges will be deemed the major prize winners and will win: One (1) x copy of Catherine Lacey's ' The Answer's' Valued at $27.99 each. Total prize pool for the entire promotional period is valued at up to $700 (including GST). Prize does not include any ancillary costs associated with redeeming this prize. These are the responsibility of the winner. Prize must be taken as offered. The prize, or any unused portion of the prize, is not exchangeable or cannot be redeemed as cash. The prize cannot be used in conjunction with any other special offer. The prize is valued in Australian dollars. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any variation in the prize value. Prize winner is advised that tax implications may arise from their prize winnings and they should seek independent financial advice prior to acceptance of their prize. Products included in prize package (including but not limited to titles, colour, design, sizing, model, finish, style etc.) will be determined by the promoter in its complete discretion. All prizes must be taken as offered. The prize will be delivered to the nominated address of the Prize winner. Delivery of the Prize is valid to any state and/or city in Australia. In the event that for any reason whatsoever the Winner does not take the prize at the time stipulated by the Promoter, then the prize will be forfeited by the Winner and cash will not be awarded in lieu of the prize. In the event that a prize, or part of a prize, is unavailable, the Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize or part of the prize in its discretion with an alternative prize or part of the prize to the same and equal recommended retail value and/or specification. The promoter is neither responsible nor liable for any late lost or misdirected mail (including but not limited to prizes). The Promoter is not responsible nor liable for any prize damaged in transit in the delivery of their prize Any cost associated with accessing the promotional website is the entrant’s responsibility and is dependent on the Internet service provider used. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, war, terrorism, state of emergency or disaster (including but not limited to natural disaster)the Promoter reserves the right to subject to reference to all relevant state and territory rules and regulations, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the promotion. If a medical circumstance in some way restricts your ability to enter the competition through the required mechanic, you are still eligible to enter however you must briefly state your circumstances upon entry. If your entry is selected as a winning entry, validation of your circumstances/ the validity of your entry will be undertaken by the Promoter. Method of validation (without limitation) will be determined by the Promoter in its complete discretion. If the winning entry is deemed to be a winner, the winner will be notified as per the terms and conditions herein. 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If this promotion is interfered with in any way or is not capable of being conducted as reasonably anticipated due to any reason beyond the reasonable control of the Promoter, the Promoter reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to the fullest extent permitted by law: (a) to disqualify any entrant; or (b) subject to any written directions from a regulatory authority, to modify, suspend, terminate or cancel the promotion, as appropriate. Privacy:The Promoter collects personal information (“PI”) in order to conduct the promotion and may, for this purpose, disclose such PI to third parties, including but not limited to agents, contractors, service providers, prize suppliers and, as required, to Australian regulatory authorities. Entry is conditional on providing this PI. The Promoter will also use and handle PI as set out in its privacy policy, which can be accessed by visiting http://www.bauer-media.com.au/privacy.htm. In addition to any use that may be outlined in the Promoter’s Privacy Policy, the Promoter may also, for an indefinite period, unless otherwise advised, use the PI for promotional, marketing, publicity, research and profiling purposes, including sending electronic messages or telephoning the entrant. Entrants should direct any request to opt out, access, update or correct PI to the Promoter and direct any complaints regarding treatment of their PI according to the Privacy Policy. All entries become the property of the Promoter. The Promoter is Bauer Media Pty Ltd (ABN 053 273 546) of 54 – 58 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Phone: 02 9282 8000.