A few well-chosen words and $100 entry fee will likely result with the author receiving a 47.5 acre Whitefield property.

Martha Manchester, of Edgecomb, has created a land essay contest to “give away” her property she purchased in 1994. Manchester described the land as “woods and blueberry fields centrally located in the middle of nowhere.”

According to Manchester, the 254 Wiscasset Road property’s valuation is $150,000. The property has 1,580 feet of road frontage and a Maine Department of Transportation right-of-way for four house lots.

Manchester has designed the essay contest for a minimum of 3,500 entrants. If she doesn’t receive the desired number of entrants, the fees will be returned. The essay will be judged on five categories: wit, human interest, expression of thought, creativity and originality. Each essay will be given a grade and awarded in a that is similar to the way government grants are, according to Manchester

The essays will be judged by a panel of four judges: State Rep. Stephanie Hawke, Traci Blackman of Pottle Realty, Bronwen Hanna of The First National Bank, and Leslie Malone who works at Coastal Enterprises and is Manchester’s aunt.

Manchester will not be involved in the judging.

“I hope the winner will do something good with the property,” she said.

Manchester has a website. www.mainelandessay.com to publicize her contest. She is also advertising in local, statewide and regional newspapers. Her contest has also created interest from CNN. She is also trying to publicize the contest on network and syndicated news and talk shows.

If Manchester receives 3,500 entrants she would make $350,000. She expects to a pay a 20 percent capital gains tax. Manchester also wants to give $10,000 each to the American Cancer Society and Lincoln County Animal Shelter in Edgecomb.

“My mother died of cancer so I have a special connection to that cause. I’m also an animal lover. I have five cats and one dog all rescues from the county animal shelter,” she said.

Manchester originally bought a 50 acre parcel. She built a home on 2.5 acres. Manchester sold the property and now lives in Edgecomb.

The essay contest is based on a similar one done several years ago for a Rockland bed and breakfast. Manchester didn’t know about the Lovell Inn land essay contest until she started hers. The Lovell inn essay has a May 7 deadline.

“It’ll be a great story someday for the winner to tell how they got this great property for only $100,” Manchester said. “I’ve thought about it for years and finally decided to ‘give it away’ for a $100.”

The entry deadline is June 11. Applicants are required to write a 200-word essay on “Why I’d like to own the land.” Applications are required to send in $100. A self-addressed stamp envelop is required to return the fees in case the required number of entries aren’t met.