What one might have easily assumed to be an essay content to raise awareness for great literature and encourage aspiring writers might have actually been a way for one self-published author to unload her house in a crappy housing marketing.

In April, Clementina Marie Giovannetti, of Florida, kicked off a "best pet lover" essay contest contest where, for a $200 entry fee and a personal essay, entrants had a chance to win her $1.25 million home, because she wanted to "bless someone else's life with this magnificent house." Only caveat? Giovannetti reserved the right to cancel the contest at anytime.

And she did just that.

Officially, she's blaming a low response rate (even though local TV stations and newspapers covered the contest), saying only 38 entries were received by the end of May. So she closed the contest early, even though it was supposed to remain open until July 23. Giovannetti said she'd need 6,250 to proceed (to meet her home's asking price) and, evidently, there was no way she was going to hit the mark. The rules she set forth allowed her to pocket a $20 processing fee for each entry, but she says she'll return all $200 of each entrant.

So in the end, it turns out Giovannetti won't be scamming anybody. And while she may be a "bestselling author," one thing's clear: Nobody's really interested in shelling out for even the property taxes of a house owned by a woman who writes books from her dog's perspective.

[Sun-Sentinel]