OCALA, Fla. -- The owner of a million-dollar mansion tried to sell it, but couldn't. So now she's trying an unusual new approach.

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WEB SITE: Details On Entering Mansion Essay Contest

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You could call it a sign of the times. The woman is now turning to an essay contest to help sell the house. With a $200 entry free, the house could be yours.

In order to move into the million-dollar mansion, all you have to do is write a winning essay and pay the $200 entry fee. The owner gets the fees and the winner gets the home.

Clementina Marie Giovanetti is a writer and she's authored up a novel way to sell her Ocala home. Originally, she wanted between $1 million and $1.4 million for the 5,000 square-foot residence, but buyers weren't biting.

"My wheels started turning and I thought, I got it, that's what I'm gonna do with the house, I'm gonna start an essay contest," she said.

The essay has to be a pet loving story. The person who sends in the most touching work gets the home. But there is a catch. Each entry has to come with a $200 check and there must be a minimum of 6,250 entries. If it all works out, Giovanetti will get $1.25 million, her asking price for the home.

"Of course, the entry fee is going to be what is paying for the value and the mortgage that's still remaining on this house as well," she said.

Giovanetti said she wanted a way to bypass the real estate market. Also, the contest corresponds to the release of her new book about her dog. She says the contest is win-win for everyone.

Once the home is sold and the contest is all over, the author is thinking of compiling all the essays in a book. While the writers won't be compensated, they will get the chance to be published.

The public will be able to tour the home on April 23 and the essays must be post-marked by July 23. If a minimum numbers of entries are not received, the deadline might be extended.