SUNSET BEACH -- Second Life is full of people who spend thousands of linden dollars on beauty. A new contest called 12avatars gives those avatars a chance to recoup some of that investment. Launched today with a party on four different sims, 12avatars is a mix of Second Life and Real Life.

12avatars will take 12 beautiful avatars and publish them as part of a real life and in-world calendar. Two of the avatars will be the winners of an in-world beauty contest in which people can vote for their favorite. The grand prize winner will receive L$20,000, ten copies of the RL calendar and a professional photo shoot. The runner-up will also be published in the calendar and will receive L$10,000 and a spot in the calendar.

Residents wishing to enter the contest should visit the 12avatars' in-world location, where they will find a thorough tutorial on how to sign up and become part of the contest. Contestants can register until September 16, after which voting will take place from September 17 through September 23.