Version wri-agreement-2026-11-v1 · applies to entries submitted from 15 November 2026
This agreement is between you, the child's parent or legal guardian, signing on the child's behalf, and Shhalaj Publishing House (“Shhalaj”, “we”). It covers an entry to the Write for Right India Children's Anthology, whose first book is Fireflies: Stories, Poems and Essays by Young Writers. When you tick the agreement box on the entry form, it has the same effect as signing this agreement, and we email you a copy of what you agreed to.
1. Who is agreeing
You confirm that you are the child's parent or legal guardian, that you are 18 or older, and that you have the authority to agree on the child's behalf. A school or teacher cannot agree on a parent's behalf.
2. The child's own work
You confirm that the entry is the child's own original writing, is not copied from anyone else, and does not break anyone's rights.
3. Copyright stays with the child
Copyright in the writing remains with the child. Nothing in this agreement transfers it to Shhalaj.
4. What you allow us to do if the entry is selected
If, and only if, the entry is selected, you give Shhalaj a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence, for lifetime (it has no end date), to:
- publish the writing in Fireflies, in print and as an ebook, including every edition, reprint and format of that book;
- include the writing in other anthologies and collections that Shhalaj publishes in future, in any format; and
- show short extracts of the writing when promoting those books.
If the entry is not selected, this licence never takes effect and we will not publish the writing.
5. You stay free to use it elsewhere
The licence is non-exclusive. You and your child remain free to publish the writing anywhere else, at any time, such as a blog, a school magazine or another book.
6. Editing
We may edit a selected entry for clarity, length, spelling and style. Wherever practical we will consult you first, and we will not change the meaning of the writing without your agreement.
7. Credit
The writer is credited in the book by the first name given on the entry form.
8. What the writer receives
Every writer whose work is selected receives a certificate and the chance to buy the book at a special discounted price. Entering is free, and no payment or royalty is due from either side for the licence in clause 4.
9. Photograph and “about the author” (always optional)
The book can carry the child's photograph and a few lines about the young author. Both are entirely optional, and we will never insist on either. They are asked for only after selection, each with its own separate tick-box, and nothing is printed unless you agree. You can skip them.
10. Withdrawing
You can withdraw an entry from your account while submissions are open. After selection, you can ask us in writing to remove the writing, the photograph or the author lines before the book goes to print, and we will do so. We cannot recall copies that have already been printed and sold, but we will consider fairly any request to remove the work from later editions.
11. Privacy and safety
We collect only what we need and look after children's information as set out in our Privacy Policy and Child Safety Policy.
12. General
This agreement is governed by the laws of India. If we change it, we will publish a new version; a new version does not change what you agreed for an entry you have already submitted unless you agree to it. Questions? Contact us before you submit.