Brief History:

The scheme “Promotion of Children Literature” was initiated by the National Book Foundation in 1987, which provided adequate incentives to the authors/ publishers to develop healthy reading material for children of different age groups. This scheme also created awareness in parents to provide their children with story books or supplementary reading material apart from providing only school books. It also facilitated authors, publishers and illustrators as due recognition was given to them and they got open chance to show their potentials.

 Objective:

To promote children literature and enhance reading culture in the country. The “Write and Win” competition extends this mission by encouraging, challenging, and rewarding writers of the children literature to Make Learning Interesting for children and to be recognized for their creative efforts. The activity is targeting children, parents and teachers to create increased understanding and interest in reading and learning materials other than textbooks that supplement and add to the school education.

 Scope of the Competition:

The Contest is open to writers, textbook authors, publishers and general public from all over the country. There are four subject areas and three age groups (4-7, 8-12, 13-16). The themes are mentioned against each subject areas are:

Theme-Wise Guidelines for Authors (Click here to download)

Terms and Conditions:

·         Books/manuscripts submitted in any scheme of NBF previously are precluded from the scheme.

·         Only original creations are accepted and not the adaptations/translations including any controversial, anti-religion or anti-state material

·         The page limit for age group 4-7 years is 24-32 pages and for the age groups 8-12 and 13-16 years is 32-88 pages respectively

·         The manuscripts must be clearly written/typed and properly bind. Cutting from magazines/papers or photocopies will not be accepted

·         Those who use pen-name different from the one on the National Identity card should submit a documentary evidence in their support

·         Publications of Government/Semi Government/Corporations/autonomous bodies & attached departments are eligible only for merit certificates

·         Only merit certificates are given to publications already sponsored by any national or international agency.

·         The last date for receiving the entries is October 31, 2009.

·         The author is entitled to submit only one manuscript or book.

 Entry Processing:

All the initial entries 9will be screened so that a more manageable and legitimate number of entries are passed on to the final judging panel (the internal panel usually):

·         Verify that each manuscript meets the terms and conditions.

·         Categorizes manuscripts into subject areas and age groups.

 Evaluation:

Entries will be judged on originality, creative expressions, story telling and integration of text and illustrations (Where necessary), and overall impression. The final judging is done by a national judging panel. All decisions of the judges will be final and not subject to appeal or review.

 Announcing Winners:

National winners of the contest will be announced in the national and local newspapers and complete list of winning titles along with details of winners is posted on the website of National Book Foundation.

 Publications:

The NBF will either purchases 500 copies (printed) of the first winning titles from the author at a manually agreed price for school libraries or will buy the print license for the same number of copies from the author if he/she can manage to publish his/her manuscript from the private sector. National Book Foundation will offer full support and guidance to the author in reaching out the private sector for wider circulation of the titles. Finally the multiple copies of the titles purchased will be distributed free of cost to school libraries of the country through respective directorates of schools.