STORY CLINIC
Submission Terms & Conditions
Protect, Polish & Pitch
Effective Date: [ 18 Sep, 2026]
Last Updated: [ 19 Sep, 2026]
Version: 1.0
These Submission Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern the submission of stories, screenplays, scripts, books, manuscripts, series concepts and other creative material (“Material”) to Story Clinic, a division of Paradiso Productiions (“Story Clinic”, “we”, “us” or “our”).
By submitting Material through our website, uploading files, making any applicable payment, or otherwise proceeding with a submission after being presented with these Terms, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms.
1. Who Can Submit
Story Clinic accepts submissions from professional writers, published authors, new writers and other creators, subject to our submission requirements.
By submitting Material, you confirm that:
• you are the author or lawful rights-holder of the
Material, or
• you have the necessary authority and permission to submit
it to us.
You must not knowingly submit material that infringes another person’s copyright, contractual rights, privacy rights, publicity rights or other legal rights.
2. What Can Be Submitted
Depending on the submission category, Story Clinic may consider:
• Feature film screenplays
• Television and web series concepts/screenplays
• Books and novels for possible screen adaptation
• Short-film and other screen projects
• Original stories and concepts
• Other creative material specified in our Submission Form
The required material may differ depending on the project type. Writers must follow the requirements displayed on the relevant submission form and in our Submission FAQs.
3. Initial Submission and Screening
Story Clinic generally begins with the logline and complete synopsis of the project.
The initial submission allows our team to understand the project’s concept, story, characters and overall potential.
Initial screening/evaluation does not mean that Story Clinic has accepted the project for representation.
Story Clinic may decide not to proceed with a submission if the project does not meet our creative, commercial, editorial, legal or business requirements.
4. Submission and Evaluation Fees
Where a fee is applicable, the amount and stage at which it is payable will be clearly displayed on the relevant submission form and/or Services section of the website.
The applicable fee is charged for processing and professional evaluation of the submitted synopsis or complete script/manuscript, as specified for that stage.
The fee:
• is not a purchase price for the Material;
• does not transfer copyright or ownership to Story Clinic;
• does not constitute a representation agreement;
• does not constitute payment for a producer, production
house or OTT platform to acquire the project; and
• does not guarantee approval, representation, pitching,
sale, production, financing or any other commercial outcome.
5. Non-Refundable Fees
Unless otherwise required by applicable law or expressly agreed by Story Clinic in writing, submission and evaluation fees are non-refundable.
A fee will not ordinarily be refunded because:
• the project is not shortlisted;
• the project is rejected or not selected;
• Story Clinic decides not to represent the project;
• a writer withdraws the project after submission;
• a producer or other industry party does not show interest;
• the project is not sold, produced or commissioned; or
• the writer changes their decision after the evaluation has
been initiated.
Each applicable fee relates to the specific submission/service for which it was paid and does not automatically transfer to another project or future submission.
6. Full Script/Manuscript Evaluation
Where a project proceeds to the full-script/manuscript stage, the applicable full-length evaluation fee must be paid as specified on the website or submission form.
The full-script/manuscript evaluation is a separate stage from synopsis evaluation because it requires review of the complete Material.
Resubmission of a revised script/manuscript may require a fresh evaluation and the applicable fee may apply again because the complete Material must be reviewed again.
7. Copyright and Ownership
The writer/rights-holder retains ownership of their copyright and intellectual property.
Submission of Material to Story Clinic does not by itself transfer copyright, ownership or other intellectual-property rights to Story Clinic.
Story Clinic does not purchase the submitted Material merely by evaluating it.
Any transfer, licence, option, assignment, adaptation right or other commercial arrangement must be covered by a separate written agreement signed by the relevant parties.
8. Submission Does Not Automatically Create Representation
Submitting Material to Story Clinic, paying an evaluation fee, or having a project shortlisted or approved for further consideration does not automatically make Story Clinic the writer’s agent or representative.
Submission does not create an agency, partnership, employment, joint venture, fiduciary relationship or exclusive representation arrangement.
If Story Clinic decides to offer representation, the scope, term, commission, rights and responsibilities will be set out in a separate written Representation Agreement.
Only that written agreement will determine the terms of representation.
9. Evaluation, Approval and Shortlisting
A project may be:
• accepted for evaluation;
• shortlisted for the next stage;
• declined;
• returned for further development; or
• discontinued from consideration.
An approval, positive evaluation or shortlisting means only that Story Clinic considers the project suitable for consideration at that particular stage.
It does not mean that the project has been approved by a producer, studio, OTT platform, financier or other industry party.
10. No Guarantee of Representation, Sale or Production
Story Clinic does not guarantee that any submitted or evaluated project will be represented, pitched, acquired, optioned, sold, financed, commissioned, produced, distributed or released.
Even where Story Clinic approves a project or agrees to represent it, the final decision to proceed rests entirely with the relevant producer, production house, studio, OTT platform, filmmaker, financier, distributor or other third party.
Story Clinic cannot control or guarantee the decisions, budgets, schedules, negotiations or commercial decisions of third parties.
11. Pitching and Industry Representation
Where Story Clinic formally agrees to represent a project under a separate Representation Agreement, Story Clinic may undertake appropriate targeted pitching and representation activities based on the project’s creative and commercial potential and industry suitability.
Pitching may include presenting the project to relevant producers, production houses, studios, OTT platforms, filmmakers or other industry professionals.
Pitching does not guarantee:
• that a third party will read the Material;
• that a meeting will be arranged;
• that further material will be requested;
• that an offer will be made;
• that the project will be acquired; or
• that the project will be produced.
The decision of whether and how to pitch a represented project may depend on market conditions, industry requirements, project fit, availability of opportunities and other professional considerations.
12. No Guaranteed Producer Meeting
Story Clinic does not guarantee a meeting, call, presentation or direct interaction between a writer and any producer, studio, OTT platform, filmmaker or other industry professional.
If an industry party expresses interest and requests further interaction, Story Clinic may coordinate or facilitate communication where appropriate.
13. Representation Commission
If Story Clinic offers representation and the writer accepts it, the applicable commission and commercial terms will be stated in the separate Representation Agreement.
No commission or representation obligation arises merely from submission or evaluation.
The Representation Agreement will govern the applicable commission, scope of services, term, territory, rights and other commercial terms.
14. Producer/Curation/Pitching Fees
Where applicable, Story Clinic may offer producers, production companies or other industry clients professional curation, development, presentation or tailored pitch services.
Any such service and applicable fee will be communicated separately.
Such services do not alter the writer’s copyright ownership unless a separate written agreement provides otherwise.
15. Confidentiality
Story Clinic will handle submitted Material in accordance with its applicable confidentiality and privacy practices.
Where a separate NDA is required, the NDA will govern the confidentiality obligations of the parties upon execution.
Where Material is proposed to be shared with a producer or other third party, Story Clinic may use appropriate confidentiality, viewing or submission documentation where applicable.
However, no confidentiality system can guarantee that unauthorized disclosure or misuse by an independent third party will never occur.
Writers should therefore avoid including information that they are not legally entitled to disclose.
16. Similar or Independently Developed Material
Story Clinic may receive or encounter projects, concepts, themes, characters, situations, formats or creative elements that are similar to material submitted by another writer or independently developed by Story Clinic or a third party.
Similarity between ideas, themes, genres, premises or general concepts does not by itself establish copying.
Story Clinic will not knowingly use a writer’s confidential protected expression without appropriate authorization.
Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership of a writer’s copyright to Story Clinic.
17. Writer’s Responsibility for Rights and Permissions
The writer remains responsible for ensuring that they have the necessary rights and permissions to submit the Material.
If the Material is based on:
• real people;
• real events;
• another person’s life;
• confidential information;
• existing books or publications;
• previously produced films or programmes;
• third-party intellectual property; or
• any other material belonging to another person,
the writer must have the necessary legal authority to submit and commercially exploit the Material.
Story Clinic does not guarantee that the writer’s claimed rights are legally sufficient.
18. Writer’s Representations
By submitting Material, the writer represents that, to the best of their knowledge:
1. the Material is original or they have the necessary
rights to submit it;
2. they have authority to enter into any applicable
agreement concerning the Material;
3. the Material is not knowingly subject to conflicting
contractual obligations;
4. submission does not knowingly violate another person’s
legal rights; and
5. all material information provided to Story Clinic is
accurate to the best of their knowledge.
The writer agrees to cooperate reasonably if a third-party rights dispute arises concerning their submission.
19. Previously Submitted or Published Material
Writers must disclose relevant previous publication, production, option, assignment, licensing or contractual arrangements affecting the submitted Material.
Story Clinic is not responsible for disputes arising from undisclosed obligations or rights held by third parties.
20. Submission Copies and Technical Issues
Writers are responsible for keeping their own original and backup copies of all submitted Material.
Story Clinic will take reasonable steps to process submitted files but is not responsible for loss, corruption, technical failure, transmission failure or other events beyond its reasonable control.
If a file cannot be uploaded because of technical limitations, Story Clinic may provide an alternative submission method at its discretion.
21. Communication and Official Confirmation
Submission-related decisions, representation offers and commercial arrangements will be communicated through Story Clinic’s designated official communication channels.
Informal conversations, WhatsApp messages, telephone conversations or emails do not by themselves create a representation agreement, guarantee a producer opportunity or modify these Terms.
Any amendment to a commercial or representation arrangement must be confirmed in writing by an authorized representative of Story Clinic.
22. Right to Decline or Discontinue
Story Clinic reserves the right to decline, discontinue or stop considering any project at any stage where it determines that the project is not suitable for its creative, commercial, editorial, legal, operational or business requirements.
A project may also be discontinued if required information, rights documentation or other necessary material is not provided.
23. No Obligation to Provide Detailed Reasons
Story Clinic may provide feedback or reasons for a decision where appropriate, but is not obligated to provide detailed editorial coverage, written criticism or a complete explanation for every rejection or decision unless such service has been expressly agreed and paid for.
24. No Promise of Development or Rewriting
Unless separately agreed in writing, evaluation does not include rewriting, script doctoring, development, dialogue writing, translation or other creative services.
Where such services are offered, their scope and applicable charges will be communicated separately.
25. Privacy and Personal Information
Personal information provided during submission may be collected and processed for purposes including:
• submission administration;
• communication with the writer;
• payment verification;
• evaluation;
• representation administration;
• contractual and legal compliance; and
• related business operations.
The use and protection of personal information are subject to Story Clinic’s applicable Privacy Policy.
26. Changes to These Terms
Story Clinic may update these Terms from time to time.
The version applicable to a particular submission will be the version presented to and accepted by the submitter at the time of that submission, subject to applicable law and any subsequent written agreement between the parties.
Story Clinic may maintain records of previous versions for administrative and legal purposes.
27. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms shall be governed by the laws applicable in India.
Any dispute relating specifically to a separate Representation Agreement or other written commercial agreement will be handled according to the dispute-resolution provisions contained in that agreement.
Where no separate dispute-resolution provision applies, the parties shall first attempt to resolve the matter through good-faith written communication before pursuing other remedies available under applicable law.
28. Independent Legal Advice
These Terms explain the general conditions governing submissions to Story Clinic.
Writers, authors, producers and other parties are encouraged to obtain independent legal advice before entering into any Representation Agreement, rights agreement, option agreement, assignment, production agreement or other legally binding commercial arrangement.
29. Electronic Acceptance
By submitting a project through the Story Clinic website, the submitter confirms that they have read, understood and agreed to these Submission Terms & Conditions.
Where available, the submitter should actively confirm acceptance through the website checkbox before completing the submission.
30. Important Understanding
For clarity, the Story Clinic process should be understood as:
SUBMISSION → EVALUATION → SHORTLISTING → POTENTIAL
REPRESENTATION → TARGETED PITCHING → INDEPENDENT INDUSTRY DECISION
Story Clinic’s role is to Protect, Polish & Pitch suitable creative projects.
Story Clinic does not promise that a producer, production house, studio, OTT platform or other industry party will select, acquire, finance, commission or produce a submitted project.
Story Clinic
A division of Paradiso Productiions