A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is a legal document designed to protect confidential information shared between parties, particularly during discussions or collaborations. In the context of children's publishing, authors may use NDAs to prevent external parties from disclosing story concepts or unpublished manuscripts. This agreement safeguards creative ideas and business strategies, allowing authors and publishers to engage in discussions without the fear of ideas being leaked or misused. NDAs become crucial when sensitive information, like a unique storyline or character development, is shared to secure competitive advantages in the marketplace.