Editor Contract Template

EDITING SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Editing Services Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of [Effective Date] by and between:
Editor: [Editor Legal Name], with address at [Address] ("Editor")
Client: [Client Legal Name / Organization], with address at [Address] ("Client")
Collectively referred to as the "Parties."
1. SCOPE OF EDITING SERVICES
1.1 The Editor shall provide the following editing services ("Services"):
(a) Type of Editing: [Developmental editing / Substantive editing / Copy editing / Line editing / Proofreading / Video editing / Content editing — select applicable type(s)];
(b) The Services shall include: [detailed description, e.g., for copy editing: correcting grammar, punctuation, spelling, and syntax errors; ensuring consistency in style, tone, and terminology; flagging factual inconsistencies and unclear passages; formatting according to the specified style guide];
(c) Style Guide: [Chicago Manual of Style / AP Stylebook / APA / Client's House Style Guide / N/A for video editing];
(d) [For video editing: assembling footage, narrative structuring, pacing, color correction, audio balancing, title insertion, export in specified formats].
1.2 Services not described in this Section are excluded and may be added by written agreement at additional cost.
2. MATERIAL DESCRIPTION
2.1 The Client shall submit the following material for editing:
(a) Content Type: [Book manuscript, article, blog post series, marketing copy, technical documentation, video footage, etc.];
(b) Estimated Length: [Word count for text / Runtime for video / Number of pages];
(c) Subject Matter: [Topic/genre];
(d) Format: [Word document, Google Docs, Final Cut Pro project, Premiere Pro project, etc.];
(e) Current State: [First draft, revised draft, rough cut, assembled footage, etc.].
2.2 The Client shall submit the complete material to the Editor by [Submission Date]. If the Client submits material late, the editing timeline shall be extended proportionally.
2.3 If the submitted material differs significantly from the description above (substantially longer, in a different state of readiness, or requiring a different type of editing), the Editor may propose a revised scope and fee.
3. TIMELINE
3.1 The project timeline is as follows:
(a) Client submits material: [Date];
(b) Editor completes first pass: [Date or number of business days from receipt];
(c) Client reviews edits and responds to queries: [Number] business days;
(d) Editor completes second pass (if included): [Date or number of business days];
(e) Final delivery: [Date].
3.2 The Editor shall notify the Client promptly if the timeline is at risk due to material complexity or other factors.
4. DELIVERABLES
4.1 The Editor shall deliver the following:
For Text Editing:
(a) Edited manuscript with tracked changes and editorial comments;
(b) A clean version of the edited manuscript with all changes accepted;
(c) A style sheet documenting editorial decisions regarding terminology, formatting, and style preferences;
(d) [If applicable: An editorial report summarizing major recommendations and structural feedback].
For Video Editing:
(a) Edited video in [format(s), resolution(s)] via [delivery method];
(b) [If included: Project files for further editing];
(c) [If included: Multiple export versions (social media cuts, full-length, trailer)].
4.2 Deliverables shall be provided via [email, file sharing, cloud storage, physical media].
5. REVISION ROUNDS
5.1 The Project Fee includes [Number] editing pass(es) through the material.
5.2 After the initial editing pass, the Client may request [1] additional revision pass within the included scope. The revision pass addresses the Client's responses to editorial queries and any corrections or adjustments within the originally agreed editing scope.
5.3 Additional editing passes beyond those included shall be billed at $[Rate] per [word / page / hour / flat fee per pass].
5.4 Requests for a different type of editing than originally agreed (e.g., requesting developmental editing when copy editing was contracted) constitute new scope and require a separate agreement and fee.
6. COMPENSATION
6.1 The total fee for the Services is $[Total Amount] ("Project Fee"), calculated as follows:
(a) [Per-word rate: $[Rate] per word x [estimated word count]];
(b) [Per-page rate: $[Rate] per page x [estimated page count]];
(c) [Hourly rate: $[Rate] per hour x [estimated hours]];
(d) [Flat project fee: $[Amount]].
6.2 If the actual material length exceeds the estimated length by more than [10]%, the Editor may adjust the fee proportionally with written notice to the Client.
7. PAYMENT TERMS
7.1 Payments shall be structured as follows:
(a) [50]% of the Project Fee due upon execution of this Agreement ("Deposit");
(b) [50]% due upon delivery of the completed editing.
[For larger projects, consider a three-payment structure: 33% deposit, 33% at midpoint, 34% upon delivery.]
7.2 The Editor shall not begin work until the Deposit is received.
7.3 Payments shall be made by [check, bank transfer, PayPal, etc.].
7.4 Late payments shall accrue interest at [1.5]% per month.
8. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
8.1 The Client shall submit the material in the agreed format and by the agreed date.
8.2 The Client shall respond to editorial queries within [5] business days.
8.3 The Client shall provide any necessary reference materials, style guides, or brand guidelines before the Editor begins work.
8.4 The Client shall designate a single point of contact for editorial decisions to ensure consistency and efficiency.
9. CONFIDENTIALITY
9.1 The Editor shall treat all material and information received from the Client as confidential and shall not disclose, share, or distribute the Client's content to any third party without the Client's prior written consent.
9.2 The Editor shall take reasonable measures to secure the Client's files, including password protection and secure file transfer methods.
9.3 Upon completion of the project and final payment, the Editor shall delete or return all copies of the Client's material within [30] days, unless the Client provides written instructions to the contrary.
9.4 This confidentiality obligation survives termination for [3] years.
10. COPYRIGHT AND OWNERSHIP
10.1 The Client retains full ownership of and copyright in their original content, both before and after editing.
10.2 The Editor does not claim any ownership interest in the Client's content by virtue of providing editing services.
10.3 The Editor retains ownership of their proprietary editorial tools, style sheets, and editorial frameworks developed independently of the Client's content.
11. EDITOR'S CREDIT
11.1 [The Client shall acknowledge the Editor in the published work as "[Editor Name], Editor" / The Editor waives any right to credit — select applicable option].
11.2 The Editor may reference the Client and the project in their professional portfolio and marketing materials, unless the Client notifies the Editor of confidentiality restrictions under Section 9.
12. CANCELLATION
12.1 If the Client cancels the project:
(a) Before the Editor begins work: The Deposit is refunded less a $[Amount] administrative fee;
(b) After the Editor begins work but before completion: The Client shall pay for all work completed to date, calculated at the agreed rate, with a minimum charge equal to the Deposit;
(c) After the Editor delivers the completed work: [100]% of the Project Fee is owed.
12.2 If the Editor must withdraw from the project due to illness or emergency, the Editor shall refund any fees paid for work not yet completed and shall cooperate in transitioning the project to another editor.
13. LIABILITY LIMITATION
13.1 The Editor's total liability under this Agreement shall not exceed the total Project Fee.
13.2 The Editor is not responsible for errors or issues in the Client's content that are outside the defined editing scope.
13.3 The Editor shall not be liable for indirect, consequential, or incidental damages arising from the edited content.
13.4 The Client acknowledges that editing improves but does not guarantee the commercial success or publication of the content.
14. INDEMNIFICATION
14.1 The Client shall indemnify the Editor against claims arising from the Client's content, including claims for defamation, copyright infringement, or invasion of privacy.
14.2 The Editor shall indemnify the Client against claims arising from the Editor's negligence or breach of confidentiality.
15. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
15.1 The Editor is an independent contractor. Nothing in this Agreement creates an employment, partnership, or agency relationship.
16. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
16.1 This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of [State].
16.2 Disputes shall first be submitted to mediation. If unresolved within [30] days, disputes shall be settled by binding arbitration in [City, State].
17. GENERAL PROVISIONS
17.1 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties.
17.2 Amendments require written agreement by both Parties.
17.3 Unenforceable provisions do not affect the remainder.
17.4 Assignment requires prior written consent.
17.5 Notices shall be in writing to the addresses stated above.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties execute this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
EDITOR:
Signature: ___________________________
Name: [Editor Name]
Date: ___________________________
CLIENT:
Signature: ___________________________
Name: [Client Name / Authorized Representative]
Title: [Title] (if applicable)
Date: ___________________________