Sue Kenney

Standard Copy Editing Contract

 

This agreement is between the Copy Editor ____________________________ and the Client ______________________________, concerning the following manuscript: _____________________________________________________________

Author: _____________________________________________________________

Working title: _____________________________________________________________

Length (word count) and description of Manuscript: ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

1. Editorial Tasks

The Copy Editor agrees to do the following on the manuscript (check on the left where appropriate):

            Rewriting

            Stylistic Editing

            Copy editing, Light

            Copy editing, Medium

            Copy editing, Substantive/Structural

            Fact Checking/Citation Checking/Reference Checking

            Picture Research

            Permissions

            Proofreading

(Terms are defined in Schedule A, attached, unless otherwise specified.)

2. Delivery

Date of Delivery to the Copy Editor:

The manuscript is to be delivered to the Copy Editor by the Client on or before ____________________ (date) by means of email, unless otherwise specified, as a Microsoft Word attachment, unless otherwise specified.

Date of Delivery to the Client:

The projected date of delivery of the Copy Editor’s work is as follows: ____________________.  The Copy Editor reserves the right to revise the date of delivery, if the Client delays submission of the manuscript, and/or makes changes to the already submitted manuscript, and/or submits a manuscript that does not correspond to the submitted sample, where requested by the Copy Editor.

3. PAYMENT

The agreed-upon editorial fee of ___________________________________, based on a per-word rate as specified in the table “Fees,” found in Schedule B, attached, is to be paid by the Client to the Copy Editor by such means as are determined beforehand, as specified in the Invoice issued by the Copy Editor to the Client.

Payment is to be made as follows:  $25 up front when the contract is signed, whatever the size of the project (this is non-refundable); 20% of the total fee at the completion of the project and delivery of the project to the Client; and the remainder due within 30 days, unless other previous arrangements are made.  Any payments made after the 30 days may be subject to monthly interest.

4.  TERMINATION

This agreement may be terminated by either party in the event of material change of circumstances up to seven (7) days before the agreed delivery date.  The agreement must be terminated by means of written notice communicated to the other party at the electronic (e-mail) address shown below.  If the Copy Editor terminates the agreement, the Copy Editor will be paid by the Client for work done up to the date of termination.  If the Client terminates the agreement, the Copy Editor will be paid by the Client for the work done until termination.

5.  SPECIAL CLAUSES

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

6.  INDEMNITY

While the Copy Editor will make every effort to bring questionable material to the attention of the Client, the Client agrees to indemnify and save harmless the Copy Editor from any and all claims or demands, including legal fees, arising out of any alleged libel or copyright infringement committed by the Author or Client in creating the work.

 

7.  APPLICABLE LAWS

The terms of this agreement shall be interpreted according to the laws of New York State.

This contract may be changed only by written agreement between the Copy Editor and the Client.

Signed by the parties to this agreement on __________________________ (date)

Client’s Signature:                                                                 ___________________________________

Client’s printed name:

___________________________________

Client’s Address:                                                           ___________________________________           ___________________________________

Client’s Email Address:

___________________________________

Copy Editor’s Signature:    

___________________________________

Copy Editor’s Printed name:

___________________________________

Copy Editor’s Address:

___________________________________
___________________________________

Copy Editor’s Email Address:

___________________________________