The Modern Editor Podcast

From the Vault: Freelance Editing Contracts 101

Episode Summary

Do you have clear professional boundaries for your business? In this episode, we discuss what boundaries you should have as an editor, why they’re important, and how you can enforce them using contracts. Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. I’m not a lawyer, but I am related to one, and we created an editing contract template that you can use with your editing clients. Find it here.

Episode Notes

Do you have clear professional boundaries for your business? In this episode, we discuss what boundaries you should have as an editor, why they’re important, and how you can enforce them using contracts.

Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. I’m not a lawyer, but I am related to one, and we created an editing contract template that you can use with your editing clients. Find it here.

This episode originally aired on 9/25/24 as episode 37.

Important Sections:

• (1:48) Do Boundaries Destroy Creativity?
• (3:28) The Basic Definition of a Contract
• (4:58) Adding Boundaries to Your Contracts Through Scope of Work
• (6:52) Setting Boundaries With Payment Arrangements
• (8:36) Creating Boundaries Around Deadlines
• (10:42) Boundaries Around Communication
• (13:15) Setting Boundaries Around Generative AI
• (15:31) Defining Boundaries Around Acknowledgments
• (18:31) How to Handle Contract Termination
• (19:52) Introducing My Editing Contract Template

Resources Mentioned

• Episode 7: Why You Need Boundaries in Your Business
• Editorial Freelancers Association
• Editors Canada
• The Paper It’s Written On book
• My new Editing Contract Template

Work with Me:

• Book a free 15-minute call
• Join the Freelance Editors Club
• Book a 1:1 coaching session