Writing checklist

Before you sign a writing contract

8 clauses worth a second look, with what is off-market and the one-line fix for each. Work down the list against the contract in your inbox.

1. 01

   Kill fee

   Red flag

   "Payment on publication" language paired with no kill fee. If the client kills a piece before it runs, the writer is paid nothing, even for a completed and edited article.

   The fix

   "Payment is due on acceptance, not publication. If Client cancels after acceptance, 100% of the fee is due. If cancelled after first draft, 50%."

   What is normal for kill fee →
2. 02

   Deposit

   Red flag

   No deposit combined with "payment on publication" or net-60. That combination means the writer produces the work, waits for a publication decision, and then waits again for a check.

   The fix

   "A 30% deposit is due at contract signature; the balance is due on acceptance of the manuscript, not on publication."

   What is normal for deposit →
3. 03

   Net payment terms

   Red flag

   "Payment on publication" with no outside date, or Net-60+. Payment on publication lets the client hold a finished, accepted piece indefinitely and owe nothing until they decide to run it.

   The fix

   "Payment is due Net-30 from acceptance of the manuscript, regardless of publication date."

   What is normal for net payment terms →
4. 04

   Unlimited revisions

   Red flag

   Unlimited revisions, or a "until it is right" clause where the client can request rewrites indefinitely, including full changes of angle after the piece is written.

   The fix

   "The fee includes 2 rounds of edits. A change in the agreed brief or angle after drafting is a new assignment, billed separately."

   What is normal for unlimited revisions →
5. 05

   IP transfer

   Red flag

   Blanket work-for-hire on ordinary content or editorial work, transferring all rights including the writer's ability to quote or repurpose their own writing, at a standard per-piece rate.

   The fix

   "Client receives first publication rights and a non-exclusive license to reuse the piece on its own channels. Copyright remains with the writer. Full assignment is available as a separate buyout."

   What is normal for ip transfer →
6. 06

   Exclusivity

   Red flag

   A clause preventing the writer from covering an entire subject area or industry for any other client, with no time limit and no added compensation.

   The fix

   "Writer will not produce substantially similar content for [named competitor] for [60 days] after publication. Writer remains free to cover the general subject for others."

   What is normal for exclusivity →
7. 07

   Liability cap

   Red flag

   Broad indemnity with no cap, making the writer liable for any claim arising from a published piece, including changes an editor made after the writer delivered it.

   The fix

   "Writer's liability is capped at the fees paid. Writer is not liable for edits, additions, or approvals made by Client after delivery, or for claims arising from Client-supplied material."

   What is normal for liability cap →
8. 08

   Non-compete

   Red flag

   A clause preventing the writer from writing for any competitor, or in the client's industry, for six to twelve months after the assignment, with no added pay.

   The fix

   "Writer will keep Client's confidential information confidential. Writer may continue to write in this subject area for others. Any competitor restriction is limited to [named competitor] for [60 days]."

   What is normal for non-compete →