Basics of a Book Editor Contract
These basics of a book editor contract will help ensure you cover a few important considerations when setting up your editing business.
Just the Basics of a Book Editor Contract
I’m not going to get into the ins-and-outs of contracts, since I’m not a lawyer and crafting a legally binding contract is best left to a lawyer who has passed the bar in your area and can effectively guide you. Some writers’ and editors’ organizations have templates that you may find useful as a starting point.
Tips for an Editing Contract
That said, I do recommend that any contract/letter of agreement cover these items (there may be others you’ll want to include, based on your experiences and your lawyer’s recommendations):
- The scope of the work (what you’ll be doing and what the client can expect in terms of your availability for answering questions or doing additional rounds of editing).
- Deliverables (how you’ll do the work, such as sending a revision letter or making a conference call).
- Deadlines for when you will do things and when the author and/or client will do things (e.g. “Author will deliver the complete manuscript by June 30, and Editor will complete her edit no later than July 21.”)
- When and how payment is to be made (depending on the client and the project, I either ask for complete payment up front, or half up front and half on delivery) and how much you’ll be charging.
For indie authors who work directly with me, I also have a disclaimer stating that I have no copyright interest in the work and that the author is free to use any of my suggestions, edits, and ideas without reservation. This assures authors that their work is their work, and that I understand that and won’t be demanding a share of royalties next year when the book hits the bestseller lists.
You may also want to include some language about what happens if the client is not satisfied with your edits.
Tips for Editors & Writers
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Showing Character through Testing
Authors often create characters who are perfectly suited for the story that is being told. The brilliant detective is put to the task of finding out whodunnit, the brilliant surgeon must operate on the life-threatening tumor, the brilliant commando must rescue the hostage. If these characters have suitable antagonists to oppose them, then enough conflict
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Exploring versus Judging Character
One of the curious conundrums I’ve experienced as a book editor is encountering characters that the author clearly has contempt for but expects readers to be interested in engaging with. Contempt is as poisonous in writing as it is in relationships. The goal of the author should not be to judge character but to explore
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Coaching Opportunities with Potential Clients
I think of coaching as anything that helps a writer write their book, improve their book, sell their book, or otherwise advance their writing career but which isn’t a straightforward edit on a complete manuscript. In other words, if I help an author write a query letter, or brainstorm solutions to plot problems, or review
