Contracts built for Writers
Writing contracts that protect your words, define usage rights, and establish kill fees — so you can take on clients confidently.
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Contract templates for Writers
Every template is customized to your specific situation — not a generic fill-in-the-blank form.
Freelance Writing Agreement
Covers article, blog, copywriting, and content creation projects for clients.
- Word count, topic, and publication rights
- Kill fee if the piece is not published
- Copyright ownership and byline rights
Ghostwriting Contract
Full copyright transfer agreement for content credited to the client.
- Confidentiality — no disclosure of ghostwriting relationship
- Full copyright assignment upon payment
- Revision scope and process
Content Retainer Agreement
Monthly retainer for ongoing content production — blogs, newsletters, social copy.
- Monthly deliverable quota and word counts
- Topic approval and editorial process
- Cancellation with advance notice
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Why Writers choose contract.diy
Built for your industry
Contracts tailored to the specific situations writers actually face — not generic forms you have to adapt.
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Export as a polished PDF. Professional formatting that looks like it came from a real attorney's office.
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Review every clause, edit anything inline, and adjust to match your specific situation before downloading.
Common questions from writers
- What is a kill fee?
- A kill fee is a payment owed to you if a client assigns a piece and then decides not to publish or use it — through no fault of yours. Standard kill fees range from 25–50% of the agreed rate. Always include a kill fee clause in your contracts; without one, clients can cancel without any obligation to pay.
- Who owns my writing after I submit it?
- If your contract specifies copyright transfer, ownership passes to the client upon full payment. If it's a license (not a transfer), you retain copyright and grant specific usage rights. Always clarify this before writing — different uses (blog post vs. white paper vs. ghostwritten book) carry different copyright implications.
- Do I need a contract for small writing jobs?
- Yes, always — even for small projects. A contract can be short: scope, rate, deadline, payment terms, and rights. The time it takes to set expectations in writing is worth it compared to the time spent chasing payment or resolving disputes.
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