Commissioning Terms
There are a number of industry standards when it comes to commissioning freelance writers and while they are generally considered implicit and form best practice on behalf of both writer and commissioning editor, they bear mentioning here.
Acceptance of commission
The terms of any commission I undertake are usually agreed with the commissioning editor over the phone and then confirmed via writing, either in an email or letter. This is often included in the brief and receipt of a brief by me implies acceptance of the work to be done by both parties.
Amends
Unless stated otherwise, the price for the work includes two reasonable sets of amends after submission. In this case 'reasonable' includes adding information where the editor feels the brief has not been fully answered, fact-checking, clarification of statements and a degree of proof-reading. Where larger documents such as long-form reports are involved (5,000+ words) I would expect the editor to either commission a proof-reader or copy-editor or perform this task in-house unless a prior agreement is in place and included in the brief. Amends significantly outside the scope of the original brief will not be considered unless by prior agreement.
Payment
Invoices are submitted on the day the final draft is accepted by the commissioning editor, having included the option to use or dispense with the two rounds of amends noted above.
Payment terms are 30 days from date of issue and late payment is charged at 8%pa above the standard Bank of England base rate. Penalties for late payment may also be incurred in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debt (Interest) Act (1988).
Client termination of project post acceptance or 'Kill Fee'
Upon receipt of the brief by me, the client must assume that the project will be completed and delivered to their satisfaction. If, for whatever reason, the client subsequently cancels the brief before completion, regardless of stage in progress, the client is liable for 50% of the commissioned fee unless prior arrangements have been made, submitted to me in writing, agreed and signed.
Acceptance of commission
The terms of any commission I undertake are usually agreed with the commissioning editor over the phone and then confirmed via writing, either in an email or letter. This is often included in the brief and receipt of a brief by me implies acceptance of the work to be done by both parties.
Amends
Unless stated otherwise, the price for the work includes two reasonable sets of amends after submission. In this case 'reasonable' includes adding information where the editor feels the brief has not been fully answered, fact-checking, clarification of statements and a degree of proof-reading. Where larger documents such as long-form reports are involved (5,000+ words) I would expect the editor to either commission a proof-reader or copy-editor or perform this task in-house unless a prior agreement is in place and included in the brief. Amends significantly outside the scope of the original brief will not be considered unless by prior agreement.
Payment
Invoices are submitted on the day the final draft is accepted by the commissioning editor, having included the option to use or dispense with the two rounds of amends noted above.
Payment terms are 30 days from date of issue and late payment is charged at 8%pa above the standard Bank of England base rate. Penalties for late payment may also be incurred in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debt (Interest) Act (1988).
Client termination of project post acceptance or 'Kill Fee'
Upon receipt of the brief by me, the client must assume that the project will be completed and delivered to their satisfaction. If, for whatever reason, the client subsequently cancels the brief before completion, regardless of stage in progress, the client is liable for 50% of the commissioned fee unless prior arrangements have been made, submitted to me in writing, agreed and signed.