freelance editor agreement*

This Editorial Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between [Author Name(s)] ("Author") and Finicky Muse Editorial ("Editor").

Thank you so much for considering Finicky Muse Editorial for your editing needs! Please read and sign this Agreement before our collaboration can begin. This agreement is entered into on [DATE] (“Effective Date”), by and between Finicky Muse Editorial and [AUTHOR NAME] (“Author,” “you”) (each a “party,” collectively the “parties” or “us”) in regard to the project detailed below:

project title (“Project”):

Word count:

deadline:

Services

Overview. Finicky Muse Editorial provides both editorial and consulting services (“Services”). These services are chosen on a manuscript-by-manuscript basis and all relevant details regarding their scope is broken down below:

• [SERVICE] - [SERVICE DESCRIPTION]

Payment will be due for services listed above as required by this Agreement.

Scope of Services. Finicky Muse Editorial does not provide literary agent or publishing services. I will not represent material for sale to publishing houses nor contact literary agents on your behalf.

Editor. Michelle Martire is the sole, principal editor that you will be working with throughout this collaboration. All creative and editorial feedback will be created and shared by Michelle Martire. There will be no instance where another’s editing work will be substituted for Michelle Martire’s own notes and feedback.

Timeline and Delivery

Author agrees to provide the Editor with all necessary materials (“Manuscript”) on or before the start of the collaboration to ensure the efficient completion of the Services. Any delay caused by Author may result in an adjusted timeline and additional charges.

Submission. Please send your manuscript via email as a Word document (.doc or .docx), Pages, or Google Doc. Ideally, manuscript should be formatted with standard 1” margins, with double-checking and 12-point Times New Roman font or similar. Once the manuscript is submitted, no further changes/revisions to the document are allowed until the Editor’s feedback and edits have been returned.

Word count. With the exception of consulting sessions, all services are priced based on word count. Upon submission of your manuscript, the Editor will ensure the document’s word count matches the agreed-upon word count for the services requested. If your word count is more or less than what is specified in the agreement, your invoice will be adjusted accordingly.

Timeline. Once the manuscript is received, the Editor agrees to complete the Services by the following deadline: [DATE].

Return of Files. Once edits are complete, files will be returned to via email.

Fees and Payment

Fees. All fees are non-negotiable. Services that cost over USD $600 require a deposit of 10% prior to the start of this collaboration. Otherwise, all fees are due on the deadline marked in this agreement. Author agrees to pay Editor the following fees for the Services rendered: [AMOUNT].

Taxes. Sales taxes are not applied to any service.

Payment Method. All payments and invoices will be carried out via Stripe, which allows for various payment methods such as card or bank transfer.

Late Payments. Payments overdue by 30 days will be subject to additional charge.

If a payment plan has been agreed, payments shall be made according to the following schedule:

• [Installment #1: Amount and Payment Date]

• [Installment #2: Amount and Payment Date]

Additional editing or revision services requested by Author that fall outside the scope of the original agreement will be subject to an additional fee to be agreed upon by both parties in writing prior to the commencement of such services.

All payments are due upon receipt of the invoice from the Editor.

Follow-up & Revisions

Follow-up. Following the return of edits and feedback, Author is welcome to follow-up with any questions or comments via email at no additional cost. All editorial assessment and developmental editing services will be provided a complimentary “debrief session.” All other consultations will be charged as a separate service and invoiced accordingly.

Revisions. Whether or not the Author chooses to complete revisions following feedback from the Editor is entirely their responsibility. However, should the Author revise and want additional feedback, these revisions will be treated as a new, separate collaboration and will be subject to applicable charges. Revision services, however, are optional and will only be completed if agreed upon by both parties and a new Agreement is signed. By signing this agreement, an exclusive relationship is not established. You are free to seek services elsewhere following completion of this collaboration.

No Guarantee. Upon completion of a project, Finicky Muse Editorial does not guarantee publication, literary representation, or monetary/commercial gain as a result of Services.

Copyright and Confidentiality

Author retains all copyright and intellectual property rights to the manuscript. Editor will treat the manuscript and all associated materials as confidential and will not disclose them to any third party without written permission from Author. Finicky Muse Editorial will never sell, trade, or rent your contact information or any aspect of your confidential information without permission. Equally, Author agrees not to use or disclose any of the Editor’s confidential information without permission from Finicky Muse Editorial. Confidential information includes the following: submissions, name, contact info, along with any other information provided within our written and/or verbal communications throughout the collaboration period.

Limitation of Liability

Author accepts and agrees to the following:

1. Professional Standards: Finicky Muse Editorial will exert its best efforts to deliver high-quality editorial services in accordance with industry standards. However, this does not guarantee that the services provided will be error-free or completely accurate. The Client acknowledges that the final responsibility for any decisions made, based on the edited documents or materials, lies solely with the Client.

2. Scope of Services: The Company provides editorial services aimed at enhancing the content, clarity, grammar, and style of written materials. While the Company aims to improve the overall quality of the Client's work, it does not guarantee any specific outcomes or results, including increased sales, acceptance rates, or overall success.

3. Third-Party Content: The editorial services provided by Finicky Muse Editorial may involve working with materials supplied by the Client which may contain information from third parties. The Company does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or legality of any such third-party content and shall not be held liable for any claims, losses, or damages arising from the use or reliance on such content.

4. Indemnification: The Client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Finicky Muse Editorial from any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses (including attorney fees) arising out of or in connection with the use of these editorial services, including but not limited to, any claims of copyright infringement, defamation, or violation of any intellectual property rights.

5. Limitation of Liability: In no event shall Finicky Muse Editorial be liable to the Client or any third party for any indirect, special, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to the use or inability to use Michelle Martire’s editorial services, including but not limited to, loss of profits, loss of business opportunities, or damage to reputation. The maximum liability of Finicky Muse Editorial, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise shall not exceed the amount paid by the Client for the specific editorial service.

6. Force Majeure: Finicky Muse Editorial shall not be held responsible for any delays, interruptions, errors, or failures in providing editorial services due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of nature, governmental actions, labor strikes, power outages, or technical malfunctions.
By engaging the Michelle Martire’s editorial services, the Client acknowledges and agrees to the terms of this limitation of liability clause. This clause shall be binding upon the Client, their successors, and assigns. If any provision of this clause is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

7. Representation. By entering into this agreement, the Author agrees that you represent and warrant the authority to enter into this Agreement and, in doing so, does not violate the rights of any third party. Furthermore, the Author represents and warrants absolute right to submit these materials, and that the work submitted is original and otherwise exclusively owned by the Author. The submission and subsequent use of materials shared with Finicky Muse Editorial do not violate the rights of any third party.

Termination

Either party may terminate this Agreement by providing written notice to the other party. If termination occurs before the completion of Services, any fees paid for unfinished Services will not be refunded to Author. Author must pay Finicky Muse Editorial for all Services and expenses already rendered. However, if services have not begun and a deposit was provided, this deposit will be returned to the Author. This is non-negotiable.

Governing Law

This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina. Any disputes arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Johnston County, North Carolina.

This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between Author and Editor and supersedes any other prior agreements, written or oral, relating to the subject matter herein.

signatures

By signing below, the Author acknowledges and agrees to the terms and conditions of this Editorial Agreement.