Definition of revision vs. rewrite
A 'revision' is a request to refine wording, tone, emphasis, or specific phrasing within the existing brief and structure. Two (2) revisions are included per deliverable. A 'rewrite' — defined as a request to take the piece in a substantially different direction, change the target audience, change the format, expand or contract the scope, or reflect a brief that has changed since the original engagement was scoped — is treated as new work and quoted separately. The Writer will identify in writing whether a request is a revision or a rewrite before proceeding.
Copyright transfer on full payment
Copyright in all delivered content remains with the Writer until full payment of the relevant invoice is received, at which point copyright transfers to the Client. Prior to full payment, the Client receives a limited internal-review-only licence to the delivered drafts; publication, distribution, or use of any kind requires full payment. In the event the engagement is cancelled before full payment, all delivered drafts remain the property of the Writer and may not be used by the Client.
Briefing and kill fee
The Writer will produce the first draft based on the agreed brief. If the Client cancels the engagement after the brief has been finalised in writing but before the first draft is delivered, a kill fee equal to 50% of the total project fee is due immediately, in lieu of further work, in recognition of the calendar slot reserved and the briefing time invested. If the Client cancels after the first draft is delivered, the full project fee is due.
Byline, attribution, and ghost-writing
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Writer retains the right to be credited as the author of the work in publication and may list the engagement in their portfolio with attribution to the Client. For ghost-writing engagements, the Client receives all attribution rights upon full payment; the Writer may retain a private, confidential portfolio reference (shown only to subsequent prospective clients under NDA where required) but will not publicly claim authorship.
Brief changes after work has started
If the Client substantively changes the brief after the engagement has begun — including changes to the target audience, the product or service being written about, the format of the deliverables, or the scope of the work — these changes will be treated as a new engagement and quoted separately. Work completed under the original brief will be invoiced in full at the agreed rate, regardless of whether the new brief proceeds.
Sample wording is informational, not legal advice. For high-value engagements or unusual arrangements, have a contract lawyer review your final template once.