Editing Services Agreement
An editing services agreement is a contract in which an editor improves a written manuscript for clarity, structure, or correctness according to an agreed edit level. Use this when an editor works on a novel or business book manuscript. It defines edit type, single vs two-pass, and whether editor may use client name in portfolio.
What's included
A ready-to-use editing services agreement covering manuscript description and word count, edit level: dev, line, copy, proof, number of passes and author review windows, with signature fields already placed for Editor and Author. Fill in the bracketed details (like [Company Name] or [Date]) using Docracy's built-in text editor, then send it out for signature.
This is a general template for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney to review it for your specific situation and jurisdiction before use.
Key clauses
- Manuscript description and word count
- Edit level: dev, line, copy, proof
- Number of passes and author review windows
- Delivery dates and rush fees
- Confidentiality and no sharing of manuscript
- Fee and payment milestones
What you'll fill in
[Editor Name][Author/Client Name][Manuscript Title][Word Count][Edit Type][Fee and Payment Schedule][Delivery Date]Legal summary
Editor delivers professional editorial feedback or corrections; author retains full ownership and decides which edits to accept. Editor does not claim co-authorship.
Free for up to 2 signers, no account required. Need unlimited? Flat $10/month.
FAQ
Is this Editing Services Agreement legally binding?
Signing through Docracy uses a simple electronic signature (SES), which is legally recognized for everyday business agreements under laws like the U.S. ESIGN Act and the EU's eIDAS regulation. This is a general template, not legal advice — for high-stakes or regulated agreements, have a qualified attorney review it for your situation.
Who needs to sign this Editing Services Agreement?
This template includes signature fields for Editor and Author — already placed — plus 7 placeholder fields to fill in before you send it.
Can I edit this Editing Services Agreement before sending it?
Yes — Docracy's editor lets you edit the text, add or remove signature fields, redact sections, and reorder pages before you send it.
Do I need an account to send this Editing Services Agreement?
No — it's free for up to 2 signers with no account required. Create a free account only if you want to save it to a dashboard or reuse it later.
Try it with an AI assistant
Paste one of these into ChatGPT, Claude, or your assistant of choice:
“Fill for 80K-word novel copyedit with one follow-up pass.”
“Keep manuscript confidential and off cloud tools without encryption.”
“Add 2-week author review window before final files.”
Why teams start with Docracy
“Docracy is a great product that I have tested and am using. It is easy to use, has good tools, is always up to date, and implements new features. Highly recommended.”— DACH Advisory
Free for up to 2 signers, no account required. Need unlimited? Flat $10/month.