TLDR (Summary)
The best contract software for writers is Plutio ($19/month).
Standalone e-signature tools collect signatures but don't connect to assignment terms. Plutio contracts link to rights management, revision limits, and payment terms... so signed agreements protect your work and set expectations.
Writers get contract templates, rights clauses, kill fee terms, and agreements attached to assignments. Reference terms during revision discussions.
Writers using proper agreements reduce disputes through documented terms and clear revision limits.
For additional strategies, read our guide to preventing scope expansion.
What is contract software for writers?
Contract software for writers is software that helps create, send, sign, and store professional agreements that protect your work, payment, and rights.
The distinction matters: word processors create documents, contract software handles the complete agreement lifecycle from creation through signature to storage and enforcement. Writer-focused contract software includes templates for common writing agreements and connects signed contracts to project management.
What writer contract software actually does
Core functions include creating contract documents from templates or scratch, adding signature fields for electronic signing, sending contracts to editors for review and signature, tracking signature status, storing signed agreements securely, and connecting contracts to the projects they govern. Advanced platforms notify you when contracts expire or need renewal.
Standalone contract tools vs integrated platforms
standalone applications like e-signature software, HelloSign, or contract signing software handle contracts as isolated documents. Create, sign, store... but the contract exists separately from project management and invoicing. Integrated platforms like Plutio connect contracts with proposals, projects, and billing, so the agreement and the work it governs live in one connected system.
What makes writer contracts different
Writers face unique contractual needs: kill fee clauses for cancelled assignments, rights licensing terms (first serial, exclusive, work-for-hire), revision round limits, byline requirements, and payment timing tied to publication or acceptance. Generic contract templates don't cover these writing-specific provisions. Software designed for writers includes templates that address these needs.
When contracts connect to projects and invoicing, signed terms automatically inform the work. Kill fee provisions can trigger if projects cancel, payment terms match contract specifications, and scope boundaries reference agreed limits.
Why writers need contract software
Writers working without contracts operate on informal agreements that become unenforceable when problems arise... and problems arise more often than writers expect.
The kill fee problem
When an editor kills an assigned piece, writers without contracts have no enforceable claim to compensation. Standard industry practice includes kill fees (typically 25-50% of the agreed rate), but without written agreement, editors can refuse payment entirely. Research shows collect kill than those without.
The extra work problem
Assignments expand: additional interviews requested, word count increases, scope changes mid-project. Without written scope definitions and revision limits, writers absorb unlimited expansion without additional compensation. Contracts establish boundaries that support "this exceeds our agreed scope" conversations.
The rights problem
What rights is an editor buying? First serial? Exclusive? Work-for-hire? Without written agreement, assumptions differ. Writers assume they're licensing first rights while editors assume they're buying all rights. These conflicts surface when writers try to resell work or editors discover republication. Contracts prevent misunderstanding.
The payment timing problem
When is payment due? On acceptance? On publication? Net-30 from submission? Without written terms, editors pay whenever convenient. Writers with contracts specifying payment terms have documentation to enforce timely payment.
The professional positioning problem
Contracts signal professionalism. Editors working with writers who use contracts recognize them as organized professionals with standard business practices. Market positioning supports rate negotiations and relationship credibility.
Contracts transform informal arrangements into enforceable agreements. Every written term creates protection that verbal or email agreements cannot provide. The time investment in contracts pays off whenever any agreement term needs enforcement.
Contract features writers need
The essential contract features for writers handle agreement creation while addressing the specific legal provisions writing work requires.
Core contract features
- Templates: Pre-built contract structures for common writing agreements. Customize rather than starting from blank documents.
- Electronic signatures: Legally binding e-signatures that both parties can complete from any device.
- Signature tracking: See when contracts are opened, viewed, and signed. Follow up on unsigned agreements.
- Secure storage: Signed contracts stored safely and accessible when needed for reference or enforcement.
- Search and retrieval: Find past contracts by editor, date, or terms fast when questions arise.
- Mobile signing: Editors can sign from phone or tablet without needing desktop access.
Writer-specific contract features
- Kill fee clauses: Standard provisions for compensation when assignments are cancelled.
- Rights licensing: Clear terms for first serial, exclusive, work-for-hire, or other rights arrangements.
- Revision limits: Specify included revision rounds and additional fees for exceeding limits.
- Payment terms: Due dates tied to acceptance, publication, or specific timeframes.
- Byline provisions: Requirements for attribution and credit.
- Scope definitions: Word count, topic, format, and deliverable specifications.
Platform features that multiply value
- Proposal connection: Convert accepted proposals to contracts automatically, maintaining agreed terms.
- Project linking: Connect signed contracts to project records for reference during work.
- Invoice integration: Pull contract terms into invoicing for consistent billing.
- Expiration alerts: Notification when ongoing agreements need renewal.
The deciding factor for writers is template quality and integration depth. Contracts that include writing-specific provisions and connect to project management create protection that generic e-signature tools don't provide.
Contract software pricing for writers
Contract software for writers typically costs $10-40 per month for separate tools, with integrated platforms including contracts as part of broader business management at $19-99/month.
What writers typically pay for stacked tools
- Contracts: e-signature software ($10-25/month), HelloSign ($15-25/month), contract signing software ($19-49/month)
- Project management: task boards ($5-10/month), note-taking software ($8-15/month)
- Invoicing: Standard billing software ($17-55/month), Legacy invoicing apps (free)
Combined, this stack costs $40-100/month before counting time lost managing disconnected systems.
Plutio pricing (February 2026)
- Core: $19/month: Contracts plus projects, proposals, invoicing, CRM, time tracking, and mobile apps.
- Pro: $49/month: Unlimited clients, advanced permissions, priority support.
- Max: $199/month: Unlimited team, white-label, single sign-on.
The ROI calculation for writers
- Kill fee collection: One successful kill fee (typically $250-750) pays for years of software
- Payment disputes: Contracts reduce disputes, recovering time and relationship equity
- Scope protection: Revision limits prevent hours of uncompensated additional work
Contract software ROI comes through protection rather than time savings. One collected kill fee or prevented scope expansion pays for the software many times over.
Why Plutio is the best contract software for writers
Plutio handles contracts as part of a complete platform where agreements connect to proposals, projects, and invoices rather than existing as isolated documents.
Writer-ready templates
Start with templates that include writing-specific provisions: kill fees, rights licensing, revision limits, payment terms, scope definitions. Customize for specific assignments rather than building legal structure from scratch. Writers creating contracts from blank documents spend 1-2 hours crafting legal language and structure. Templates reduce this to 15-30 minutes of customization, ensuring every contract includes essential protections without rebuilding from scratch. Templates include standard kill fee clauses (typically 25-50%), rights definitions (first serial, exclusive, work-for-hire), revision limits (2 rounds included, $X per additional), and payment terms (on acceptance, on publication, net-30). Writers customize scope, rates, and deadlines per assignment while maintaining consistent legal protection.
Proposal-to-contract flow
When a proposal is accepted, convert to contract automatically. Agreed scope, rates, and terms carry forward. No re-entering information or risking inconsistency between proposal and contract.
Project connection
Signed contracts link to project records. During work, reference agreed terms. When scope questions arise, the contract is one click away. No searching through email or file folders. Writers working on articles can view signed contracts directly from project pages, seeing exact scope definitions, revision limits, and payment terms. When editors request additional revision rounds beyond the agreed limit, writers can reference contract language showing included rounds and excess fees. Connection ensures conversations stay aligned with signed agreements and provides documentation when disputes arise. Contracts also inform invoicing, with payment due dates and rates pulling from contracts automatically.
Electronic signatures
Editors sign from any device. Legally binding e-signatures complete the agreement workflow without printing, scanning, or mailing. Track when contracts are viewed and signed.
Invoice integration
Contract terms inform invoicing. Payment due dates, rates, and scope from the contract appear in invoice context. Consistent documentation from agreement through billing.
Secure storage and search
All signed contracts stored securely and searchable. Find any past agreement by editor, date, or terms when questions arise or enforcement is needed.
Contracts become part of your normal workflow rather than a separate legal exercise. Propose, agree, work, invoice... all connected and documented.
How to set up contracts in Plutio
Setting up contracts in Plutio takes 1-2 hours for initial template creation, then 5-10 minutes per contract using those templates.
Step 1: Create your master template (60 mins)
Build or customize a contract template covering:
- Scope: Standard description fields for article specs
- Rates: Payment amounts and structure
- Rights: Licensing terms appropriate for your typical work
- Kill fee: Your standard cancellation compensation (typically 25-50%)
- Revisions: Included rounds and excess fees
- Payment terms: When payment is due
- General terms: Confidentiality, disputes, relationship definitions
Step 2: Create variations (30 mins)
Build template variations for different scenarios. Standard article templates cover one-off pieces with typical terms like first serial rights, standard kill fees, and revision limits. Ongoing column templates structure recurring work with monthly scope definitions, termination notice periods, and rate adjustment clauses. Work-for-hire templates include full rights transfer provisions for ghostwriting, with higher rates reflecting rights value and clear ownership language. Retainer templates define monthly hour commitments, rollover policies, and excess work rates. Each template type needs different provisions, so writers working across multiple assignment types benefit from having templates ready for each scenario.
Step 3: Connect to proposals (15 mins)
Configure proposal-to-contract conversion so accepted proposals become contracts with consistent terms. When editors accept proposals, Plutio can automatically convert them to contracts, carrying forward all agreed scope, rates, deadlines, and special provisions. Connection ensures consistency between what was proposed and what gets signed, eliminating the risk of terms changing between acceptance and contract execution. Writers benefit from connected workflow where proposals become contracts without re-entering information. Configure conversion settings to match your workflow, whether converting all accepted proposals automatically or converting selectively based on assignment type.
Step 4: Test the flow
Create a test contract, send to yourself, and sign. Verify the complete workflow works before using with real editors. Test contract creation, sending, opening notification, signing process, and automatic project linking. Verify that signed contracts attach to project records correctly and that contract terms appear in project context. Check that both parties can access signed contracts in portals and that contract terms inform invoicing correctly. Testing ensures Plutio works as expected before using with real editors. Writers who skip testing often discover workflow issues during actual use, creating delays and potential legal complications.
Common setup mistakes to avoid
Over-complicating terms creates contracts that editors hesitate to sign. Start with essential provisions like scope, rate, rights, kill fee, revision limits, and payment terms. Add complexity only when specific situations require it, such as confidentiality clauses for sensitive topics or exclusivity terms for high-value pieces. Skipping legal review risks unenforceable language. Have a lawyer review your master template once to ensure legal soundness, then use that template for all assignments. One-time legal cost protects ongoing work and costs less than individual contract reviews. Not using contracts universally leaves writers unprotected. Every assignment deserves a contract, not just large ones. Small assignments can still involve scope disputes or payment delays that contracts prevent.
Invest in template creation once. Every future contract takes minutes rather than hours, and every assignment gets proper protection.
Contract templates for writers
Contract templates help writers standardize legal protection, keeping every assignment includes appropriate provisions without rebuilding from scratch.
Standard article contract template
- Parties: Writer and publication/editor
- Scope: Word count, topic, deadline, format
- Rate: Payment amount, per-word or flat
- Rights: First serial North American rights (or as appropriate)
- Kill fee: 25-50% if cancelled after assignment
- Revisions: 2 rounds included, $X per additional round
- Payment: Net-30 from acceptance (or per publication policy)
- Byline: Attribution requirements
Work-for-hire template
- Full rights transfer provisions
- Higher rate reflecting rights value
- Clear ownership language
- No byline (or negotiated credit)
Retainer contract template
- Monthly scope: Hours or deliverables included
- Rate: Monthly retainer amount
- Rollover: Unused hours policy
- Excess: Rate for work beyond retainer scope
- Termination: Notice period for ending retainer
Ongoing column template
- Recurring scope: Monthly deliverables and specifications
- Rate: Per-column payment
- Duration: Agreement length or rolling continuation
- Termination: Notice requirements for ending column
Templates encode your standard terms once. Every new contract starts from protection rather than blank pages, keeping consistent legal coverage.
Client portals for editors: share contracts with clients
Client portals provide editors a branded destination to view, sign, and access contracts alongside project status and invoices.
Contract access through portals
Editors can sign contracts directly from their portal. No hunting through email for document links. The contract appears in their portal, and signed copies remain accessible for future reference.
Signed document archive
Both parties can find signed contracts in the portal anytime. When questions about terms arise months later, the agreement is instantly accessible rather than buried in email.
Integrated context
Contracts appear alongside related projects and invoices. Editors see the complete relationship: agreement, work in progress, and billing in one place.
Professional presentation
Portals display your branding throughout. Legal documents arrive through your professional identity, reinforcing the business relationship context.
Portal-integrated contracts create professional, accessible legal documentation. Editors experience smooth agreement workflows that match the polish of your work itself.
How to migrate contracts to Plutio
Migrating contracts from e-signature software, HelloSign, or file storage takes 1-2 hours for template recreation, with existing signed contracts optionally uploaded for reference.
Step 1: Gather current templates
Collect contract templates you currently use:
- Word documents or PDFs you customize per assignment
- Templates from other contract software
- Any legal language you've developed over time
Step 2: Rebuild in Plutio (60 mins)
Create templates using your existing language:
- Copy provisions into Plutio's template builder
- Add signature fields and dynamic placeholders
- Configure template variations for different assignment types
Step 3: Upload historical contracts (optional)
Signed contracts from past work can upload as attachments to relevant editor or project records. Integration creates searchable archive without requiring active migration.
Step 4: Start using new system
New contracts flow through Plutio with all integration benefits. Connect to proposals and projects immediately.
What about active unsigned contracts?
Contracts currently pending signature can complete in your existing tool. Switch new contracts to Plutio going forward rather than migrating in-flight agreements.
Contract migration focuses on templates rather than historical documents. Your legal language ports ; signed archives remain accessible in original storage or upload as attachments.
