Sample Contract

I, [indexer], agree to index [author’s book], to be published by [name of press]. I will be charging [per page rate] in page proofs. If the text turns out to be denser than expected (i.e., to require more than roughly ten entries per page), I reserve the right to charge $1.00 more per page. Pages of endnotes are considered part of the text for indexing purposes and—because they must be read—will be charged for, whether or not they are actually indexed. There may be extra charges for express mail service.

Payment in full within thirty (30) days of satisfactory completion of the index is the author’s responsibility, regardless of the source of the money. A late fee of 5% will be charged for every month in which payment is overdue.

If the author obtains funding for the index from a university or other account, a deposit of one quarter of the estimated total cost of the index in the form of a personal check made out to [indexer] must be received by the indexer before work begins on the index. If necessary, late payments (as stipulated above) will be deducted from the deposit. The remainder of the deposit will be refunded (in full, if payment comes within 30 days) as soon as the indexer receives full payment from the third party. No deposit is required if the author or publisher is paying for the index.

Routine communications about the progress of the index are welcome at any time. Because I read the whole book before indexing it, I prefer to work solely with the text rather than with an author’s list of suggested concepts. However, suggestions for indexing (including lists of concepts, preferences regarding notes, illustrations, and the like) will be accepted up to the point at which works begins on the index (usually by the time page proofs arrive) so that I may devote my full attention to the text for the short time it is in my hands.

I shall create the very best index of which I am capable in the time allotted by the publisher. The work I submit will be a professional index—not a draft. My work in analyzing the text finished, I shall submit a copy of the index to the author a couple of days before the index is due at the Press, and will make any alterations to the index that the author provides in writing. I will then send the final version to the Press. I shall also submit a list of the typos and inconsistencies I find.

This contract is subject to re-negotiation or voiding if page proofs arrive after [date].

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[Author’s Name]

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[Indexer’s Name]

Date: ________________