For writers and copywriters

Invoicing built for writers and copywriters

Per-word, per-project, retainer, or kill fee. Whatever your billing structure, send a clean branded invoice your client's AP team can actually process. Recipients add PO numbers and approve directly. No signup for them.

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Why generic invoicing tools shortchange writers

Writers have one of the messier billing structures in freelance work. You bill per word, per project, per hour, plus kill fees and revisions and rights. Generic invoicing tools assume one rate per line and force everything else into the description.

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Per-word billing breaks line-item math

One line at $1 a word for 1,800 words. Another at $1.20 for 600. Plus a kill fee. Most tools want round quantities. We want decimals, multiple rate tiers, and clear descriptions.

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Kill fees are awkward to phrase

When a piece is killed before publication, you bill 25% to 50% of the agreed fee. AP needs to see the original commission, the kill clause, and the final amount, all on one invoice.

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Magazines and agencies pay slowly

Net 60 to Net 120 is normal in publishing. Without view tracking, version history, and a clean follow-up flow, you are guessing whether AP even has the invoice.

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Rights language belongs on the invoice

First serial, electronic rights, work-for-hire, all-rights buyout. The fee depends on the rights granted. AP needs to file the invoice with the rights spelled out.

What writers use JupiterInvoice for

Mixed-rate line items

One invoice can have a per-word line, a fixed-fee line, an hourly revision line, and a kill fee. Each has its own quantity, rate, and description.

View tracking for slow-paying clients

See exactly when AP opens the invoice, what city, and how many times. Stops the "we never got it" excuse cold.

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Free follow-up email generator

When you need to chase a Net 60 invoice that is now Net 90, our free generator gives you polite, firm, and final-notice copy in one click.

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Built for the realities of getting paid for writing

Writing for hire is one of the oldest freelance professions and one of the slowest to pay. JupiterInvoice is built around that reality:

  • •Late fee calculator that tells you what you can legally charge by US state.
  • •Comments on the invoice so AP can ask questions without dropping into another email thread.
  • •Tax ID and remit-to bank details on every invoice so the magazine's AP system has what it needs.
  • •Multi-currency for international markets (UK, EU, AU magazines pay in their currency).

Writer and copywriter FAQ

How do freelance writers bill clients?
Freelance writers bill in one of four ways: per word (most common in journalism), per project (most common in copywriting), per hour (revisions or research), or via retainer (regular content work). A clean invoice should make the rate structure explicit on each line. JupiterInvoice supports mixing all four on a single invoice.
How do I invoice for a kill fee?
When a piece is killed before publication, you bill the kill fee specified in your contract (usually 25% to 50% of the commissioned amount). On the invoice, add a line that references the original commission and labels it as a kill fee per the contract. The fee column shows just the kill fee amount.
How do I include rights language on an invoice?
Add the rights granted in the line item description: "First North American serial rights, 1,800 words on freelance economy." If multiple rights tiers are sold, list each as its own line. AP will reference this when filing the invoice, and the rights record matches the payment record.
What is the standard payment term for freelance writing?
Magazines and agencies typically pay Net 30 to Net 60 from invoice date or from publication date (publishing contracts often specify the latter, which is slower). Trade and B2B publications tend to pay faster (Net 15 to Net 30). Always confirm in the contract; on the invoice itself, repeat the term so AP has no excuse for confusion.
Can I bill per word with decimal quantities?
Yes. JupiterInvoice line items support decimal quantities and rates. "1,847 words at 1.00 USD per word" is a valid line. The total computes to 1,847.00 USD without any rounding tricks.
How do I follow up on an overdue magazine invoice?
Step one: check whether AP has opened the invoice (we track this per invoice). If yes, send a polite reminder (our free <a href="/tools/follow-up-email-generator/">follow-up email generator</a> writes one for you). If still no payment, escalate to the editor and reference the contract's payment term. As a last resort, late fees per the contract.
Do I need to charge sales tax on freelance writing?
In most US states, no, because writing is a service rather than a tangible good. Some states (Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota) tax services. International rules vary; UK writers may need to charge VAT once they cross the threshold. Use our free <a href="/tools/sales-tax-calculator/">sales tax calculator</a> if you are unsure.
Is JupiterInvoice free for writers?
Yes. Unlimited invoices, unlimited clients, full feature set. A small "Powered by JupiterInvoice" footer renders on each invoice; remove it for $12 a month.

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