Kill Fee
Partial payment made to a writer or photographer when assigned work is cancelled or not published.
Definition
A kill fee is compensation paid when commissioned content is cancelled before publication. Typically 25-50% of the agreed fee, it compensates creators for work completed on assignments that don't run for editorial reasons.
Kill fees are standard in publishing contracts and protect freelancers from losing income when editors change direction. They apply to articles, photography, and other commissioned creative work.
Why It Matters
Understanding kill fees matters when commissioning content or negotiating contributor agreements. They represent a financial risk if content direction changes or stories get spiked.
For freelancers, kill fee terms indicate client professionalism. Outlets without kill fee policies may not value creator time, which affects the quality of talent they attract.
Examples in Practice
A magazine commissions a 2,000-word feature for $1,000 but kills the story due to an editorial pivot. The writer receives a $300 kill fee (30%) for their completed draft.
A PR agency includes kill fee terms when hiring photographers for client events, ensuring photographers are compensated if shoots are cancelled last-minute.