Thank you for sharing your experience, Ally. I'm glad you got the non-competition clause narrowed. That's often an overly-broad provision in standard contracts, and many publishers will narrow it if asked. You're absolutely right that "the worst they can say is no" - and at least if you ask you learn which areas are and are not negotiable. Many people find that there's more wiggle room than they think!

It's true that the answer is usually different in magazine freelance work, though many publishers do make changes, if requested in the right areas. You're absolutely right that the major provisions rarely see changes--but even that is starting to change as the publishing climate shifts. You probably still won't see changes in magazine and Internet/web work, though--I represent a number of those types of publishers and you're right that for article-based work, the contract is usually fairly static. (Mainly due to the business models--they can't look up individual contracts before licensing rights, etc.) You do make an important point about relative negotiating strength, though--the author is definitely on the low end of the totem pole, which is why the preparation and knowing what industry-standards are is so important.

Thanks Laura! It's definitely been a successful strategy for me over the years. I'm glad to have the chance to share it here.

Densie, I probably shouldn't say anything, because I've never been a freelancer - but i know my agent got my NY publisher to give on several key points I wouldnt even have thought to ask about, and that allowed me to sell a series to a second publisher. IMHO, an agent is worth every penny you pay them!