You ask about the freelancer's contract. I know nothing about this so-called contract. I don't know why it's mentioned in the course. When working freelance, and in 45 years of diverse journalistic work, I've never resorted to a "freelancer's contract", and I've never even seen one (if they exist). I doubt if any editors have ever seen such a contract, let alone signed one. But remember a contract is any agreement. You say: "Hi Mrs Editor, would you like to buy my story on fiddlesticks?" She says "Thanks, yes, I'll pay you $2,000 if you deliver it by 5pm tomorrow." THAT'S a contract. A verbal contract but still a contract (an agreement). A contract has three elements:
- Offer
- Acceptance
- Exchange of value
I wouldn't worry too much about this formality unless an editor asks you to sign a contract, which I BET will never, ever happen to you.