I'm having a few things published in an anthology of online writing, and was notified by the editors that writers will be given contracts by request only. I requested one. The editor asked if there was anything specific I was concerned about (she would gladly give me a contract)--payment? Rights?

I told her the truth. I wasn't really concerned about anything. But I have had the good fortune to have a really bad publishing experience that involved no contract--I say 'good fortune,' because in the end, I wasn't financially hurt and I maintained the rights. But any bad experience was enough for me--now, there is no such thing as no contract.

Be the same way. Even if you feel you don't need a contract regarding a particular job, get one. You can even use my story if you feel it seems rude to ask for a contract: "Sorry, but I had a bad experience once and I just prefer to have one. It's not that I mistrust you." You don't want to end up hearing any of these ten lines from Writers Weekly.