Hi! I’m glad you’re here.

I’m Daniel Tortora, nonfiction authors’ secret weapon. 🥷

For over a decade, I have shown authors and publishers how to improve and publish worthy book manuscripts.

The amazing authors I work with are solopreneurs, coaches, therapists, comedians, attorneys, historians, and educators (along with some super-motivated hobbyists) who . . .

• have something valuable to share with the world—and who inform, inspire, or entertain

• want to produce polished books that are meant to be read and enjoyed by many

• seek out detailed and insightful feedback, guidance, and direction

• are motivated by a deeper purpose than just “getting the book out there”

But they know that it’s too time-consuming . . . too daunting . . . darn near impossible to attempt it alone. Who wants to do all that alone, anyway?

I love hearing authors say how much I helped them and how excited, enlightened, and empowered they felt along the way.

I love helping authors navigate and make the most out of the publishing process and see their published book make a splash. My clients receive praise from The Wall Street Journal, become Amazon #1 New Releases, and win awards left and right. They’re booking interviews, speaking gigs, and opportunities galore. Many have gone on to write more books. I’ve worked with several authors on multiple books. One book netted two hundred!! Amazon reviews within weeks of publication! It’s been a joy to be a part of it.

Authors want someone who cares who can show them how to write better, publish smarter, and sell (more) books that their readers will love.

I’m sure you can relate.

Here’s what I offer:

Nonfiction Book Editing and Coaching Services

My Story

My passion for history, reading, writing books, and helping writers has led me to where I am today: as the book coach and editor trusted by dozens of authors each year.

I spent a lot of time at the library as a kid, doing summer reading challenges, partaking in the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! program, and being stuck on the sofa thanks to two broken legs in the awful nine months that was sixth grade.

Books have been my jam for as long as I can remember. (Other than that, my favorite kind of jam is seedless raspberry! My grandpa made the best raspberry jam.)

In college and in my 20s, inspired by his adventures in the 1940s—when he traveled across the USA twice—and his storytelling skills, I pursued a passion for US history.

A trip to Charleston, South Carolina led to a college degree, then many happy years in graduate school with inspiring professors, then time teaching, advising, and mentoring college students.

I was known for my enthusiasm and my ability to transform people’s writing skills.

I wrote two successful books and read, reviewed, and edited dozens more.

People would always ask me, “How did you do it?” “How can I do it?” And I was able to help them!

That felt great. I uncovered secrets I needed to share. I learned valuable lessons along the way.

I couldn’t ignore how much I loved nonfiction writing and nonfiction books—and one-on-one work.

I knew that I wanted to work with authors full-time, so that’s what I began doing in 2017. I couldn’t (and still can’t) imagine doing anything else.

Helping authors like you fine-tune and publish books that people rave about—and seeing you beam with pride, knowing you did a great job and learned a lot along the way—is what fuels me.

You probably guessed it: I’m usually editing nonfiction books, helping authors get published, working with them on their book marketing plans, or creating and updating my courses and digital downloads for authors.

Some days, I’m dusting off old books or squinting at scanned documents, doing research in early American and Indigenous/American Indian history (more on that below). Or doing the typical stuff an entrepreneur does, which is not. (That’s another thing that I always wanted to do! Thanks, Shark Tank!)

Other than that, I’m outside getting some fresh air, listening to podcasts, watching documentaries, or reading up on pop culture.

I am a health nut (and I get outside almost every day), but I love love love potato chips and will travel far and wide for hand-crafted chocolates!

The History Stuff / Historian Daniel J. Tortora

If you enjoy early American history and that’s what brought you to this page,

I read, research, and publish in these areas:

• American history (late Colonial and Revolutionary War eras)
• eighteenth-century South Carolina
• Native American history (aka American Indian/Indigenous history) (New England and the South)

Check out my history books and articles—

It’ll hopefully stir your imagination and give you new insight—or something you can tell your friends about.

I am the author of two traditionally published books: Fort Halifax and George C. Rogers Jr. Award–winner Carolina in Crisis. I am working on new articles and books.

On my vita is a PhD from Duke University, where my advisor and mentor was a Pulitzer Prize–winning historian.

I have taught at Duke University and Colby College.

I’ve racked up 60+ public speaking credits and several published articles, and I’m often quoted by journalists, bloggers, and historians. I have reviewed and edited journal articles and publications for historical societies and organizations.

Thanks for letting me share my love for history with you. I appreciate your support.

 Fun Facts

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