Hi! I’m glad you stopped by.

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

For over a decade, I’ve been polishing manuscripts, guiding authors, and making publishing way less confusing.

The amazing authors I work with are content creators, coaches, therapists, comedians, attorneys, historians, and educators, among others, who . . .

• write bold, meaningful books that inform, inspire, or entertain

• want their books to look great and to be enjoyed and appreciated by many

• seek detailed, informed feedback that’s personalized, friendly, and encouraging

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

They know it’s far too time-consuming, overwhelming, and unwise to tackle the publishing process alone. And honestly—who wants to face it solo, anyway?

Remember that Tom Hanks movie where he was stranded, with a volleyball, on a deserted island? Not exactly your idea of fun!

I love hearing from authors about how much I’ve helped them. They often share how excited, empowered, and inspired they felt along the way.

Guiding authors through the publishing process and making their books stand out is what I do best.

My clients have earned glowing reviews in The Wall Street Journal, achieved #1 New Release status on Amazon, and won countless awards. They’ve booked interviews, landed speaking gigs, appeared on podcasts and documentaries, and seized exciting opportunities. One author received 200 Amazon reader reviews within weeks of publication!

Many authors and small publishers I’ve worked with hire me again and again and we work on multiple books together.

I’ve been the go-to for dozens of nonfiction authors who want to write better, publish smarter, and reach more readers.

They say I not only refine their words and provide wise guidance—I respect their voice, champion their vision, and offer unwavering support and genuine care throughout their creative journey.

Here’s what I offer:

Nonfiction Book Editing and Coaching Services

My Story

My passion for history, reading, book publishing, 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. I was all about the summer reading challenges and the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! program. When I went to the mall, I didn’t just go to Spencer’s, Champs Sports, and the food court (although those loaded baked potatoes were pretty good!); I was in Borders and Waldenbooks. There was a time when I was reading and pretty much never left the sofa—after breaking my leg twice in the awful nine months that was sixth grade.

Books have always been my jam. (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 an interest in US history.

A trip to Charleston, South Carolina, led to a college history degree, 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 and enjoyed it immensely.

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 loved nonfiction writing and nonfiction books—and one-on-one work.

So I began full-time editing and coaching work in 2017. I couldn’t (and still can’t) imagine doing anything else.

With a passion for engaging and readable nonfiction books and a keen eye for detail, I love guiding authors like you in fine-tuning and publishing books that readers rave about.

Seeing you better informed, energized, and beaming with pride 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.

Over the years, I’ve edited over 12 million words; written 100+ articles on various aspects of writing, publishing, and book marketing; and guided dozens of authors.

Some days, I’m dusting off old books or squinting at scanned documents, lost in studying early American and Indigenous/American Indian history. More on that later.

Other than that, I’m up for outdoor activities just about every day. I love going to classic car shows and cruise nights, watching live music, going out for comfort food, and sampling hand-crafted chocolates. I listen to a lot of podcasts and watch a lot of documentaries, but for some reason shows like The Trust and The Snake always catch my interest, too.

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 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 currently 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, including, most recently, SC250.

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

 Fun Facts

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