Daniel J. Tortora

Resources for Nonfiction Authors

110+ articles for authors on writing, publishing, and book marketing—by nonfiction editor and publishing coach Daniel Tortora.

How Many Drafts of a Book Should You Write? Here’s My 5-Draft Plan for Authors

How Many Drafts of a Book Should You Write? Here’s My 5-Draft Plan for Authors

How many drafts should you write? Here’s how to write your book in just five drafts.

Authors, Writing, EditingDaniel J. TortoraMay 20, 2022writing, author tips, developmental editing, first draft, self-editing, copy editing

Writing Inclusive Number Ranges (The Chicago Manual of Style)

Writing Inclusive Number Ranges (The Chicago Manual of Style)

The rules for writing ranges of numbers (and examples), Chicago style:

Authors, WritingDaniel J. TortoraMay 7, 2022writing, numbers, nonfiction, proofreading, author tips, copy editing

Are Libraries Bad for Authors? Or Are Libraries Good for Authors?

Are Libraries Bad for Authors? Or Are Libraries Good for Authors?

What are the benefits of libraries for authors? There are many. . . .

Authors, MarketingDaniel J. TortoraApril 15, 2022libraries, self-publishing, traditional publishing, print books, ebooks

What is a 2-Em Dash? (and When to Use It and How to Insert It)

What is a 2-Em Dash? (and When to Use It and How to Insert It)

When and how to use the 2-em dash (⸺) in your writing.

Authors, WritingDaniel J. TortoraApril 1, 2022writing, proofreading, The Chicago Manual of Style, author tips, copy editing

Authors and Ebooks: Platforms and Distribution for Library Sales

Authors and Ebooks: Platforms and Distribution for Library Sales

Libraries and ebooks: ebook distribution channels, ebook platforms/apps, and quick tips for authors.

Authors, PublishingDaniel J. TortoraMarch 25, 2022selling ebooks, libraries, Draft2Digital, ebooks, self-publishing

Who are the Big 5 Publishers? How to Get a Publishing Deal with a Big 5 Press?

Who are the Big 5 Publishers? How to Get a Publishing Deal with a Big 5 Press?

What is the “Big 5” in publishing terms—and how do you get a book deal with a Big 5 publisher?

Authors, PublishingDaniel J. TortoraMarch 7, 2022author tips, traditional publishing, nonfiction, publishers, print books, writing, agents