Daniel J. Tortora
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Daniel J. Tortora
Nonfiction Book Editor | Publishing Coach | Historian
 

The book coach with the insight you’ve been looking for—

Wow your readers and navigate the publishing process with ease!

 
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As featured in

Recent successes

Publishing a nonfiction book can feel daunting.

Too much sifting through (often confusing or conflicting) information.

Navigating a complex maze of tasks.

Alone.😟

If traditional publishing is for you, you need to know . . .

→ how to get a book deal and what to expect—the query letter, book proposal, pitching to and working with agents and publishers, submitting your manuscript, etc.😱

If self-publishing is the path forward, you need to know . . .

→ how to self-publish on Amazon KDP and beyond (IngramSpark, etc.)—so many steps, decisions, and obstacles! A steep mountain to climb.🏔️

Writing the book is hard enough. Publishing it doesn’t have to be even harder.

You’re got something valuable to share. And you want it to be read.

You want to get published, but you want to do this right.

You need an expert to guide you. Someone who knows the industry and what works and what doesn’t. Someone who’s enthusiastic about your success.

Authors always say, “I don’t know what I don’t know.” You can relate.

Time to hire a book coach.

The thing that stands out most for me . . . is the word “balance.” Dan gives direction, while still respecting the author’s vision. He spends just the right amount of time with you that’s needed but doesn’t waste your time. He gets to the point, elicits your input, provides direction, and does so efficiently.

I had an all-around fantastic experience working with Dan and I will absolutely be working with him again.

—Stuart Teicher, author of Addicted to the Dogfight: The Crash and Burn of Superlawyer F. Lee Bailey


Working with Daniel turned my panic about the publishing process into pure excitement!

I couldn't find any clear information online for specific questions I had about KDP and Ingram. Not only did he provide thorough explanations . . . but he did it in an engaging and fun way that made me feel comfortable from our first introduction.

If you want someone who is patient and incredibly knowledgeable, I highly recommend Daniel!

—Claudia Stavola, stand-up comedian and author of 100 Things to Hate Before You Die

Meet your book publishing coach.

Hi, Daniel here!

You’re writing a book that’s going to make a difference in people’s lives. You want people to read it and talk about it.

Before that can happen, you’ve got to publish it.

Yet as more and more books get written, and as the publishing landscape rapidly evolves, it only gets tougher to stand out from the crowd.

As a nonfiction book coach, I reveal the secrets and strategies that turn book manuscripts into published, highly readable books—

Turning authors’ inexperience, confusion, and frustration into success. 🎉

Recent author successes include:

  • favorable reviews in the Wall Street Journal

  • #1 New Release status on Amazon

  • 200 Amazon reader reviews within two weeks of publication!

  • interviews in documentaries

  • speaking gigs galore

  • great self-published books or traditional publishing book deals that once seemed impossible

  • second, third, and fourth books planned, published, and well received

I’m here to make your life easier and your book better.

You’ll build the skills, the savvy, and the confidence to thrive as a successfully published author.

If you’re not clear on what a book coach does, see my articles “What Is a Book Coach?” and “What Does a Publishing Coach Do?”

 

Traditional publishing or self publishing? Either way, I’ve got you.

Book Publishing Coaching Packages and Calls

Get answers and structure.📲

In the words of Mrs. Doubtfire . . .
“Help is on the way, dear!”
😁

Get that book deal! 💰

Self-publish the smart way

The organization and structure you need to start writing ✍️

Consider us a match if . . .

✓ You’re seeking personalized guidance from a trusted (and friendly) expert to get you to the next level.🚀

Your book is helpful, entertaining, or inspiring, ideally a little unique—something readers are looking for and would love to have.✅

✓ You want to reach more readers, get rave reviews, and be recognized for what you have to offer. No hiding or playing small.👏🤩

✓ You are a motivated American nonfiction author.🇺🇸

And . . .

You plan to write multiple books.📚

✓ You’re eager to learn.🏫

I’m here to help you create something that you can be proud of—and to get the most out of this process.

7+ years of full-time experience as a book coach for nonfiction authors:

✓ Solopreneurs, coaches, therapists, comedians, attorneys, historians, small publishing companies, professors, and others.

Offering coaching calls and packages for nonfiction books, especially in these genres:

✓ Self-Help & Personal Development; Dating & Relationships; US History, Politics, and Culture; Biography; Humor/Comedy; Health and Wellness; New England Travel, Culture, and History; Law/Legal; Popular Science; Reference; and Academic books for a general audience.

Here’s what we’ll do:

1️⃣Contact and consult: Tell me about your book and your goals and we’ll see if we’re a fit.

2️⃣Plan and payment: We will discuss what you need, how I can help you, and next steps. You’ll receive an invoice and can pay with a credit card.

3️⃣Support and success: Your questions are answered, helpful materials are exchanged and discussed, and you get the strategies and insight you need, all delivered in a supportive, efficient, and encouraging way.

Book a Coaching Call (for Nonfiction Authors)

Successfully navigate the self-publishing, traditional-publishing, or book marketing process—or strategize for the long term.

Insightful, solution-oriented support—from first draft to first book sold.

➔ coaching calls for authors: $75/hr

Schedule 1 or 2 video calls a month, milestone calls, or as needed consultations—no long-term commitment.

The “typical” call is a 60-min. Google Meet video call. Calls are billed per 15 mins., with a 45-min. minimum. Let me know what works for you, and I’ll set it up!😁

Traditional Publishing Coaching

Big 5, trade press, university press, or small press—

Score a book deal and traditionally publish.

Book Publishing Strategy Calls $75/hr

  • Write and edit your query letter, book proposal, and plan your submission strategy

  • Find the right traditional publisher or agent

  • Manuscript transmittal, pre-sales, book marketing plans and publicity, and platform-building

  • Post-contract support through the copy editing, design, proofreading, and indexing stages

  • Email support for getting published

  • Q&A, long-term planning, and more

Self-Publishing Coaching

Self-publish on Amazon and beyond—the smart way.

Step-by-step support as you self-publish your book.

Book Publishing Strategy Calls $75/hr

  • Choose the best self-publishing platforms and formats

  • Title, cover, interior, categories, keywords, book description, & pricing to sell more books

  • Pre-order, launch, book marketing and publicity, and platform-building

  • Self-publish/understand the Amazon KDP and IngramSpark self-publishing process

  • Email support for getting published

  • Q&A, long-term planning, and more

Coaching Packages—Traditional Publishing (Nonfiction)

The Book Proposal Package $399
(takes 4–8 weeks)

You’ll get

  • Author query and book proposal template and video tutorials
  • 60-minute video coaching call #1
  • Detailed comments + copy & line editing of your query AND proposal
  • Updated list of nonfiction publishers
  • A plan for pitching your book to publishers and/or agents with names and contacts
  • A second round of editing for your query & proposal
  • 60-minute video coaching call #2
  • Email support as you draft your materials and begin to pitch

The Book Proposal Package PLUS $699

You’ll get all the above, plus

  • Copy editing + line editing of sample chapter(s)—up to 10,000 words!
  • 60-min. video coaching call #3 focused on platform building
  • 50% off my Book Marketing course or my Self-Publishing course

À la carte traditional publishing services:

➔ Query letter editing + feedback $75

➔ Book proposal editing + feedback (sample chapter not included) $149

➔ Collaborative book marketing plan $149

➔ Coaching calls/ongoing publishing support

The Best Book Marketing Strategies course $125

Get Published—Self-Publishing Coaching Packages and Services

Self-Publishing Coaching Package $399
(takes 3–4 weeks)

You’ll get

  • 60-minute video coaching call #1
  • A tailor-made plan/checklist for self-publishing: platforms, formats, to-do list
  • Tutorials on how to publish on the platforms best for you
  • Metadata for your book (keywords, categories, pricing)
  • A “back cover” copy edit/consult
  • Advice on cover and interior design
  • A book description and author bio edit
  • 60-min. coaching call #2
  • Email support while you self-publish

Self-Publishing Coaching Package PLUS $699

You’ll get all the above, plus

  • A made-with-you book marketing plan shared in a Google Doc.
  • 60-minute video coaching call #3 focusing on book marketing
  • List of book awards for self-published authors
  • My Book Marketing Strategies course
  • 60-minute video coaching call #4

À la carte self-publishing services:

➔ Book description edit, author bio edit, keywords, categories, pricing for your book $149

➔ Amazon Author page or Goodreads setup and/or optimizing $99

➔ Collaborative book marketing plan $149

➔ Coaching calls/ongoing publishing support

The Best Book Marketing Strategies course $125

Book Outline Coaching

Book Outline Coaching Package $249
(takes 4–6 weeks)

currently offered in these genres: Self-Help, History

You’ll get

  • Onboarding/questionnaire, clarifying your concept, audience, title, etc.
  • 60-minute video coaching call #1
  • A full outline of the book, created together
  • A writing schedule/milestone calendar/next steps
  • 60-min. coaching call #2 to discuss the above
  • a fine-tuned and finalized outline

Book Outline Coaching Package PLUS $599

You’ll get all the above, plus

  • a full edit of your first 10,000 words ($300+ value)
  • 60-minute video coaching call #3
  • a 60-minute check-in call 30 days later

À la carte book coaching services:

➔ Coaching calls/monthly check-ins

When it was time to start preparing the book for submission to my publisher, I turned to Dan to help me shepherd the manuscript through that long process.

Dan’s help was invaluable, not just in a technical sense, but also from a personal angle. My book wouldn’t exist without Dan.

His attention to detail is astounding, and just what I needed.

Knowing he was there to keep a watchful eye over me at all times buoyed me up, held me accountable, and ensured I had a friend and ally who was helping me make my book the best it could be.

—Eric A. Cheezum, author of Chessie: A Cultural History of the Chesapeake Bay Sea Monster


Daniel Tortora is an amazing book coach. He met me where I was at . . . and had some great ideas.

He was as excited as I was, which was exactly what I needed.

Daniel helped me get clear on my goals and gave me simple, easy-to-follow strategies.

His enthusiasm is infectious and his knowledge of the publishing industry is vast.

—Kelly Miller, health coach and self-published cookbook author

Online Courses for Authors

Need a DIY approach to publishing or book marketing with a clear and cost-effective path forward?

Get actionable advice, a process to follow, and indispensable templates, resources, and checklists.

Take an on-demand course on self-publishing or book marketing.