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

Successful Publishing Starts Here.

Publish with clarity and confidence—with guidance from an experienced nonfiction book coach.

Work with a Book Coach
 
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As featured in

Recent successes

You’ve poured your heart, soul, and possibly your sanity into writing your book.

Now, it’s time to publish. Easy, right?

HA. 😱

The publishing world is . . . crowded, confusing, and full of ways to mess up.

It’s a lot to manage without expert help.

After 8+ years of guiding authors through the various steps in the publishing process, and after writing books of my own, I know that publishing a book isn’t easy—especially if you’re new at it.

For traditional publishing:

→ Time to convince agents and/or editors that you’re the next big thing (without sounding desperate).

→ Oh, and your query letter and book proposal need to be flawless—no pressure!

→ Then, survive the submission and publishing process step-by-step—without having an existential crisis.

For self-publishing:

→ Say hello to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark—so many choices and so many forms to complete.

→ Your book needs to meet professional standards and reader expectations for cover design and interior layout.

→ You’ll have to optimize your keywords, categories, pricing, and launch strategy so your book screams, “Pick me, pick me!”

Writing was enough of a challenge. Don’t make publishing even harder.

If you’re new to this, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options, decisions, and advice swirling out there.

Your book deserves the strategic support that only an experienced guide can offer.

It’s time to hire a book coach.

You don’t need to burn sage or buy another planner. Just message me!

See Book Coaching Services

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.

For the past 8+ years, I’ve guided authors through the publishing process, helping them avoid rookie mistakes and actually get noticed. Work with me and:

✅ Stop searching, start executing

✅ Publish with confidence—no more second-guessing

✅ Get strategies that actually get meaningful results

✅ Trade confusion for clarity and results

Recent author wins:

  • Major press: Glowing reviews in The Wall Street Journal

  • Top rankings: #1 New Release on Amazon

  • Rapid reader response: 200+ Amazon reviews in two weeks

  • Media features: Appeared in documentaries

  • Speaking & opportunities: Booked paid speaking engagements and new clients

  • Publishing track record: Secured traditional deals and achieved major self-publishing success

  • Proven longevity: Successful second, third, and fourth books

Whether you’re aiming to be traditionally published or self-published, 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

Get the structure and framework you need to start writing ✍️

🎯Best fit:

  • American nonfiction authors seeking an experienced, strategic, and uplifting book coach to get them to the next level.🚀
  • Books for general readers that solve a problem, spark a transformation, inform or shift perspectives, or use humor to get people talking.✨
  • Impact-driven books written to attract media, earn rave reviews, generate speaking gigs or business opportunities, or fulfill a long-term passion (bonus points if you plan to write multiple books).👏🤩
  • Books that are under 100,000 words.📝

Genres:

  • Self-Help and Personal Development; Dating Advice; Relationships; American History, Biography, Politics, Sports, and Culture; Comedy/Humor; Alternative Health and Wellness; Nature; Popular Science (Geology, Zoology); New England regional interest; Reference Books.

A book coach since 2017, I’ve worked with:

  • Content creators, coaches, therapists, historians, comedians, publishing companies, attorneys, professors writing for general readers, and others, many of whom have been first-time authors.

Work with me to get the most out of your publishing experience.🌟

Here’s what we’ll do:

1️⃣Contact. Tell me about your book and your goals. We’ll make sure we’re a fit.

2️⃣Plan and Payment. We will hop on a call to discuss your needs and set next steps. I’ll send an invoice for your card payment.

3️⃣Support & Delivery. You’ll receive answers, materials, and strategies to help you succeed—all delivered in a supportive and efficient way.

Discuss Book Coaching Services

Book a Call with a Nonfiction Publishing Coach

Get clarity and find success in the self-publishing, traditional publishing, or book marketing process—or strategize for the long term.

Get personalized support from first draft to first sale and everywhere in between.

coaching calls for authors: $80/hr

A typical session is a 60-minute Google Meet video call (45-minute minimum), billed in 15-minute increments.

Choose monthly sessions, milestone check-ins, or one-off consultations.

Book your call today!😁

Schedule a Coaching Session

Traditional Publishing Coaching

Book Publishing Coach hourly rate: $80/hour

Get a book deal and traditionally publish with a Big 5 publisher, trade press, university press, or small press.

In video calls with me as your book coach:

  • Write and edit your query letter and book proposal

  • Find the right traditional publisher or agent and plan your manuscript submission strategy.

  • Design and implement pre-sales, book marketing and publicity, launch, and platform-building activities

  • Navigate the copy editing, design, proofreading, and indexing stages (post-contract support)

  • Create a book marketing plan and prepare for speaking engagements and live events

I’m also available for:

  • Email support for getting published

  • Feedback on your book concept, outline, and structure and chapter revision consults

  • Q&A sessions, series planning, book marketing strategy, media training, and more

Self-Publishing Coaching

Self-Publishing Coach hourly rate: $80/hour

Self-publish on Amazon KDP and other platforms—the smart way.

In video calls with me as your book coach:

  • Choose the best self-publishing platforms, formats, and distribution options for your book

  • Optimize your title, cover design, interior layout, categories, keywords, book description, and pricing to sell more books

  • Plan and implement pre-order, book marketing and publicity, launch, and platform-building activities

  • Publish on Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or other platforms

  • Create a book marketing plan and prepare for speaking engagements and live events

I’m also available for:

  • Email support for getting published

  • Feedback on your book concept, outline, and structure and chapter revision consults

  • Q&A sessions, series planning, book marketing strategy, media training, and more

Schedule a Coaching Session

Coaching Packages—Traditional Publishing (Nonfiction)

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

What’s included:

  • Author query and book proposal template, plus video tutorials
  • 60-minute video coaching call #1 to kick off your book proposal package
  • Copy and line editing for your query letter and proposal draft
  • An up-to-date list of nonfiction publishers
  • Customized plan for pitching to agents and/or publishers with 5–10 suggested publisher and agent contacts
  • A second round of editing for your query and proposal
  • 60-minute video coaching call #2 to fine-tune your materials

The Book Proposal Package PLUS: $539–$679

Everything in the standard package, plus:

  • Copy and line editing of up to 10,000 words of your sample chapter(s), at a 15% discount
Hire a Publishing Coach

À la carte traditional publishing services:

➔ Query letter review and book proposal editing (sample chapter not included): $199

➔ Book marketing plan, done with you: $149

➔ Coaching calls/ongoing publishing support: $80/hr

Nonfiction Book Proposal Template: $15

Get Published—Self-Publishing Coaching Packages and Services (Nonfiction)

Self-Publishing Coaching Package: $399
(takes 4–6 weeks)

What’s included:

  • 60-minute video coaching call #1 to map out your self-publishing path
  • A personalized plan/checklist for self-publishing with platforms, formats, and a to-do list
  • Full access to the Step-by-Step Self-Publishing Course with tutorials
  • Keywords, categories, and pricing strategy to boost discoverability
  • Book description and author bio editing for maximum impact
  • Expert advice on cover design and interior layout best practices and guidance on briefing, selecting, and working with a designer
  • Proofreading checklist
  • 60-minute video coaching call #2 to help you finalize the above

Self-Publishing Coaching Package PLUS: $599
(takes 6–8 weeks)

Everything in the standard package, plus:

  • 60-minute video coaching call #3 for live support as you upload to up to 2 platforms
  • An additional 2 weeks of email support
  • A done-with-you book marketing plan ($149 value)
Hire a Self-Publishing Coach

À la carte self-publishing services:

➔ Coaching calls/ongoing publishing support: $80/hr, including live support while you publish on Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, Barnes & Noble, or Kobo

➔ Metadata optimization to boost discoverability and sales: book description, keywords, categories, pricing, and author bio: $149; with SEO for up to two pages of your website or landing page: $199

➔ Book marketing plan, done with you: $149

The Best Book Marketing Strategies course: $99

Book Outline Coaching

Book Outline Coaching Package: $299
(takes 4–6 weeks)

Best fit nonfiction genres: Self-Help and Personal Development; Dating Advice; Relationships; Humor, American History, Biography, Politics, Sports, and Culture.

What’s included:

  • Onboarding questionnaire to refine your concept, audience, title, and tagline
  • 60-minute video coaching call #1 to brainstorm structure and goals
  • Chapter-by-chapter outline, built together
  • Custom writing roadmap with a milestone calendar and next-step checklist
  • 60-min. coaching call #2 to review progress, refine ideas, and troubleshoot
  • Revised outline ready for your first draft

Book Outline Coaching Package PLUS: $699

Includes everything in the standard package, plus:

  • In-depth editing of your first 10,000 words ($300+ value) for structure and flow
  • 60-minute video coaching call #3 to review your work in progress
  • 60-minute check-in call #4 2–6 weeks later
Hire a book Coach

À la carte book coaching services:

➔ Coaching calls/monthly check-ins: $80/hr

Self-Help Book Outline Template: $15

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

Get Started with Book Coaching

Online Courses for Authors

For authors who prefer a DIY approach before working with a book coach:

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

Take an on-demand course on get a digital download or template today.

See Courses and Digital Products