Trusted by these and other publishers (in addition to dozens of self-published authors)
You’ve been writing a nonfiction book and you want to get it published.
Your book manuscript needs revising. And you need an experienced editor to look it over.
You want your book to be legitimately good.
Engaging. Memorable. Irresistible.
Clear, concise, consistent.
Effectively organized.
But what you’ve got right now just isn’t where it needs to be.
And . . .
You don’t know what to add in or what to leave out. You don’t want to lose your readers.
It’s not like you have the time—or patience—to sift through the 1,000-page Chicago Manual of Style and learn all the “rules” and publishing industry standards.
You’ve already self-edited and gotten some feedback. But not from a professional who understands your vision and what makes a great book.
Whether you plan to self-publish or traditionally publish, and no matter what type of editing you need, this much is certain:
It’s time to make it publication-worthy. Publication-ready.
Here’s how it works:
1️⃣Contact and consult: Tell me about your book and your goals and we’ll see if we’re a fit.
2️⃣Discuss needs, due dates, and deliverables: We define the project and what’s included.
3️⃣Proposal and payment: This one is as obvious as it sounds: a quote, a contract, and an invoice payable by credit card.
4️⃣Files and feedback: You send me a MS Word document. I edit it with Track Changes and Comments, and I return it to you—with an editorial letter and relevant materials*—after checking in along the way.
*Copy editing clients also receive a copy editor’s style sheet.
5️⃣Revisions and ready to publish: You make final changes on your own, creating a beautiful publication-ready manuscript.
“Dan Tortora is simply the best. Just hire him. . . .
Brilliant. Wise. Deep. Smart. Knowledgeable. Dependable. And a joy to spend time with.
He worked with me through two award-winning books that I could never have finished without him. When I’m ready for the next one, he’s my first call. . . .
I’ve been a writer for 35 years. . . . He is by far the best editor I’ve ever come across to work with me. You’ll find the same.”
–Samantha Shad, author of Write Through the Crisis and The Write to Happiness
Meet your nonfiction book editor…
Hi, Daniel here!
Nonfiction authors’ secret weapon.🥷
You’ve often heard that these days anybody can write a book. But writing a good book—a book that the right people actually want to read—is almost impossible without expert help.
As a nonfiction book editor who’s spent over a decade improving worthy book manuscripts—
I’ve helped dozens of authors produce publication-ready final drafts that stand out from the crowd.
In the past few months alone, my clients’ books have won acclaim in the Wall Street Journal, attained #1 New Release status on Amazon, and racked up 200 Amazon reader reviews within two weeks of publication.
Consider us a match if . . .
✓ You are an American nonfiction author 🇺🇸 with a full draft or final manuscript at the ready.
✓ You’re seeking personalized guidance from a trusted expert to get you to the next level.🚀
✓ You know who your book is for—and you want many readers, great reviews, and widespread recognition.👏🤩
And . . .
✓ Whether or not this is your first book—it certainly won’t be your last.📚
Nonfiction Book Editing Services
Choose your path below, or request a quote that blends more than one of the types of editing.
Get clear, concise, and consistent 💎
Deep-dive feedback 🔍
Deep-dive feedback, “lite” 🔦
(Great taste, less filling)
Copy Editing
Get clearer, more concise, and more consistent.
Spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, word choice, sentence length, numbers, captions, and more.
Ideal for most authors. For traditional publishing and self publishing. Perfect for those who want their manuscript fine-tuned to impress their readers and/or traditional publisher(s).
Includes:
- corrections in your document with MS Word Track Changes
- a cover letter
- a copy editor’s style sheet listing the key edits and standardizations applied
Copy editing rates: $0.023–0.025 per word
Add a book description for self-publishing or pitching to publishers: $75
notes and bibliography formatting also available
Developmental Editing
An in-depth critique—
with structure / organization, pacing, tone and voice, and presentation of ideas—with detailed revision suggestions.
What to move, add, delete, or expand upon. How to improve the transitions and flow. How to optimize chapter titles and other parts of the book.
Ideal for new authors, for those who need help with organization, and for anyone seeking thoughtful and in-depth feedback to make the book the best it can be.
Includes:
- comments and sample revisions in your manuscript document
- a lengthy editorial letter
Developmental editing rates: $0.032 per word.
Add a book description for self-publishing or pitching to publishers: $75
Manuscript Evaluation (aka Manuscript Assessment) Editing
Insight that helps you better gear your book toward your target audience and genre.
Comments and suggestions on the overall structure, transitions, flow, genre expectations, and how to better reach your intended reader. Actionable advice to guide your next round of revisions and so you can pitch your book.
Ideal for first drafts and for authors on a budget.
Includes:
- comments in your manuscript document
- an easy-to-follow critique
- a several-pages-long editorial letter
Manuscript evaluation editing rates: $0.016 per word.
Add a book description for self-publishing or pitching to publishers: $75
“I can’t thank Dan enough for the diligence he put into this. He has is an incredible gift to be able to hold attention to such details. . . .
As many times as I went through it, I still can’t believe how many missing words and typos there were. That’s why authors need to recruit a strong team. . . . It is so very worth the investment!
The manuscript looks great and I couldn’t be happier.”
–Melissa M. Carvalho, author of Purpose Forward: The Ultimate Career Starter’s Guide to Finding a Career (and Life) of Purpose
“The process of working with Dan on my book was transformative for me as an author.
He is very detailed and insightful, and all the editing changes he made to my manuscript changed the way I look at my own writing and will forever change how I critique myself.”
–Jeffrey A. Denman, author of John Quincy Adams: Reluctant Abolitionist
With these nonfiction book editing services,
Your manuscript will be edited using the industry standards for the publishing industry: The Chicago Manual of Style, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, and the serial comma (aka the Oxford comma).
You’ll get actionable edits and comments so you can write better and publish smarter. You’ll get support and encouragement and clear communication and regular updates along the way.
You’ll be working with an experienced editor who has edited dozens of nonfiction books in these genres: self-help and how-to; dating and relationships; history; biography; humor; reference; and general nonfiction, among other subjects—and whose clients are solopreneurs, coaches, historians, and others, with a story to tell or valuable expertise or experience to share.
Editing is for books written in American English for publication in the US.
Glad you’re interested in working with me!