Trusted by these and other publishers (and 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.
Effectively organized.
Engaging. Memorable. Irresistible.
Clear, concise, and consistent.
But what you’ve got right now . . . needs an expert set of eyes.
And . . .
You want to keep your readers’ attention. You want to wow them.
You don’t have the time—or patience—to sift through the 1,200-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 what makes a great book.
Whether you plan to self-publish or traditionally publish, this much is certain:
You’re ready to make it publication-worthy. Publication-ready.
Here’s how it works:
1️⃣Contact and consult: You tell me about your book, your goals, and your timeline and share a confidential sample of the manuscript. We’ll see if we’re a fit.
2️⃣Discuss details and deliverables: We define the project and what’s included.
3️⃣Proposal and payment: You get a quote, a contract, and an invoice payable by credit card.
4️⃣Files and feedback: You send me a Word doc/DOCX file. I edit it with Track Changes and Comments. I return it to you within 2 to 6 weeks—with an editorial letter and relevant materials.* I’ll check in along the way.
*Some projects are done in two rounds.
5️⃣Revisions and ready to publish: You go through the comments, approve the suggested edits, and make final revisions to the file I sent you, creating a beautiful publication-ready manuscript.
6️⃣Get it published! Schedule additional coaching calls or services or purchase one of my online courses or digital products if you so choose. No matter what, keep me in the loop on your book launch!
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 like you create books that leave a lasting impression.
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
Let’s refine your nonfiction manuscript and bring your vision to life.
Consider us a match if . . .
✓ You’re seeking experienced editing 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 need and are looking for.✅
✓ 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 🇺🇸 with a completed draft ready or about ready.
✓ You’re eager to learn.🏫
And, ideally . . .
✓ Your book is, preferably, under 100,000 words.📝
✓ You plan to write multiple books.📚
As a full-time freelance book editor since 2017, I’ve worked with:
✓ Content creators, coaches, therapists, comedians, attorneys, historians, small publishing companies, professors, and others.
I edit books in these nonfiction genres:
✓ Self-Help & Personal Development; Dating & Relationships; US History, Biography, Politics, and Culture; Humor/Comedy; Health and Wellness; Reference; Law/Legal; Nature/Popular Science; New England regional interest; and books by academics for a general audience.
Nonfiction Book Editing Services
Choose your path below, or request a custom quote for editing.
Get clear, concise, and consistent 💎
Deep-dive feedback 🔍
Fine-tune your pitch to publishers💯
Copy Editing
Get clearer, more concise, and more consistent.
Correct your typos, spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, hyphenation, numbers, and internal inconsistencies. Polish your prose.
Apply Chicago Manual of Style publishing industry standards.
Ideal for most authors. For traditional publishing and self-publishing. Fine-tunes and polishes your manuscript to impress readers and/or publishers.
Line Editing
Tighten your prose, pacing, and flow.
Make it more concise; improve the flow/transitions between paragraphs, sections, and chapters; get suggested fixes for confusing, unclear, repetitive, bland, or poorly paced sentences and paragraphs.
Great for first-time authors, for those with a broad audience, those who write fast, and those who want to improve their writing style.
Includes:
- suggested edits in your document with MS Word Track Changes
- a cover letter
- (for copy editing) a copy editor’s style sheet listing the key edits and standardizations applied
Copy editing rates: $0.027 per word
Line editing with copy editing rates: $0.033 per word
Add a book description for self-publishing or pitching to publishers: $75
Yes, I check and format captions, notes/references, and bibliography entries in Chicago style.
Developmental Editing (aka Substantive Editing)
Genres: Self-Help and Personal Transformation; Dating & Relationships; US History; and Biography.
An in-depth critique—of your structure, style, and presentation of ideas—with detailed suggestions.
What to move, add, delete, or expand. How to improve the transitions and flow. How to optimize chapter titles, introduction, conclusion, and other parts of the book. Tips for better structuring the book.
Ideal for new authors, those who need help with organization, and those looking for thoughtful, thorough feedback. Great for books that are “too long” or “too short,” or for authors seeking advice on what to leave in or take out.
Includes:
- comments and sample revisions in your manuscript document
- a lengthy editorial letter
Developmental editing rates: $0.040 per word
Book Proposal Editing
Fashion and fine-tune a compelling book proposal.
Includes copy editing, line editing, and substantive content suggestions based on what traditional publishers are looking for.
Your proposal will be refined, section by section.
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” So get the expertise you need—and pitch your book with confidence.
Done in a shared Google Doc or a Word document and completed within two weeks.
Includes:
- edits and comments in your manuscript document
Book proposal editing rates: $179 $149
with a query letter review: $199 $179
Dan doesn’t just read your material, he thinks about it. He cares about it. He checks sources, he fixes grammar, and he considers how the reader will react.
He gives direction, while still respecting the author’s vision.
Dan is an outstanding editor and I will be working with him on all of my future projects.
—Stuart Teicher, author of Addicted to the Dogfight: The Crash and Burn of Superlawyer F. Lee Bailey
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
With these nonfiction book editing services, you’ll get
a polished manuscript that’s aligned with US publishing industry standards: The Chicago Manual of Style, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, and the serial comma (aka the Oxford comma);
edits and comments and actionable feedback so you can write better and publish smarter;
support and encouragement, clear communication, and regular updates along the way;
attention from an experienced editor who has edited dozens of nonfiction books; and
your project deliverables within 2 to 6 weeks.
Let’s talk about your project!