Trusted by these and other publishers (and dozens of self-published authors)
Recent successes
PhD-Level Precision for Manuscripts That Matter
Your nonfiction book is more than a project; it is a vision to change the conversation, help others, and attract new opportunities.
You want a book that wows readers, earns rave reviews, and commands attention.
You are too close to your work to see exactly what it needs and you donât know how to apply all the exacting publishing industry standards that impressive books require.
Everybodyâs got that âfriend who was an English major,â but they cannot provide the Pulitzer-trained editorial rigor necessary to bridge the gap between a decent draft and impactful, publish-ready manuscript.
I partner with you to:
Polish your manuscript so every sentence is clear, concise, and professional.
Smooth transitions to ensure your narrative flow is âclean and crisp.â
Refine your message so it resonates deeply with your intended audience.
Optimize structure for maximum impact, ensuring reader retention and authority.
Prepare for publication, applying the standards required for major traditional publishing houses, reputable hybrid publishers, and top-tier self-publishing.
I edit with discoverability and reader experience in mind, all while keeping and building upon what makes your book uniquely âyou.â
Meet Your Editor
Hi, Iâm Daniel.
For over a decade, Iâve helped writers refine, elevate, and publish nonfiction books that matter.
Iâve edited more than 13 million words and guided over 200 subject matter experts.
My approach is practical, efficient, and encouraging.
Strategic wins for my clients:
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
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 Iâm ready for the next one, heâs my first call. . . .
Iâve been a writer for 35 years. . . . He is by far the best editor Iâve ever come across to work with me. Youâll find the same.
âSamantha Shad, author of Write Through the Crisis and The Write to Happiness
Nonfiction Book Editing Services
Choose your path(s) below. Custom quotes are offered for projects requiring different levels of editing or multiple services.
Get clear, concise, and consistent đ
Deep-dive feedback đ
Fine-tune your pitch to publishersđŻ
đŻEditing: Best Match
Genres I edit: Self-Help and Personal Growth; Relationships; Dating Advice; Alternative Wellness and Spirituality; American History, Biography, Politics, Sports, and Pop Culture; Humor and Satire. Also a possible fit: Leadership; Geology; Social Issues; Reference Books.
Authors I work with: US-based subject matter experts, coaches, therapists, creatives, comedians, historians, and academics writing for general audiences. I especially enjoy working with millennials and first-time authors and referrals from publishers and other authors.
Ideal fit:
- American nonfiction authors seeking an experienced, efficient, and uplifting editor to level up their manuscriptđ
- Market-ready books for general readers that are ideally under 100,000 wordsâ¨
- Authors who care about craft and discoverability, are open to feedback, and are ready to invest in the polish and strategy that goes into an impressive, visible, and influential bookđ
The Expert Editing Process
1ď¸âŁ Confidential assessment: You send a brief; I review fit, request a sample, and determine the right level of edit.
2ď¸âŁ Custom quote: We hop on a call to confirm scope and timeline, then I send a proposal.
3ď¸âŁ Agreement and payment: Sign, pay, and reserve your start date.
4ď¸âŁ Editing: I edit in Word or Google Docs with Track Changes, check in along the way, and provide a helpful editorial letter at the end.
5ď¸âŁ Final polish: You review the revised file, then voilĂ âyour manuscript is ready for prime time.
6ď¸âŁ Get published! Additional support is available. Regardless, keep me in the loop about your book launch and future plans.
Copy Editing
Turn your draft into a clear, concise, polished manuscript ready for or traditional or self-publishing.
- Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and syntax
- Improve clarity and tighten sentences while preserving your voice
- Ensure consistency across style, headings, captions, references, and formatting
Includes a style sheet listing Chicago Manual guidelines applied. Best for authors who just need a final manuscript polish.
Copy editing rates: $0.029 per word
Line Editing
Refine your voice and sharpen flow for stronger reader engagement.
- Refine sentence rhythm, word choice, and phrasing to remove repetition and awkwardness
- Smooth transitions between paragraphs, sections, and chapters
- Align tone to match your goals and target audience
Best for first-time authors and books aimed at broad audiences.
Line editing with copy editing rates: $0.033 per word
Developmental Editing (aka Structural Editing, Content Editing)
Shape the big picture so your book is cohesive, well organized, and memorable.
Genres: Self-Help, Dating Advice, American History, Biography, Politics, Sports, Social and Cultural Issues.
- Refine central theme(s), core arguments, and overarching narrative
- Suggestions for additions, deletions, and rewrites
- Reorganize and restructure content for maximum impact
- Optimize chapter titles and headings, introduction and conclusion, and other parts of the book
Best for early drafts, unfocused projects, books that are too long or too short, and books with organizational challenges. Comes with an actionable editorial letter.
Developmental editing rate: $0.045 per word
All three levels of editing: $0.065 per word
Book Proposal Editing
Craft a persuasive pitch for literary agents or publishing companies.
- Refinement of every section for clarity, focus, and market fit
- Query letter optimization to make an irresistible first impression
- Content, line editing, and copy editing suggestions and helpful comments
Ideal for writers new to traditional publishing and anyone who needs a proposal that looks professional, polished, and ready to impress a publisher.
Book proposal editing rate: $199; sample chapter edits billed separately
Dan doesnât 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 authorâs vision.
Dan is an outstanding editor and I will be working with him on all of my future projects.
âStuart Teicher, author of The Crash & Burn of a Superlawyer: The Downfall of F. Lee Bailey
I canât 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 canât believe how many missing words and typos there were. Thatâs why authors need to recruit a strong team. . . . It is so very worth the investment!
The manuscript looks great and I couldnât be happier.
âMelissa M. Carvalho, author of Purpose Forward: The Ultimate Career Starterâs Guide to Finding a Career (and Life) of Purpose