Manuscripts Edited for Bestselling Self-Published Authors
and Authors Published by Leading Trade Houses and University Presses
Recent successes
PhD-Level Precision for Manuscripts That Matter
Your nonfiction book is more than just a writing project. It is a vehicle to shift perspectives, share expertise, and open doors to new opportunities.
You want a book that earns rave reviews, builds authority, and commands the respect of your readers. But when you spend months immersed in your own draft, seeing the text objectively becomes nearly impossible, and leaning on a “friend who was an English major” can only take you so far.
Moving from a promising draft to a market-ready manuscript requires Pulitzer-trained editorial rigor, structural discipline, and deep familiarity with publishing industry standards.
Partnering with an experienced editor helps you:
Strengthen Core Structure: Reorganize chapters and arguments for maximum clarity, reader retention, and logical flow.
Refine Sentence Rhythm: Eliminate wordiness and smooth transitions so your prose reads with natural authority.
Sharpen Your Message: Ensure your core ideas resonate deeply with your target audience while preserving your authentic voice.
Meet Publishing Standards: Prepare your manuscript for submission to traditional publishing houses, reputable hybrid presses, or top-tier self-publishing platforms.
I edit with reader engagement, market positioning, and structural precision in mind, all while preserving the distinct perspective and voice that makes your book uniquely yours.
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 Editor
Hi, I’m Daniel.
For over a decade, I’ve helped writers refine, elevate, and publish nonfiction books that matter.
I’ve 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
When your manuscript receives meticulous, craftsman-level editing, it creates momentum long after your launch date. Recent client results include:
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 and 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
Give your manuscript the clarity, professional polish, and authority it deserves.
🎯Editing: Best Match
Genres I edit: Self-Help and Personal Growth; Relationships and 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, historians, and academics writing for general audiences. I especially enjoy working with millennials and first-time authors and welcome referrals from publishers.
Ideal fit:
- American nonfiction authors seeking an experienced, efficient, and uplifting editor to level up their manuscript🚀
- Market-ready books for general readers that are ideally under 100,000 words✨
- Authors who value professional polish, are open to constructive feedback, and are ready to invest in publishing and promoting an impressive, visible, and influential book📝
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 💎
Deep-dive feedback 🔍
Fine-tune your pitch to publishers💯
Copy Editing
Turn your draft into a clear, concise, polished manuscript ready for traditional or self-publishing.
Best For: Complete drafts that have gone through structural edits and need a final sentence polish.
What You Receive: Corrections for grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and syntax; consistency checks across headings and references; a style sheet documenting all Chicago Manual of Style standards applied to your manuscript.
Rate: $0.029/word
Line Editing with Copy Editing
Elevate your writing with sharper phrasing, smoother flow, and a more compelling reading experience.
Best For: New authors and trade‑focused manuscripts that need stronger sentence rhythm and more polished expression..
What You Receive: Detailed sentence‑level refinement (flow, vocabulary, transitions), reader‑focused adjustments, and a complete copy edit. (This is done in two rounds.)
Rate: $0.033/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
Best For: Early drafts, unfocused manuscripts, or books facing structural issues.
What You Receive: Big-picture evaluation of core arguments and chapter flow; specific suggestions for cuts and reorganizing; optimized chapter titles and subheadings; a multi-page editorial letter mapping out your revisions.
Rate: $0.045/word
Book Proposal Editing
Craft a persuasive pitch for literary agents or publishing companies.
Best For: Authors pitching literary agents or traditional acquisitions editors.
What You Receive: Line-by-line editing of query letter and proposal sections; feedback on hook strength, positioning, and traditional publisher appeal.
Rate: $199 (Sample chapters billed separately at line/copy rates)
Related Digital Downloads:
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 The Crash & Burn of a Superlawyer: The Downfall of 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
The Editorial Process and Timeline
1️⃣ Brief and Sample Review: You submit your project brief and a confidential sample (upon request) and we confirm a mutual fit.
2️⃣ Quote and Agreement: We confirm scope, timeline, and fee in a clear written agreement; you sign, pay, and reserve your start date.
3️⃣ Editing: I mark up your manuscript in Word using Track Changes and prepare any other deliverables.
4️⃣Final Polish: You review the edits, then voilà—your manuscript is ready for submission or formatting. Keep me posted on your future plans!
(Full manuscript edits typically take 4 to 8 weeks depending on length and schedule).