David Meltzer

David Meltzer – Editor

8 years freelancing for scouts, agents, and authors. Editor for bestselling authors, including David Sedaris. Literary awards facilitator.

Overview

Hi authors! If you're deeply committed to improving your writing, you came to the right place. Since 2018, I've helped authors get book deals, edit their manuscripts, and develop business strategies for their careers. From literary fiction to poetry, memoir to history, I have wide-ranging interests and am always eager to be engrossed in an impactful story.

I am patient, flexible, and sensitive to the writing process. Tailoring my approach to every client's unique needs, I give my undivided attention when meeting with clients to discuss their work. I will do my best to provide the best service possible.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs History LGBTQ Non-Fiction Political Science & Current Affairs
Fiction
Literary Fiction Poetry Short Story
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Master of Arts | Creative Writing | City St. George’s, University of London | 2020
  • Bachelor of Arts | Visual & Media Arts: Writing for Film and Television | Emerson College | 2015

Work experience

Self-employed

Sep, 2018 — Present
David is a Freelance Editorial Consultant, where he provides editorial guidance to authors, agents, scouts, and publishers. David has worked closely with literary agents (including Maria Massie, Marly Rusoff, Rob McQuilkin, Elias Altman, Sandra Pareja, and Julie Stevenson), editors (including Barbara Epler and Anne Schwartz), scouts (including Mary Anne Thompson and Brianna Zimmerman), and authors (including David Sedaris, Kevin Nguyen, Julia Malye, Ruvanee Pietersz Vilhauer, Megha Majumdar, Rita Bullwinkel, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, and Ina Cariño).

Whiting

Nov, 2021 — Nov, 2022 (about 1 year)
Assessed more than 350 nonfiction proposals submitted to the 2022 Creative Nonfiction Grant including literary fiction, narrative nonfiction and translated literature. Recruited readers, judges, and nominators to administer the Creative Nonfiction Grant and Whiting Award. Provided editorial support to the judging process of the 2022 and 2023 Whiting Awards.

Massie & McQuilkin Literary Agents

Apr, 2021 — Sep, 2021 (5 months)
Evaluated and reported on 250+ manuscripts, assessing commercial potential for acquisition. Facilitated two book deals for Maria Massie and Elias Altman from unsolicited manuscripts.

Portfolio

My Documents: A Novel

Nguyen, Kevin

One World

Editorial Assessment Query Letter Review
Civil Service: Poems

Schwartz, Claire

Graywolf Press

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Walking on Cowrie Shells: Stories

Nkweti, Nana

The Indigo Press

Editorial Assessment
The Fugitivities

McCarthy, Jesse

Melville House

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Borderland Apocrypha

Cody, Anthony

Omnidawn

Editorial Assessment
Feast

Cariño, Ina

Alice James Books

Editorial Assessment
Belly Up

Bullwinkel, Rita

A Strange Object

Editorial Assessment
Site Fidelity: Stories

Boyles, Claire

W. W. Norton & Company

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
No One Else

Johnson, R. Kikuo

Fantagraphics Books

Editorial Assessment
Stories from The Tenants Downstairs

Sidik Fofana

Simon & Schuster Audio

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Bluest Nude: Poems

Codjoe, Ama

Milkweed Editions

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Some People Need Killing: A Memoir of Murder in My Country

Evangelista, Patricia

Random House Trade Paperbacks

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
The Hidden Globe: How Wealth Hacks the World

Abrahamian, Atossa Araxia

Riverhead Books

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Baldwin: A Love Story

Boggs, Nicholas

Picador

Editorial Assessment
Hollow: A Memoir of My Body in the Marines

Williams, Bailey

Harry N. Abrams

Developmental Editing Proofreading Query Letter Review
Editorial Assessment
A Blood as Bright as the Moon

Morstabilini, Andrea

Titan Books

Editorial Assessment Proofreading Query Letter Review
Editorial Assessment Query Letter Review
Editorial Assessment
Mister in the Stars

Rohana, Devon

Anne Schwartz Books

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment Query Letter Review
Editorial Assessment Query Letter Review
Pelican Girls: A Novel

Malye, Julia

Harper

Developmental Editing Proofreading Query Letter Review

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