Dabian Witherspoon

Dabian Witherspoon – Editor

Editor. 15 years. Ph.D. in English. Academic, Biography, Memoir, Nonfiction, Fiction, Screenplays, Comics, African American, Black Studies.

Overview

I enjoy all types of writing and storytelling. My background demonstrates excellence, and my level of versatility is unparalleled.

My professional experience includes fourteen years of copyediting, developmental editing, proofreading, and screenplay analysis. I have also been a freelance project manager (book publishing) since 2021.

As an editor, I have worked with a variety of clients, including university presses, commercial publishers, and independent authors. I am careful to retain my clients' voices while helping them improve their writing and avoid problems that could make them look careless or unprofessional. I am one of the best writers, proofreaders, and editors available regarding grammar, sentence structure, efficiency, and clarity.

I am proficient in fiction, nonfiction, formal writing, and informal writing. I adapt well to various genres and subjects. I have edited and proofread a variety of print and electronic texts, including books, court transcripts, essays, screenplays, graduate papers, dissertations, articles, marketing materials, and websites.

As a screenplay analyst, I provide manuscript and script coverage, which includes a synopsis and a rating. I identify a story's strengths and weaknesses, such as significant formatting errors, clarity issues, and inconsistencies. I also offer a more in-depth story analysis than my basic coverage service. I have worked with writers, producers, and writing contests such as the Roadmap Writers Top Tier and Accelerator Contests, the University Film & Video Association Conference Screenplay Competition, and the Baltimore Screenwriters Competition.

As a project manager, I guide a manuscript through its publication stages, which include submission, developmental editing, author review, and submission to the operations team. I collaborate with a managing editor and a technical editor in this effort.

I was a college instructor for 11 years. I taught composition, world literature, African American and African Diaspora literature, introduction to literature, humanities, United States history, African American history, African American studies, screenwriting, and film studies.

I am a published author, and I hold a Ph.D. in English, which demonstrates my perseverance as well as my superior analytical, problem-solving, and time management skills.

My education also includes a 120-hour TEFL Certificate, an M.A. in African American and African Diaspora Studies (aka Black Studies or Africana Studies), and 32 hours of graduate-level coursework in history.

I look forward to working with you soon.

Dabian W., Ph.D.

Testimonials:

Working with Dabian on my book was a great experience. He approached the manuscript with care, precision, and a deep respect for the voice and message behind the words. His copyedits were not only thorough and insightful but also thoughtfully explained, allowing me to engage with the process in a collaborative manner. As a result, every change felt purposeful and well-considered. His level of attentiveness made all the difference. I now proceed to the proofreading stage with complete confidence that the manuscript has been copyedited to the highest standard. I’m incredibly grateful for his contribution and would recommend him without hesitation to any author seeking a skilled and conscientious copyeditor.

— Lisa G.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Christian Non-Fiction History Inspirational
Fiction
Comics & Graphic Novels Plays & Screenplays
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Golden Key International Honour Society
  • Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society
  • Adele V. Holden Creative Writing Excellence Award (portfolio of screenplays)
Certifications
  • Ph.D. in English, Morgan State University
  • M.A. in African American World Studies (African American and African Diaspora Studies), University of Iowa

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2011 — Present
I have collaborated with independent authors, academic presses, commercial publishers, professionals, and students. I am proficient in various forms of writing, such as book manuscripts, dissertations, academic publications, articles, essays, screenplays, court transcripts, marketing materials, and websites. I also work with ESL clients who seek a professional, fluent English speaker to edit or proofread their writing. I am a strong writer and editor in terms of grammar, sentence structure, efficiency, and clarity. My problem-solving and analytical skills are also superior. I am careful to retain my clients' voices while helping them improve their writing and helping them avoid problems that could make them look careless or unprofessional.

Wiley

Apr, 2021 — Present
I guide a manuscript through its publication stages, which include submission, developmental editing, author review, and submission to the operations team. I collaborate with a managing editor and a technical editor in this effort.

Self-employed

Jan, 2011 — Present
My script coverage provides a synopsis and a rating. It identifies a script's strengths and weaknesses, such as significant formatting errors, clarity issues, and inconsistencies. The script analysis that I offer is even more in-depth than my coverage service. My experience includes reading for screenwriting competitions, various writers, and movie producers. I have also analyzed novel adaptations in pre-production.

Portfolio

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Black and Catholic: Racism, Identity, and Religion

Pratt, Tia Noelle

University of Notre Dame Press

Copy Editing
Marie-Dominique Chenu: Catholic Theology for a Changing World

Holman, Mary Kate

University of Notre Dame Press

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Oregon Gold: A History of Mining from the Civil War into the Progressive Era

Willingham, William F.

Oregon State University Press

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Emerge: Be You!

Suffren, Hughes

Hughes Suffren Enterprises, LLC

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Enemy

Toporek, Adam S.

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
As the rich words from the African proverbs resonate into the twenty-first century regarding the importance of identity and telling the stories of people of African descent through the eyes of... read more
Copy Editing

Dabian has 17 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Farsheed F.

Farsheed F.

Sep, 2025

Dabian is a consummate professional in the true sense of the word. His review and editing of my book was very valuable and I accepted ALL of his changes. I have other book projects on and I will certainly call on Dabian to collaborate with me. Along the way, Dabian provided me with tips to be ...
Read more
Dabian W.
Thank you so much! It was a pleasure working with you, and I look forward to our next collaboration.
Timothy T.

Timothy T.

Aug, 2025

Dabian is thorough. I recommend him.
Martez R.

Martez R.

Jul, 2025

Very very patient, helpful and for my manual script I think he went above and beyond. I will be using his expertise again for future projects. Excellent
Dabian W.
Thank you so much for the collaboration and the five-star review!
Adrien D.

Adrien D.

Jul, 2025

Damian is very diligent and detailed oriented. He delivered above expectations
Dabian W.
Thank you so much, Adrien. It was a pleasure to work with you.
Lauraine W.

Lauraine W.

Jun, 2025

Dabian laid out his work plan up front and stuck to it. All expectations were met and I am on to the next phase, happily. Thanks Dabian for your stellar work. It was great working with you!
Dabian W.
I am happy that you are pleased, and I wish you all the best. Thank you so much!

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Dabian and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Dabian

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Feyisara O

Feyisara O.

A pop culture enthusiast who edits memoirs, entertainment and self-help. Formerly at Hachette UK for over 3 years, shaping successful books.

London, UK

85% reply rate

View profile
Bridget Barry

Bridget B.

With nearly two decades of experience in scholarly and academic book publishing, I understand the challenges and rewards of writing.

Lincoln, NE, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Joie Davidow

Joie D.

I am a nationally published American author and editor who has worked with writers from beginners to prize winners for more than 35 years.

Otricoli, Province of Terni, Italy

100% reply rate

View profile