Daisuke S.

Daisuke S. – Editor

I love working with writers who aren’t afraid to break the rules—bending genres, exploring different realities, seeking out complex truths.

Overview

I am a writer, educator, and editor based in New York City.

As a fiction editor, I offer developmental and copy editing services for short stories and full-length manuscripts, specializing in works geared toward the speculative and experimental. Throughout our collaboration, I will provide extensive feedback on your work, including suggestions for plot improvements, character development, pacing, and more. I am also available for book coaching and query letter reviews, and have over 10+ years of experience in the publishing and writing industries. Clients have gone on to publish books with presses such as Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux, Stelliform Press, and more. Please be advised that I do not work on projects that incorporate AI.

As a writer, I am represented by Michael Mungiello at Inkwell Management. My debut short story collection, Vague Predictions & Prophecies (CLASH Books 2024) was a Finalist for the 2025 Firecracker Award, and was named one of Electric Literature's "Most Exciting Debut Short Story Collections of 2024". My novella Funeral, co-authored with Vi Khi Nao (KERNPUNKT Press 2023) received favorable reviews and interviews in The Southwest Review, The Rumpus, and The Independent Book Review . My short stories and poems have been published in a number of literary journals and magazines, including The Baffler, Joyland Magazine, and many more.

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction LGBTQ Fiction Magical Realism Science Fiction Short Story
Non-Fiction
LGBTQ Non-Fiction
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Winner of the Sine Theta Summer 2022 Writing Contest - Fiction
  • Longlisted for Wigleaf's "Top Very Short Fictions of 2022"
  • 2021 New York City Artist Corps Grant Recipient
  • Second-place Winner of the Los Suelos “Pets Pets PETS!!!” Contest 2022
  • 2025 CLMP Firecracker Award Finalist
Certifications
  • MFA in Creative Nonfiction from the University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • BA in English Literature and Language from Winthrop University

Work experience

BetterSleep

Oct, 2023 — Oct, 2025 (about 2 years)
- Created unique stories and plots for SleepTales, writing scripts that experimented with narrative structures and styles, enhancing listener engagement - Improved content quality and accuracy by overseeing all stages of the editorial process, including proofreading, copyedits, and developmental edits, collaborating with writers and BetterSleep team members - Maintained consistency in tone, style, and voice across content pieces, ensuring alignment with company brand guidelines and messaging - Increased audience relevance by staying up-to-date with trends in bedtime stories, meditation, and wellness - Ensured a flawless listening experience for users by conducting quality control checks on finalized scripts

Authors Publish

Mar, 2021 — Present
- Design curriculums for courses focused on a wide range of genres and forms, including speculative fiction, literary short fiction, and the novella form - Provide extensive developmental feedback and editorial letters for students’ manuscripts - Hold lectures and discussions with students via weekly Zoom meetings, as well as design course content using online such as platforms Thinkific, Discord, and Circle - Assign readings and writing exercises from assortment of different narrative traditions, genres, and experimental forms - Facilitate group workshops and discussions - Advise students on literary publishing prospects

Lookout Books

Sep, 2017 — Oct, 2018 (about 1 year)
• Performed proofreading, copyediting, and fact checking services for selected pieces to ensure editorial accuracy • Managed the Lookout Books Instagram account, increasing audience engagement • Attended weekly meetings with editors to review submissions and plan publication schedules • Helped create promotional content, solicit authors, and design layout for Trespass anthology, enhancing project visibility • Contributed regularly to Lookout Books/Ecotone blog with industry news and behind-the-scenes editorial insights

The Asian American Literary Review

May, 2017 — Mar, 2019 (almost 2 years)
• Performed proofreading, fact checking, and developmental and copy editing services on selected pieces to ensure publication quality • Attended monthly meetings with editorial staff to coordinate publication efforts • Solicited authors for publication, expanding the diversity of contributors • Wrote book reviews for newly published works by Asian authors, increasing visibility for underrepresented voices • Coordinated payment for artists and writers • Managed shipping and processing orders for print issues, streamlining administrative operations

Chautaqua Journal

Sep, 2016 — Jun, 2017 (9 months)
• Reviewed submissions and selected pieces for publication alongside the editorial team, maintaining high editorial standards • Attended weekly meetings to discuss editorial vision, themes, and overall cohesion for respective issues • Performed proofreading, copyediting, and factchecking before sending issue to print • Helped promote and plan launch party, increasing readership and community engagement

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Aug, 2016 — May, 2020 (over 3 years)
• Provided feedback on student assignments, including developmental and copy edits, to improve writing quality • Created lesson plans and designed curriculums for beginner and advanced-level fiction, nonfiction, and poetry courses, enhancing course effectiveness • Graded papers and portfolios while providing career guidance in publishing and writing industries • Moderated group workshops to foster collaborative learning • Held one-on-one meetings with students to foster creative goals and discuss career prospects in writing and publishing industries

Portfolio

Funeral

Shen, Daisuke

Independently published

Vague Predictions & Prophecies

Shen, Daisuke

CLASH Books

Origins of Desire in Orchid Fens

Hutchinson Lee, Lynn

Stelliform Press

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Query Letter Review Book Coaching
Happiness Forever: A Novel

Faith, Adelaide

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
The Asian American Literary Review (AALR) Volume 8, Issue 2: Fall/Winter 2017

Lawrence-Minh Bùi Davis

Proofreading
Trespass: Ecotone Essayists Beyond the Boundaries ofPlace, Identity, and Feminism

Chai, May-lee

Copy Editing Proofreading

Daisuke has 20 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Ning D.

Ning D.

Jul, 2024

Pinned
Just finished my new draft based on Daisuke's developmental edits and couldn't be happier. Daisuke's nuanced observations and deeply insightful feedback have helped me hone my story's message, aligning it more with my vision in ways I have not considered. Thank you!
Daisuke S.
Thank you so much, Ning. It was a pleasure to work with you and to read your work, and I can't wait to hopefully do so again in the future.
Raymond B.

Raymond B.

Jan, 2024

Pinned
Daisuke provided excellent feedback and went above and beyond with their editorial assessments. They went deeper than just the exterior of my story and dug deep into the heart of it, bringing attention to areas I hadn't thought about. I would highly recommend collaborating with Daisuke on any pro...
Read more
L.E. S.

L.E. S.

Apr, 2023

Pinned
I am still reeling from the care, depth, and concrete methods of improving my manuscript Daisuke provided to me. This was the first professional editor I've ever worked with and part of why I waited so long was I was afraid of mistreatment. My novel is still "something to be" and I have no impor...
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Daisuke S.
Thank you so much, L.E. You were a joy to work with, and I am so glad to have been able to be a small part of this process. Can't wait to see where this manuscript takes you!!
Mark H.

Mark H.

Dec, 2025

Thank you for your very detailed and thoughtful edits!
Daisuke S.
thank you so much, Mark. it was a pleasure to work with you!
Dillon H.

Dillon H.

Dec, 2025

Daisuke is a thoughtful, insightful editor who delivered ahead of schedule and provided clear, practical guidance.
Daisuke S.
Thank you so much, Dillon!

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