Dan Foster

Dan Foster – Editor

Formerly of Random House, I’m a bibliophile and veteran editor with 30+ years of experience editing non-fiction for major book publishers.

Overview

I offer exceptional project management, editing, proofreading, and manuscript development services. I'm a former managing editor of Random House and Prima Publishing. I have a strong working knowledge of The Chicago Manual of Style and am highly proficient with Microsoft Word (including tracking changes, commenting, styles, and working with templates), Adobe Acrobat (PDF markup, commenting, and querying authors), FTP clients, and more. And my wife, Danielle F. (also on Reedsy), does professional book design and layout! We've worked on many hundreds of non-fiction books for clients such as Random House, Microsoft Press, Adobe Inc., Apple, Inc., Blackmagic Design, Thomson Learning, Cengage, Pearson, Peachpit Press, Callisto Media, Prima Publishing, Rosenthal Media, and more. We offer complete book packaging services including project management, copyediting, developmental editing, design and layout (composition), proofreading, indexing, cover design, and more. As the editor, I often edit books on computers and technology, from consumer instructional books to high-level programming books. I have also edited numerous books on music production and technique, as well as film production, sound, and editing, in addition to numerous other genres.

Services
Non-Fiction
Computers & Internet Education & Reference Entertainment Home & Garden Music Sports & Outdoors Technology Writing & Publishing
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Dec, 2002 — Present

Work with numerous authors and editors and oversee content development from raw manuscript to printer-ready files while adhering to demanding book production deadlines. Manage book production processes and schedules; direct authors, editors, compositors, and indexers; edit, rewrite, and proofread non-fiction books for multiple prominent book publishers.

Random House

Dec, 2001 — Dec, 2002 (12 months)

House of Collectibles, The Crown Publishing Group, Random House
Managed all editorial and production processes for a well-known book imprint devoted to antiques and collectibles
• Oversaw production and ensured timeliness and quality of all books
• Assumed principal role for building strong editorial and production personnel, resources, and services
• Established and negotiated pricing for all editorial services
• Created budgets and cost estimates for PL statements
• Reduced plant costs by more than 30% while improving book quality and timeliness
• Developed and approved new book designs
• Worked with numerous authors, editors, and freelancers to develop, copyedit, and proof manuscripts
• Examined and approved all digital printer proofs

Prima Publishing

May, 1997 — Jan, 2002 (over 4 years)

In the computer book division of a fast-paced, rapidly growing publishing company, lead and supervised the editorial department and oversaw its workflow to ensure the timeliness, quality, and cost-effectiveness of the production of more than 100 academic and instructional books on computers and technology.
• Hired and supervised all editorial staff
• Planned project timelines and allocated resources for the division
• Developed author guidelines and established quality standards for editing, design, and composition
• Wrote and edited cover copy, catalog copy, sales tip sheets, and other promotional materials
• Established and negotiated pricing for all editorial services
• Resolved author and editor concerns

Prima Publishing

Apr, 1995 — May, 1997 (about 2 years)

In the computer book and non-fiction trade book divisions, oversaw the production of more than 100 titles from manuscripts to bound books
• Trained new editors and took on multiple roles, including developmental editor, copy editor, technical reviewer, project manager, and more
• Copyedited, proofread, and prepared manuscripts for print in a wide variety of subjects, including computers and technology, biography, current events, cooking, health, self-help, and other non-fiction

Prima Publishing

Sep, 1993 — Apr, 1995 (over 1 year)

Coordinated the efforts of authors and editors during developmental editing, technical review, copyediting, indexing, page layout, and proofreading of numerous non-fiction books
• Edited and corrected manuscripts, page proofs, and bluelines, and critically evaluated all elements to ensure accuracy, consistency, attractiveness, and functionality
• Conducted printer press checks when necessary

Academic Press, Inc., A Division of Harcourt Brace & Company

Jan, 1992 — Aug, 1993 (over 1 year)

In the editorial department of a publisher of scholarly scientific and technical books, coordinated all stages of book production from hard copy manuscripts to bound books
• Prepared manuscripts for typesetting, including copyediting, instructing freelance copy editors and reference editors, and monitoring art preparation
• Checked page proofs to ensure adherence to specifications, incorporated editorial and author corrections, and assigned cost responsibility for alterations
• Corresponded with numerous authors and volume editors
• Obtained copyright permissions for reproduced material
• Initiated and developed production-tracking schedule forms that were instituted company-wide

Portfolio

Information visualization is a language. Like any language, it can be used for multiple purposes. A poem, a novel, and an essay all share the same language, but each one has its own set of rules. The same is true with information visualization: a product manag... read more
The first step to playing like a pro is thinking like one.Guitar players frequently face the same roadblocks in their playing. Many feel stunted creatively, stuck playing the same old things, and unsure how to move forward. These issues are caused by some comm... read more
The Language of SQL, Second Edition Many SQL texts attempt to serve as an encyclopedic reference on SQL syntax -- an approach that is often counterproductive, because that information is readily available in online references published by the major database ve... read more
Success often depends on the strength of a single quality: leadership. Winston Churchill is universally recognized as one of the 20th century's great political leaders and his words ring just as true in the world of commerce. A wise, witty, and inspiring leade... read more
Physical computing is all around us-from interactive displays at museums to "puff sensors" that aid the physically challenged. With a multiple book buying audience, this book doesn't require a specific background or technical experience. It is designed to help... read more
Take an in-depth look at the art and techniques of stop-motion animation. The Advanced Art of Stop-Motion Animation helps experienced stop-motion artists enhance their craft by exploring the professional methods and advanced technology used by top film studios... read more
Through the magic of stop-motion animation, inanimate objects seem to spring to life. With true artistic passion and finesse, a stop-motion film evokes the nostalgia of childhood when imagination could bring toys to life. Stop-motion retains the art and perfor... read more
MAKING BEATS: SKILL PACK teaches you how to make infectious modern beats from start to finish using popular beat making software such as Native Instruments Battery, Apple Logic Pro, Steinberg Cubase, Propellerhead ReCycle, Audacity, and others. This book expla... read more
As one of the most popular software tools in the world, Microsoft Excel is used by business analysts across the globe to keep track of details, look deeply into the data that drives business, and provide managers with the information and insights they need to ... read more
Have you ever thought of building your own robot? With today's technology, it's easy (and inexpensive!) to get started in this fascinating hobby. With the projects in this book and just a little bit of programming knowledge, you can create fun, functional robo... read more
With more than 600 million iOS devices sold, Apple’s booming mobile platform provides a immense and continuously growing app market for developers. And with each update to the iOS SDK, Apple offers the richest set of additional developer tools. iOS 7.0 is no e... read more

Dan has 9 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Dan G.

Dan G.

Oct, 2023

I really enjoyed working with Dan. He helped my book immensely. His feedback was also kind, which helped me learn where I was making the same mistakes and how to improve. His responsiveness was also fast, and I never found myself waiting more than one or two days for an update. Highly recommend working with Dan!
Hans V.

Hans V.

Jul, 2023

Gave me a thorough edit with a remarkably quick turnaround! I was pleasantly surprised, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend him 🙂
Pat M.

Pat M.

Feb, 2021

This was my first book and I wasn't sure what I was doing. Dan was patient, educational, and supportive. We had a great collaboration and I felt we were on the same wavelength about tone and content; my book is so much better because of him. And it was the #1 Hot New Release on Amazon!
Allison D.

Allison D.

May, 2019

Dan went above and beyond. His feedback was more thorough than a simple proofread, his comments were insightful and spot on, and his communication throughout made the whole process easier for me. He is awesome. I will absolutely work with him again and I highly recommend Dan to anyone who needs a proofreader or editing of any type whatsoever.
Dean M.

Dean M.

Apr, 2018

Dan was a pleasure to work with. His work was exemplary, and he patiently and kindly helped re-edit passages that were particularly cumbersome. Thanks to Dan's copy editing, the new version of my book got better reviews, and even helped a particularly harsh reviewer amend his review to a positive one. I can whole-heartedly recommend Dan to anyone in need of the services they provide.

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