Dan Hanks

Dan Hanks – Editor

Professional editor of SFF/Horror. Have worked with bestselling authors Shauna Lawless, Gemma Amor, Stacey McEwan. (No AI please.)

Overview

I'm a professional developmental and copy editor with several years experience working with traditional publishers, self-publishing authors, and querying writers.

I'm also a traditionally published author of SFF/horror and have worked previously as a literary agency slush reader. So I know first-hand what agents and editors want to see in those pages, how to make them work, AND how to inspire you with feedback - rather than hit you over the head with it!

Recent editorial success stories include working with author Shauna Lawless prior to her querying THE CHILDREN OF GODS AND FIGHTING MEN, as well as working with Bram Stoker Award-nominated horror author Gemma Amor on WHITE PINES. I was also honoured to work on VALLEY by Stacey McEwan. Being an author too, I have a unique insight into both sides of the process and enjoy working closely with writers at all stages of their journey - not only offering professional editorial assessments and full developmental edits, but also those tidbits of invaluable information all of us need to know to make the often ridiculous process both fun and rewarding.

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Fantasy Horror Romantic Fantasy
Languages
English (AUS) English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jul, 2019 — Present
Working as an accredited fiction editor with clients looking to either self publish or give their manuscripts the best chance of success with a traditional literary agent/publisher. Clients have included authors Shauna Lawless and Gemma Amor, and publishers Angry Robot and Datura.

Alex Adsett Literary

Jun, 2019 — Mar, 2020 (9 months)
Worked remotely as a slush reader for Australian Literary Agent Alex Adsett.

Portfolio

Our Gifted Hearts

Kennedy, Jennifer

Angry Robot

Developmental Editing
The Othello Club

Pennington, J.D.

Datura Books

Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
White Pines

Amor, Gemma

Developmental Editing
The Hunter's Gambit

Pierlot, Ciel

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Shadow of the Eagle (The Children of Verus Book 1)

Weston, Paula

Ignite Books

Copy Editing
The Meet-Poop

Salazar, Noelle

Noelle Salazar

Developmental Editing Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Threadbound (The Woven Realms Book 1)

M.E.Moirin

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Wrenkle (The Witching Series Book 1)

Barton, Mark

Mark H Barton

Developmental Editing
Sentient

Nayak, Michael

Angry Robot

Copy Editing
The Final Orchard

Rivera, CJ

Angry Robot

Developmental Editing
The Drowned Siren

Lodwick, Callisto

Datura Books

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
SPORES: A Dark Fairy Tale (The Darkest Hour: Short Horror Stories)

Dean, E.V.

Horror World Books

Developmental Editing
Awakened

Elliott, Laura

Angry Robot

Proofreading
Hoppelsigh

James, Michael

Michael James

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Symbiote

Nayak, Michael

Angry Robot

Proofreading
Space Brooms!

Rodriguez, A.G.

Angry Robot

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing

Dan has 39 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Mark B.

Mark B.

Dec, 2024

Pinned
Let me start by saying that, in summary, Dan exceeded my expectations. Dan was patient, informative, honest, and very thorough. What I got when I hired Dan is someone that not only carried out what was agreed upon, but also added value as he went way above what I expected. He delivered a compre...
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Dan H.
Mark, this is such a wonderful review, thank you so much for these kind words. It was a delight to work with you on this fantastic story and I'm excited to know you'd want to send more my way - yes...
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EV D.

EV D.

Nov, 2024

Pinned
I really enjoyed working with Dan! I am a first time author and he was incredibly responsive to all of my questions and guided me through my first professional edit. His feedback was incredibly helpful and thorough and is making my second round of revisions very streamlined. When I had questions ...
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Dan H.
Eve, thank you so much for this - it was a pleasure working with you too! Wishing you the very best of luck with your fantastic story.
Ken S.

Ken S.

Nov, 2024

Pinned
Dan is quick, concise, and wonderful to work with. He gave me exactly what my book was missing, and I can't thank him enough for his help. If you're on the fence about hiring an editor, put your trust in Dan!
Dan H.
Ken, this is lovely to read, thanks so much. It's been a joy working with you on this book and I wish you the very best of luck with it!
George K.

George K.

Feb, 2026

I reached out to Dan to get a sense where my book was at and what areas needed work. From the off Dan was responsive and clear on what was on offer and how it worked, he was flexible and helpful going above and beyond to support me. The actual report Dan put together was informative, detailed...
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Montiago L.

Montiago L.

Feb, 2026

I can't recommend Dan highly enough. I was shocked by the depth of his analysis, grasping all of the key concepts in my novel, even if they were a bit obfuscated or (perhaps unnecessarily) complex. He provided guidance at all scales from the big picture themes down to minute details in each scene...
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