Dan Smith

Dan Smith – Editor

I'm an editor, copyeditor, proofreader and author of non-fiction - specialising in biography, history, politics, geography and reference.

Overview

I'm an experienced editor of non-fiction and reference for both children and adults. For over twenty years, I have worked with major publishers including SpringerNature, Pan Macmillan, Palgrave Macmillan, Michael O’Mara, Quercus, Quarto, Icon Books, Carlton Books, Head of Zeus and Thames & Hudson. I am also the author of over thirty non-fiction books of my own, in genres as disparate as biography, education, history, humour, language, trivia and true crime (twice nominated for the Crime Writers Association Gold Dagger for Non-Friction). On top of that, I am a scriptwriter on the British Podcast Award-winning 'Real Dictators' and 'Short History of... ' podcast series.

I love getting a book over the line and ready for publication and there is no subject that I am afraid of! If you have a text that needs a final polish or a more fundamental overhaul, or perhaps an idea for a project that needs some flesh on its bones, I am happy to help. I have developed numerous titles from initial concept to finished product and I am comfortable working at all stages of the editorial process – whether it’s preparing a presentation to take to Frankfurt to making sure all of those double quotes are changed to singles!

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Children’s Non-Fiction Education & Reference History Political Science & Current Affairs
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Qualified to degree level.

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2004 — Present

With twenty years of experience in the publishing industry, I have undertaken projects of varying types from proofing and copy-editing to project development. I have worked on everything from major reference works and educational texts to long-form narrative non-fiction, for both the print and online markets. I also bring extensive experience as an author, having sold somewhere in the region of a million books in international markets.

Palgrave Macmillan

Feb, 1999 — Dec, 2020 (almost 22 years)

For over twenty years I was a contributing editor to The Statesman's Yearbook, a geo-political guide to the world published annually since 1865. I have worked extensively on both the print and online editions of the book.

Portfolio

Speeches That Changed the World
This is the essential guide for all new and established writers for the screen. Including useful, easy-to-search contact detail entries from courses, societies and grants to representation and production companies, along with provocative articles and invaluabl... read more
The Artist's Yearbook is the only comprehensive reference guide to getting ahead in the UK art world. Offering advice, information and inspiration for all artists in one fact-packed volume, the book features carefully vetted information on and contact details ... read more
The rhetorical question is one of those grammatical quirks that just doesn't seem to have any logic to it: a question that doesn't require an answer - what kind of question is that? However, now, thanks to "Answers to Rhetorical Questions", you will no longer ... read more
Kayak The Kwanza

Oscar Scafidi

In June 2016, Oscar Scafidi and Alfy Weston set out to complete the first ever source-to-sea expedition along Angola’s longest river, the Kwanza. Paddling and carrying a forty-year-old collapsible wooden kayak, they embarked on a journey of 1,300km in support ... read more
Alchemists sought gold in it. David Bowie refrigerated it to ward off evil. In the trenches of Ypres soldiers used it as a gas mask, whereas modern-day terrorists add it to home-made explosives. All the Fullers, Tuckers and Walkers in the phonebook owe their n... read more
Backstop Country

Glenn Patterson

A witty and impassioned book on Ulster, which has been thrust into the centre of British and European politics and which is likely to become Britain's frontier with the wider world. Very few citizens of the mainland UK know very much about Ulster, after 20 yea... read more
Politics has never been more unpredictable. Radical populists and insurgents have turned politics-as-usual on its head. Progress and Parasites explores how we got here, where we are heading and what we can do about it. Douglas Carswell argues that these insurg... read more
In this, the first serious biographical assessment of Ken Dodd since the death of the feather duster-wielding Liverpudlian in spring 2018, respected historian of British light entertainment Louis Barfe charts the life and extraordinarily long comedic career of... read more
Art Of War Strategic Puzzles

Richard Wolfrik Galland

BRAND NEW, Exactly same ISBN as listed, Please double check ISBN carefully before ordering.
Byron's Women

Alexander Larman

One was the mother who bore him; three were women who adored him; one was the sister he slept with; one was his abused and sodomized wife; one was his legitimate daughter; one was the fruit of his incest; another was his friend Shelley's wife, who avoided his ... read more
A fun, accessible, interactive workbook to ensure that readers are never caught out by misplaced apostrophes, dangling participles, or poor spelling againEnglish is a complicated language, and every now and then all writers need a little help in getting it rig... read more
We are looking at the first generation in living memory who can expect to be poorer than their parents, even as the economy continues to grow. This is unprecedented. No generation in modern history has been poorer than its parents. And they could be quite a lo... read more
Ultra

Tobias Jones

Italy's ultras are the most organised and violent fans in European football. Many groups have evolved into criminal gangs, involved in ticket-touting, drug-dealing and murder. A cross between the Hells Angels and hooligans, they're often the foot-soldiers of t... read more
A fascinating story of London as told through the buildings, parks, and palaces that are no longer there From bull rings to ice fairs and plague pits to molly houses, this is a truly intriguing journey through London's forgotten past—unearthing both the extrao... read more
Now in its 155th edition, The Statesman's Yearbook continues to be the reference work of choice for accurate and reliable information on every country in the world. Covering political, economic, social and cultural aspects, the Yearbook is also available onlin... read more
Ever wondered what it takes to get into Fort Knox? Fancied a peek inside the Coca-Cola Safety Deposit Box? Would you dare to visit Three Mile Island? The world is full of secret places that we either don't know about, or couldn't visit even if we wanted to. No... read more
Get right inside the strategic thinking behind 50 of history's greatest military, political and economic triumphs - and disasters. Learn how strategic thinking evolved as history's most gifted generals, politicians and business tycoons looked to the past for l... read more
Set off from London and travel across the globe. Then try to make it back! In Lonely Planet Kids' Around the World in 50 Ways, kids choose their favourite routes and transportation, from tuk-tuks and sleds, to steamboats and hot-air balloons. They'll visit fam... read more
BRAND NEW, Exactly same ISBN as listed, Please double check ISBN carefully before ordering.

Dan has 4 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Ed F.

Ed F.

Mar, 2024

As a first time author, Daniel Smith provided me with crucial and insightful advice. I doubt it would be publishable without his help. I have a long way to go but Daniel laid out a plan with detailed suggestions and encouragements such that I believe I can finish it.
Dan S.
Thanks, Ed - it's been a pleasure working with you on this and I have no doubt the finished manuscript will be of enormous value to its target market. A book born out of years of acquired wisdom!
Hugh M.

Hugh M.

Oct, 2022

Dan did a fantastic job of tidying up my grammatical errors and making helpful suggestions. Quick to respond, he is extremely flexible and professional - and completed ahead of the forecast date. I have no hesitation recommending his services to others.
Barbara K.

Barbara K.

Feb, 2022

Very useful feedback.
Mike C.

Mike C.

Oct, 2020

I really appreciated working with Dan. He is always very responsive and professional. He does what he says (on the tin). Technically he is highly proficient and his experience shows. I think there are three things that make him outstanding. 1. He GOT the the project and had an instinctive feel for what I needed. 2. He was interested in it and took time to understand it. 3. He builds trust s...
Read more
Dan S.
Thanks, Mike. Was a pleasure working with you, and I am very hopeful you'll find a good home for the book. It deserves to get a large readership. Best, Dan

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