Overview
I love helping writers bring shape, focus, and polish to their ideas and their stories, whether they've authored established bestsellers or are beginners.
For 20+ years, I've edited books for Penguin Random House, Hachette, Macmillan, and many others. I've also worked with self-published authors.
I’ve been on both sides of the editorial table, as writer and editor. I understand how to give you honest, respectful feedback. The goal is always to make the book better.
THE PROCESS
After I review your manuscript, I’ll:
**give you an editorial assessment and create a road map for bringing it to completion
**offer specific suggestions for revising the overall structure and content of your work, if we agree that’s necessary
**provide detailed comments about your voice and use of language, giving you specific suggestions for edits
** flag grammatical, spelling, and factual errors, as well as errors of consistency and clarity
** give you a realistic sense of where your book could fit into the publishing ecosystem
BACKGROUND
I’m the founding partner of Sideshow Media, a highly regarded book producer. Prior to founding Sideshow, I held executive editorial and marketing positions at publishers including Rizzoli, Stewart, Tabori & Chang (now part of Abrams), and Watson-Guptill/Billboard.
TESTIMONIALS
“During my tenure as Editorial Director of the Frommer’s Travel Guides, I had the sincere pleasure of working with Dan over a 3-year span on the critically acclaimed launch of our full-size, full-color “Day by Day” travel guides. … He was a creative, versatile, and rock-steady partner on a high-stakes project, and I would jump at the chance to work with him again."
—Kelly Regan, Editorial Director, Frommer’s
“You were extraordinary to take a risk on me, and so patient, and I feel like I got to use some of COVID time attending graduate school with the most wonderful professor.”
—Rebecca Ascher-Walsh, co-author, How to Survive Middle School: U.S. History (Random House Children's Books)
“Dan is one of those rare publishing people whose incredible smarts and literary sensibilities are complemented by enviable powers of organization, a profound understanding of the state of the business and how it has been transformed by the information age, and an almost preternatural affability.”
—Nathaniel Marunas, Executive Editor, Sterling Publishing and Publisher, Quercus Publishing
Let’s see if we’re a good match. I’m eager to hear your idea, read your work, and start a dialogue. Meanwhile, happy writing!
Services
Non-Fiction
Fiction
Languages
Work experience
Self-employed
Rizzoli International Publications
Portfolio
Dan has 2 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness

Robert R.
Jun, 2025

Tsogtsaikhan T.
Aug, 2022