Daveda Lamont – Editor

I've worked as a freelance nonfiction book editor since 1985, first in Hollywood, then the New York Metro area. I specialize in developmental editing and copyediting, but describe my editorial approach as “comprehensive" because I look to see what your manuscript's actual needs are rather than following a rote formula. I seek to understand your vision and purpose, to determine those areas that can be improved.

Genres include nonfiction books in creative, inspirational/self-help, instructional and entrepreneurial categories.

My book editing credits include titles in film, music, vocal and general artists' career guides; artistic and athletic self-improvement and inspiration; entertainer and celebrity memoirs; personal advice and self-help; and nutrition and alternative healthcare (see Portfolio below). I've edited wonderful stories of how skilled innovators--a celebrity, artist, health investigator, entrepreneur or teacher--came to develop their own new approach, method or technique that led to a notable advance in their field or profession and success.

REVIEWS AND COMMENTS

++About FRAME BY FRAME, a Handbook for Creative Filmmaking, by Eric Sherman:

“Should be the Bible for aspiring and professional filmmakers.” ‑-Samuel Fuller, director

“The clearest vision of the craft of cinema that I have ever encountered.” ‑-Gary Essert, founder FILMEX

++About THE CONTEMPORARY KEYBOARDIST, by John Novello:

“Music Book of the Year.” ‑-Pacific Coast Review

“A college within a book.” ‑-Musician Magazine

++About THE ARTISTS’ MANIFESTO, by Thomas Lane:

“No artist should begin his or her career without first reading this book. Lane speaks of one of the most important aspects of any artist's career—taking responsibility for your own art.” ‑-Rich Esra, former V.P., Arista Records; educator, Univ. of California at Los Angeles

“This is a very timely book. The Artists’ Manifesto champions artists in all fields who are working to surmount the greed and selfishness in the world today.” ‑-Len Forman, former V.P. Marketing, Simon & Schuster

COMMENTS FROM AUTHORS & PUBLISHERS

"One more question. How do you do that? I mean, you seemed to be able to pull the exact intent from my writing, expand upon it and clarify what I am trying to convey."

--Kirk Mango, author BECOMING A TRUE CHAMPION: Achieving Athletic Excellence from the Inside Out

“You are a great editor and fun to work with.”

--Thomas Lane, author, The Artists’ Manifesto

“Special superb editing helped transform my raw manuscript into a concise and flowing communication.”

--John Novello, author, The Contemporary Keyboardist

“Our best vocal book.”

--Hal Leonard, publisher, The Professional Singer’s Handbook by Gloria Rusch

“You did a beautiful job on this, from title to word‑by‑word work.”

--Tony Cohan, Acrobat Books, publisher, Frame by Frame by Eric Sherman