Daveda Lamont

Daveda Lamont – Editor

Comprehensive nonfiction editing, over 35 yrs. Arts, how-to, instructional, innovators' autobiographies. New and established authors.

Overview

I've worked as a freelance nonfiction book editor since 1985, first in Hollywood, then the New York Metro area. I am a twice-published nonfiction co-author and wrote a historical fantasy novella that earned three awards. 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, and vocal instruction; 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 a skilled innovator--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 thanks...your 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


Services
Non-Fiction
Art Biographies & Memoirs Career Guides Health & Wellbeing Inspirational Music Self-Help & Self-Improvement Sports & Outdoors
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Finalist in Visionary Fiction, USA Bests Books 2011
  • Silver Medal Finalist Novella, 2012 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
  • Finalist in Cross-Genre Fiction, 2012 National Indie Excellence Awards

Work experience

Self-employed

Jul, 2001 — Present

As described above in this profile.

Self-employed

Jan, 2000 — Jun, 2001 (over 1 year)

I worked with curriculum writers and experts to edit courses for the online universities of corporate clients including Barnes and Noble, Visa and Dell. Responsible for ensuring the overall quality of interactive courses through developmental and copy editing. Revised, restructured and rewrote course lesson text, sidebars, quizzes and assignments. Course subjects included retirement planning, investing, online commerce, fine art appreciation, family savings planning, college admission, consumer investing and finance, investment risk and reward, and others.

Self-employed

May, 1985 — Jan, 2000 (over 14 years)

My editorial services are described above in the Overview.

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