David Gatewood – Editor

I have been a full-time freelance editor for 13 years. Clients include bestsellers Hugh Howey (I edited the series that is now "Silo" on Apple TV), AG Riddle, Anne Frasier, Christopher Greyson, Karen Traviss, Nick Cole, Jason Anspach, Peter Nealen, KC Julius, JN Chaney, CJ Lyons, and more, and for three years I served as the editor-in-chief at WarGate Books (which focuses on SF and military fiction). For the over 500 books I've edited, copies sold are in the tens of millions. I have also edited and produced several short story anthologies (copies sold are in the tens of thousands), and with Hugh Howey, I co-wrote a children's book called "Ten Li'l Cannibals." (Copies sold are in the... tens. Ah well.)

I specialize in line editing paired with comprehensive in-line developmental feedback. I focus on strengthening prose (style, clarity, tone, and flow) and content (continuity, character motivation, natural dialogue, etc.) within the manuscript, rather than providing separate structural reports. My personal reading interests lean toward science fiction and mystery/thriller, but I edit across all genres.

I'm a firm believer in "The way you do anything is the way you do everything." I treat each book as if it were my own. My feedback will be honest and straightforward, but I also aim to make it constructive and kind. I find it particularly fulfilling when I can not only improve a manuscript but also help a writer "level up" on future manuscripts.

Testimonials:

A.G. Riddle: "Outstanding. He is focused, effective, and just fun to work with. I found myself saying ‘great catch’ in the comments over and over. For both developmental and copyediting, I recommend David.”

Hugh Howey: "If anyone is looking for the best editor around, look no further. David has been a huge part of my last five novels, and I can’t possibly do him justice. He is a genius. And hilarious. I’ve been bugging him to open shop for a year now, but he’s wanted to remain unlisted. He finally caved."

KC Julius: “Hiring David to edit the four books of my fantasy series, The Drinnglennin Chronicles, was, hands down, the best decision I’ve made as an independently publishing author. David’s guidance and contributions greatly improved my manuscripts and far exceeded the traditional role of a copy/line editor. Simply put, when it comes to polishing a manuscript, I place full trust in his excellent judgement and honest feedback, and I wouldn’t want to work with anyone else. He is, in my book, the best in the business.”