David Restaino

David Restaino – Editor

Editor with 10+ years experience in short fiction, literary fiction, novellas, and children's books. Let me help make every word count!

Overview

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating on diverse projects, spanning children’s books, literary novellas, and translated literature from global writers, including multiple Pushcart Prize nominees. Additionally, I contribute to two literary magazines—Kitchen Table Quarterly and The Maine Review—which keep me attuned to contemporary fiction trends. My own writing has been featured in publications like Michigan Quarterly Review, Funicular Magazine, Horizon Magazine, and Thread Magazine. This breadth of experience across genres has equipped me with a unique editorial approach, enriching my ability to provide comprehensive feedback.

One of my greatest jobs in this work is assisting emerging writers and established authors hone their distinct voices. Engaging with writers of diverse backgrounds has cultivated a sensitivity in my editing process, focused on enhancing craft while preserving the author’s unique style.

As a writer myself, I understand the significance of finding the right editor. Whether it is refining each sentence for impact or ensuring a solid narrative framework for your story, rest assured, I will approach your manuscript with care and a keen eye for craft to support your vision rather than stifle it. I believe my role as an editor lies in nurturing your passion to its fullest potential.

My services include:

—Editorial Assessments

—Developmental Edits

—Copyediting

—Proofreading

I can’t wait to discuss your project!

* AVAILABLE FOR NEW CLIENTS STARTING: SEPTEMBER *

Testimonial:

”To say that David is a professional is to say nothing. During our collaboration, he was not just an editor, but also a teacher, a mentor and a friend. I marvel at his tolerance for details and their explanations. Thanks to him, my manuscript has improved and can now proudly be called a book. I recommend him with courage and confidence, especially to those who try such cooperation for the first time and, like me, are afraid to make a choice.”

—Vladimir Manascurta

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Literary Fiction Picture Books Short Story
Non-Fiction
Humanities & Social Sciences
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • London Library Emerging Writer Fellowship 2024/2025
  • London Arts and Humanities Partnership funding
  • Driftwood Press Short Story Contest — quarter-finalist
  • Dillydoun Review Flash Fiction Contest — runner-up
  • Pushcart Prize — nomination
  • London Independent Story Prize (flash fiction) — finalist
  • Fractured Lit OPEN Flash Fiction Contest — shortlisted
  • Best of the Net — nomination
  • SmokeLong Quarterly Grand Micro Contest — Longlisted
Certifications
  • MFA Creative Writing from University of East Anglia
  • Tin House Winter Workshop

Work experience

King’s College London

Sep, 2025 — Present
PhD Candidate in Creative Writing with supervision by Benjamin Wood and Edmund Gordon. The creative project focuses on the intersection of collective grief and climate collapse through the lens of flash fiction.

Living Libraries

Jan, 2019 — Present
Oversee the production and editing of children's graphic novel series.

The Maine Review

Oct, 2024 — Present
Work with editorial staff to select and edit fiction pieces for publication.

The Maine Review

Jan, 2023 — Present
Evaluate and edit fiction submissions.

Kitchen Table Quarterly

Jan, 2023 — Present
Evaluate and edit poetry and non-fiction submissions.

Suffragette Stories

Jun, 2018 — Dec, 2018 (6 months)
Ran creative writing workshops and edited the anthology Suffragette Stories.

Egg Box Publishing

Aug, 2017 — Aug, 2018 (about 1 year)
Evaluated manuscript submissions for publication.

Strangers Press

Jun, 2017 — Jul, 2018 (about 1 year)
Assisted in the editing and marketing of the Keshiki series.

Portfolio

Descending Up

Manascurta, Vladimir

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
This Chapbooks is (a) Ghetto

Lucas , Christian Loriel

Sweet Girl Press

Copy Editing Proofreading
A Strange Journey

Wynne, Harold

Copy Editing Proofreading
Editorial Assessment
Isaac Abrams

Estevez, Joseph

Copy Editing Proofreading
In the Flow of Time

Isidore-Depina, Wiseline

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
My Roommate is the Worst!

Heather Rae Beauchesne

Copy Editing
When Lena Was Little

Jelena Radusinovic

Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
The Gobbler

E.G. Creel

Copy Editing Proofreading
The ABCs of Money

C. Uzokwe, Dr Henry

Copy Editing
Copy Editing Proofreading

David has 79 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Nicole B.

Nicole B.

Mar, 2026

Pinned
If you are on the fence, definitely hire David! This was my second time working with him, and it won't be the last. David treats your work like his own. He rigorously examined both of my stories and provided amazing feedback, both at the sentence level and developmentally. He made some great reco...
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Anat K.

Anat K.

Jun, 2024

Pinned
It's hard to describe just how wonderful this collaboration was. David is not only a true professional who taught me an immense amount of invaluable knowledge about the writing, editing and publishing processes, but he is also a responsive, caring, super nice and humble individual. I highly recom...
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Christian L.

Christian L.

Apr, 2024

Pinned
David was the perfect choice for my short story collection. I had no idea what to expect, as this was my first time collaborating with an editor via Reedsy. And I was a little nervous. But David's professionalism and flexibility made this process run smoothly. I was able to relax knowing that I h...
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Nicole C.

Nicole C.

Apr, 2026

It was a great pleasure and learning experience working with David on my first finished novel. David helped me first with a developmental edit, followed by a revision period for me to implement changes. After that, he provided a copyedit of the revised work. During the former, David helped me see...
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ABHILASH G.

ABHILASH G.

Mar, 2026

David provided very helpful feedback and improved my understanding of narrative structures and character arcs as a whole.

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