D. L. Smith – Editor

I have two decades of experience as a professional writer, ghostwriter, editor, writing teacher and coach. A New York Times bestselling novelist, my work has been published in more than fifteen countries and appeared in such outlets as The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Chicago Tribune, Texas Monthly and The Paris Review. My writing awards include a Michener Fellowship and literature grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Australia Council for the Arts. I have taught writing at several universities, including the University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University and Rice University. Since 2008, I've taught on the fiction faculty at the Warren Wilson College MFA Program for Writers and currently serve on the program's academic board.

As a coach and editor, I've helped dozens of writers find their way to publication, including with a recent USA Today bestseller for Google's top productivity guru.

When consulting on a coaching, editing, or ghostwriting project, I like to begin by assessing the author's goals and experience. Typically, that involves a 30-minute phone or video call and sometimes I ask for 10 pages of material. From there, I like to follow up with written notes and a project plan of how we might work together, including the scope of the project, the relevant fees, and phases of completion. My approach is professional, precise and exacting, but also warm, positive and supportive. I am always in search of a work’s highest evolution.