Dan Varrette

Dan Varrette – Editor

I have 19+ years of developmental editing and copy editing experience working with science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and literary fiction.

Overview

I provide a full line of editing services to help authors and publishers develop effective and polished writing. I have worked in book publishing for more than nineteen years. My experience includes editing fiction in various genres (including science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and literary) for both traditional publishers and self-publishers alike.


I am experienced in developing books from manuscript to finished product. This includes the various levels of editing (developmental editing, substantive/structural editing, stylistic editing, copy/line editing, and proofreading). I am familiar with longer fiction projects such as novels and short story collections, but I also work on smaller projects such as individual stories and chapters.


I am also trained in business and marketing communications and experienced in producing marketing and publicity content for the book publishing industry. This includes query letters, book proposals, synopses, and back cover copy.


I have an eye for detail while maintaining an understanding of the overall scope of each project. My wide variety of interests allows me to take on every assignment with enthusiasm and dedication.

Services
Fiction
Anthologies Dystopian Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime Short Story Time Travel Urban Fantasy
Languages
English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Lynda.com: Digital Publishing Fundamentals, License D1860B

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2007 — Present

My editing services are helpful to both aspiring and seasoned writers, regardless of whether they want to self-publish or approach traditional publishers. I edit creative writing, including novels, short stories, and other works, paying close attention to the technical and artistic elements of each piece while ensuring that the individual voice of the writer is fully developed.

Insomniac Press

Feb, 2005 — Dec, 2019 (almost 15 years)

I served as project editor, copy editor, and proofreader for literary fiction, mysteries, poetry, and nonfiction. My duties also included managing the editorial process of book projects and supervising their promotion and publicity. Along with writing and editing marketing materials such as press releases and catalogues, I also represented the press at industry events, created and optimized author websites, implemented social media plans, created email newsletters, and maintained media contacts.

Insomniac Press

Oct, 2004 — Jan, 2005 (3 months)

Responsibilities included marketing and promoting books, copy editing, and proofreading.

Portfolio

Irma

Maple, Sona

Tellwell Talent

Seekers

Fung, David

Joss Lynn

Wollbaum, R P

R.P. Wollbaum

Tempus

Botea, Thomas

All of Rod Michalko’s stories take place in blindness, and things are different here. Michalko tells of how blind people move through the world encountering sighted people with tragic, daring, and humorous consequences. The characters in Michalko’s stories inv... read more
A Closer Tomorrow

Caffrey, Matt

Chrome Kisses

Popowich, Jamie

İDA - Roots in Cloaks

Kurunc, Handan Oral

A Van Full of Girls

Michael Murray

Have you ever been in a van full of girls? All the girls are alive and they're happy. You’re all heading off to do something whimsical and flirty and you’re maybe a little bit drunk. You’re going to see a Beach Boys tribute band. You’re going to the casino to ... read more
Hypocritic Days

David Fiore

The sci-fi shelves are bursting with obnoxious alternate realities, but what if our own world was revealed to be among the worst of them? If you shared shiftless film critic Douglass Infantino’s caustic view of late capitalism, you’d probably take heart from t... read more
Winnie's Tongue

Nic Labriola

On the day her dad is buried, the woman who calls herself Winnie celebrates by setting out on the strangest road trip of her life. Her travelling companion is an enormous man-child whom she calls Tongue. Their vehicle: the beat-up limousine left to her by a dy... read more

Dan has 56 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Jody F.

Jody F.

Oct, 2024

Dan provided substantial review comments that improved my story's character development, plot, and arc. I would definitely use his services again in the future.
Trinity C.

Trinity C.

Sep, 2024

I was impressed to have received my edits back within three weeks, and with how thorough the work was. I appreciated that Dan would comment in the margins if certain clarity was needed in places, and his alternate suggestions for particular words were a great help. He does excellent work!
Shaun T.

Shaun T.

Aug, 2024

Dan is a true professional. Every step of the process was clearly laid out for me, and completed in a timely manner. I'm elated with the results. My short story was improved dramatically. Thank you, Dan!
Ethan F.

Ethan F.

Aug, 2024

I can't stress enough how great a job Dan did copy-editing my manuscript. He was extremely thorough, and his insights into sentence structure and word choice perfectly aligned with my vision, all while maintaining the flow of the story. This is all despite my novel being a bit unconventional, which meant there were unusual writing techniques that needed to be addressed, and yet, Dan handled pro...
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Robert H.

Robert H.

Jul, 2024

Dan was professional and prompt. He helped me transform my first manuscript into a proper story, was patient with my rookie mistakes, and put lots of thought into his suggestions. Without a doubt Dan helped me craft a significantly improved piece of writing and I highly recommend him.

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