Dan Varrette - Editor
My editing helps authors develop polished writing, including literary fiction, mystery, science fiction, fantasy, poetry, and business.
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Overview
I provide a full line of editing services to help authors and organizations develop effective and polished writing. I have worked in book publishing for more than fifteen years. My experience includes editing fiction (including literary, mystery, thriller, science fiction, and fantasy), poetry, self-help, and business and personal finance 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, proofreading, and indexing). I am familiar with non-fiction and fiction projects, including novels, poetry collections, and short story collections, but I also work on smaller projects such as individual stories, poems, chapters, and articles.
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, back cover copy, press releases, and social media posts.
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.
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, proofreading, and indexing). I am familiar with non-fiction and fiction projects, including novels, poetry collections, and short story collections, but I also work on smaller projects such as individual stories, poems, chapters, and articles.
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, back cover copy, press releases, and social media posts.
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
Languages
English (CAN)
English (UK)
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Business & Management
Fiction
Fantasy
Literary Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Poetry
Science Fiction
Short Story
Thriller & Suspense
Certifications
- Lynda.com: Digital Publishing Fundamentals, License D1860B
Work experience
Freelance Editor
Self-employed
January, 2007
–
Present
(over 13 years)
Aspiring and established authors alike will benefit from my editorial services. Editing will help your work, whether you plan to approach traditional publishers or intend to self-publish.
I edit novels, short stories, poetry, and other forms of creative writing while keeping in mind both the technical and artistic aspects of every work. Each writer has a unique voice, and I take careful consideration to ensure each is developed fully.
My non-fiction editorial services are available for business communications such as grants, proposals, reports, newsletters, press releases, and more. I have a background in business administration and experience in producing marketing materials.
Managing Editor
Insomniac Press
February, 2005
–
Present
(about 15 years)
Responsible for the editorial workflow of book projects, in addition to the promotion and
publicity of their publication:
• Acting as project editor, copy editor, and proofreader for literary fiction, mysteries/thrillers, poetry, and non-fiction.
• Writing and editing copy for catalogues, press releases, and other marketing materials.
• Representing the press at industry events, including trade shows, conferences,
book launches, and festivals.
• Designing websites to promote authors and their publications.
• Performing search engine optimization (SEO) on websites.
• Instructing and coaching authors on blogging and other online promotion.
• Executing social media promotional strategies on Facebook and Twitter.
• Developing and distributing email newsletters.
• Building and maintaining a media contact database using FileMaker Pro.
Portfolio (10 selected works)
Things Are Different Here: And other stories
Rod Michalko
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 invite us to “come along for the ride”—a ride that will take us through the intrigue and mystery of creating a life in blindness. The unive... 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 dying man seeking forgiveness. Too little, too late. Searching for her lost mother and the son who she believes was taken from her at birt... 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 the discovery – until you realized that you’d have to erase yourself from the continuity in order to put things right again. Is Douglass ... read more
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 bet it all on red. You’re going to a séance that you just know is going to end in skinny-dipping. Something like that. A Van Full of Gir... read more
There Is No Escape Out of Time
Jacqueline Valencia
Memory is an unreliable narrator and a time-travelling sieve for emotion. There’s No Escape Out of Time is an ethereal cinema of a mind, jumping through wormholes in a poet’s past, present, and future, and even in space. Jacqueline Valencia interweaves her love of film and literature, turning it into a playfully lyrical experiment. These poems are about navigating the role and event schemas pe... read more
Under Her
Alexei Perry Cox
These poems examine how language is translated and how sexuality and gender roles are perceived in Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. Crossing country borders and contested nationhood, the collection follows a woman who follows a man who then leaves her to fight for her. Each piece in the poetic narrative questions how relationships function and malfunction before, during, and after wars. Under He... read more
Why Poetry Sucks
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Despite a reputation for dead seriousness, poetry has a long relationship with humour, from Catullus’ complaints to Chaucer’s ribald tales to Kenneth Goldsmith’s appearance on The Colbert Report. Focusing on our contemporary moment, Why Poetry Sucks scrutinizes Canada’s poetic avant-gardes for signs of humorous life. Moving deftly between entertainment, attack, and critique, this poetry makes ... read more
Notes and Dispatches: Essays
rob mclennan
rob mclennan’s second collection of literary essays, Notes and Dispatches, is another display of his vast range of reading contemporary writing. Following his previous collection, subverting the lyric: essays (ECW Press, 2008), mclennan navigates the confessional aspect of Lynn Crosbie’s Liar and the lyric of the American prose poem, the shapes of Camille Martin’s sonnets and Jay MillAr’s inse... read more
From Mindless to Mindful: How to Create Memorable Service Experiences
Draj Fozard, Jesse Otta
How did a former bank executive and a kid from a car wash cross paths to discover a shared passion for crafting memorable customer experiences? From Mindless to Mindful answers this question while weaving together their lessons learned over two vastly different careers. Their stories are real and compelling—they transcend boundaries between industries, the nature of businesses, and generationa... read more
Strategies for Retiring Right!
Rick Atkinson
Worried you won’t have enough money in retirement? Concerned about losing your work identity? Envisioning where you will live after you leave work? Wondering how your relationships will change with your family, friends, and partner? Whether you are considering retirement planning or are already retired, Strategies f or Retiring Right! will help you build a personal retirement plan to enhance y... read more
Dan has 12 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Dan performed a great editorial review of my short story, providing a good summary as well as a line/paragraph breakdown with clear suggestions on improving the story. Hugely valuable, reasonable price, good turn around. Will use again.
Chris Hewitt, March 2020
Dan is a real professional. He delivered a strong, practical copy edit on time at a reasonable price with clear communication. I hope to work with him again in the future.
James Chadwick, March 2020
It was a pleasure to work with you, Dan. Your revision of my work was extraordinary, and I learned a lot from your comments and explanations. My book baby is now better ever.
Thank you! Merci!
David Fung, January 2020
Highly recommend! Thorough, clear, communicative, and great suggestions.
Susie O'Neill, July 2019
This is the second time I have worked with Dan, and I would continue to highly recommend his work. In both instances I have requested proofing with some copy editing and he has done an amazing job with both, even going beyond the request and suggesting some content or stylistic changes where he thought they were required, and 9 out of 10 times, he's right on the money.
Dan is super profession...
Read more
Richard Galbraith, August 2018
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