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Doing What’s Right for Your Book

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“If you look at the landscape of independent author circles, publishing networks, and high-end marketplaces, David Aretha is widely cited as the most prolific and top-rated editor for hire across the industry.”

—Google Gemini, 2026

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😯Got the AI jitters?😯​

Don’t worry. I’m a real, live human being who edits books with his own brain.*”

 

Hi, everyone! If you need an editor for your book manuscript, you’ve come to the right place. Even if I’m not the best match for you, I can put you in touch with someone who is.

 

I love my job because I get to work with a kaleidoscope of authors, each offering unique perspectives, talents, and insights. Some authors are nervous about sharing their manuscript with an editor, but please note that I am open-minded and easygoing and treat everyone with kindness and respect.

 

* I do use AI as a safety net, including Grammarly and a subscription service used by professional editors.

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5.0 Stars on Google Reviews (36 ratings)

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Five Reasons to Consider Me

 

1) According to Google AI, “a 95 percent catch rate is considered a high-quality, professional standard in copyediting.” I typically catch over 99 percent of mistakes and inconsistencies.

 

2) I offer fair, competitive pricing that aligns with industry standards.

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3) I am a writer myself, authoring over 100 books (mostly juvenile nonfiction). My overall rating on Goodreads (books authored and edited) is 4.25 (4,000+ ratings), placing me in the top 2 percent.

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4) I was the first editor endorsed by the Independent Book Publishers Association (3,000 members), as voted by their board of directors.

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5) I have edited hundreds of books and manuscripts, fiction and nonfiction, for such publishers as Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, St. Martin’s Press, Wiley, Total/Sports Illustrated, and the American Library Association. While politically independent, I have proofread documents for:

 

Smithsonian Institution * Microsoft * Visa * City of Hope * AARP * National Humane Society * Wounded Warrior Project * Harvard Graduate School of Education * Citibank * Jane Goodall Society * National Children’s Cancer Society * Democratic Party, including many campaign letters signed by Presidents Obama and Biden * City National Bank * Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) * Environmental Defense Fund * Barack Obama Foundation * National Museum of African American History & Culture * Yosemite National Park

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My Specialties

 

I specialize in copyediting (line editing) and proofreading of all genres—and developmental editing for many genres. Often, I provide both developmental editing and copyediting in the same read. Authors love that because they don’t have to pay for two editors or two rounds of editing.

 

I have been editing professionally since I was a 19-year-old student at the University of Michigan. For 20 years, I served as an editor/senior editor/department manager at Publications International, the largest individually owned book publisher in the United States. I was assigned the most challenging books, such as The Holocaust Chronicle and Civil Rights Chronicle, which sold a combined 500,000 copies. I worked daily with a dozen in-house editors, and we proofread each other’s work, allowing us to learn from each other every day.

 

Since 2013, I have been working mostly with self-publishing/independent authors. I have edited many books in these genres:

 

Fiction: novels (thrillers, crime, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, and many more), young adult, children’s, historical fiction

 

Nonfiction: memoirs, autobiographies, history, health/wellness, mental health, business, personal finance, military, politics, sports (baseball, football, basketball, golf…), biographies, social issues, and more

 

How the Process Works

 

If you send me some of your manuscript, I will provide you with a quote, a free sample edit, and free publishing advice. If I don’t think we’re a good match, I will let you know up front and offer you alternatives.

 

I can suggest whether you should try to publish traditionally, work with a hybrid publisher (which is often a pricey option), or self-publish. If you decide to self-publish, I can refer you to colleagues who can design your cover, design/format your book’s interior, help you self-publish on Amazon, and assist you with marketing.

 

I accept Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, and personal check.

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I’d be happy to chat with you via email, phone, or Zoom. ​Hope to work with you!

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Dave

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