Editorial Freelancers Association
Member Profile
Donald Weise
I’m a highly-skilled, respected, and award-winning book editor with more than twenty years’ editorial experience working with both fiction and nonfiction projects. Publisher clients include Doubleday, Penguin, Bantam, Basic Books, Seven Stories, and I also freelance privately for individuals at all levels of writing and across most genres.
I’ve edited and ghost-written for a wide array of authors, everyone from New York Times bestselling novelists to first-time writers. Among the many notable writers I have edited are Gore Vidal, Edward Albee, E. Lynn Harris, Edmund White, James Purdy, Samuel R. Delany, John Rechy, Bayard Rustin, Ben Gazzara, and Peter Falk. However, I’ve also worked with scores of newcomers, so I’m especially attuned to the needs and concerns of first-time authors.
My editorial work has been singled out for distinction by the American Library Association (keynoted its 2014 national convention), Publishers Weekly (named one of the year’s twelve “Industry Changemakers”), and Out magazine, among others.
Particular areas of editorial expertise are general fiction, mystery, memoir/biography, self-help, history, politics, women’s studies, African American studies, multicultural studies, gay and lesbian studies, and gender studies.
Patient, knowledgeable, and dependable, I welcome all inquiries.
Endorsements for my work:
“You are one hell of an editor! I have never, never seen such abundantly thoughtful, insightful, cogent, and truly supportive work. For the first time, I really feel I can make it because of your eye. Your work is brilliant.”—Roberta Degnore, author client
“Regarding your editorial comments, ‘Wow!’ I found them to be outstanding—you were supportive, honest, and perceptive in crafting your suggestions to my writing abilities. That you were able to point out holes in the plot and narrative while gently leading me toward ‘blind spots’ in my writing and creative awareness speaks to your experience as an editor and teacher. Thank you, thank you.”—Lars Larsen, author client
“As I drew closer to completing my book, I Googled dozens and dozens of editors, read dozens and dozens of profiles, and was insufficiently convinced dozens and dozens of times. This was too important. Then, after a year of looking, I found Don and my radar pinged. But nothing pinged louder than when I incorporated the edits and realized my novel had been elevated to the land of hopes and dreams—and the kicker was that Don’s such a great guy. Instincts are a funny thing. Thank God for my instincts!”— Carlos Aguila, author client
“Don exceeded expectations. The level of detail, thought, and advice he provided was beyond valuable. I was blown away. Specifically, I could tell he put a lot of thought into the structure, rhythm, and sense of my content and offered specific guidance on how to rectify.”
—John Diefendorf, author client
West End Ave.
New York, NY 10025
US
Email: dweised@aol.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-weise-ab922895?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile
Years in the field: 29
Years freelancing: 20
Donald Weise
I’m a highly-skilled, respected, and award-winning book editor with more than twenty years’ editorial experience working with both fiction and nonfiction projects. Publisher clients include Doubleday, Penguin, Bantam, Basic Books, Seven Stories, and I also freelance privately for individuals at all levels of writing and across most genres.
I’ve edited and ghost-written for a wide array of authors, everyone from New York Times bestselling novelists to first-time writers. Among the many notable writers I have edited are Gore Vidal, Edward Albee, E. Lynn Harris, Edmund White, James Purdy, Samuel R. Delany, John Rechy, Bayard Rustin, Ben Gazzara, and Peter Falk. However, I’ve also worked with scores of newcomers, so I’m especially attuned to the needs and concerns of first-time authors.
My editorial work has been singled out for distinction by the American Library Association (keynoted its 2014 national convention), Publishers Weekly (named one of the year’s twelve “Industry Changemakers”), and Out magazine, among others.
Particular areas of editorial expertise are general fiction, mystery, memoir/biography, self-help, history, politics, women’s studies, African American studies, multicultural studies, gay and lesbian studies, and gender studies.
Patient, knowledgeable, and dependable, I welcome all inquiries.
Endorsements for my work:
“You are one hell of an editor! I have never, never seen such abundantly thoughtful, insightful, cogent, and truly supportive work. For the first time, I really feel I can make it because of your eye. Your work is brilliant.”—Roberta Degnore, author client
“Regarding your editorial comments, ‘Wow!’ I found them to be outstanding—you were supportive, honest, and perceptive in crafting your suggestions to my writing abilities. That you were able to point out holes in the plot and narrative while gently leading me toward ‘blind spots’ in my writing and creative awareness speaks to your experience as an editor and teacher. Thank you, thank you.”—Lars Larsen, author client
“As I drew closer to completing my book, I Googled dozens and dozens of editors, read dozens and dozens of profiles, and was insufficiently convinced dozens and dozens of times. This was too important. Then, after a year of looking, I found Don and my radar pinged. But nothing pinged louder than when I incorporated the edits and realized my novel had been elevated to the land of hopes and dreams—and the kicker was that Don’s such a great guy. Instincts are a funny thing. Thank God for my instincts!”— Carlos Aguila, author client
“Don exceeded expectations. The level of detail, thought, and advice he provided was beyond valuable. I was blown away. Specifically, I could tell he put a lot of thought into the structure, rhythm, and sense of my content and offered specific guidance on how to rectify.”
—John Diefendorf, author client
