Endorsements
“I’ve worked with David on many books (most of my career), and nobody is better! He’s a gifted editor with a gentle and thoughtful touch. He understands artists, and I can’t recommend him more.”
— Patricia Cornwell, no. 1 bestselling author of the Kay Scarpetta novels
✐
“David simultaneously resurrected the character Penn Cage and maybe even me after a catastrophic accident in 2011 left me wondering what kind of life I’d have again. Our work together resulted in Natchez Burning, the first in a no. 1 New York Times bestselling trilogy. We got to know each other earlier through the editing and publication of The Quiet Game, the first Penn Cage novel, and in all those years, David has been honest, challenging, motivating and inspiring. Just what I needed to keep going—and to thrive.”
— Greg Iles, author of The Natchez Burning Trilogy
✐
“David has had a big impact on my writing life. We built only one book together, but in The Lightning Rod he helped me find a brand-new way to look at myself. Simply put, he let me see myself as the writer I HOPE to be. That is an incalculable gift—a gift to last a lifetime. Thank you, David.”
— Brad Meltzer, no. 1 bestselling author of The Lightning Rod
✐
“I’m forever grateful that David was my acquiring editor at William Morrow. He ushered me into the world of publishing with compassion, intelligence, creativity, and, most importantly, savviness about the business of books. He was a pleasure to work with, all while making me a better writer in every way.”
— Peter Swanson, author of Kill Your Darlings
✐
“Working with David has been the highlight of my literary career. Not only is he a great editor, he’s also a great teacher. I can recall so many examples over our years of working together when he pointed out a weakness in my manuscript, suggested ideas on how to make it stronger, and then offered literary examples to guide my revisions. Everything I ever worked on was better after it passed through David’s hands.”
— Wiley Cash, author of A Land More Kind Than Home
“David is the second-most important person (after the author!) in the genesis of the Jack Reacher series. He turned a promising idea into what has become a $3bn global entertainment franchise. His editing was kind, subtle, wise and scalpel-sharp perceptive. His bedside manner was gentle and gracious, but it hid an implacable determination to make the books as good as they could be. Working with him was a pleasure and a privilege.”
— Lee Child, no. 1 bestselling author of the Jack Reacher novels
✐
“Working with David was a gift and a highlight of my career. He’s a legendary editor for good reason and his superb notes at every level—story, character, line—were crucial to the success of The Night Agent. If you have a chance to team up with him, take it!”
— Matthew Quirk, author of Hour of the Assassin
✐
“David was a sharp, meticulous and incredibly capable editor, totally focused on telling a great story. He improved the narrative structure and pacing with smart ideas and then dove into a deep line edit, sentence by sentence, word by word. He is completely committed to his projects and to his authors.”
— Debbie Cenziper, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and co-author of Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality
✐
“I’ve worked with plenty of editors over the years, but none have matched David. When he left the corporate life, it was like I’d lost my right arm. From the mundane work of line edits and sentence polishing, to massaging the broader strokes of plot and character, David’s input consistently improved the manuscript—without ever muffling my voice. That may sound easy, but trust me, it’s a gift. He has the unique ability to elevate someone else’s work without trampling on their style. Combine that with his deep, instinctive understanding of the publishing world—earned over decades—and you’ve got a true unicorn. He’s also easy to work with and provides honest, insightful feedback without any intimidation or judgement. Honestly, it’s a shame he’s out on his own now, because if I could drag him back to the corporate publishing world to work with me, I’d do it in a heartbeat.”
— Brad Taylor, author of the Pike Logan novels