About Dan

I’m Dan Letchworth. I’ve been a publishing professional since 2008, and I offer freelance editorial services as Desert Owl Press. I’ve also published five of my own books, including a novel, a short story collection, a young adult survival guide, and two family career memoirs.

Previously I managed editorial content at Illumina, served as the copy chief of San Diego Magazine, and developed activity books and science projects for learners of all ages and abilities at Klutz. As a freelancer, I’ve copy edited, fact checked, or proofread over 400 books for young readers for Scholastic, Mattel, Hachette Book Group, and Penguin Random House. 

My theater review blog, Everyone’s a Critic, connected me with artists across San Diego and was nominated for a 2019 National City & Regional Magazine Award; and my local fun facts column, Dansplaining, won a 2020 San Diego Press Club Excellence in Journalism Award.

I grew up drawing comics and making pulp sci-fi movies with my friends in Chula Vista, California, and earned my MFA in writing from Columbia University in New York. I live with my spouse and our house rabbit, Linus, in San Diego. I have a vast collection of miniature Star Wars spaceships, and I’m currently a multiclass level 3 druid / level 3 barbarian orc in my local Dungeons & Dragons group.

I believe I was put on this Earth to make books, and I would love to help you with yours. Drop me a line and let me know what you need!