Peter Gelfan
Published author and editor specializing in manuscript critique, developmental editing, and author coaching for most categories of fiction and narrative nonfiction.
Peter Gelfan has been editing and ghostwriting fiction and nonfiction for more than 25 years, working with clients ranging from first-time writers to bestselling authors and public figures. In addition to book editing, he brings screenwriting experience to the table, having sold two screenplays under his own name, one of which was produced and released in France.
He is the author of Found Objects (2013) and Monkey Temple (2019), as well as the nonfiction book Hurling Words into Darkness: A Book Doctor’s Dose of Brain Science for Writers, published in 2021, with a revised second edition released in 2022.
Peter’s communication style is direct, thoughtful, and firmly supportive of a writer’s goals. He’s professional but approachable, known for fostering open dialogue and collaboration throughout the editorial process. He doesn’t shy away from tough feedback when it’s needed, but his critiques are always delivered with honesty, respect, and a focus on strengthening the work.
Writers working with Peter can expect a sharp editorial eye, a practical understanding of what makes a book publishable, and a commitment to helping them reach the highest standard possible, regardless of publishing path. His advice is clear and actionable, balancing structural insight with scene and line-level precision. He’s not one to sugarcoat, but he is always on the writer’s side—helping to shape ideas, clarify message, and ensure the work resonates with both readers and the marketplace.
Although experienced across a wide range of genres—from crime, literary, and mainstream fiction to memoir and narrative nonfiction—Peter specializes in diagnosing and improving structure. This includes plot, character arcs, and scene dynamics in fiction, as well as logic, organization, and argument in nonfiction. He has contributed a feature article on fiction craft to Writer’s Digest, authored The Editorial Department’s whitepaper on novel structure, and has led numerous workshops and seminars at writers’ conferences. He’s also mentored many authors through multiple drafts, helping them bring their stories to full fruition.
Peter’s favorite novelists include Elmore Leonard, James Baldwin, Jerzy Kosinski, Martin Amis, Barbara Kingsolver, Carl Hiaasen, Robert Graves, Kurt Vonnegut, and Albert Camus.
His favorite nonfiction authors include Malcolm Gladwell, Carlo Rovelli, Antonio Damasio, Jared Diamond, Daniel Kahneman, Michio Kaku, Leonard Mlodinow, Brian Greene, Lisa Feldman Barrett, and Yuval Noah Harari.
