About
Helping experts in their field begin to shape it.
For more than two decades, I’ve guided experts across disciplines and industries in the craft of thought leadership.
The short version
David Moldawer
After the first decade of my career as an editor, working with authors ranging from David Mamet to Deepak Chopra and helping launch two book publishing imprints, I headed business and self-help education at CreativeLive, an online learning startup. Then, I started Bookitect, where I collaborate with authors such as James Clear, Chase Jarvis, Ali Abdaal, Noah Kagan, and Nir Eyal on books and book proposals. My proposals, including those for Atomic Habits (more than 25 million copies sold) and Feel-Good Productivity, have secured multiple six- and seven-figure deals and launched numerous New York Times bestsellers. Then, I became a literary agent, representing a select list of nonfiction authors.
Through my firm, Moldawer Advisory Practice, I serve as a strategic advisor to founders, executives, and experts who want to be known for their best work. I also write The Maven Game, a weekly newsletter on the craft of expertise.
I live in Montclair, New Jersey, and work with clients everywhere.
Why this
What the book makes possible.
When I was a young editor, I’d run into my authors a couple of years after their book came out, at a party or a conference. I knew the sales number, and I felt responsible for it. I’d walk over ready to apologize.
They’d hug me. In those two years the book had raised their fees, filled their practices, and gotten their cause taken seriously in rooms that used to ignore them. It had unlocked a new level of credibility. Once they saw the results, they hadn’t given too much thought to underwhelming book sales.
That was my first clue that I’d been measuring the wrong thing. What mattered was the authority the book offered and what they could do with their message once it had entered the world.
What I love most is the stage before the book: bringing a lifetime of deep thinking about a subject into focus. Helping someone brilliant articulate the thing they’ve been circling for years but could never get onto the page.
Everyone I’ve helped needed the same two things: the idea, sharpened until it spreads, and a way to put it in front of the people who matter. This practice starts there. A book can follow when it’s the right vehicle.
Career
Where I’ve worked.
- Editor. Riverhead, St. Martin’s Press, Portfolio, McGraw-Hill, and Amazon Publishing.
- Head of Money and Life Education. CreativeLive.
- Collaborator. Bookitect, with authors including James Clear, Chase Jarvis, Ali Abdaal, Noah Kagan, and Nir Eyal.
- Literary agent. Representing a select number of books, on commission.
- Principal. Moldawer Advisory Practice, founded 2026.
The record
Selected credits.
Each credit names my role: I developed the book proposal, edited the book, or collaborated with the author on it.
- James Clear, Atomic Habits. Developed the book proposal.
- Deepak Chopra, Brotherhood, with Sanjiv Chopra. Edited the book.
- David Mamet, The Secret Knowledge. Edited the book.
- Ali Abdaal, Feel-Good Productivity. Developed the book proposal.
- Josh Kaufman, The Personal MBA. Edited the book.
- Chase Jarvis, Creative Calling. Collaborated with the author on the book.
- Paul Allen, Idea Man. Edited the book.
- Nir Eyal, Beyond Belief. Developed the book proposal.
- Bob Lutz, Car Guys vs. Bean Counters. Edited the book.
- Noah Kagan, Million Dollar Weekend. Developed the book proposal.
- Patrick Bet-David, Your Next Five Moves. Developed the book proposal.
- Scott Belsky, Making Ideas Happen. Edited the book.
- Bob Knight, The Power of Negative Thinking. Edited the book.
In their words
What clients say.
When I came to Dave for help on my book proposal, I had an unclear title, a mountain of loosely connected ideas, and no idea how to create a compelling book proposal. Thanks to his work, I landed in-person meetings with seven publishers and signed a major book deal with Penguin Random House.
James Clear, author of Atomic Habits
David is an outstanding collaborator. His ability to help me take complex topics and turn them into compelling writing is amazing.
Perry Klebahn, Stanford professor, coauthor of Ideaflow
I’d spent years building an online following, but establishing mainstream credibility was a new problem. David Moldawer understood how to position my expertise so that it carried real weight beyond my own audience. If you’re an expert or creator who wants to be taken seriously as a thought leader, he’s the strategist to consult.
Ben Meer, creator of System Sunday, with an audience of 2.5 million, and author of the instant #1 New York Times bestseller How to Be Good at Life
David is a VERY good editor. World class. I was fortunate!
Scott Belsky, founder of Behance
Hiring David Moldawer for my book project was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Mo Bunnell, author of The Snowball System
Writing
The Maven Game, my weekly newsletter.
The Maven Game is a weekly newsletter on the craft of expertise. Browse the full archive.
Every time it lands in my inbox, I get giddy like a 6-year-old about to open a Christmas present.
Ozan Varol, on The Maven Game
Elsewhere
Other places to find me.
- Bookitect Collaboration, where I collaborate with authors on books and book proposals.
- LinkedIn.
- Podcasts are on the appearances page.
Next step
Start with one conversation.
A free, 30-minute exploratory call. We’ll talk about you, your goals, and what you’re building.