David Moldawer
Strategic advisor, book collaborator, and literary agent.
I’ve spent two decades deciding whether an idea is a book, and whether a book is the right first move, as an editor, a collaborator, and an agent. Today I work with founders, executives, and experts whose reputation hasn’t caught up with their work.
Working with me
Three ways in
Idea development and platform strategy
For founders, executives, and experts who want to be known for their best thinking, whether or not that turns out to be a book. Through Moldawer Advisory Practice, we find the idea you can own and plan how it reaches the right people.
Proposal development and book collaboration
For authors who know the book they want to write and have a platform that fits it. Through Bookitect, I develop proposals, edit manuscripts, and collaborate on full books.
Author representation
I represent a select list of nonfiction authors and I’m closed to submissions. It’s separate from my paid work, and hiring me as an advisor or collaborator doesn’t come with it.
About
Background
I spent the first decade of my career in New York book publishing, most of it acquiring and editing books like The Personal MBA and Idea Man. Then I founded Bookitect, where I’ve developed book proposals for authors including James Clear, Ali Abdaal, and Ben Meer, and collaborated with authors on their books. In addition to my writing work, I represent a select list of clients as a literary agent and advise founders, executives, and experts on thought leadership strategy.
I live in Montclair, New Jersey, with my wife and children.
Books
Selected work
- Atomic Habits by James Clear (Avery, 2018). I developed the book proposal. Clear: “Thanks to his work, I landed in-person meetings with seven publishers and signed a major book deal with Penguin Random House.” #1 New York Times bestseller, over 25 million copies sold, translated into 60+ languages.
- How to Be Good at Life by Ben Meer (Avery, 2026). I developed the book proposal. Instant #1 New York Times bestseller.
- Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal (Celadon, 2023). I developed the book proposal. New York Times bestseller.
- Idea Man by Paul Allen (Portfolio, 2011). I acquired and edited the book. New York Times bestseller.
- Creative Calling by Chase Jarvis (HarperBusiness, 2019). I collaborated with the author on the book. Wall Street Journal bestseller.
Career
Where I’ve worked and studied
- B.A., Amherst College
- Staff writer, H.W. Wilson (2003)
- Editorial assistant, Riverhead Books (2004 to 2006)
- Editor at St. Martin’s Press, Portfolio, McGraw-Hill and Amazon Publishing (2006 to 2013)
- Head of Money and Life Education, CreativeLive (2013 to 2015)
- Founder, Bookitect (2015 to present)
- Senior Agent, Writers House (2025 to 2026)
- Founder and principal, Moldawer Advisory Practice (2026 to present)
Writing
The Maven Game
My weekly newsletter on the craft of expertise. Three places to start:
Interviews
Podcasts
- Real Relationships Real Revenue with Mo Bunnell. Episode: “The Key to Getting Your Book Published.”
- Free Time with Jenny Blake. Episode 103: “How to Land a Literary Agent and Publisher.”
- Free Time with Jenny Blake. Episode 105: “Don’t Write the Wrong Book!”
- The Dave Crenshaw Success Show. Episode: “The Book Whisperer.”
- The Selfish Gift. Episode: “How to Write a Truly Great Book.”
- Cool Tools with Kevin Kelly. Episode 194.
- The Watchung Booksellers Podcast. Episode 25: “Ghostwriting.”
- Dave Crenshaw. Video: “How to Write a Better Book.”
- YouTube. Video: “The Creative Process Behind Book Writing.”
- YouTube. Video: “How to Manage Multiple Projects Without Getting Overwhelmed.”
- Creator Science with Jay Clouse. Episode 163: “Diving deep into book publishing with an industry insider.”
Elsewhere