Senior Literary Agent · Writers House
I've worked at every stage of how a great book gets made: as an editor, a collaborator, and now an agent. I know what the best nonfiction looks like before it's written.
The books that change how people think don't begin with a manuscript. They begin with an idea that hasn't found its shape yet, and the right person to help bring it into focus.
I've been that person at every stage of a book's life. As an editor at Portfolio, St. Martin's Press, and Amazon Publishing, I acquired and edited category-defining bestsellers including The Personal MBA, The Sports Gene, and Idea Man. As a collaborator, I helped shape proposals that became cultural phenomena, including Atomic Habits by James Clear and Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal. As a senior agent at Writers House, I find the right publisher for every book and make sure it gets the deal it deserves.
Most people in publishing have sat at one, sometimes two of these seats. I've sat at all of them. I see this as my primary credential.
"Thanks to his work, I landed in-person meetings with seven publishers and ended up signing a major book deal with Penguin Random House."
James Clear · Atomic Habits"Dave's light touch and heavy experience pair up to help you assuage your doubts and place things in perspective. You not only relax knowing the boxes are checked but are excited because your box just expanded as he amplified your thinking and your voice."
Sabina Nawaz · You're the BossSelected books
As Literary Agent
As Collaborator
As Editor
What authors 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 · #1 New York Times bestselling author of Atomic Habits
David made an overwhelming process easy — and successful! He helped with structure, drafting, and editing, and I secured a mid-six-figure advance. David was worth every penny!
Kara Loewentheil · New York Times bestselling author of Take Back Your Brain
"David was an incredible support: he took my thoughts and ideas and turned them into a marketable book proposal. He's patient, knowledgeable, and a truly fantastic writer."
Emily Anhalt · Author of Flex Your Feelings"David is an outstanding collaborator. His ability to help me take complex topics and turn them into compelling writing is amazing. He's also a pleasure to work with."
Perry Klebahn · Stanford professor and co-author of Ideaflow"Hiring David Moldawer for my book project was one of the best decisions I've ever made. If you're on the fence about hiring him, reach out to me — I'd be happy to rave about Dave."
Mo Bunnell · Author of The Snowball System"David exceeded all expectations and helped me turn my ideas into book form. He is a master of his craft and a pleasure to work with."
Chad Anderson · Author of The Space Economy"Dave's light touch and heavy experience pair up to help you assuage your doubts and place things in perspective. Your box just expanded as he amplified your thinking and your voice."
Sabina Nawaz · Author of You're the Boss"David is a VERY good editor. World class. I was fortunate!"
Scott Belsky · Author of Making Ideas Happen and The Messy MiddleA book either solves the reader's problem or it doesn't. Most don't, not because the author lacks expertise, but because the proposal never forced the hard questions: Who exactly is this for? What moment in their life do they need it? Why this book, why this author, why now?
I've spent 25 years asking those questions from every seat in the room. As an editor at Portfolio, St. Martin's Press, and Amazon Publishing, I acquired and edited books that became category-defining bestsellers, including The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman, The Sports Gene by David Epstein, and Idea Man by Paul Allen. As a collaborator, I helped shape proposals and write books that became cultural phenomena, including Atomic Habits by James Clear and Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal, two of the bestselling nonfiction books of the last decade.
Today I'm a senior literary agent at Writers House, representing nonfiction authors with big ideas and powerful voices. My list focuses on business, personal development, popular science, and narrative nonfiction. Books that challenge assumptions and change the way people think about something that matters.
Most people in publishing have sat at one of these three seats: editor, collaborator, agent. I've sat at all of them. I know what editors are actually looking for when they read a proposal, because I was one. I know what it takes to build a book from a raw idea, because I've done it many times. And as an agent at one of the world's leading literary agencies, I know how to connect the right book with the right publisher at the right moment. This is a rare combination, and it's the foundation of a genuine thought partnership with every author I represent.
I also write The Maven Game, a weekly newsletter on the craft and business of nonfiction, at mavengame.com.
A weekly newsletter on the craft and business of nonfiction, for authors, editors, agents, and anyone serious about ideas in print. Published for over a decade, now on Substack.
I represent exclusively nonfiction: books that operate at the intersection of compelling ideas and genuine usefulness. I'm particularly drawn to business, personal development, popular science, and narrative nonfiction that reshapes how people think about something important.
The books I'm proudest of tend to share a few qualities:
I do not represent fiction, poetry, children's books, or screenplays.
Writers House agents review queries individually. Please do not query more than one Writers House agent simultaneously. I do my best to respond within two weeks. Send queries to dmoldawersubmissions@writershouse.com.