Dan Poynter is an American author, consultant, publisher, professional speaker and parachute designer.
Since 1969, he has written more than 130 books, many reports, and more than 800 magazine articles, most of them on book publishing. The writing and publishing of The Self-Publishing Manual in 1979 propelled him to notoriety in the publishing industry. His column in Parachutist Magazine led him to writing books on parachutes and skydiving.
In 1973, he became interested in the new sport of hang gliding. Unable to find a book on the new sport, he wrote the first book on the subject. In 1979, drawing on what he learned in book writing and publishing, he wrote The Self-Publishing Manual. Dan pioneered selling products from his website in 1996.
He continues to edit and publish newsletters on book writing/publishing and professional speaking. Poynter earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from California State University, Chico and attended San Francisco Law School.
