Dayna Ault

Editor & Writing Coach

Do you need help with your writing? Feeling lost in the “messy middle” of your manuscript? Looking for an editor before you publish or send to an agent? Or, do you need to find a critique group to look at your Kidlit manuscript?

Dayna Ault has been writing and editing books (fiction and non-fiction, for adults or children) magazines (seven years as an editor and publisher) and newspaper for over 45 years. She would love to help you with your manuscript. Her first focus is Kidlit, including picture books, chapter books and middle grade works. But her interest in other genres is wide and she is willing to discuss your work to see if it is a fit.

Whether you are looking for a Developmental Edit, a Coach or a Critique of your manuscript, Dayna would love to connect to see if she is the right editor-coach for you!.

Contact Dayna for:

  • Developmental Edits - An over-all look at your manuscript with suggested help for troubled areas, including the “messy middle.”

  • Writer Coaching - For the writer who needs direction, suggestions, resources, or a word of encouragement.

It is Dayna’s desire to help writers achieve the level of success they desire, at an affordable price. Prices are as follows:

  • Developmental Edits - charged at .015¢ per word, with a minimum of $35 for each project (up to 2333 words). (Kidlit Connect and Lit4Kids members and returning clients will receive a 20% discount.)

    • Provides manuscript assessment and suggested edits

    • Reviews character, plot, clarity, flow, pacing, sentence structure and organization of MS

    • Editorial assistance with illustrator’s notes, if requested (Kidlit books)

    • Provides two free Q & A sessions (for the project under edit), as needed.

    • Additional sessions may be purchased for $35 per 40 minutes.

  • Writer Coaching - $35 for 40 minute phone or video consult.

    • Discuss book idea, development, salability, difficult areas in manuscript, “sticking” points, etc.

    • Reason through writing obstacles

    • Talk through writer’s block, burnout, or overwhelm.

Note: Not accepting these subject matters: witchcraft, paranormal, erotica, horror, sexual or homosexual content. Dayna reserves the right to decline any project, for any reason. If possible, she may suggest another editor for that project.

TESTIMONIALS

Duane Laflin, Author

“Working with Dayna was like getting a personalized college course on making my book something people would want to read. The things she helped me understand transformed me as a writer...and I feel like I am still writing with her voice in my ear. Whatever success I find with my books will come from the foundation she helped me establish. Thank you, Dayna!”

Find Duane’s books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mr.-Duane-Keith-Laflin/author/B0C2X6GT2D

Chris “PortiaLily” Taylor - PortiaLilyTaylor.com

“I highly recommend the editing services of Dayna Ault. Her work editing my upper middle grade novel, The Moment My Life Changed Forever, was exceptional. Although Dayna did make suggestions as to technical issues, her main focus was content/developmental editing. And that’s just what I needed! 

“Dayna assisted me with every aspect of my novel, including plot structure, characterization, dialogue, and pacing. She went line by line, offering me concrete suggestions where changes were needed. However, I believe the most meaningful aspect of Dayna‘s editing is the fact that she gets to know the author she is working with and makes recommendations to coincide with that person’s point of view and the theme they wish to convey. 

“Because of Dayna‘s editorial feedback and my revising accordingly, I believe my manuscript improved and rose to a publishable standard. ”

Rita Jan Bailey

After several critiques, my story was ready! It was time for a professional edit. Dayna edited my story for me conceptually and grammatically, line by line. Since she had already published two children’s picture books and had many years of editing experience, I was sure she knew what my story needed. With her help, my story went from manuscript to a book that was ready to be published. I felt confident in sending my manuscript to an agent, because Dayna edited it. Gerald the Dust Bunny: The Wild Ride is now available HERE.