This could be our meet-cute

The arrival

“Well, hello, there!” I say in my best imitation of a flirtatious voice as you knock on the door frame. “You’ve reached the office of Dayna M. Reidenouer, editor, coach, and bestie. How can I help you reach your writing and publishing goals?”

“Hi.” You give me a little wave. It takes a lot to put yourself out there, but it’s time.

I invite you to sit in the upholstered chair next to the open window, then dig into the caddy beside my recliner/desk chair and toss you the Dove dark chocolate with almonds I unearth. “Today is the first day of the rest of your life” is printed on the inside of the wrapper.

Well, yeah, of course it is, you think, and I grin, knowing I’d never let a client get away with this kind of omniscience unless they’ve established their character has some sort of magical or mystical powers.

We could continue our interaction using telepathy, I suggest, but you demur—wisely—and ask, “So, you wanna be my bestie. Why?”

Tell me what you need in a bestie

The vibe check

“Writing life is better with friends.”

You gasp. “Put that on your wrappers, Dove!” The astonishment in your voice tells me you’re awed that someone recognizes how awful it feels to be a lonely writer. You’ve been asking yourself these questions:

  • I’m surrounded by people, but who’s on my side?

  • Who can I reach out to for honest feedback?

  • Where can I go to glean the latest industry drama for business lessons?

It’s difficult to build relationships when you don’t know the rules of engagement or whether you share values.

I point you to my Nonnegotiables, and you look relieved and excited. A like-minded editor, coach, and professional—and authentic—bestie, yay! We’re off to a good start.

You pull a list out of your pocket and level me with a look. “I’m considering writing a steamy hockey romance. What do you say to that?”

I have several thoughts at once. In no particular order:

  • Are all your characters white? Are you writing hockey so you don’t have to diversify your characters?

  • You said “romance.” Are you upholding cisgender heterosexuality as the norm?

  • Do you need an expert in hockey do edit this book? I’m not a sportsball person!

You nod, then look back at your list. “What about a fiber arts circle of sapphics who solve murders? I’ve titled my first book Knit One, Kill Two.”

Puns!!! I love puns. The more the better. And fiber arts and queer characters? You’re singing the song of my people.

The last item on your list is a bedtime story in poetic verse.

“You may want to rethink that last part,” I tell you as gently as possible. “The thought of a rhyming book is easier than actually writing the rhythm and rhymes. But if you’re committed to it, we can work on it together. My many years of music lessons will come in handy.”

Let me be perfectly queer…

You hesitate to ask your next question, but I assure you I’m an open book. “Why do you focus on inclusive stories?” you ask.

“Well, you know from the home page that I’m queer, disabled, neurodivergent, and Superfat, but while I present femme”—I restrain myself from a diatribe against the medical industrial complex that holds gender-affirming surgery hostage from fat people (oops, slipped those restraints!)—“I’m nonbinary and use gendervague and agender to describe myself. Feel free to ask about my sexuality later.”

“Cool, cool,” you say. “My characters are queer, and I’m neurodivergent. Chronically ill too.”

“Ugh. Chronic illness sucks. I have several. I tend to hold myself to strict deadlines, but I give my clients grace as long as they communicate with me. I want all the updates! Give me moar!!” That last bit finishes on a quiet roar.

“Professionally, whatchu got goin’?” You gulp at the informal tone, then decide that since I’m conducting this chat while swathed in a hoodie, casualness is A-OK. And you’d be right.

I gesture to my long list of professional memberships, and your eyes widen. “That’s a lot! You can’t be involved with that many organizations. When do you have time to edit?”

“I have plenty of time!” I explain that we don’t have pets or children, so I spend at most an hour per organization per month, except for the EFA and CRW, where I’m on the boards. I host office hours for EFA members on Mondays—that’s fun, not work! And when I listen to author and audiobook narrator discussions on Clubhouse, I usually make a meal or do something business-related simultaneously.

You’re exhausted just thinking about all that peopling, but I derive energy from online socialization. We balance each other. A perfect match!

Let's meet for real!

Nonnegotiables

Black Lives Matter

I believe in the dignity of all individuals, and I prioritize the safety, respect, and care of systemically marginalized people.

  • Black Lives Matter

  • All Bodies are Good Bodies

  • Fat Liberation is liberatory for all

  • Medicare4all and Universal Basic Income now!

  • Universal Design - create access for everyone

  • Queer love is valid

  • Neurodivergence is a blessing and a curse

  • Generative AI is theft, and documents created with artificial intelligence are not worthy of anyone’s time or attention. Your Publishing BFF refuses to work on books created in part or in whole by artificial means.

Negotiables

I honor my need to give with generosity while ensuring I have the means of survival. My business operates within the bounds of capitalism, yet I remain open to alternate methods of ensuring authors are able to access the publishing services they need.

  • Ask about my discounts for systemically marginalized authors.

  • Payment plans available with advance booking.

The departure

This feels like a good time to wrap up our chat. “Would you like something to drink? I can offer tap water or spritzy water. I think we have cherry, lemon sorbet, and coconut pineapple varieties in the fridge.”

You choose the lemon sorbet flavor and accept a few more pieces of chocolate before I walk you to the door.

“It was lovely meeting you today!” I say as I give you a socially distanced farewell. “Next time we can talk about church trauma and how my fourteen-year career as a feature writer and photographer for a group of local weekly newspapers gave me an inside perspective on book promos.”

 

The fine details

Training and experience

I trained in copyediting and proofreading while earning my Communication Arts & Sciences degree at Penn State University. For several years after graduating, I worked as a proofreader for a national advertising magazine, which led to a fourteen-year career as a feature writer and photographer for a group of local newspapers. Meanwhile, I became involved in the romance author community, first as a general reader and then as a beta and ARC reader. I retrained in copyediting for fiction before becoming a full-time freelancer.

I launched True Love Editorial Services LLC in late 2020 and created Your Publishing BFF in early 2023.

Professional memberships

I’ve attended countless conferences, classes, workshops, and webinars with these organizations and others, and I’ve been both judge and presenter for multiple events and writers’ groups as well. It’s a rare week that I’m not involved in some sort of education and learning. I soak up knowledge like a sponge, then readily share with those who need it.

Trivia isn’t trivial, and other hobbies

I thought you’d left, so I startle when you pop up in the doorway again. “What do you do for actual fun?” you inquire.

After I calm my racing heart, I say, “I knit and crochet, and I’ve been doing some spinning again. I watch mystery shows and police procedurals from around the world with my husband, Jonathan, after watching that evening’s episode of Jeopardy! at the end of the day.”

“Who wins?”

“Oh, we don’t keep score. But I love surprising him with the things I know. He’s such a sports and movies/TV buff and a 1980s music fan, whereas I’m the fiber arts, textiles, classical music, medical, word nerd, and potpourri stan. You know what they say—you can’t spell our last name, Reidenouer, without NERD.”

You groan. “Don’t tell me,” you say. “You like puns too?”

“Of course! The best people like puns. The author of Fast Dash to the Outhouse—Will E. Makit—is a huge fan of puns. So are the parents of the guy who repointed our chimney, Brick Mason.”

Your groan is longer and louder this time. But secretly, you adore puns, and you’re eager to start working together.

Tell me about your needs

Land acknowledgment

I live on the stolen homelands of the Conestoga-Susquehannock people, twenty of whom were massacred in Lancaster city and the village of Conestoga, PA. Speak their names

My favorite genres

Romance

  • all levels of heat, steam, and spice

  • contemporary (cowhands, billionaires, sports, etc.)

  • romantic comedy/romcom

  • paranormal and supernatural (no vampires, zombies, or demon MCs)

  • fated mates

  • fantasy romance

  • BDSM (on a kink-by-kink basis)

  • M/M romance (all the above categories)

  • M/M omegaverse/mpreg

  • audiobook-destined

Cozy mystery

  • food and beverage

  • paranormal

  • fiber arts

  • cross-stitch

  • sewing

  • whatever your book features!

Children’s books

Picture books are powerful. Your goal is to communicate a message while keeping young readers engaged in 500 words or fewer. Let’s work together to hone your content.

Odds & Ends

  • websites

  • author bios

  • book blurbs

  • blog posts

I edit other genres and subjects on a case-by-case basis. And of course, if I can’t help you, I’ll refer you to one of my skilled colleagues.

I do NOT work on material containing the following:

  • dark romance

  • child abuse

  • graphic on-page violence

  • sexual assault

  • rape

  • demons/the Devil

  • zombies

  • vampires

  • underage sex

  • heartbreaking/gut-wrenching stories

    I am sensitive, and I will cry, then dread working on your manuscript. Don’t make me cry!

Plottr for Editors certification badge.
LGBTQ+ Editors Association
Editorial Freelancers Association member
SCBWI member
Queer owned business with rainbow