I’ve been spinning tales for over two decades, collaborating with boutique and top-tier national publishers, and critiquing hundreds of manuscripts for others. Currently, I am all geared up to review your picture or board book manuscript. Take a peek at the downloadable flyer below for all the details. Keep scrolling for testimonials and payment options. Please contact me if you have any questions.
What writers are saying (I’m blushing!)
Super Helpful!
It was like having a mini-personal class on picture book writing. —Jonelle S.
I’m Dazzled!
I am dazzled by Danna’s work ethic. She is a relentless reviser! And her persistence pays off — with a shelf full of books to her credit. I wouldn’t submit a manuscript without her excellent feedback, and you shouldn’t either. —Carolyn Fisher, author-illustrator of Cells: An Owner’s Handbook
Like Chatting with a Good Friend
While the majority of the kidlit community is kind and helpful, I feel like Danna epitomizes what the community is all about. She is definitely quick and thorough, but working with Danna feels like you’re sitting and chatting with a good friend, finding the emotional heart of a story as a conversation. It’s not every critiquer that can pull that off, and she will definitely help your stories shine! —Eileen Manes.
A Master Critiquer
Danna is a master critique-er. She has given me feedback on my picture book manuscripts for over 20 years, and I completely trust her ability to zero in on what works and what doesn’t. —Sharlee Glenn
From Draft to Publication
Danna has critiqued my manuscripts for many years, and I trust her feedback. With her insight and inspiration, I’ve been able to take many stories from first draft to publication. She’s one of the best in the business, and I highly recommend her to any hopeful writer. — Kristyn Crow, Author of ALL ABOARD THE MOONLIGHT TRAIN and the ZOMBELINA Series
Insightful and Useful Feedback
Danna has always given me insightful and useful feedback, looking not only at things like story structure and wording, but also at how readers are likely to respond to my work. She is tuned in to the market, as well, which is impressive considering how much it shifts around! —Kate Combs, author of Little Naturalist and Little Poet board book series
I Love Working with Danna
Simply put, working with Danna has made me a better picture book author! She improves each manuscript with clear, insightful, and always respectful feedback. I always run my work by Danna before I submit it. You can trust Danna, a highly successful author with incredible wisdom to impart, and she does so with grace and amazing efficiency. —Deborah Miller
Kind Yet Honest
With her experience as a prolific published children’s author, Danna Smith provides kind, yet honest and invaluable critiques that can significantly improve any story. —Ken Baker
Feeling More Confident
Thank you so much for the time you put into your critique. I greatly appreciate it and found it extremely helpful. I feel more confident rewriting and editing now that I have a clear idea of how to improve my work.—Korrie H.
Aware of Market Needs
Danna has a way of honing in on exactly the right elements when it comes to giving a critique. She is both astute with revision suggestions and aware of market needs and trends. She is a rhyming genius and can help take any picture book text to the next level. —Lezlie Evans
Quick and Insightful
I have been in a children’s book critique group with Danna Smith for several years. She is an inspiration. She is quick to praise strengths and insightful in offering room for improvement. She is among the most prolific children’s book writers I know. She is brave and courageous – willing to revise and try different topics, writing styles, and settings to find the best fit for her ideas. She’s a gem. —Linda Kimball
