Dayglo Publishing

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I am a self-published author living in Kimberley, and a member of New Writers UK, and  I'm launching a vibrant new imprint for books that are especially designed to be more easily accessible to dyslexic readers.

I understand dyslexia to be a problem for bright, intelligent people who find the printed word confusing. My interest began through having a dyslexic friend and also talking at length to someone whose work is dyslexia support in further education. I’ve since met a lot of dyslexic people, old and young, and become increasingly aware what a gulf there is in their lives because they cannot access the wonderful world of books.

As one lady told me, when she looks at a page of print, it’s like looking at a barcode. I found that such a vivid, even shocking, description of her struggle. Her eyes and mine may hit the same page, but our brains come up with very different interpretations.

I want my books to be inclusive of all readers, and I want everybody to share my pleasure in reading – relating to characters, getting drawn into a story and enjoying the experience. The first few pilot editions I have brought out have been very well received. One lady wrote to tell me that the one she bought was the only book that she has managed to read all the way through. She commented that she couldn’t get her head out of the book, except for the few times she had to stop because she was crying at the sad parts of the story.

I felt so rewarded that she had not only recognised the words and understood their literal meaning, but her feelings had been engaged to such an extent. This is real reading, not just managing to decode the words and grasp their sense, but responding to the sentiments within them. 

Clearly, I need to enlarge the range of books on offer beyond those I have written myself.  By inviting other authors to contribute their work to be published in a ‘dyslexia friendly’ version, I will be able to produce a variety of titles to appeal to children and adults with topics to interest men as well as women. 

Typesetting will be in a new font called ‘Opendyslexic’ and the text will incorporate numerous other subtle features, some suggested by The British Dyslexia Association. The books will be smartly produced using high quality design and materials, so they will make ideal gifts. I hope they will come to be treasured and re-read as old favourites.

The special adaptations will probably pass unnoticed by non-dyslexic readers but many people with dyslexia are likely to find these features make reading easier. That is my sincere hope. I have been developing this ‘dyslexia friendly’ style all year and I am now moving forward into the next stage of the project.  My website went live earlier this month so please come and have a look.

Dayglo Books website