Heather Pendley

Heather Pendley – Editor

Copy/Line Editor│Proofreader │Indexer: 15 years in business specializing in B2B (AWS/Amazon), finance, law, children's, and education.

Overview

I've edited and indexed all types of projects in genres such as B2B, self-improvement, finance, law, and the culinary arts. Clients include AWS (Amazon Web Services) and Farm Credit East, as well as smaller businesses publishing print and online journals. I also edit children's books and thrillers/mysteries. In addition to years of experience in editing and indexing, I earned a specialized certificate in copyediting from UCSD and successfully completed UC Berkeley's indexing course. I judged the ACES 2020 Headline Contest and currently serve on marketing and membership committees of the American Society of Indexers, as well as its Key Words editorial board. I am also an elected Member at Large on the Editorial Freelancers Association's Board of Governors.


I work with authors who want to present their very best work; I am organized, efficient, detail-oriented, dependable, and have been a major word nerd my entire life. I will write your index or edit your text, making changes and/or suggestions while still retaining your voice and message. Using the style guide of your choice—or creating one just for you—I will ensure your piece shines by gently molding your hard work into the best form it can be. David Mullens, DPM, JD, author of How To Win Medicare Appeals, said, "I could not recommend Heather Pendley more highly. She was extremely competent, very thorough, and uncommonly patient. In addition, she made time for me no matter how inconvenient my request for help. And amazingly, she was less expensive than all of her competition."






Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits Education & Reference Finance & Accounting Humanities & Social Sciences Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Picture Books
Languages
English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • Elected Member at Large on EFA's Board of Governors
  • Serving on ASI's Editorial Board, Marketing, and Membership Committee
  • San Diego Professional Editors Network Membership Chair
  • ASI Director at Large
Certifications
  • ACES Copyediting
  • UCSD Grammar Lab
  • A.S. in Accounting
  • UC Berkeley Indexing Theory & Application

Work experience

Self-employed

Oct, 2014 — Present

Organization, efficiency, attention to detail, and dependability are crucial skills for an editor/indexer and are among my strengths. As a word nerd, I've worked on everything from daily local news, educational workbooks, and résumés, to self-improvement books, B2B, and hundreds of presentations for AWS (Amazon Web Services) re:Invent conferences. Using the style guide of your choice, I will ensure your piece shines.

I own a certified woman-owned small business.

Portfolio

Orlando. Las Vegas. Texas. South Carolina. All are locations of active shooter events. In today’s social landscape it’s imperative that families, singles, and other groups are prepared for the unexpected. What’s Your Plan? A Step-by-Step Guide to Keep Your Fam... read more
Part of an around the World Bicycle Odyssey through 17 countries in Africa Pat & Cat Patterson saw Che Guevara's iconic images on t-shirts and posters. Continuing their quest they began cycling in South America and discovered a small museum dedicated to Che Gu... read more
Fall asleep, stay asleep, wake up rested―proven strategies for beating insomnia.Make your bed and actually sleep in it. The Book of Sleep provides dozens of quick, easy, and evidence-based strategies that are more effective and sustainable than sleep medicatio... read more
Delicious recipes and great stories from Jersey Shore’s Vinny Guadagnino.You can change your diet (and your life) with Jersey Shore star and ketogenic diet aficionado, Vinny Guadagnino. Growing up in a big Italian family didn’t naturally lend itself to a carb-... read more
Healthy in a hurry―a quick and easy vegetarian cookbook.Delicious news! You can make 100 super healthy vegetarian meals faster than you can order delivery. Full and busy lives don’t always leave a lot of time for fresh and healthy homemade meals―let alone of t... read more
Get on the path to a simpler life with mindful strategies that work.Simplifying your life is easier said than done. But, with a little guidance, you’ve got this! Mindful Simplicity delivers simple, mindfulness-based strategies to declutter and organize every f... read more

Heather has 32 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Jennifer H.

Jennifer H.

Oct, 2022

Heather did a fantastic job completing copy editing for my book in record time! I highly recommend her services.
Heather P.
Thanks, Jennifer! I hope to work with you again.
Jason W.

Jason W.

Aug, 2022

After providing an initial sample to evaluate her editing, I hired Heather to do copy editing on a roughly 85,000 word manuscript. Although the final cost was a bit higher than estimated, Heather did a great job, adding over 5,000 modifications and dozens of useful comments. She helped me to express myself consistently and professionally, in my own voice, while following best practices for styl...
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Heather P.
Thanks, Jason. I enjoyed working with you too!
Travis C.

Travis C.

Aug, 2022

Fantastic experience and really pleased with the final result.
Heather P.
It was great working with you, Travis!
Brian J.

Brian J.

Jun, 2022

Heather is an amazing editor. She has helped turn my book into a masterpiece. Although Heather experienced challenges with my formatting (errors on my part)she remain patience, consistent and got the job done with phenomenal results. Thank you so much Heather, I couldn’t have done this with you .
Heather P.
Glad to hear you are pleased, Brian! I hope to work with you again in the future.
Gustavo R.

Gustavo R.

May, 2022

This was my second collaboration with Heather. This time she reviewed the print and Kindle versions of my book before submitting them for publishing. Once again she did a very profesional and thorough job meeting deadlines and quality expectations.
Heather P.
Thanks, Gustavo! Hope to work with you again soon.