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

Fear Less, Sell More: Find Your Courage and Make Millions

Stern, T.

Influence and Thrive: How Professionals, Entrepreneurs, Business Leaders, & Corporations Use Effective Communication To Get Results

Ossai, L.

Business Skills for Data Scientists: Practical Guidance in Six Key Topics

Stephenson, D.

Ocean Animals: A Search and Find Book for Kids (Find the Animals)

Hestermann, B.

Zoo Animals: A Search and Find Book for Kids

Hestermann, B.

f-words mom let us say: food, family & friends: everyday recipes that will make you feel loved

Peddie, S.

The 4-Week Fast Metabolism Diet Plan: 100 Recipes to Reset Your Metabolism and Lose Weight

R.D. A.

An American Putsch: Max Dietrich Book 1

Legare, M.

Danger Level 4: A Kori Briggs Adventure (The Kori Briggs Thriller Spy Novels)

Rawls, A.

We'll Quit When We're Dead: A Kori Briggs Novel (The Kori Briggs Series of Thriller Spy Novels)

Rawls, A.

The Dark Tetrad: A Kori Briggs Novel (The Kori Briggs Thriller Spy Novels)

Rawls, A.

Citizen Justice: The Environmental Legacy of William O. Douglas―Public Advocate and Conservation Champion

McKeown, H.

Along Comes The Association: Beyond Folk Rock and Three-Piece Suits

Giguere, R.

Entreprenerd: Building a Multi-Million-Dollar Business with Open Source Software

Lowagie, B.

How To Win Medicare Appeals

Mullens D.

Along Comes The Association: Beyond Folk Rock and Three-Piece Suits

Giguere, R.

The Digital Pivot: Secrets of Online Marketing

Schwartzman, E.

The Early Career Researcher's Toolbox: Insights Into Mentors, Peer Review, and Landing a Faculty Job

De L.

What's YOUR PLAN?: A Step-by-Step Guide to Keep Your Family Safe During Emergency Situations

James D.

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
Cuba, The Forbidden Island (bicyclingbeyondboundaries Book 2)

Pat P.

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
Book Title Generator: A Proven System in Naming Your Book

Lorenz, S.

Birth Control Battles: How Race and Class Divided American Religion

Wilde, M.

The New Noir: Race, Identity, and Diaspora in Black Suburbia

Clerge, O.

Clean Water for Developing Countries

Dracup P.

The Complete Guide to Baby Sign Language: 200+ Signs for You and Baby to Learn Together

Rebelo, L.

I'm A Big Sister (Little Miss Maple Book 5)

Sparrow, J.

Maple for Class President (Little Miss Maple Book 2)

Sparrow, J.

JAZZ HANDS BABY

Parker, A.

Vesuvius Nights (Milan Thriller Series Book 3)

Erickson, J.

The Depression Workbook for Teens: Tools to Improve Your Mood, Build Self-Esteem, and Stay Motivated

Hurley L.

Real Chemistry Experiments: 40 Exciting STEAM Activities for Kids (Real Science Experiments for Kids)

Zovinka P.

The Book of Sleep: 75 Strategies to Relieve Insomnia

Dr. N.

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
The Keto Guido Cookbook: Delicious Recipes to Get Healthy and Look Great

Vinny G.

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
Living Zen: A Practical Guide to a Balanced Existence

Segall P.

When Your Mother Has Borderline Personality Disorder: A Guide for Adult Children

Lobel P.

CEO Mastery Journey: 7 Breakthrough Practices to Propel Successful Leaders to Greatness

Chadalavada, S.

The How-To Cookbook for Teens: 100 Easy Recipes to Learn the Basics

Morrison, J.

Living Zen: A Practical Guide to a Balanced Existence

Segall P.

The 30-Minute Vegetarian Cookbook: 100 Healthy, Delicious Meals for Busy People

Lisa T.

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
Mindful Simplicity: Practical Strategies for Finding Harmony in Your Home, Work, and Life

Yolanda V.

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...
Read more
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.