Sara Kendrick

Sara Kendrick – Editor

Frmr HarperCollins Sr. Editor specializing in self-help and business non-fiction developmental and copy edits. 1 NYT, 8 WSJ bestsellers.

Overview

I have edited over 65 nonfiction books at HarperCollins, with one New York Times bestseller and eight Wall Street Journal bestsellers. My specialties are self-help, narrative nonfiction, and business books.

Working Style: My focus in developmental edits is ensuring that the story, structure, and framework are solid. I have traditionally worked with a complete manuscript, but I have also worked chapter by chapter.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Career Guides Inspirational Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • 1 New York Times Bestseller
  • 8 Wall Street Journal Bestsellers

Work experience

HarperCollins

Oct, 2018 — Feb, 2023 (over 4 years)
I was responsible for working with authors and ghostwriters to edit and publish their books. I also oversaw the entire book process from acquisition through publication.

Portfolio

Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe

Jeezy

I Hope You Fail: Ten Hater Statements Holding You Back from Getting Everything You Want

Cole, Pinky

Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe

Jeezy ,

Mission Transition: Navigating the Opportunities and Obstacles to Your Post-Military Career

Louis, Matthew J.

How Not to Sell: Why You Can't Close the Deal and How to Fix It (The How Not to Succeed Series)

Wicks, Mike

How Not to Manage People: The Leadership Mistakes Keeping Your Team from Greatness (The How Not to Succeed Series)

Wicks, Mike

How Not to Hire: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Team (The How Not to Succeed Series)

Kumler, Emily

How Not to Get Promoted: Fix the Self-Sabotaging Behaviors Holding You Back (The How Not to Succeed Series)

Kumler, Emily

MICROSOFT STORY (The Business Storybook Series)

Good, Dan

The Spanx Story: What's Underneath the Incredible Success of Sara Blakely's Billion Dollar Empire (The Business Storybook Series)

Wetzel, Charlie

Target Story: How the Iconic Big Box Store Hit the Bullseye and Created an Addictive Retail Experience (The Business Storybook Series)

Chastain, Bill

The Capital One Story: How the Upstart Financial Institution Charged Toward Market Leadership (The Business Storybook Series)

Curran Hackett, Mary

The Sephora Story: The Retail Success You Can't Makeup (The Business Storybook Series)

Curran Hackett, Mary

The Marvel Studios Story: How a Failing Comic Book Publisher Became a Hollywood Superhero (The Business Storybook Series)

Wetzel, Charlie

The NBA Story: How the Sports League Slam-Dunked Its Way into a Global Business Powerhouse (The Business Storybook Series)

Mintzer, Rich

The Domino’s Story: How the Innovative Pizza Giant Used Technology to Deliver a Customer Experience Revolution (The Business Storybook Series)

Turner, Marcia Layton

Sparked: Discover Your Unique Imprint for Work that Makes You Come Alive

Fields, Jonathan

Social Media Success for Every Brand: The Five StoryBrand Pillars That Turn Posts Into Profits

Diaz-Ortiz, Claire

The Age of Influence: The Power of Influencers to Elevate Your Brand

Schaffer, Neal

Retirement Reality Check: How to Spend Your Money and Still Leave an Amazing Legacy

Jalinski, Josh

Breaking Borders: A Remarkable Story of Adventure, Family, and Career Success That Defied All Expectations

Isler, Kate

The Art of Excellent Products: Enchanting Customers with Premium Brand Experiences

Illy, Riccardo

Overcome Your Villains: Mastering Your Beliefs, Actions, and Knowledge to Conquer Any Adversity

Monahan, Heather

Human Cloud

Mottola, Matthew

The Innovation Mandate: The Growth Secrets of the Best Organizations in the World

Webb, Nicholas

Work, Your Way: Reinvent Yourself, Create the Life You Want and Thrive as a Consultant

Hufford, Lisa

Bet on Yourself: Recognize, Own, and Implement Breakthrough Opportunities

Hiatt, Ann

Do It! Speaking: 77 Instant-Action Ideas to Market, Monetize, and Maximize Your Expertise

Newman, David

Effective Hiring: Mastering the Interview, Offer, and Onboarding (The Paul Falcone Workplace Leadership Series)

Falcone, Paul

Leadership Offense: Mastering Appraisal, Performance, and Professional Development (The Paul Falcone Workplace Leadership Series)

Falcone, Paul

Workplace Ethics: Mastering Ethical Leadership and Sustaining a Moral Workplace (The Paul Falcone Workplace Leadership Series)

Falcone, Paul

The New Managers: Mastering the Big 3 Principles of Effective Management---Leadership, Communication, and Team Building (The Paul Falcone Workplace Leadership Series)

Falcone, Paul

Leadership Defense: Mastering Progressive Discipline and Structuring Terminations (The Paul Falcone Workplace Leadership Series)

Falcone, Paul

The Business of We: The Proven Three-Step Process for Closing the Gap Between Us and Them in Your Workplace

Kriska, Laura

The Gold Standard: Giving Your Customers What They Didn't Know They Wanted

Cowie, Colin

Back to Business: Finding Your Confidence, Embracing Your Skills, and Landing Your Dream Job After a Career Pause

Jensen, Nancy McSharry

The Empathetic Workplace: 5 Steps to a Compassionate, Calm, and Confident Response to Trauma On the Job

Manning, Katharine

Get Over 'I Got It': How to Stop Playing Superwoman, Get Support, and Remember That Having It All Doesn’t Mean Doing It All Alone

Fluker, Elayne

Embracing the Calm in the Chaos: How to Find Success in Business and Life Through Perseverance, Connection, and Collaboration

Igel, Stacy

The Healing Organization: Awakening the Conscience of Business to Help Save the World

Sisodia, Raj

Skin in the Game: Everything You Need is Already Inside You

Wurwand, Jane

All In: How Obsessive Leaders Achieve the Extraordinary

Shaw, Robert Bruce

The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of Our Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time

Nelson, Shasta

Digital Goddess: The Unfiltered Lessons of a Female Entrepreneur

Montgomery Brown, Victoria R.

Marketing Made Simple: A Step-by-Step StoryBrand Guide for Any Business

Miller, Donald

Sweet Success: A Simple Recipe to Turn your Passion into Profit

Nelson, Candace

Don't Start a Side Hustle!: Work Less, Earn More, and Live Free

Page, Brian

Fearless Finances: A Timeless Guide to Building Wealth

Cummings, Cassandra

Running with Purpose: How Brooks Outpaced Goliath Competitors to Lead the Pack

Weber, Jim

Artpreneur: The Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Sustainable Living from Your Creativity

Schulman, Miriam

Hero on a Mission: A Path to a Meaningful Life

Miller, Donald

R.E.D. Marketing: The Three Ingredients of Leading Brands

Creed, Greg

Winning Now, Winning Later: How Companies Can Succeed in the Short Term While Investing for the Long Term

Cote, David M.

Black in Blue: Lessons on Leadership, Breaking Barriers, and Racial Reconciliation

Best, Carmen

The Gumbo Coalition: 10 Leadership Lessons That Help You Inspire, Unite, and Achieve

Morial, Marc

The Deal: Secrets for Mastering the Art of Negotiation

Flagg, Josh

We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power

Rodgers, Rachel

Built Through Courage: Face Your Fears to Live the Life You Were Meant For

Hollis, Dave

Miss Independent: A Simple 12-Step Plan to Start Investing and Grow Your Own Wealth

Lapin, Nicole

Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success

Minkoff, Rebecca

Disrupting the Game: From the Bronx to the Top of Nintendo

Fils-Aimé, Reggie

Business Made Simple: 60 Days to Master Leadership, Sales, Marketing, Execution, Management, Personal Productivity and More (Made Simple Series)

Miller, Donald

How to Grow Your Small Business: A 6-Step Plan

Miller, Donald

Sara has 9 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Marvin S.

Marvin S.

Apr, 2024

Sara was very knowledgeable, and I not only got feedback on my manuscript like I'd hoped, but I picked up industry knowledge besides that will help me navigate the marketplace.
Kevin S.

Kevin S.

Feb, 2024

Sara is fantastic! She's a true professional and provided very solid developmental editing that will greatly improve the book. Sara is not the type to just give you the minimal required effort. I felt heard, and it was apparent that she was invested in helping the book reach its potential a...
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April A.

April A.

Feb, 2024

Honestly, I thought this was going to be a great opportunity. However, she failed to respond after getting her last payment and finish the project. Said she would redo edit and then decided not to. Be careful about doing video calls with her. Make sure you keep everything documented in Reedsy.
Sara K.
I had so much hope for our partnership and went above and beyond, but April proved to be extremely dishonest and unreasonable, which began as soon as she demanded a refund for an edit she had never...
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kristine J.

kristine J.

Nov, 2023

Sara, is the editor you want to work with. She is encouraging but not fluffy. She is kind and forthright. She told me sections that, in her opinion, did not belong in my book, for example. Her experience with a major publishing house allows her to have a finger on the pulse of what is current, a...
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Sara K.
I loved working on your book. You have such a great story and so much wisdom and professional experience helping people overcome trauma and the shame that is associated with it. I can't wait to see...
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Michael Z.

Michael Z.

Oct, 2023

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I recently had the pleasure of working with Sara Kendrick for the editing of my book, and I can't recommend her services highly enough. Right from the get-go, Sara demonstrated a profound understanding of non-fiction tone ad has a keen eye for detail. Her editorial suggestions were thought...
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Sara K.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I truly enjoyed working on your book. I learned so much about the challenges and choices doctors have to make early in their careers. Good luck in the rest of...
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