Sandra Kasturi

Sandra Kasturi – Editor

I am an award-winning editor and writer with over 25 years of experience, specializing in SF, fantasy, horror, and mysteries/thrillers.

Overview

I love books like I love breathing! I was co-publisher of a small genre press specializing in SF, fantasy and horror for over a decade, and am an award-winning editor, poet*, and writer, with over twenty-five years of freelance editing experience. My own writing has been published in various places, including The New Quarterly, Rattle, CNQ, Prairie Fire, ARC Magazine, Taddle Creek, and 80! Memories & Reflections on Ursula K. Le Guin. My two poetry collections are: The Animal Bridegroom (with an introduction by Neil Gaiman!!) and Come Late to the Love of Birds.


I've won awards for both writing and editing, including the World Fantasy Award, British Fantasy Award, Sunburst Award, and ARC Magazine's Poem of the Year Award. Books I've worked on have gone on to win or be nominated for: the Nebula, Scotiabank Giller, Amazon Canada First Novel, World Fantasy, Sunburst, Toronto Book, Shirley Jackson, Theodore Sturgeon, Bram Stoker, and Million Writers Awards. I've also written for television and consulted on film scripts.


I came to writing and editing through my own love of reading—I still read anywhere from 100–200 books per year (my husband gets aggravated at the speed at which I turn the pages when we're reading in bed together!), and I know my favourite genres well. For editing purposes, I use Microsoft Word and its Track Changes feature. As a writer, I also understand the other side of the editorial process, and believe in constructive criticism. Together, let's whip your project into the best shape possible, so you can send it out to a publisher or agent, or get it in top form to self-publish.


Communication between author and editor in a timely fashion during the editorial process is the most important thing, and I make sure to always be available for my clients' needs. Let's make beautiful books together!


*Please note: I no longer accept poetry manuscripts for editing. My apologies!

Services
Fiction
Horror LGBTQ Fiction Magical Realism Mystery & Crime Science Fiction Short Story Urban Fantasy Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (CAN)
Awards
  • World Fantasy Award
  • Bram Stoker Award
  • Aurora Award
  • Sunburst Award
  • ARC Poem of the Year Award
  • British Fantasy Award
Certifications
  • BA, English Literature, University of Toronto

Work experience

Self-employed

May, 1997 — Present

• editing, copy-editing and proofreading manuscripts for publication
• writing and editing in a variety of genres, including: short stories, poetry, screenplays (animated and live action), book reviews, comedy sketches
• freelance editing and proofreading for various clients
• teaching poetry and fiction workshops
• published and award-winning writer and poet
• management of writing award/prize

ChiZine Publications

Feb, 2008 — Dec, 2019 (almost 12 years)

• creation of new traditional publishing house focusing on literary science fiction, fantasy and horror
• editing, copy editing and proofreading manuscripts for publication
• acquisition of manuscripts, building of author careers
• contract negotiations (manuscripts, foreign rights, audiobook rights, TV/film options)

ChiZine.com

Jan, 2000 — Jan, 2012 (about 12 years)

• preparing submission guidelines, reading and selecting poetry for each quarterly issue
• management of poetry content
• poetry editing
• fiction editing/slush pile reading
• reviews of novels, magazines, poetry collections

Portfolio

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
The Acolyte

Cutter, Nick

Copy Editing Proofreading
The Oppenheimer Alternative

Sawyer, Robert J.

SFWRITER.COM Inc.

Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Fearful Symmetries

Datlow, Ellen

Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
The Bone Mother

Demchuk, David

Proving Ground Press

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Experimental Film

Files, Gemma

Open Road Media

Copy Editing Proofreading
Enter, Night: A Novel

Rowe, Michael

Open Road Media

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Island of Light: The Rise of Oceania

Johnston, Timothy S.

Fitzhenry and Whiteside

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Shadow of War: The Rise of Oceania

Johnston, Timothy S.

Fitzhenry and Whiteside

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Katja from the Punk Band (The Katja Series)

Logan, Simon

ChiZine Publications

Copy Editing Proofreading
As Close to the Edge Without Going Over

Silverberg, David

Kelp Queen Press

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Casting Shadows

Troy Harkin

ChiZine Publications

Casting Shadows collects for the first time the twisted poetry of Troy Harkin, wherein you will find yourself among scalpers, neck bags, and nocturnal sheep that hate you. Clive Thompson (Smar... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Lightning Wears a Red Cape

Nunnally, Errick

ChiZine Publications

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Armed in Her Fashion

Heartfield, Kate

ChiZine Publications

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Wild Fell: A Ghost Story

Rowe, Michael

Open Road Media

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
In the Mean Time

Tremblay, Paul

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Cold Hillside

Baker, Nancy

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing
Dead Girls Don't

Storey, Mags

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
The Role of Lightning in Evolution

Clink, David Livingstone

Copy Editing

Sandra has 6 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Larry R.

Larry R.

Dec, 2024

The advice was very helpful which I will use when I amend my story. I highly recommend this editor for any writing project an author is working on. Will work with her again in the near future for my other writing projects. Thank you.
Sandra K.
Thank you, Larry! Happy to work with you any time!
Larry R.

Larry R.

Nov, 2024

Very professional. Gave great advice on the story. Will work with Sandra again as my stories need critiquing with brutal honesty.
Sandra K.
Thank you so much, Larry! Great to work with you as always!
Jon H.

Jon H.

Oct, 2024

This was a great experience. I was given several suggestions on how best to approach my poem. The feedback was thoughtful and useful.
Sandra K.
Thank you so much, Jon!!
Larry R.

Larry R.

Oct, 2024

I love the ideas you have. And that is why I needed an editor for the story. Would love to work with you again.
Sandra K.
Thanks so much, Larry! Would be happy to work with you again too!
Jay S.

Jay S.

Aug, 2024

Sandra's edits and suggestions have been absolutely invaluable. Her perspective is incredibly informed and she has been very respectful of my own perspective/voice while showing me in no uncertain terms exactly how I can simplify and streamline, as well as throwing out useful suggestions to make my story and characters pop. This was everything I wanted from the experience and more, and I feel l...
Read more
Sandra K.
Thank you so much, Jay! It was a pleasure to work with you. Much good luck with your book!

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