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!

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

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading
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
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 15 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Nicholas R.

Nicholas R.

Dec, 2025

10/10!!! Sandra was absolutely amazing to work with! She's friendly, responsive, and her feedback was invaluable for my work. She not only provided feedback for my book, but did an amazing job explaining WHY those changes were important. I would definitely work with her again and highly recommend...
Read more
Sandra K.
That's so kind of you, Nico! Thank you so much. It was great working with you and I'd be happy to do so again!
Jessica F.

Jessica F.

Nov, 2025

Sandra my god what an amazing editor! I cannot recommend her enough. She delivered incredibly quality and detailed feedback, and gave me over 15 suggestions for books, poems and short stories to provide me with inspiration for further writing. An incredible editor who i HIGHLY recommend!!!
Sandra K.
Thank you so much, Jessica!! It was a great pleasure to work with you and to read your writing!!
Matt L.

Matt L.

Oct, 2025

Sandra was amazing to work with! Insightful, super responsive, and gave me some much needed guidance on my work. Would 1000% work with her again!
Sandra K.
Thank you, Matt! Would love to work with you again!
Dannie R.

Dannie R.

Jul, 2025

Sandra gave me invaluable feedback. She was professional and easy to communicate with. I will definitely be using her for further projects!
Sandra K.
Thank you so much, Dannie! Would be happy to work with you again!
luke G.

luke G.

Jun, 2025

Friendly and professional. Sandra knew exactly what needed to be done to the manuscript and delivered it in good fashion
Sandra K.
Thank you so much, Luke! Really enjoyed your book and was happy to work with you. You were a fantastic client!

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Sandra and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Sandra

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Ashley S.

Ashley S.

I am a dedicated editor who enjoys helping fantasy, mystery, science fiction, and historical fiction writers polish their books to a shine.

Warsaw, VA, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Angela Brown

Angela B.

Editor of more than 800 books. I specialize in sci-fi, fantasy, supernatural, horror, mystery, thriller, YA, and dystopian fiction.

Los Angeles, United States

100% reply rate

View profile
Matt Henderson-Ellis

Matt H.

NYC-trained editor (Doubleday) specializing in manuscript assessments and developmental editing for crime/mystery, and daring genre fiction.

Evanston, IL, USA

100% reply rate

View profile