Heather Sangster

I'm an accomplished veteran publishing professional who has been in long-time service (since 1988) to 28 trade publishers and imprints (including three of the Big Five: Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Simon & Schuster), prominent authors, businesses, and emerging talent across the globe. I've been Margaret Atwood's primary copy editor and proofreader for 31 years, most recently for our 22nd title together: her 2025 New York Times best-selling memoir, Book of Lives. Contributing my editorial services to 1100+ titles so far, I'm grateful to play a part in my clients' achievements: 70 bestsellers, 154 awards, and counting. I've honed my technical expertise in multiple industries (legal, educational, academic, and trade publishing; advertising), mediums (newspapers, magazines, books), genres, and in-house and freelance roles. I'm also co-founder of Strong Finish Book Editing (formerly Strong Finish Editorial Design). We've been providing decades-long ongoing editorial support to publishers and businesses while helping emerging writers produce audience-ready professional manuscripts since 2006. Knowing what works is key. I combine classic principles, contemporary sensibilities, insider expertise, and just the right touch for a signature service with measurably superior results.

Developmental Editing: What It Is, What It Costs, and When Your Manuscript Needs It

Co-founder of Strong Finish Book Editing. Editing since 1988, for 28 trade publishers and imprints, including three of the Big Five. Margaret Atwood’s primary copy editor and proofreader for 31 years, across 22 titles. Developmental editing fixes what your book is, not how it reads. It works on structure, argument, plot, pacing, and character, and

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How to Hire a Book Editor

Your manuscript is ready for editing. But when you google “hire a book editor,” a mere 70 million+ results show up—and that number increases daily. Wait… What? Clearly there’s no shortage of editors, but are they any good? The self-publishing boom, turbo-charged by the global pandemic, has created a glut of self-proclaimed professionals for hire.

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