Glenn McMahan

Glenn McMahan – Editor

Experienced editor for university presses (MIT, Harvard, etc.) and scholars (Princeton, U of Toronto, etc.); published award-winning books.

Overview

** I do not work on any book that involves AI. Don't bother asking.

I am proficient with all levels of book editing, including developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading. My editing skills were first honed as a magazine and newspaper journalist. I work extensively with scholarly authors including at Harvard University, Princeton University, U.C. Berkeley, and the University of Toronto (see list below). My books have been published by Harvard University Press, and MIT Press, to name a few.

As the lead editor at Upriver Press, I edit and publish scholarly nonfiction books, all written by PhDs. The books focus on critical issues such as Social Security reform, media literacy and democracy, economic inequality, and the economics of international development, among others.

In April 2023, I completed the developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading and indexing of "Disrupting Racism: Essays by an Asian American Prodigy Professor." This book, published by Endeavor Literary Press, was endorsed by two Nobel Prize-winning economists.

In March 2023, I provided the full index for "A Crash Course on Crises" by Princeton University economist Marcus Brunnermeier, published by Princeton University Press.

In November 2022 I edited and published a beautiful memoir titled "Soldier On: A Woman's Memoir of Resilience and Hope." This book is by an Israeli woman who served in the Israel Defense Forces, became a runner-up in the Miss Israel pageant, and then tragically gave birth to a son with severe disabilities.

In April 2022 Harvard University Press launched "Democratizing Finance: The Radical Promise of Fintech," which I edited for author and Harvard economist Marion Laboure. The book is endorsed by Nobel Prize-winning economists Lawrence Summers and Kenneth Rogoff.

In August 2021 I edited and published "The Resilient Society" by Princeton University economist Markus Brunnermeier. This book made the "Best Books of the Year 2021" list published by the Financial Times in London and was awarded "Best Economics Book 2021" at the Frankfurt Book Fair. It was endorsed by two Nobel Prize winners, Robert Shiller and Angus Deaton.

Also in 2021, I edited "The Pandemic Information Solution: Overcoming the Brutal Economics of Covid-19" (Endeavor Literary Press), by University of Toronto economist and MIT Press author Joshua Gans. I also edited a "In Pursuit of the Almost" by poet Phil Ginsburg.

In July 2021, I edited and published "Writing the Biodrama" by award-winning playwright Dr. Tee O'Neill. The book was endorsed by José Rivera, the Academy Award nominated screenwriter of "The Motorcycle Diaries."

In 2020, I provided the copyediting and proofreading for the MIT Press book titled "Innovation Matters," by Dr. Richard Gilbert, a UC Berkeley economist and former deputy attorney general.

In 2015, I graduated from the University of Denver Publishing Institute. I hold a master's degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and a bachelor's degree in English from Metropolitan State University of Denver.

As a journalist, I worked for the American Journalism Review, Capital News Service, and The Frederick News-Post.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Economics History Law Political Science & Current Affairs Sociology Writing & Publishing
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Society of Professional Journalists, First Place Breaking News Reporting
  • Outstanding Writing and Reporting, the Associated Press
Certifications
  • M.A. Journalism, University of Maryland, 1993
  • University of Denver Publishing Institute, 2015
  • B.A. English, Metropolitan State University of Denver, 1989

Work experience

Self-employed

Feb, 1995 — Present
Independent Publisher Developmental book editing, copy editing, proofreading Ghostwriting Translation (Portuguese to English)

The Frederick News-Post

May, 1992 — Sep, 1994 (over 2 years)
Covered local, state, and national politics, the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis, and state and local education.

Capital News Service (Washington, D.C.)

Aug, 1991 — Dec, 1991 (5 months)
Covered the Supreme Court, Maryland’s delegation to U.S. Senate and Congress, the Maryland General Assembly and federal agencies for nine daily newspapers in Maryland, AP, and the Knight-Ridder News Wire.

American Journalism Review

Aug, 1990 — Aug, 1991 (about 1 year)
Reporting, writing, editing, fact checking and proofreading for this national magazine (circulation 50,000).

Portfolio

The Resilient Society

Brunnermeier, Markus

In this book, author Stephanie Wachman, a Fortune 500 executive coach, provides business professionals with proven time-management strategies. Own Your Time provides practical, concise skills for business professionals to become more productive, reduce stress,... read more

Glenn has 50 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Jim S.

Jim S.

Dec, 2025

Glenn is a talented guy but I think he is probably better suited working with professional writers and not amateurs like myself.
Samantha W.

Samantha W.

May, 2025

Glenn was very collaborative and understanding, and was able to take what could've been esoteric labyrinth to be very readable, and enjoyable to my ARC readers. He is personable, reasonable, and human-centric in his approach to collaborating, and editing. I had experienced other editors who ha...
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Sarah M.

Sarah M.

Apr, 2025

He understood the argument and the emotional architecture of the book. My manuscript (Fatamorgana) straddles memoir, economic critique, and philosophical inquiry. It was deeply personal, but also unconventional. Glenn did great job providing editorial assessment. He offered insightful margin not...
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carolee T.

carolee T.

Mar, 2025

Terrific!
Jag B.

Jag B.

Dec, 2024

A rapid and thorough job.

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