Overview
As an editor I specialize in historical and social-science literature, especially early-career academic publications, theses and dissertations. I also welcome creative assignments that have a historical or philosophical dimension.
My approach to editing is informed by the mentorship I was fortunate enough to receive in the practice of writing, first as an undergraduate at Reed College, and then as a PhD candidate at Cambridge. Throughout my education, my writing has been meticulously reviewed, dissected and, ultimately, vastly improved by some of the world's top scholars. Now I am committed to paying that gift forward through my teaching career, and on a freelance basis through my editing practice.
Whether you are a tenured professor, a graduate student, or simply a writer with something to say, I am ready to work as your collaborator in an all-out effort to achieve your writing goals. That means taking your ideas and your process seriously, but also presenting my own point of view wherever it is warranted. By choosing to work with me, you are choosing that kind of intellectually respectful engagement, alongside professionalism and formal rigor.
SAMPLE TESTIMONIALS
"Thanks to my editor, Michael. I've been asking around, and plenty of my colleagues have authored books, but none has received the kind of editorial support that you've given me. I realized it during one of our teleconference meetings when I said, 'Which outline are we working from now?' and you said, 'Oh, I can just tell you the outline . . .' and then you listed each chapter and its content from memory, without even looking at your notes. I thought, This guy knows my book better than I do. When I describe that moment to colleagues, the mixture of disbelief and longing on their faces confirms that I made the right decision in working with you."
—Barbara Sarnecka, Professor of Cognitive Sciences, University of California, Irvine
Services
Non-Fiction
Languages
Certifications
- PhD, History, University of Cambridge, 2016.
- B.A., History, Reed College, 2008.
Work experience
Pacific Northwest College of Art
I teach undergraduate courses that combine my interests in history, philosophy, politics, and the creative practice of writing. These range from broad historical surveys like Ancient Civilizations and Comparative Revolutions, to surveys of political ideas like The History of Democracy and The History of Fascism, to more process-oriented courses like Research for a Creative Practice. My role extends to the supervision of independent studies, thesis research advising, and serving on thesis review boards.
The European Physical Journal
I was an English-language proofreader for this highly regarded physical science journal headquartered in Paris, France. I proofread scientific papers in a range of fields, from nuclear physics to polymers, written by scientists from all over the world for whom English is a second language.
King's Review Magazine
I conducted interviews, reviewed article submissions, and advised on editorial decision making for this large-format print and online magazine founded and run by graduate students at King’s College, Cambridge University.
Cambridge University
I was responsible for leading small group discussions, assigning essay topics, and giving detailed feedback on essays for third-year politics students, as part of the year-long course Political Philosophy and the History of Political Thought since 1890. I also led seminar-style group discussions on the topic “What is power?” for the Cambridge History Faculty’s undergraduate capstone course Historical Argument and Practice.
Portfolio
Michael has 4 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
Jonathan A.
Nov, 2022
Stuart E.
Feb, 2022
Lindsay D.
Jan, 2020
Barbara S.
Sep, 2019
