Michael Tager

Michael Tager – Editor

Independent publisher and freelance editor. I love working with authors at every stage of a book.

Overview

I'm a editor, publisher, writer and editor from Baltimore. I have a BA in English, a BS in Psychology, an MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing and minors in Communication and Theater. In other words, getting words and meaning from one place to another is kind of my "thing."


I am widely published in literary journals, anthologies, scientific journals and magazines, though I'm mostly an editor and publisher these days. I play hop scotch with genres and have written lit fiction, horror, poetry, journalism, listicles, personal essay, and others.


In addition to my writing, I have edited dozens of books and anthologies in all capacities: an independent publisher, a literary citizen and a freelancer. As Managing Editor of Mason Jar Press, I've shepherded 25 books into the world, with many more currently in development. This process includes reading and solicitation, months of editing, design and marketing. I'm incredibly proud of the work I've done and I absolutely love it. There's very little as rewarding as helping create a piece of art and putting it into the world. My job is the best.


One of the books I've edited, How to Sit, was a finalist for the 2019 PEN Open Books Awards and another, Continental Breakfast, was a finalist for the 2019 Midwest Booksellers Choice Awards. Books that I've published have been reviewed in Publisher's Weekly, the NY Times, and elsewhere. Two have been translated into other languages, one was optioned, and all of them are amazing.


I don't write as much anymore because, while I'm a very good writer, I'm a much better editor. I'm love developmental editing and bringing a book along. I enjoy finding the heart of a manuscript and building around it to make the final product the absolute best version of itself that it can be.


My degrees are in fiction and I'm great at prose work. I've had a lot of success as a poet (my own book forthcoming in 2024) and truly enjoy collaborations with poets. And of the books I've published, the most successful was nonfiction. So try me with all genres.


While I specialize in developmental editing, I am versed in proofreading and copyediting and enjoy every phase of a book's birth. I am available from the very earliest stages of book creation up until the very end. Should you wish a long-term partner to walk you through the writing process, I can do that. If you need a final spit-and-polish, I love that too.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Science Fiction Short Story Young Adult
Languages
English (AUS) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • MFA

Work experience

Mason Jar Press

May, 2014 — Present

Along with the Editor in Chief, I founded Mason Jar Press in 2014. Since then, I have published 18 books in multiple literary styles, from poetry anthologies, straight literary fiction, experimental prose forms, to memoir and science fiction.

I am immersed in the entire process, beginning with reading and choosing submissions, to developing over months and years fully-realized works and finishing with the proofing and copy-editing phase. It is a deeply satisfying and rewarding position, one I treasure and maintain intense enthusiasm for.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
Test Pattern

Steele, Casey

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Saving Moose

Eisenhower, Eric

Developmental Editing
JERKS

Lippmann, Sara

Query Letter Review
Peculiar Heritage

Bellinger, DeMisty D.

Query Letter Review
Jarnal Volume Two

Desai, Aditya

Copy Editing
Editorial Assessment
Lesser American Boys

VandeZande, Zach

Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing
After the Rapture

Stohlman, Nancy

Developmental Editing
Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing
The Horror is Us

Sanders, Justin

Copy Editing
Query Letter Review
Ashley Sugarnotch & the Wolf

Lakes, Elizabeth Deanna Morris

Query Letter Review
...and Other Disasters, the smart and moving collection of short fiction and poetry from acclaimed author Malka Older, examines otherness, identity and compassion across a spectrum of possible... read more
Developmental Editing
What makes a pink-haired queer raise his hand to enlist in the military just as the nation is charging into war? In his memoir, Out of Step, Anthony Moll tells the story of a working-class bis... read more
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
"Danny Caine's Continental Breakfast portrays suburban life in the Midwest with humor, pathos, and tender care. Populating chain restaurants, deserted shopping malls, and family Passover dinne... read more
Editorial Assessment
Erin Dorney's debut, I Am Not Famous Anymore, is a collection of erasure poems sourced from media interviews with Shia LaBeouf. Erasure is a form of poetry created by erasing words from an exi... read more
Developmental Editing
Broken Metropolis: Queer Tales of a City That Never Was (edited by dave ring, Mason Jar Press, August 2018) explores the edges of urban fantasy through queer narratives in the tradition of Swo... read more
Copy Editing
The Brides have chosen you to attend Count Drogado's endless bacchanal. You are broken, homeless, maimed. Why did they choose you? What power do they hold? Can you escape the Count, escape the... read more
Developmental Editing
The Black Ladies Brunch Collective's Poetry Anthology, Not Without Our Laughter, (Mason Jar Press, 2017) is a collection of humorous and joyful poems, riffing on Langston Hughes's novel Not Wi... read more
Query Letter Review
Michelle Junot has kept notes on her phone for years-what to pick up at the store, work-out logs, prayers, hopes, thoughts on life and death-all the while creating a snapshot of her life with ... read more
Developmental Editing
I Don't Want To Be Your Bridesmaid is the debut memoir collection by Adina Ferguson. Ferguson's honest, witty and rhythmic style defines the voice of a 20-something introvert who's single, shy... read more
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
E is for Evil contains twenty-six individual stories which each shine a different light on the multi-faceted idea that is evil. Running the gamut from lyrical fantasy to gritty horror in these... read more
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The Avenue is a new, bi-annual literary journal with a mid-Atlantic geographical focus. For this issue, the editors requested that readers and writers consider the myriad realities of Woman an... read more
Developmental Editing
Index: These Thoughts

Hauser, Tracy E

Copy Editing

Michael has 38 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Okwu I.

Okwu I.

Dec, 2022

Gave a detailed and thorough review while being very respectful. Would love to collaborate again!
Debra G.

Debra G.

Oct, 2022

What was so wonderful about working with Michael was that it became a dialogue, a conversation, an exchange of ideas and thoughts in relation to my work. I responded to his assessment and it changed his perspective. In the meantime, his notes and critique inspired me to see the flaws and provide (hopefully!) solutions to difficult questions posed! Two open minds, how fantastic... He reached ...
Read more
Greg M.

Greg M.

Oct, 2022

Michael's comments and insights were extremely helpful. He was able to point out places where the plot needed strengthening, characters needed clarity and storylines that needed expanding, reducing, or even eliminating. He provides positive comments and critical analysis without being negative or discouraging, His work is clearly documented and precise. He did a great job.
Eiman N.

Eiman N.

Jul, 2022

I just finished my second collaboration with Michael, and I am looking forward to the third one. I enjoy working with him and recommend him to everyone.
Eiman N.

Eiman N.

Jun, 2022

Michael's professional corrections boost my story readability and softly connect the sentences. Also, he left some amazing comments for me about the concept and meaning of the sentences. I will work with him again as the quality of his work combined with the cost and time frame make Michael the best chice.

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