Ruth Tang

Ruth Tang - Editor

New York, NY, USA

Editor with extensive experience at an independent small press, specializing in literary fiction and poetry.

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Overview

I'm an editor with four years' experience at Math Paper Press, an independent small press publishing literary and genre fiction, short story collections, and poetry collections and anthologies.

I'm especially excited about, and have additional expertise editing, experimental, genre-transgressive & hybrid work. Nothing's too weird for meβ€”I grew up on the 90s internet and experimental poetry of questionable merit.

In the past, I've worked on Victor Ocampo's The Infinite Library (sci-fi short stories, International Rubery Book Award shortlist) and Madeleine Thien's Simple Recipes (short stories, author shortlisted for the 2016 Man Booker for a different title). I also edited and wrote the foreword for Alvin Pang's What Happened (collected poems, and Alvin's poetry is in the Oxford Companion to Modern Poetry in English, 2nd Ed!).

My approach to editing begins with acknowledging that everyone needs a fresh eye on their writing, however accomplished and great the work. I am committed to an editing process that is as gentle or as frank as the work requires at its current stage of development. I don't condescend to authors, I don't sugarcoat, but I don't believe in cruelty or harshness or canceling entire pages out with red pen.

Please include a 10-15 page sample of your work with your request!
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction
LGBTQ Fiction
Literary Fiction
Poetry
Short Story

Work experience

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Playwriting

The New School of Drama
August, 2017 – May, 2020 (over 2 years)

Editor & Project Manager

Math Paper Press, BooksActually
January, 2016 – January, 2020 (about 4 years)

Edited, copy edited and proofread fiction, non-fiction and poetry manuscripts for publication.
Coordinated timelines for editorial and publishing processes for new titles.

Ruth has 19 reviews

Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality

Joseph Dierkes
Ruth helped me understand my own vision far better than I could have without them! Super communicative and professional, as well as true to their word in all aspects.

Joseph Dierkes, March 2022

Ruth Tang
Thank you, Joseph! It was such a pleasure working with you.

Reply from Ruth Tang


Daniella Heflin
Ruth was absolutely fantastic to work with! When reading her feedback, I felt that she really took the time to understand the work, its heart, and my intentions in order to deliver sound feedback. The feedback itself was more guiding than prescriptive, which I always find to be the most helpful and prefer whenever collaborating. Wonderful to talk to, very professional!

Daniella Heflin, March 2022

Ruth Tang
Thank you - I'm so glad our collaboration was fruitful for you, Daniella!

Reply from Ruth Tang


ian goh
Ruth was meticulous, professional and highly observant when it came to leaving feedback on my manuscript. She not only provided line by line edits over multiple drafts, but analysed the entire manuscript for its overall coherence, themes, and its strengths and flaws. She was also patient and eager to assist whenever I had questions or comments. Would gladly work with her again!

ian goh, December 2021

Ruth Tang
Thanks, Ian! Best of luck with your manuscript - and I'd definitely love to work together again in future!

Reply from Ruth Tang


Margot Douaihy
Fastidious, incisive, quick to synthesize, and so kind. Cannot wait to collaborate with Ruth again. Wonderful experience. Highly recommended editor for short stories / narrative projects.

Margot Douaihy, December 2021

Ruth Tang
Thanks so much, Margot! I loved working with you on your story, and am excited to collaborate again soon!

Reply from Ruth Tang


Nancy Kofie
Ruth Tang will give your manuscript a very thorough review with clear direction. Ruth will let you know if your story or chapter does not have a complete arc, or an effective theme, or if one section has a tone which does not fit in with the rest of the book. I appreciated Ruth's notes which indicated which sections were strongest, which sections needed work, and which sections could/should be ...
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Nancy Kofie, August 2021

Ruth Tang
Thank you, Nancy! I'm so glad we got to collaborate (twice!) - your writing has such a unique, incisive humor to it, and was so much fun to read and work on.

Reply from Ruth Tang

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