Michael Springer

Michael Springer – Editor

Editor and book doctor for humanities and social sciences. Published researcher, PhD, extensive experience in academic publishing.

Overview

Focusing on academic and technical writing in the social sciences and humanities, I have 15 years of experience helping authors achieve their goals. I have worked for leading publishers including Bloomsbury, Routledge, Cambridge University Press and more, and assisted thousands of clients with publishing their papers, completing their dissertations, and getting their ideas into print.

I provide a wide range of services. From developmental input to final proofreading, I calibrate my contribution according to what you need at your specific stage in the writing process. I have developed something of a speciality in helping early career researchers handling the transition from post-graduate to independent writing. Trying to write alone, without the help of a supervisor, can be a new and difficult challenge. I've assisted numerous early-career researchers with making this change, supporting them in converting a PhD to a monograph, for example, or developing a paper from primary research.

Having published my own work in peer-reviewed journals and with reputable academic publishers, I have first-hand insight into the process. This frequently enables me to smooth the way for you, identifying potential difficulties and implementing resolutions before they cost you valuable time and effort. I similarly have in-depth insight into the requirements of university writing: in addition to having completed a PhD, I taught academic composition at one of the leading universities in the UK. I have also taught my own discipline at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, which included providing constructive assistance with discursive writing assignments.

Services
Non-Fiction
History Philosophy Political Science & Current Affairs Psychology Sociology
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • PhD, Literature, University of York, UK
  • MA, Literature, Rhodes University, RSA
  • Professional Accredited Member, Chartered Institute of Editors and Proofreaders, UK

Work experience

Department of English and Related Literature, University of York, UK

Aug, 2014 — Jan, 2025 (over 10 years)
Taught on undergraduate modules, supervised undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations, and contributed to curriculum development and other departmental initiatives.

Management School, University of York, UK

Aug, 2011 — Aug, 2016 (almost 5 years)
Taught academic composition to undergraduate students. Modules focused on how to synthesize research into an argument; how to structure a piece of discursive writing; tone, perspective, partiality; editing and revision; and associated topics.

Self-employed

Aug, 2010 — Present
Editing, proofreading, and critical appraisal for academic and technical writing: everything from assistance with the early stages of developing a piece of writing from an idea, to final pre-publication proofreading. Includes ancillary services such as indexing, formatting files for publication as e-books, etc. Clients included publishers such as Routledge / Taylor & Francis, Bloomsbury, and Pearson, and numerous researchers in their private capacity.

Portfolio

Proofreading
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
A Legacy of Shame: French Narratives of War and Occupation

Kitchen, Ruth

Peter Lang AG, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Indexing Book Coaching
Literary Cynics: Borges, Beckett, Coetzee

Rose, Arthur

Bloomsbury Academic

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Indexing Book Coaching
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading
John Banville and His Precursors

Palazzolo, Pietra

Bloomsbury Academic

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading Indexing Book Coaching
Lacan on Madness: Madness, yes you can't

Gherovici, Patricia

Routledge

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing Proofreading
A Reporter's Guide to the EU

Melchior, Sigrid

Routledge

Developmental Editing
Elliott & Quinn's Tort Law

Quinn, Frances

Pearson

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing
Psychoanalysis, Gender, and Sexualities

Gherovici, Patricia

Routledge

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment

Michael has 7 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Wade P.

Wade P.

Jan, 2026

Michael was an exceptional editor to work with on the developmental edit of my nonfiction manuscript. He is knowledgeable across a broad range of academic and intellectual domains and brings outstanding attention to detail. I especially appreciated his ability to elevate the overall argument whil...
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Robin L.

Robin L.

Jan, 2026

I am working with Michael on several projects, and will continue to do so.
Alex W.

Alex W.

Dec, 2025

Michael was excellent from beginning to end. A pleasure to work with and an absolute inspiration. Thoroughly recommend a collaboration with this gentleman. Hard working, diligent and enthusiastic throughout.
Robin L.

Robin L.

Dec, 2025

Michael completed the project in lighting-quick fashion, earlier than the deadline I had provided.
Robin L.

Robin L.

Nov, 2025

Michael's feedback caught details I missed, and he offered guidance that made the writing clearer and more engaging without losing my voice. I appreciate his guidance to help these early pages land the way they should. I’m grateful for his thoughtful approach and the skill he brought to this proj...
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