MLR Writing & Editing

Micha rahder, PhD

I am a writer, editor, and writing coach who is passionate about helping other writers elevate their ideas. I have over a decade of experience writing for academic and general audiences, and over five years of professional editing and writing coaching experience. I specialize in academic writing, nature & environmental writing, and creative nonfiction.

Writing coaching

currently open only to past and present clients. I will update this notice when coaching is available to new clients.

Get help with any stage of the writing process, from time management to overcoming writer’s block. I specialize in providing supportive, positive coaching to academics, women writers, and writers from marginalized communities. My coaching is grounded in feminist and anti-racist principles, and I work hard to meet the accessibility needs of my clients. Learn more about coaching services.

Editing

From your first spark of inspiration to final polished text, I have your editing needs covered. I offer a range of services tailored to each stage of the writing process, and work closely with you to make your words shine. Learn more about editing services.

Directed Draft

A supported writing group for scholars in the social sciences & humanities

Directed Draft is an 8-week long, flexible writing group that combines one-on-one coaching with facilitated group writing sessions to help you set and achieve your writing goals. I co-run Directed Draft with Karen Dewart McEwen. Learn more about Directed Draft.

Other services

I also offer book indexing for select academic texts, writing workshops to small groups, and selected services en español. Learn more about other services.

testimonials

Our meetings helped me get out of a pretty bad rut. I actually look forward to getting to work on this paper now, something I haven't felt since my first project.

—Coaching client, Assistant Professor of Anthropology

Micha did such a great developmental edit! Her suggestions were thorough, clear, and full of insights on how to get my paper ready for journal submission. I appreciate her attention to detail, and really love how the piece is turning out.

—Developmental editing client, Assistant Professor of Education (Curriculum And Instruction)

I now feel 100% more confident in my book outline, and I'm beginning to see how I can improve my writing skills. I really appreciate Micha’s insights and careful reading of my draft.

—Developmental editing client, Assistant Professor of Anthropology

Micha’s developmental editing expertise really shines when she’s tackling structure and argument. She’s able to quickly hone in on an author’s main point and deftly find the places where that argument needs strengthening. In particular, she’s fantastic at figuring out when sections need to be broken up or rearranged to bring that argument to the fore—and providing concrete recommendations for how to do so. The Ideas on Fire authors have benefited enormously from Micha’s expertise and have much stronger manuscripts because of it.

—Cathy Hannabach, PhD, founder and CEO of Ideas on Fire

Micha made my book come to life in a way that wouldn't have been possible without her.

—Copyediting client, Assistant Professor of Education

Micha was absolutely incredible to work with. She is very patient, takes the time to listen and works to hone YOUR academic voice. I trusted her completely throughout the entire process, and felt, for the first time, like I was working with someone who actually understood my project and all its complexities. Micha genuinely cared about my project and went above and beyond to ensure that I was both confident about it as well as my abilities as a researcher.

—Coaching & editing client, Gender Studies PHD Student

I was struggling to organize my work, and struggling to integrate more traditional academic writing with creative approaches to storytelling. The strategies that Micha shared helped me to understand and execute a vision for my project, and to hone my writing process as I worked. Years later, I return to the resources and strategies that I learned through working with Micha, and they continue to improve my work. Thank you for being a stellar coach and editor!

bring your ideas to life