Michael Thomas Taren
Pittsburgh,PA
Summary
Hello and welcome to my summary. My name is Michael Thomas Taren and, with regard to externals, I am multifaceted, a proud dilettante who places great weight upon making as mutable and interesting as possible the dubious inheritance of this existence. Despite my preference to gratify the soul's concerns, I am markedly resentful of errors-material, technical, of fact, etc.-and accord tasks and duties the fulfillment which is their proper due. As an artist and erstwhile poet, I am unreasonably proud of my lingual talents and my ability to communicate in both written and spoken formats with lucidity and incisiveness.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Writer
self-employed
, United States
09.2005 - Current
- I am a writer of experiences, experimental and creative, personal and outlandish. Publications include plays, poems, short fiction and experimental writing.
Freelance Translator
self-employed
, United States
04.2005 - Current
- I have translated several published books of Poetry from Slovenian as well as two novels from French. Various skills have evolved from this practice including a detailed, if sometimes intuitive, understanding of the rules of English grammar and a nuanced comprehension of the governing standards of written communication.
Waste Disposal Foreman
1-800-GOT-JUNK
New York, NY
01.2024 - 05.2024
- Helmed the redisposition of unwanted goods on the Island of Manhattan. For this job, one was required to hone procedural skills related to logistical problems associated with junk removal in the cramped and bustling environs of lower Manhattan. I directed a team of associates and lead improvised strategies for the efficient disposal of a vast menagerie of waste materials.
Studio Manager
Cy Gavin Studio
Stanfordville, NY
12.2022 - 09.2023
- I administrated for a well-known painter represented by Gagosian Galleries
- My tasks included drafting business correspondence, fielding inquiries from gallery personnel, maintaining the studio space and facilitating the safe transportation of artworks and materials
- This job also enlightened my capacity to accomplish minor structural repairs for home and garden.
Warehouse Associate
wet paint printing + design
Wilkes-Barre, PA
04.2021 - 08.2022
- We print, cut, pack and mail life-size cardboard cutouts, signage, magnets, and banners
- Job includes forklift usage, CNC operation, routine machine maintenance and order fulfillment.
Fulbright Fellow
Fulbright
Ljubljana, Slovenia
08.2010 - 07.2011
- I spent a year in Slovenia co translating poems with internationally renowned poet Tomaz Salamun (b 1941 d 2014)
- The poet and I translated a significant number (approximately 300) poems into English and compiled the results for publication in reviews and literary magazines
- We additionally collated those poems for the assembly of the manuscripts which would later furnish full-length books issued by American presses.
Library Associate
IOWA CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Iowa City, IA
05.2009 - 05.2010
- Book slinger
- Much time spent with sundry media, checking out, checking in, reshelving materials and ministering to the public as a hireling for a high traffic public library in the city of Iowa in the State of Iowa.
Teaching Assistant
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
09.2007 - 05.2009
- I taught two sections of English Literature and two sections of Creative Writing while pursuing my MFA at the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop
- As a novice professor my tasks included the preparation of lectures and critique of written materials
- In the pursuit of these effects, I conducted literary investigations with classes of between 20 and 30 young pupils.
Line Cook/Prep Cook
Cappy's Cafe
Pittsburgh, PA
07.2005 - 06.2007
- A truly transformation experience and the lore which was indued undergirds my culinary habituations unto the present date.
Education
Master of Fine Arts in Poetry - Poetry/Creative Writing
University of Iowa
Iowa City05.2009
College Degree in Creative Writing -
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
07.2006
College Degree in Literature -
Penn State-Lehman
05.2003
Skills
- Creative Writing
- Order Fulfillment
- French
- Writing Skills
- Proofreading
- Adobe Photoshop
- English
- Public Relations
- Translation
- Blogging
- Mac OS
- Google Docs
- Leadership
- Hospitality
- Graphic design
- Photography
- Microsoft Excel
- Library Services
- Adobe Illustrator
- Cash register
- Customer service
- Forklift
- Cooking
- Teaching
- Sales
- Manufacturing
- CNC
- Negotiation
- Cash handling
- Video Production
- Filming
- Driving
- Door-to-door
- Animal restraint
- Upselling
- Documentation review
- Document Editing
- Project Management
- Creative Collaboration
- Idea Brainstorming
- Editing
- Content Development
- Copyediting
- Research
- Copywriting
- Strong research skills
- Content Editing
- Collaboration
- Scriptwriting
- Fact-checking
- Excellent spelling skills
Certification
Driver's License, 04/01/21, 08/01/24
Publications
- Justice, Tomaz Salamun, https://www.blackocean.org/catalog1/Justice
- Soy Realidad, Tomaz Salamun, https://dalkeyarchive.store/products/soy-realidad
- Atlantic Island, Tony Duvert, https://mitpress.mit.edu/9781584351771/atlantic-island/
- Eunuchs, Michael Thomas Taren, https://uglyducklingpresse.org/contributors/michael-thomas-taren/
Languages
FRENCH
Elementary
Timeline
Waste Disposal Foreman
1-800-GOT-JUNK
01.2024 - 05.2024
Studio Manager
Cy Gavin Studio
12.2022 - 09.2023
Warehouse Associate
wet paint printing + design
04.2021 - 08.2022
Fulbright Fellow
Fulbright
08.2010 - 07.2011
Library Associate
IOWA CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
05.2009 - 05.2010
Teaching Assistant
The University of Iowa
09.2007 - 05.2009
Writer
self-employed
09.2005 - Current
Line Cook/Prep Cook
Cappy's Cafe
07.2005 - 06.2007
Freelance Translator
self-employed
04.2005 - Current
Master of Fine Arts in Poetry - Poetry/Creative Writing
University of Iowa
College Degree in Creative Writing -
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
College Degree in Literature -
Penn State-Lehman