Allison Van Deventer
@allisonvandev.bsky.social
Developmental editor for academic authors. Author: The Dissertation-to-Book Workbook (UChicago Press). Workshop facilitator. She/her. Comp lit PhD. https://www.allisonvandeventer.com/
This looks like a fantastic book!
Pre-order and get 50% off with code HOLIDAY25 until 1/4! 📚💚
December 23, 2025 at 12:32 AM
This looks like a fantastic book!
I'm having one of those days where I'm marveling at my clients' work: I pointed out problems, I gave suggestions for fixing them, and the authors sent back revised drafts that tie everything together beautifully, far beyond my expectations
#AmEditing
#AmEditing
December 18, 2025 at 7:14 PM
I'm having one of those days where I'm marveling at my clients' work: I pointed out problems, I gave suggestions for fixing them, and the authors sent back revised drafts that tie everything together beautifully, far beyond my expectations
#AmEditing
#AmEditing
Reposted by Allison Van Deventer
The method in a nutshell:
-print out the draft
-read it through and make notes
-outline it on a legal pad, make more notes
-transfer notes to a Word document, identify key issues
-work through the draft paragraph by paragraph
-write up description of issues/solutions
-print out the draft
-read it through and make notes
-outline it on a legal pad, make more notes
-transfer notes to a Word document, identify key issues
-work through the draft paragraph by paragraph
-write up description of issues/solutions
December 16, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The method in a nutshell:
-print out the draft
-read it through and make notes
-outline it on a legal pad, make more notes
-transfer notes to a Word document, identify key issues
-work through the draft paragraph by paragraph
-write up description of issues/solutions
-print out the draft
-read it through and make notes
-outline it on a legal pad, make more notes
-transfer notes to a Word document, identify key issues
-work through the draft paragraph by paragraph
-write up description of issues/solutions
Reposted by Allison Van Deventer
🚨author alterations in proofs🚨
should I write a thread about why this is a no-no?
should I write a thread about why this is a no-no?
December 17, 2025 at 3:20 PM
🚨author alterations in proofs🚨
should I write a thread about why this is a no-no?
should I write a thread about why this is a no-no?
If you want to learn my method for revising a book chapter and adapt it for your own working style, sign up for The Book Chapter Shortcut:
workshops.dissertationtobook.com/p/chapter-sh...
I'm happy to answer questions about whether this workshop would be right for you!
#AcademicSky
workshops.dissertationtobook.com/p/chapter-sh...
I'm happy to answer questions about whether this workshop would be right for you!
#AcademicSky
December 16, 2025 at 11:02 PM
If you want to learn my method for revising a book chapter and adapt it for your own working style, sign up for The Book Chapter Shortcut:
workshops.dissertationtobook.com/p/chapter-sh...
I'm happy to answer questions about whether this workshop would be right for you!
#AcademicSky
workshops.dissertationtobook.com/p/chapter-sh...
I'm happy to answer questions about whether this workshop would be right for you!
#AcademicSky
The children have been forbidden to call each other "noob," and so they're calling each other "you NEOPHYTE" instead
December 16, 2025 at 7:21 PM
The children have been forbidden to call each other "noob," and so they're calling each other "you NEOPHYTE" instead
In my academic writing group, we've been talking about the value of having a method: when you need to revise a draft, you sit down and do this thing first. Then you do the next thing, and you keep going down the list of tasks until voilà, you've revised your draft.
December 16, 2025 at 4:02 PM
In my academic writing group, we've been talking about the value of having a method: when you need to revise a draft, you sit down and do this thing first. Then you do the next thing, and you keep going down the list of tasks until voilà, you've revised your draft.
School drop-off and pickup chats are really something these days.
"OMG it's so cold! Are we all set for Kindness Day? Thank you for joining my secret Signal group whose name I don't dare say in public"
"OMG it's so cold! Are we all set for Kindness Day? Thank you for joining my secret Signal group whose name I don't dare say in public"
December 9, 2025 at 2:20 PM
School drop-off and pickup chats are really something these days.
"OMG it's so cold! Are we all set for Kindness Day? Thank you for joining my secret Signal group whose name I don't dare say in public"
"OMG it's so cold! Are we all set for Kindness Day? Thank you for joining my secret Signal group whose name I don't dare say in public"
Something I say a lot in my editing and workshops is "Structure is a key part of your argument."
This is good news if you're grappling with a messy draft, bc it means you have another access point to your arg't: not just the "I argue" statement, but also the way the draft is laid out...
#AmEditing
This is good news if you're grappling with a messy draft, bc it means you have another access point to your arg't: not just the "I argue" statement, but also the way the draft is laid out...
#AmEditing
December 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Something I say a lot in my editing and workshops is "Structure is a key part of your argument."
This is good news if you're grappling with a messy draft, bc it means you have another access point to your arg't: not just the "I argue" statement, but also the way the draft is laid out...
#AmEditing
This is good news if you're grappling with a messy draft, bc it means you have another access point to your arg't: not just the "I argue" statement, but also the way the draft is laid out...
#AmEditing
I have a client who books a meeting every week or two to talk through the structure of a chapter, and as part of this she tells me stories about [very fun genre of literature] and [fan activities] and [connections to politics], and I love my job so much
#AmEditing
#AmEditing
December 5, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I have a client who books a meeting every week or two to talk through the structure of a chapter, and as part of this she tells me stories about [very fun genre of literature] and [fan activities] and [connections to politics], and I love my job so much
#AmEditing
#AmEditing
One of my clients has a book in this catalog, and although I can't tell you which one it is without their permission, I can promise you that it's DAZZLING
We're excited to reveal our Spring 2026 catalog, featuring books being published between January and June 2026. Many of them are available for pre-order on our website. Download your copy now!
bit.ly/48Ltv25
bit.ly/48Ltv25
December 5, 2025 at 2:01 PM
One of my clients has a book in this catalog, and although I can't tell you which one it is without their permission, I can promise you that it's DAZZLING
Reposted by Allison Van Deventer
Sign up here with an early bird discount, and let me know if you have any questions! workshops.dissertationtobook.com/p/chapter-sh...
Book Chapter Shortcut: Jan 27 to March 31, 2026
workshops.dissertationtobook.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Sign up here with an early bird discount, and let me know if you have any questions! workshops.dissertationtobook.com/p/chapter-sh...
Reposted by Allison Van Deventer
Yesterday I spoke with a scholarly book author who's experiencing a common struggle: she doesn't know how to break the writing/revision process into manageable parts and prioritize them.
Good news: I have a workshop for that! Join me starting Jan 27 to tackle a major chapter revision!
#AcademicSky
Good news: I have a workshop for that! Join me starting Jan 27 to tackle a major chapter revision!
#AcademicSky
December 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Yesterday I spoke with a scholarly book author who's experiencing a common struggle: she doesn't know how to break the writing/revision process into manageable parts and prioritize them.
Good news: I have a workshop for that! Join me starting Jan 27 to tackle a major chapter revision!
#AcademicSky
Good news: I have a workshop for that! Join me starting Jan 27 to tackle a major chapter revision!
#AcademicSky
This fall alone, I've edited two books that deal centrally with eugenics, and three more that discuss it more peripherally. And they're all in different fields and about different parts of the world!
1. Historically, eugenics was not a pseudoscience. It was *science* Almost every scientist, social scientist, academic, etc. believed in the validity of eugenics. You would have to search far & wide to find a scientist that didn't believe in some form of it. They taught it in college!
December 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
This fall alone, I've edited two books that deal centrally with eugenics, and three more that discuss it more peripherally. And they're all in different fields and about different parts of the world!
Reposted by Allison Van Deventer
For profs with a little extra research funding sitting around (and I know it’s an awful time for that), I really recommend this weekly facilitated writing group. The facilitator is excellent and it’s given me a place to work on the writing tasks I’m most resistant to (but need to do!) each week
Early bird rate for spring writing groups!
mailchi.mp
December 3, 2025 at 8:26 PM
For profs with a little extra research funding sitting around (and I know it’s an awful time for that), I really recommend this weekly facilitated writing group. The facilitator is excellent and it’s given me a place to work on the writing tasks I’m most resistant to (but need to do!) each week
Our 7yo doesn’t say “67” at school because he‘s a conscientious child who doesn’t want to disrupt the class, but at home he can’t resist pointing it out
December 3, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Our 7yo doesn’t say “67” at school because he‘s a conscientious child who doesn’t want to disrupt the class, but at home he can’t resist pointing it out
Reposted by Allison Van Deventer
Anyways I'm setting myself up for contract work including developmental editing, so if you're writing a book and could use a partner, advocate, and editor with twenty years of writing and publishing experience, you know where to find me ✨
December 3, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Anyways I'm setting myself up for contract work including developmental editing, so if you're writing a book and could use a partner, advocate, and editor with twenty years of writing and publishing experience, you know where to find me ✨
Reposted by Allison Van Deventer
I’m so sorry to bring your day to a screeching halt but think about if this was your own child. Your little first grader. Just think about it.
A 6-year-old boy is missing after ICE arrested him and his dad in NYC last week and shipped them off to separate facilities. www.thecity.nyc/2025/12/02/i... @thecity.nyc @gwynnefitz.bsky.social
ICE Arrested and Separated Chinese Father From 6-Year-Old Son, Advocates Say
The father and son were detained at an ICE check-in on Nov. 26, advocates say. The son’s location is currently unknown, while the father is being held at an upstate ICE facility.
www.thecity.nyc
December 3, 2025 at 3:55 PM
I’m so sorry to bring your day to a screeching halt but think about if this was your own child. Your little first grader. Just think about it.
Yesterday I spoke with a scholarly book author who's experiencing a common struggle: she doesn't know how to break the writing/revision process into manageable parts and prioritize them.
Good news: I have a workshop for that! Join me starting Jan 27 to tackle a major chapter revision!
#AcademicSky
Good news: I have a workshop for that! Join me starting Jan 27 to tackle a major chapter revision!
#AcademicSky
December 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Yesterday I spoke with a scholarly book author who's experiencing a common struggle: she doesn't know how to break the writing/revision process into manageable parts and prioritize them.
Good news: I have a workshop for that! Join me starting Jan 27 to tackle a major chapter revision!
#AcademicSky
Good news: I have a workshop for that! Join me starting Jan 27 to tackle a major chapter revision!
#AcademicSky
Are you the one who cooks dinner every day for your family? Do you find cooking to be a tedious chore? Do you live far, far away from all but one of your extended family?
Well do I have a holiday for you: COOKING DINNER, BUT TRIPLE THE WORK. Happy Thanksgiving!
Well do I have a holiday for you: COOKING DINNER, BUT TRIPLE THE WORK. Happy Thanksgiving!
November 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Are you the one who cooks dinner every day for your family? Do you find cooking to be a tedious chore? Do you live far, far away from all but one of your extended family?
Well do I have a holiday for you: COOKING DINNER, BUT TRIPLE THE WORK. Happy Thanksgiving!
Well do I have a holiday for you: COOKING DINNER, BUT TRIPLE THE WORK. Happy Thanksgiving!
We are debating two potential endings for this movie
Another of my sisters just posted a photo of herself at work with a pro football player named Julian Love and now the family group chat is scripting a Hallmark holiday movie
November 25, 2025 at 7:13 PM
We are debating two potential endings for this movie
Another of my sisters just posted a photo of herself at work with a pro football player named Julian Love and now the family group chat is scripting a Hallmark holiday movie
November 25, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Another of my sisters just posted a photo of herself at work with a pro football player named Julian Love and now the family group chat is scripting a Hallmark holiday movie
Reposted by Allison Van Deventer
Hello historians 🗃️! Planning on attending #AHA26 and have book ideas in mind?
Now is a good time to start thinking about contacting editors to meet with in Chicago. It's fun, it's easy, and you'll be chatting with people who love to chat about books! 👇
Now is a good time to start thinking about contacting editors to meet with in Chicago. It's fun, it's easy, and you'll be chatting with people who love to chat about books! 👇
November 25, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Hello historians 🗃️! Planning on attending #AHA26 and have book ideas in mind?
Now is a good time to start thinking about contacting editors to meet with in Chicago. It's fun, it's easy, and you'll be chatting with people who love to chat about books! 👇
Now is a good time to start thinking about contacting editors to meet with in Chicago. It's fun, it's easy, and you'll be chatting with people who love to chat about books! 👇
I just named my sister’s pickleball team The Cukes of Hazzard
November 25, 2025 at 2:17 PM
I just named my sister’s pickleball team The Cukes of Hazzard