Katherine Carroll
@katherinecarroll.bsky.social
Developmental Editor: I help academic authors from book proposal to final submission (theeditorialally.com).
Art & Architectural Historian/Author: "Building Schools, Making Doctors: Architecture and the Modern American Physician" (UPittPres).
She/Her/Dr
Art & Architectural Historian/Author: "Building Schools, Making Doctors: Architecture and the Modern American Physician" (UPittPres).
She/Her/Dr
As the semester intensifies, authors often ask me if it's okay to push back a deadline with a publisher.
Frequently, it's not a problem, but you need to let the acquisitions editor know as soon as possible and work out a (hopefully mutually agreeable) time to submit the materials.
#AcademicSky
Frequently, it's not a problem, but you need to let the acquisitions editor know as soon as possible and work out a (hopefully mutually agreeable) time to submit the materials.
#AcademicSky
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 PM
As the semester intensifies, authors often ask me if it's okay to push back a deadline with a publisher.
Frequently, it's not a problem, but you need to let the acquisitions editor know as soon as possible and work out a (hopefully mutually agreeable) time to submit the materials.
#AcademicSky
Frequently, it's not a problem, but you need to let the acquisitions editor know as soon as possible and work out a (hopefully mutually agreeable) time to submit the materials.
#AcademicSky
It’s not too late to vote!
November 5, 2025 at 12:35 AM
It’s not too late to vote!
Authors often focus on word count as an indicator that their MS is too long (& thus boring). But the issue might not be word count. I would look at other factors that impact pace, e.g., obscure argument, clarity of topic sentences, long sentences, & passive voice.
#academicsky #amediting #writing
#academicsky #amediting #writing
November 4, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Authors often focus on word count as an indicator that their MS is too long (& thus boring). But the issue might not be word count. I would look at other factors that impact pace, e.g., obscure argument, clarity of topic sentences, long sentences, & passive voice.
#academicsky #amediting #writing
#academicsky #amediting #writing
When academic authors need a pep talk during the loooong process of writing a monograph, I often encourage them to keep writing for two people: their *brave younger self* who had the courage to start the project and their *proud older self* who will experience the thrill of holding the printed book.
October 16, 2025 at 11:36 PM
When academic authors need a pep talk during the loooong process of writing a monograph, I often encourage them to keep writing for two people: their *brave younger self* who had the courage to start the project and their *proud older self* who will experience the thrill of holding the printed book.
Developmental editors don't just work on books. We edit articles, essays, & chapters, too.
Recently, I worked with authors preparing an essay for an exhibition catalog & an article for a peer-review journal. Timelines were tight, but we managed a quick turnaround & high-yield results. #AcademicSky
Recently, I worked with authors preparing an essay for an exhibition catalog & an article for a peer-review journal. Timelines were tight, but we managed a quick turnaround & high-yield results. #AcademicSky
October 14, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Developmental editors don't just work on books. We edit articles, essays, & chapters, too.
Recently, I worked with authors preparing an essay for an exhibition catalog & an article for a peer-review journal. Timelines were tight, but we managed a quick turnaround & high-yield results. #AcademicSky
Recently, I worked with authors preparing an essay for an exhibition catalog & an article for a peer-review journal. Timelines were tight, but we managed a quick turnaround & high-yield results. #AcademicSky
Revisions can be overwhelming, and I often encourage authors to rank revisions from "critical" to "if-there-is-time."
I also tell authors to write down three parts of the manuscript that make them proud because every manuscript has fantastic parts, too.
#AcademicSky #amediting #academia #writing
I also tell authors to write down three parts of the manuscript that make them proud because every manuscript has fantastic parts, too.
#AcademicSky #amediting #academia #writing
October 9, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Revisions can be overwhelming, and I often encourage authors to rank revisions from "critical" to "if-there-is-time."
I also tell authors to write down three parts of the manuscript that make them proud because every manuscript has fantastic parts, too.
#AcademicSky #amediting #academia #writing
I also tell authors to write down three parts of the manuscript that make them proud because every manuscript has fantastic parts, too.
#AcademicSky #amediting #academia #writing
Revision is a process because it is, by definition, iterative. Manuscripts don't go from "rough" to "polished" in one round of revision.
Don't beat yourself up if your manuscript is on draft 3 or 5 or 8. You are doing the hard work required to make the manuscript strong.
#AcademiaSky #amediting
Don't beat yourself up if your manuscript is on draft 3 or 5 or 8. You are doing the hard work required to make the manuscript strong.
#AcademiaSky #amediting
September 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Revision is a process because it is, by definition, iterative. Manuscripts don't go from "rough" to "polished" in one round of revision.
Don't beat yourself up if your manuscript is on draft 3 or 5 or 8. You are doing the hard work required to make the manuscript strong.
#AcademiaSky #amediting
Don't beat yourself up if your manuscript is on draft 3 or 5 or 8. You are doing the hard work required to make the manuscript strong.
#AcademiaSky #amediting
Booking an edit with me for late in the semester helps authors because
1) a deadline with me keeps them writing when their schedules get full, and
2) they get to pass off the project to me & focus on other tasks for a bit *while* the MS is still moving forward.
Book now for Nov/Dec!
#academicsky
1) a deadline with me keeps them writing when their schedules get full, and
2) they get to pass off the project to me & focus on other tasks for a bit *while* the MS is still moving forward.
Book now for Nov/Dec!
#academicsky
September 16, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Booking an edit with me for late in the semester helps authors because
1) a deadline with me keeps them writing when their schedules get full, and
2) they get to pass off the project to me & focus on other tasks for a bit *while* the MS is still moving forward.
Book now for Nov/Dec!
#academicsky
1) a deadline with me keeps them writing when their schedules get full, and
2) they get to pass off the project to me & focus on other tasks for a bit *while* the MS is still moving forward.
Book now for Nov/Dec!
#academicsky
A friendly reminder for all the authors using the summer months for writing. And if you are stuck, don't hesitate to switch chapters (or projects) for a bit.
It will get done!
It will get done!
July 1, 2025 at 11:08 AM
A friendly reminder for all the authors using the summer months for writing. And if you are stuck, don't hesitate to switch chapters (or projects) for a bit.
It will get done!
It will get done!
For all the academic authors out there with a case of the Mondays, I see you.
#academicsky
#academicsky
June 9, 2025 at 7:39 PM
For all the academic authors out there with a case of the Mondays, I see you.
#academicsky
#academicsky
@learothawms.bsky.social made me realize I wasn’t the only one taking pictures of flowers in the rain last week. I’m glad for the sun recently, but these big water droplets on the iris petals… Wow.
May 28, 2025 at 1:59 PM
@learothawms.bsky.social made me realize I wasn’t the only one taking pictures of flowers in the rain last week. I’m glad for the sun recently, but these big water droplets on the iris petals… Wow.
Don't assess your writing time according only to words on the page. It's so much more!
May 13, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Don't assess your writing time according only to words on the page. It's so much more!
Writing is hard for everyone.
April 22, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Writing is hard for everyone.
It's okay. I promise. Write the chapters in the order that makes the most sense for your productivity.
April 8, 2025 at 2:30 PM
It's okay. I promise. Write the chapters in the order that makes the most sense for your productivity.
If your writing feels like a slog right now (this month, this semester), then today's post is for you. I see you.
#academicsky #historiansky #writingsky
#academicsky #historiansky #writingsky
February 18, 2025 at 2:51 PM
If your writing feels like a slog right now (this month, this semester), then today's post is for you. I see you.
#academicsky #historiansky #writingsky
#academicsky #historiansky #writingsky
This year's Valentine installment from The Editorial Ally: Valentines from academic authors to the people who love us!
Happy Valentine's Day! Keep writing!
Happy Valentine's Day! Keep writing!
February 14, 2025 at 1:53 PM
This year's Valentine installment from The Editorial Ally: Valentines from academic authors to the people who love us!
Happy Valentine's Day! Keep writing!
Happy Valentine's Day! Keep writing!
Earlier this week I explained that, when you are justifying your research, describing a gap in the literature is not enough. You also need to articulate *why filling this gap matters.* In essence, you need to state clearly & succinctly the stakes of your research.
February 7, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Earlier this week I explained that, when you are justifying your research, describing a gap in the literature is not enough. You also need to articulate *why filling this gap matters.* In essence, you need to state clearly & succinctly the stakes of your research.
I've spoken with multiple overwhelmed authors this week.
Keep writing, friends. I see you, and I'm cheering you on.
Keep writing, friends. I see you, and I'm cheering you on.
February 4, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I've spoken with multiple overwhelmed authors this week.
Keep writing, friends. I see you, and I'm cheering you on.
Keep writing, friends. I see you, and I'm cheering you on.
Whether you are writing an abstract, book proposal, presentation, grant application, or the introduction to your book, I'm looking at you!
February 3, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Whether you are writing an abstract, book proposal, presentation, grant application, or the introduction to your book, I'm looking at you!
During my PhD, my advisor wrote me an email that said, "It's time to stop researching your dissertation and start writing it."
Moving on to the next step can be hard, especially when there (inherently) aren't clearly defined metrics for when it's time to make a transition.
Moving on to the next step can be hard, especially when there (inherently) aren't clearly defined metrics for when it's time to make a transition.
January 31, 2025 at 9:21 PM
During my PhD, my advisor wrote me an email that said, "It's time to stop researching your dissertation and start writing it."
Moving on to the next step can be hard, especially when there (inherently) aren't clearly defined metrics for when it's time to make a transition.
Moving on to the next step can be hard, especially when there (inherently) aren't clearly defined metrics for when it's time to make a transition.