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Allison Van Deventer

@allisonvandev.bsky.social

1.5K followers 1.4K following 1.5K posts

Developmental editor for academic authors. Author: The Dissertation-to-Book Workbook (UChicago Press). Workshop facilitator. She/her. Comp lit PhD. https://www.allisonvandeventer.com/

www.allisonvandeventer.com

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Allison Van Deventer @allisonvandev.bsky.social · Aug 5

Registration is OPEN for the 6-Week Dissertation-to-Book Workshop, starting September 22!

Would you like a practical method for clarifying your argument, threading it through the chapters, and assessing your structure? Would you like to do all this with a supportive community? Join us!

Facilitated Dissertation-to-Book Workshop: Sept. 22 to Oct. 31, 2025 Support and Accountability

workshops.dissertationtobook.com

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Rebecca Colesworthy @rcolesworthy.bsky.social · 2d

FYI happening this Thursday—free and open to all. Just click the link to register. Featuring @dwcongdon.com, @dawnd.bsky.social, and Alyssa Napier talking all things diss to book—what’s the diff b/w them, how to find a press/approach an editor, tips for proposal writing. Join us & spread the word!

Association of University Presses @aupresses.bsky.social · 2d

All are invited to the first in Publishing with University Presses Webinar Series, "Turning Your Dissertation into a Book," Oct 9 at 1pm ET. Organized by our Faculty Outreach Committee with the Rutgers Ctr for Minority Serving Institutions.

Register here: https://buff.ly/UiOAr5M

Turning You Dissertation into a Book webinar promotional tile

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McSweeney's @mcsweeneys.net · 5d

"There is nothing funny about calling me or Donald Trump a fascist, and if you do, we will ship you to Guantanamo."

We Are Not Fascists, and If You Call Us Fascists, We Will Arrest You

President Trump had another successful week of what is already the greatest presidency of all time, and yet, the woke leftist mob continues to deli...

buff.ly

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Allison Van Deventer @allisonvandev.bsky.social · 5d

And for an insightful discussion of the same topic, check out this podcast episode from @janejoann.bsky.social: rightprose.co/podcast/you-....

You Need Feedback While Writing Your Academic Book: Here’s How You Get It – Right Prose

rightprose.co

Allison Van Deventer @allisonvandev.bsky.social · 5d

This sort of thing is DOABLE in a short-to-medium time frame. You'll be writing with a goal and a specific, friendly audience in mind. You'll be taking on a manageable task, and you'll be proving to yourself that you can produce messy work and survive.

Allison Van Deventer @allisonvandev.bsky.social · 5d

When you do that, you're going to send it to a writing partner (or a developmental editor!) with these questions: "Do these sections make sense? What do you think of the argument? Which part of the analysis is your favorite?"

Allison Van Deventer @allisonvandev.bsky.social · 5d

To "finish" it, you'd need six months and a writing retreat. But you don't need to finish it; you just need to get it ready for the next feedback point. So you set a goal: come up with set of section headings; tweak the arg't; fill a section with relevant paragraphs in an order that makes sense.

Allison Van Deventer @allisonvandev.bsky.social · 5d

Instead of trying to FINISH your draft, focus on getting it "just good enough" to elicit some useful feedback.

For instance: let's say you have a chapter draft that's really just a pile of notes, some paragraphs from a conference paper, and a skeleton argument.

Allison Van Deventer @allisonvandev.bsky.social · 5d

Authors of scholarly books: Are you struggling with perfectionism? Are you overwhelmed by the sheer number of things you have to do to finish your manuscript?

Here's @katelynknox.bsky.social with a suggestion: find a way to get regular, low-stakes feedback on your writing.

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Allison Van Deventer @allisonvandev.bsky.social · 6d

Did some door-knocking for our school committee candidate; engaged in some light political bribery (giving the 7yo Skittles per door knocked/opened)

Selfie: I'm a white woman with a brown bob, smiling at the camera on a neighborhood street in suburban Massachusetts.

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Allison Van Deventer @allisonvandev.bsky.social · 6d

That's FASCINATING! The only book I've read that gave me a vivid picture of the influenza pandemic was not a girls' book, but a middlebrow novel from the 1970s called a Woman of Independent Means: www.goodreads.com/book/show/34...

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Allison Van Deventer @allisonvandev.bsky.social · 6d

It's especially interesting because LMM doesn't shy away from using illness at other key points (Gilbert, Ruby Gillis, Emily of New Moon, Pat). And if I were searching for references to the Spanish flu in literature, I'd look at girl literature 1st (my friends and I have a whole theory about this!)

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Allison Van Deventer @allisonvandev.bsky.social · 6d

If you're in the US, use the code PENN-SAMESKY30 for a 30% discount: www.pennpress.org/978151282771.... If you're outside the Americas, order at www.combinedacademic.co.uk and use the discount code CSPENN30 at checkout. (2/2)

Under the Same Sky – Penn Press

An ethnographic study of the everyday lives of religious minorities near Turkey’s border with SyriaHow do people coexist in a world shaped by longstanding ...

www.pennpress.org

Allison Van Deventer @allisonvandev.bsky.social · 6d

Congratulations to Seçil Daǧtaş, an early alum of The Dissertation-to-Book Workbook, whose timely and beautiful book "Under the Same Sky: Everyday Politics of Religious Difference in Southern Turkey" is out from the University of Pennsylvania Press! (1/2)

www.pennpress.org/978151282771...

cover image of Under the Same Sky: Everyday Politics of Religious Difference in Southern Turkey by Seçil Daǧtaş. The cover shows a painting of crowd of people, many with pink shadows.

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Josh Cook @joshthelibromancer.bsky.social · 7d

This has a bunch of info about ICE kidnappings in Somerville. The quote that stands out to me is an agent saying, the person "fit the description of the problem we are here to address." Abolish ICE isn't a radical idea, it is a survival imperative for the nation

Responding to a surge of unlawful ICE activity in Somerville

On its face, this appears to be a textbook case of racial profiling. The agents acknowledged their target was here lawfully, but they arrest him anyways — because, they said, he "fit the description o...

www.repmikeconnolly.org

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Laura Portwood-Stacer @lportwoodstacer.bsky.social · 7d

I’m giving a free workshop *today* on how to connect with editors at scholarly publishers. Let’s take some anxiety out of this first step so you don’t let fear or confusion about norms keep you from moving forward with publishing your book

courses.manuscriptworks.com/courses/conn...

Workshop: How to Connect with Scholarly Publishers

Acquiring editors want to meet authors and hear about their book projects. But how and when should you reach out and what should you say? This free workshop from Laura Portwood-Stacer of Manuscript Wo...

courses.manuscriptworks.com

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Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 8d

Judge Young: "This case ... squarely presents the issue whether non-citizens lawfully present here in United States actually have the same free speech rights as the rest of us. The Court answers this Constitutional question unequivocally 'yes, they do.' 'No law' means 'no law.'"

This case -– perhaps the most important ever to fall within the jurisdiction of this district court –- squarely presents the issue whether non-citizens lawfully present here in United States actually have the same free speech rights as the rest of us. The Court answers this Constitutional question unequivocally “yes, they do.” “No law” means “no law.” The First Amendment does not draw President Trump’s invidious distinction and it is not to be found in our history or jurisprudence. See Section III.A infra. No one’s freedom of speech is unlimited, of course, but these limits are the same for both citizens and non-citizens alike.

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Allison Van Deventer @allisonvandev.bsky.social · 8d

Maria Teresa Nagel, the school committee candidate I'm supporting, was just endorsed by Run for Something!

I'm knocking on doors, texting my friends, bringing brownies to the meet-and-greet, stopping to chat with neighbors—and it feels so good to focus on connection and laughter and alliances.

Amanda Litman @amandalitman.bsky.social · 8d

It's @runforsomething.net endorsement day!! Meet 81 amazing new leaders transforming the party + the country. medium.com/run-for-some...

81 Leaders Transforming The Democratic Party

From history-making Gen Z mayors to civil rights champions, this class proves the next generation is already leading.

medium.com

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Katherine Carroll @katherinecarroll.bsky.social · 8d

Crafting titles is hard for a lot of authors, but understanding one of the standard title formats in academic writing can make the process more manageable.

In today's TEA Delivered, I demystify the Concept: Topic format.

#AcademicSky #amediting #writing #academia
open.substack.com/pub/theedito...

A Formula for Titles

Welcome to TEA Delivered, the newsletter of The Editorial Ally (TEA)!

open.substack.com

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Jim Van Deventer @vandeventerjim.bsky.social · 8d

Today, as the shutdown of the US government draws closer, I'd just like to express my gratitude for the program officers, scientific review officers, and other employees of US granting agencies (1/2).

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Allison Van Deventer @allisonvandev.bsky.social · 9d

The 5th and 6th-grade boys’ soccer team is scrimmaging while singing “Golden” and I just heard someone throw in “Gonna be gonna be 6-7”

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Dr. Cara Berg Powers @clbergpowers.bsky.social · 10d

This is the second major case like this in my county. The first was in May when agents used a woman's infant grandchild as bait and the local police body slammed her 16 year old daughter, and following those arrests her 13 year old daughter has been missing since July. This violence is boundless.

The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 10d

The father—who's lived in the U.S. for over two decades and has an active asylum application—was reportedly driving with his daughter when he called his wife and said someone seemed to be following them.

When they got home, agents got hold of the child. trib.al/VFuC1v3

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Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley @pressley.house.gov · 11d

Trump and ICE are terrorizing Black & brown families, abducting our neighbors off the street, & putting our constituents at risk.

For folks like Luiz and so many others, my office will continue conducting oversight & standing with our immigrant neighbors.
www.boston.com/news/local-n...

'Masked, menacing' DHS agents abducted Somerville man, state rep. says

Three people in Somerville have been detained by ICE this week, according to reports and state Rep. Mike Connolly.

www.boston.com

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Courtney Milan @courtneymilan.com · 11d

Anyone who votes to end birthright citizenship as it is understood now, in defiance of clear law and the tradition they claim to value?

They are voting to create a permanent underclass of rightness, stateless people in the United States. They are voting to bring back slavery.

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ProPublica @propublica.org · 12d

NEW: I arrived in the U.S. eight weeks ago to report on how the administration’s immigration crackdown was playing out from the front lines.

What I saw Thursday was the culmination of ICE’s aggressive behavior.

By @tilleckert.com

I Filmed the ICE Officer Who Shoved a Woman. It Felt Like the New Normal.

I arrived in the U.S. eight weeks ago to report on how the administration’s immigration crackdown was playing out from the front lines. What I saw Thursday was the culmination of ICE’s aggressive behavior.

www.propublica.org

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Katelyn E. Knox @katelynknox.bsky.social · 12d

Want to keep in touch?

Whether it's a free workshop about identifying your target audience, a helpful blog post about getting unstuck from the messy middle of your book, or details about our fall workshop, we've got it covered. @allisonvandev.bsky.social

Sign up:
dissertationtobook.com

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