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

Planning an academic writing project for the new year? Looking for dedicated weekly writing time, a friendly and supportive community, and expert one-on-one guidance? Check out Directed Draft, a guided writing group for scholars in the social sciences and humanities: directeddraft.wordpress.com.

We're back in action! Starting in January, @micharahder.bsky.social and I will be leading another brilliant cohort of scholars through our writing program, Directed Draft. #AcademicSky #AcademicWriting

I'm now co-hosting a free #AcademicWriting group on Zoom that is scheduled for scholars in Asia. There's still space available, so — join us the first Tuesday in November? (My co-host is the wonderful @theclarityeditor.bsky.social. Follow her!)

I'm excited to announce that Directed Draft is coming back in spring 2026! The program combines structured writing groups with one-on-one coaching for scholars in the humanities & social sciences. Build community and your draft at the same time! Info and registration: directeddraft.wordpress.com

Have your sights set on publishing your first scholarly book? We’re just a few days away from kicking off our free First Book Publishing Series! 💥 Our inaugural webinar topic: Finding the right publisher for your first book. Register: ideasonfire.net/first-book-p... #IoFFirstBookSeries

I'm posting in the wrong time zone — but hey: @theclarityeditor.bsky.social and I will be hosting a free online academic writing accountability at a time that works for scholars in South Asia, starting October 7. theclarityeditor.com/scholarly-ed...

Please share this upcoming webinar series with anyone you know who is working or will soon be working on their first academic book! ideasonfire.net/first-book-p...

My free monthly academic writing group meets tomorrow from 1-3 pm ET. Come join for two hours of dedicated writing time with optional one-on-one consultations with a developmental editor (me!). Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... Have questions or want to know more? Please message me!

Academic authors: are you thinking of joining a writing group or workshop this fall? @kyrafreestar.bsky.social and I have compiled an up-to-date list of options for you! You'll find free coworking groups, self-paced courses, multi-week Zoom workshops, and more. Check it out!

Dear #WritingCommunity, Do you know about my free news round-up on conscious language? I've been publishing it since 2015, when I launched ConsciousStyleGuide.com. The newsletter is super skimmable, designed for busy people by a busy person. Read it here: mail.consciousstyleguide.com/subscribe

My free one-hour workshop, How to Publish a Book from Your Dissertation, is coming up on September 3. Learn what academic presses are looking for when they acquire a new book project and how to avoid the dreaded “we don’t publish dissertations” rejection courses.manuscriptworks.com/courses/diss...

💻 I'm happy to share that I'll be continuing to offer a free academic writing group this fall! 💻 There's no cost to participate and the group is open to all scholars in the social sciences and humanities (no need to be a current client). More info and registration link below. 👇

If you're an academic in the social sciences/humanities and want to chat with a developmental editor, drop by my office hours on Wed., June 18 at 11:30 am ET. Bring your writing and publication questions, or just join for the friendly conversation. Familiar and new faces welcome! Registration 👇

My free writing group for academics in the social sciences and humanities runs from 1-3 pm ET every other Tuesday until August 5. Join tomorrow's session (June 10) or sign up whenever you're ready this summer! Details and registration: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Xbtfj53ERJKa4dLeKmGxiQ.

Dissertation-to-book authors: What questions do you have about eliminating “dissertation-ese” or finding your “book voice”? I’m updating our workshop on this topic and curious to know how people are thinking about this—and happy to give advice! #AcademicSky

The results of our AI Usage Survey are in! @emily-elliott.bsky.social sums it up for our #FeedingTheElephant readers. The overarching concerns expressed: the effects of AI on labor, copyright, critical thinking, and the little things that make us human. ➡️ networks.h-net.org/group/discus...

A useful thing @katemckean.bsky.social said at our webinar today was that we as book writers are writing for the future of at least 2 years from now (because that's how long publishing takes). We can & should write for the world we hope we will have, not the one we are stuck with right now

Back by popular request: another cohort of The Dissertation-to-Book Workshop to round out the academic year! If you'd like to sort our your book manuscript's big issues and come up with a plan to revise it, come join us in June/July!

A new session of Writing in Good Company —  a free online academic writing group — starts May 13, co-hosted by me and @theclarityeditor.bsky.social. This one is scheduled for folks writing in South/East Asia. Is that you? Come join us! theclarityeditor.com/scholarly-ed... #AcademicSky

A friendly reminder that the first session of this free summer writing group is tomorrow (April 22) from 1-3 pm ET. Full schedule and registration here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Xbtfj53ERJKa4dLeKmGxiQ.

We will be holding a Publication Mentoring Workshop (invite only) for grads/postdocs in June 2025. Please see the CFP for details, eligibility and submission guidelines. Application due May 9 Midnight EST. Link to apply via google form: forms.gle/fb6B2KMgnZGh...

This summer, I'm offering a free academic writing group that meets semi-regularly on Tuesdays from 1-3 pm ET. The first session is on April 22. I hope you'll join! Full schedule and registration: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Xbtfj53ERJKa4dLeKmGxiQ.

Because this came up again recently: if you are a scholar looking to publish your book, you do not need an introduction from a senior/fancy scholar to talk to an editor. No editor I know (and I know a lot of ‘em) would insist on this.

Many academic authors are understandably struggling to maintain momentum right now. I'm offering two FREE services this summer that I hope will help a little: monthly(ish) office hours and drop-in writing sessions. Both are free and open to all (no need to be a current client)! More info👇

Signing the wrong book contract can actually be worse for your career than not having a contract at all. My free workshop on Wednesday will share what to consider before committing to a scholarly publisher. Registration required, recording provided! courses.manuscriptworks.com/courses/book...

If you're a scholar looking for dedicated writing time and professional coaching support, @micharahder.bsky.social and I still have a few spots left in the next Directed Draft cohort (January 27-April 11). Get in touch or check out directeddraft.wordpress.com for more info and registration.

Directed Draft is returning in 2025! If you're a scholar in the humanities and social sciences looking for dedicated group writing time and personalized support, check out directeddraft.wordpress.com. The next cohort runs from January 27 to April 11. Please get in touch with any questions!

If you're in the early stages of writing your academic book, check out Demystify & Plan Your Book, the new 12-week coaching program I'm offering with @eacrawley.bsky.social. Visit demystifyandplan.wordpress.com to learn more and register, and feel free to reach out with any questions.

Our birthday year at #FeedingTheElephant is winding down. For our penultimate First Friday Feature, we share this classic from Jenny Tan, "The Problem with 'I Argue That.'" ➡️ networks.h-net.org/group/discus...

If you’re seeking to publish your book with a university press, you’ve probably noticed that most such presses have an editorial board. Walter Biggins explains for #FeedingTheElephant who serves on those boards, what they do, and more. ➡️ networks.h-net.org/group/discus...

Funding opportunity for scholars at European (including UK) institutions writing their first book. Due Nov. 1.

Academic book authors: You know your book needs a strong, focused, significant central argument. But what IS an argument, really? And how do you come up with one? Join us for a FREE workshop focused on book arguments! Sept 4, 12pm ET #AcademicSky @katelynknox.bsky.social

Only two spots still available in Directed Draft, the eight-week writing group @micharahder.bsky.social and I are offering this fall. There's still time to sign up before we get started in September! To learn more and register: directeddraft.wordpress.com

This Friday! Hear from Prof Stephanie Evans all about her brand new @SUNYPress book, BLACK FEMINIST WRITING: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO PUBLISHING ACADEMIC BOOKS. Registration is free but you must be registered to receive the Zoom link and recording courses.manuscriptworks.com/courses/conv...

Altman, as usual, fundamentally misunderstands the purpose and process of writing. It’s not merely to produce a text. It’s to work through your thinking and commit to it. Or as Jane Rosenweig (Director of the Writing Center at Harvard College) put it: www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...

We are building a short list of Black and Indigenous academic editors available for hire. If you're looking for an editor to support your research publications, take a look: academic-editing-circle.us/find-editors/

Academic book authors: Are you trying to trim down a chapter? Are you worried that your chapter is sprawling, unfocused, a too-long mess? Do you wish you had a plan other than “get rid of some words”? If so, we have some tips for you! dissertationtobook.com/long-chapters/ #AcademicSky

Some great resources on comp titles, which are often one of the trickiest parts of book proposals.

Now open for registration! @micharahder.bsky.social and I are excited to launch Directed Draft, an eight-week program that combines a twice-weekly writing group and one-on-one coaching sessions. For more info and registration: directeddraft.wordpress.com

"I can't find any editors of color." Guess what, #writers! Nearly 500 editors, proofreaders, and sensitivity readers of color in the U.S. or Canada are in my #EditorsOfColor Database: editorsofcolor.com/database/. Named 101 Best Websites by #WritersDigest in 2023. #AmEditing #WritingCommunity 📚

Have you booked your free #SCMS24 manuscript consult with Dr. Cathy Hannabach yet? There are still some spots available for both in-person meetings at the conference and Zoom meetings after. Learn how we can help get your awesome book out into the world. #SCMS2024 ideasonfire.net/scms/

If you have a question about publishing your scholarly book, chances are I’ve answered it in my blog archive Manuscriptworks.com/archive If you don’t find an answer there, ask me here on Bluesky!

The Indigenous Editors Association has finally made it to Bluesky - just in time to announce the 2024 webinar series! Watch for more info on the March event soon.

#Editors! If your commitment to the publication of #LGBTQ writers and literature contributes significantly to the advancement of the LGBTQ+ community, then consider nominating yourself for The Denneny Award for Editorial Excellence. Prize: $2,500. Apply by Feb. 16, 2024. #AmEditing #Edibuddies 📚

Developmental academic editors: What are your academic areas of specialty? Either because you've studied/worked in them or because you've acquired substantial editing experience in them? Sometimes I refer prospective clients to other editors, and I love making good disciplinary matches when I can!

Just updated the list of volunteer editors available to support Black and/or Indigenous scholars with publishing projects in early 2024 — see www.academic-editing-circle.us; please share!

I’m hosting a free webinar on Jan 3! How to Publish a Book from Your Dissertation I’ll cover what scholarly publishers are looking for in book pitches & share a checklist you can use to see if your diss (or any other manuscript in progress) is ready manuscriptworks.thinkific.com/courses/webi...

In this workshop, you’ll work through the Diss-to-Book Workbook to refine your argument and thread it through your chapters. We’ll have office hours, a discussion board, videos, and more. If you want clarity about your book’s “big picture” and a concrete place to start, this workshop is for you!

My ebook Writing Conference Papers in the Humanities is now available! Check it out, or pass the link along to a professor or grad student you know. The PDF is $10, and if you're buying it to share with others (such as your students), I'm asking that you add $5 for each additional copy.