Professional Summary

Two decades’ experience editing and writing for academic presses, international journals, and national magazines. Specialized in nonfiction book manuscripts and essays. Expert at translating abstract ideas into vibrant narrative prose. Experienced working with professional writers ranging from award-winning journalists to senior scholars. Fourteen years’ experience teaching interdisciplinary courses and professional writing at graduate and undergraduate programs.

Freelance Developmental Academic Editor (2021–Present)

» Developmental Editor, shaping peer-reviewed book manuscripts for a public policy institute

» Editor and Writer for Editcetera, an association of publishing professionals

Expert Consultant (2005–Present)

Specialist in gender studies, food studies, cultural studies, and Asian American studies

» Peer reviewer for academic presses

• Columbia University • Johns Hopkins • University of California

• University of Nebraska • University of Hawai’i • MIT • Routledge

» Peer reviewer and book reviewer for academic journals

Journal of American Ethnic History Biography: An Interdisciplinary Quarterly

Food, Culture, and SocietyAsian American Literature: Discourses and Pedagogies
Gastronomica Legacy: A Journal of American Women Writers

» James Beard Journalism Awards Judge

Publications (2006–Present)

Books

• “Becoming Nature: A Human and More-than-Human History.” In progress.

Asian American Food Culture. Bloomsbury, 2015.

Aesthetic Pleasure in Twentieth-Century Women's Food Writing. Routledge, 2012.

Cooking in America, 1840–1945. Greenwood, 2006.

Book Chapters

• “The Curious Appetite of Elizabeth Robins Pennell.” Elizabeth Robins Pennell: Critical Essays. Ed. Dave Buchanan. University of Edinburgh Press, 2023.

• “The Intersection of Gender and Food Studies.” Routledge International Handbook of Food Studies. Ed. Ken Albala. Routledge, 2012.

Teaching

Master of Arts in Food Studies, University of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA (2015–2020)

Thesis Director, Faculty Advisor, and Lecturer

Courses taught:

• Food Studies: Theoretical Foundations • American Culinary History, 1550–2015 • Culinary Literature: A Study of Gender and Genre • Thesis Development • Food Writing: The Art of the Essay • Food Writing: The Art of Editing

Honors Program, Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, VA (2005–2009)

Honors Fellow

Faculty roles:

Mentor and primary instructor of the Honors Program Taught bespoke one-time-only interdisciplinary seminars

Advisor, curriculum lead, and primary instructor of the Gender Studies Program Taught the required introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses

English Department, University of California, Davis, CA (2003-2005)

Lecturer and Associate in English

Courses taught:

• Journalism: Writing in the Profession • Introduction to Literature

• Expository Writing • Advanced Composition

Education

Ph.D. in English, University of California (Davis, CA) 2003

Certificate, Print Media Program, Stanford University (Stanford, CA) 1995

M.A. in English, Stanford University (Stanford, CA) 1995

B.A. in Comparative Literature, Hampshire College (Amherst, MA) 1991

Membership in Professional Organizations

• Bay Area Women in Publishing (currently participating in the mentorship program)

• Editorial Freelancers Association • ACES: The Society for Editing

• National Association of Independent Writers and Editors • Northwest Editors Guild

• Developmental editor of academic book manuscripts, dissertations, and essays, helping authors hone ideas, streamline organization, refine word choice, and amplify key themes to create an engaging narrative and compelling style

• Revise and edit essays for coalition-building leaders in the field of education

Alice L. McLean
Developmental Editor, Scholar, and Writer