Creating in Community
Scholarly Writing Groups
Are you finding it challenging to get writing done? Do you feel like you need more support and accountability? Are you interested in connecting with other scholars and being part of a supportive writing community?
UPDATE: Registration is full for this summer writing group. Please register below or send me a message if you’d like to be added to the waitlist. I’ll be hosting two writing groups starting in September and will give priority registration to people on the waitlist.
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then consider taking part in one of my upcoming writing groups to start your summer writing off right! These groups are designed for faculty members and independent scholars and all disciplines are welcome. I started them because, as an academic developmental editor, I have found that having more accountability and structure helps my clients get writing done. Studies show that writing groups boost productivity and help writers build meaningful connections and supportive relationships with others.
These groups are designed to help you claim weekly writing time over six weekly sessions, allowing you to strengthen your writing patterns in ways that will benefit you into the future. I open each session with writing exercises, which are designed to provide inspiration and guidance about important aspects of scholarly writing (argument, significance etc.) You’ll also have opportunities to interact with me (a developmental editor) in these sessions to help get meaningful guidance on your work. Writing can be lonely work; Creating in Community aims to change that!
Schedule: This group begins in mid-May 2024 and meets from 10 a.m. to noon Eastern on Thursdays (May 16 - June 20). If you want to participate but that time doesn’t work for you, let me know.
Coaching or developmental editing are also available as add-ons for individuals who would like additional support. The groups also include an optional peer review with another group member as well as access to my support via the chat function during writing sessions. I can read and comment on parts of your work, strategize about how to get writing done, and answer general writing-related questions.
Interested in learning more? See below for more details. Interested in joining one of these groups? Click on the registration form below (note that payment is not due at the time of registration)! Have questions? Contact me here.
Kind Words from Former Participants
Supportive Scholars
I liked having a group of supportive scholars at different stages who I didn't know personally, and I liked hearing from them in small ways about what they were struggling with and working through before engaging in the writing session, in which I did work very hard knowing that others were also working! The free writes were also great, as was the opportunity to engage with Katherine directly for feedback.
~ Melissa Parrish, Assistant Professor, Smith College
Helpful Ideas
I loved Katherine's presentations at the beginning of the sessions and how she extracted helpful ideas from texts about writing to provide inspiration and guidance. There are a lot of great books about writing being published right now, but I don't have time to read through them all, so this was a very helpful dimension of this group. I also like the accountability (in terms of just showing up) and the concrete goal-setting exercises for our sessions & for the week ahead.
~ Calynn Dowler, Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University
Regaining Confidence
Being part of this group helped me to regain confidence as a writer and learn some strategies to gain and maintain momentum in my writing practice. As an academic mom, coming out of the pandemic, I felt like I had lost part of my identity. This group helped me to remember that I can write if I carve out the time to do it.
~ Emily Davidson, Associate Professor, Pacific Lutheran University
Who are they for?
These groups are perfect for you if you have writing that you need to accomplish, but feel like you have trouble getting it done. They are also useful for anyone who finds themselves feeling lonely in the academy or who wants to expand their scholarly network; the relationships you form in these groups will hopefully extend into the future. It can be difficult and time consuming to organize your own writing groups; I do that work for you, allowing you to benefit from writing in community with others.
Note that these groups are designed for scholars engaged in some kind of writing. The writing does not have to be academic; some people might be working on other kinds of fiction or nonfiction.
Who are they not for?
These groups are designed for scholars who will be supportive with each other and who are committed to writing during our time together. They are not for individuals who want to primarily talk in depth about their writing or workshop it. If this is an area in which you need support, please consider my developmental coaching or editing services. These groups are designed for scholars working at colleges or universities as well as independent scholars. They are not designed for early graduate students (though, if you are a graduate student and are interested in a group like this, let me know). They would be appropriate for ABDs who who are now faculty members (in a visiting position at a university).
What do the groups look like?
Groups meet two hours weekly for six sessions. Although you are welcome to work on any writing project during these sessions, I encourage you to identify a discrete project that you would like to tackle over the six weeks. This might be revising an article, drafting a book chapter, working on a book proposal, or thinking through an outline for a full book manuscript.
I begin each meeting by guiding you through a curriculum I’ve developed that touches on key aspects of scholarly writing (audience, argument, significance etc.). This includes guiding you through an exercise designed to help you think through these issues and get your creativity flowing. After setting goals for the session, you’ll write for two 40- to 45-minute blocks, with a short break in-between. We’ll close each week’s session by discussing our progress and working through any challenges you encountered. You will also set writing goals that you’d like to accomplish before our next session. I’ll be available via chat during the writing sessions to help brainstorm, give quick feedback on writing, or provide encouragement as needed. You can learn more about me here.
Groups are conducted via Zoom and are capped at eight participants to ensure that you get to know each other and that we can see everyone when writing (extra incentive to get to it!). I have a variety of pricing structures ranging from basic group participation to packages that include some coaching and developmental editing (see below). For more details, see the terms and conditions.
When do they meet?
The next Creating in Community group will meet for six sessions beginning in mid-May 2024 so that you can start your summer writing off right! The group will meet on the following schedule:
Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon Eastern (May 16 - June 20) [FULL - register below to be added to the waitlist and to get priority registration for my September groups]
Why this group instead of another online writing group?
I keep these groups small. Capped at eight participants, they not only give you the opportunity to get writing done, but to connect with other scholars. They are also organized around a curriculum I have developed, which means I start each session by discussing and leading activities on one of four key aspects of academic writing (your own motivation to write, audience, argument, and significance). This helps you develop a deeper understanding of academic writing and facilitates your continued development of your writing projects. Finally, since I run the groups myself, you have access to an experienced developmental editor. I answer your questions during group discussions and am available for support, advice and feedback in the chat during our quiet writing sessions and via email. Writing doesn’t have to happen alone and I’m excited to help facilitate your journeys!
Who is leading these writing groups?
I’m Katherine Wiley, an experienced developmental editor who has worked on books, articles, and other scholarly materials in many disciplines in the qualitative social sciences and humanities. My authors have published or are under contract with a wide range of university presses, including Chicago, Indiana, Lexington, Pennsylvania, Oxford, Princeton, Rutgers, and Stanford. As a former tenured professor, I bring my knowledge of academia and managing writing as a faculty member to my work. I’ve published a scholarly monograph and also taught writing (as well as anthropology, gender studies, and global studies) for six years at the university level. I am passionate about helping clients achieve their writing goals so I started these groups when I saw how many faculty members struggled with writing productivity. I did too! These groups help provide many elements that are proven to help scholars get writing done: they add routine to writing, provide accountability, instruct on the craft of writing, and help build community. You can learn more about me here.
How much do they cost?
I have a variety of packages available. Note if the Goldenrod level is out of your price range, please let me know as I have a few discounted spaces available.
Goldenrod Level - $295. This level includes full participation in the six weekly writing sessions. You’ll have time to write, interact with other participants, and take part in guided goal setting. You’ll also benefit from tips I share on how to improve your writing and accomplish your writing goals, and you’ll connect with other participants to expand your scholarly community. I will also be available during the meetings via chat if you have questions for an editor or need support and encouragement. You will also have the opportunity to participate in an optional writing exchange with one of the participants.
Lilac Level - $495. This level includes all the benefits of goldenrod, while also offering one hour-long personalized coaching session with me as well as six personalized weekly check-in emails where we discuss how your writing is going and strategize about how to best meet your goals. This level would be appropriate for anyone who feels that a bit more support would be helpful in accomplishing their writing goals. Studies show that having accountability through check-ins like this can dramatically boost productivity. Coaching sessions typically take place before the writing groups begin so that you can talk through your plans for the six-week session with me. For an additional charge, further coaching sessions can be added if desired.
Rhododendron Level - $995. This level includes all the benefits of lilac and goldenrod as well as a developmental edit of one piece of your writing of up to 10,000 words. This edit can happen at a time of your choosing, but most participants like to use it before we begin (if they are going to revise something during the six weeks) or at the end of the session (if they are drafting new material). Developmental editing focuses on the big-picture issues in a manuscript, including argument, structure, organization, voice, and narrative flow. You can learn more about it here. I’ll provide you with comments on your manuscript in Word, as well as an editorial letter in which I highlight the strengths of your piece, discuss the argument, and explore suggestions for revision as well as pathways for completing them. Edits of longer pieces are possible for an additional charge. NOTE: these slots are limited so reserve yours as soon as possible.
Payment: I accept payment via PayPal, Zelle, direct bank transfer, and check. Full payment of your fee reserves your spot in the writing group though it is not due at the time of registration. After you register, I’ll be in touch to arrange payment and to schedule any additional services.
Ready to jump-start your summer writing? Register today!
You can register by clicking on the form below. Then I’ll be in touch to discuss payment and any questions that you might have. You can also contact me at any time with questions.