Five-Minute Friday! What can Today You do to make Monday You's life easier? No ideas? Check that next week's LMS materials are ready to go, or skim the TOC of a recent journal issue for stuff related to your work. While you're at it, review your & your institution's plans for weather closure.

Accountability is lacking in academia at a scale lower than "did you do 'enough' in 6 years?" Let me help you choose a path and stay on it this term! Weekly accountability coaching sessions (30 min) help you set goals, track progress, and problem-solve. DM or comment for more details!

Got a scholarly book idea? Not sure if it's viable or how to move forward? The Book Incubator, a 12 week small group program, runs Jan-Apr to help you tease out your core thesis & evidence structure and start to frame a proposal! Starts 1/27 - 3 seats left!

So thrilled that this is now out and available! The team at CUP has been utterly fantastic to work with. 2e has a much-needed thorough update of recommendations, but also adds a running example, more coverage of conceptualization, and 2 appendices on quantitative methods. (qual coming 3e!)

The biggest projects are composed of the smallest steps. If you're having trouble starting a task, look for the smallest components you can do to get some momentum. Start by opening the file and finding where you need to start!

Makeshift snow removal tools: washingtoncitypaper.com/article/4748... Reminder: Most states require you to remove ALL the snow from your car, including the roof, before driving. You are normally responsible for accidents caused by snow from your car hitting the windshield of the person behind you.

Just putting this out there in case of power loss... Cold Brew Coffee: 1 part coffee to 4-8 parts cold water in a GLASS jar (plastic tastes funny/gets stained). Stir gently. Allow to sit 8-12 hrs at room temp or fridge. Strain, dilute and serve as desired.

The argument must take center stage in academic prose. Data only become evidence when they're leveraged in support of a particular argument. Yes, that means sometimes that cool bit of information gets left out! Focus on your central claim.

VOTE for coworking times this term! I host 2 Zoom coworking sessions for academic writers a week. Show up, post your goals in the chat, and have body doubles to keep you on track. FREE but commitment prices available. All times ET. OPTIONS: Mon 9-1030 Mon 330-5 Tues 10-1130 Weds 11-1230 Weds 1-230

The argument must take center stage in academic prose. Data only become evidence when they're leveraged in support of a particular argument. Yes, that means sometimes that cool bit of information gets left out! Focus on your central claim.

Those of us who know cold weather & power outages, let's help the Carolinas out. What's a tip or two for preparation/survival that might not be widely circulating out there?

When you were learning to produce academic prose, or to write articles in your field, what was the most important thing you did (or didn't do)? Looking back, what was most helpful?

Help me finish collecting #data for my #dissertation! If you’re a faculty member interested in issues of #academicfreedom in the classroom, take 15 minutes to respond to my survey below. #academicsky #highered #freespeech umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

VOTE for coworking times this term! I host 2 Zoom coworking sessions for academic writers a week. Show up, post your goals in the chat, and have body doubles to keep you on track. FREE but commitment prices available. All times ET. OPTIONS: Mon 9-1030 Mon 330-5 Tues 10-1130 Weds 11-1230 Weds 1-230

Don't let your sabbatical or research leave slip away! The Out of Office Gang is a safe space to commit to showing up & doing the work, whatever that work is. Friendly colleagues & useful tools help you make the most of it. Includes Monday morning accountability + optional coworking/workshopping!

When you were learning to produce academic prose, or to write articles in your field, what was the most important thing you did (or didn't do)? Looking back, what was most helpful?

Probably also a gap Weds 11-12 ET.

Academic Writer's Mantra #6: Quotations are only useful when they serve as direct evidence OR when something about the speaker or wording is specifically important (i.e., definitions). Don't quote others just because they "said it better"!

Looking at my schedule, I know I'm going to have Gap Filler appointments available weekly on Mon 1230-1 and probably 3-4, and Tues 3-4 pm (ET). Book a weekly coaching plan for 13 weeks during one of those windows for 10% off. Details/book at www.payments.leannecpowner.com

Need to make significant headway on your new-ish scholarly book this spring? Join me for the Book Incubator, a 12 week guided cohort experience that paves the way for rapid and successful book writing. Our focus on the architecture of your book & key structural choices gives you clarity in your

Also- it is ABSOLUTELY worthwhile to copy this and distribute it to students. Especially undergrads. I used to hand it out with my syllabi.

Because it's that time of term again - you might want to print out a Semester at a Glance calendar. 4 months on a single sheet of paper for all your due dates, deadlines, conferences, travel, and other major events. Bonus: Available for all of 2026! www.leannecpowner.com/pages/resour...

As a book coach & developmental editor, I've been inside nearly 100 academic books. Dissertation conversions, 2nd books, 3rd books. Coauthors & monographs. Edited vols. Political science, sociology, African American studies, criminology, communications, anthropology. Add the 30-40 academic books 🧵

Monday Giggle!

Sunday Planning time! Synch the calendars & check the meal plan. Take a few min to sketch a template for your weeks this term. When is research time? When is class prep? When are meetings? When are flex windows to mop up unfinished or irregular tasks?

Your PhD dissertation is supposed to be challenging. It's not supposed to be impossible, insurmountable, or worse. If you're feeling you need more support, let's talk. Maybe one of my affordable programs makes sense for you; maybe something else does. First consult is free.

I'm back in the US after a wonderful, bucket-list-type trip to Antarctica! Highly recommend to anyone else who wants to hit the Unknown Continent. Slightly ironic, though, that our only snow of the trip is in CLT and NYC, messing up our return flights. Looking forward to catching up w everyone!

One more week to get into the Out of Office Gang for sabbatical and research leave folks! Gentle accountability, supportive colleagues, tips and strategies to maximize your productivity on WHATEVER goals you're pursuing during this term! 12 wks Jan 26-Apr.

Most dissertators run out of gas around the 85% point. Do you know how to keep moving? Do you have the tools to regroup & continue in the face of a deadline when burnt out? I've got those tools & more in Destination: Defense, my small group for late-stage dissertators! buff.ly/GQ0xJa5

Accountability is lacking in academia at a scale lower than "did you do 'enough' in 6 years?" Let me help you choose a path and stay on it this term! Weekly accountability coaching sessions (30 min) help you set goals, track progress, and problem-solve. DM or comment for more details!

Self-Care Saturday! When is the last time you actually got all 5 servings of fruits and veggies in a day that US dietary guidelines recommend? Hm?? Make a plan to do it today or tomorrow. Juice doesn't count!

Five-Minute Friday! What can Today You do to make Monday You's life easier? No ideas? Touch base with a collaborator/coauthor, or wash your office water bottle & mug.

No one teaches us how to plan, write, or market scholarly books. Let me demystify the process & get you started on the right foot! The Book Incubator is a cohort-based approach to helping you move forward on your monograph, no matter where you start. $350/12 wks Starts 1/27!

What are your laws/principles of grading? These hung above my desk for years.

BOOK COACHING helps academic authors make & implement key decisions in the book-writing process. ACADEMIC COACHING helps faculty succeed at all the other aspects of their jobs: balancing teaching, research & service, teaching well, pacing & placing publications, navigating department politics, &🧵

Yes, I work with UK/Canadian PhD students too - writing is writing, no matter where your institution is! I can schedule groups as small as 3 people as early as 1 PM GMT (8 AM ET) or as late as 4 PM PT (7 PM ET). Learn more: buff.ly/GQ0xJa5 Book a Discovery Call: buff.ly/H3kCLli

You've passed your diss proposal. Now what do you do? How do you prioritize and keep going when no one checks in on you & life keeps Life-ing? Destination: Dissertation gives you concrete tools, skills, & accountability to make progress in a supportive small-group context. Yes, there's a cost.

Trying to figure out how you’ll carve out time for your book this fall? Let me help you! The Book Incubator gives you structured prompts and tasks so you can move forward at a reasonable pace. Busy faculty benefit from concrete steps & homework assignments!

That person in your department who looks fine? (Maybe it's you?) They're struggling too. We're all pretty darn good at masking. We ALL belong here. We all have knowledge and skills and credentials that mean we belong here. You might feel isolated and like an impostor. You're not. Hugs!

Academia lacks accountability at a scale lower than "did you do 'enough' in 6 years?" Let me help you choose a path & stay on it this term! Wkly accountability coaching sessions (30 min) help you set goals, track progress & problem-solve. Learn more buff.ly/GQ0xJa5, Discovery Call buff.ly/H3kCLli

Blank pages are a writer's enemy. If blank pages are an obstacle for you, use the Dictation feature in Word or Google Docs to capture a verbal narration as a starting point.

Ok, folks: what are we putting on our 2026 bingo cards? Brainstorm me some ideas & I'll set up a bingo card generator. Ready? GO! Wacky, this-would-never-happen submissions welcome as well as more prosaic life-of-an-academic entries.

I built a space for dissertators who are overwhelmed, abandoned by their advisors, uncertain where to start, or are otherwise in need of support. Is that you? Drop an emoji below that represents your feelings about this process, and I'll reach out about joining our space.

Dissertators: You're not alone! Dissertation support groups take the loneliness out of a solitary process. Being surrounded by others who GET IT & who have tools and ideas for getting through it can make all the difference. Affordable groups are forming for Jan-Apr!

As a book coach & developmental editor, I've been inside nearly 100 academic books. Dissertation conversions, second books, third books. Coauthors & monographs. Edited volumes. Political science, sociology, African American studies, criminology, communications, anthropology. Add to that the 30

Monday Giggle!

Dissertations aren't easy. They're not supposed to be. But they're not supposed to be impossible, either. They're an exercise in perseverance and growth. They CAN be easier with peer support, useful strategies, and regular accountability. Can I help YOU?

Psst! You! Are you getting done what you want to get done? Could you benefit from an accountability partner who’s got the inside info on productivity strategies and tools? I offer affordable accountability and support for faculty. Reach out today for this term (starts 1/19)!

Sunday Planning Time! Synch the calendars & check the meal plan. Can you build an extra meal prep for the freezer into this week's cooking & food budget? Chaos Season You will thank you! (PS: Put a note on the fridge of what's in there so you don't forget!)

Antarctica cruise day 9: view from our balcony. Drake Passage on the way back to the Falkland Islands. We've had great weather and smooth seas apart from this fog.