Post 180. Working With Others + VERY Important Announcements! July 14, 2025

Jul 14, 2025

Dear writing friends,

As always: We hope this newsletter in your inbox finds you well. If yes, we are grateful with you! If no, remember that light shines brightest after the darkest times — hang in there!

Pic of the Week

I always appreciate a beautiful sunset (FIU campus) :-)

Tip of the Week

Are you motivated to write this summer? If yes, great! If no, there are many things you can DO to get the motivation flowing. I’m focusing on some short tips to “Feed Motivation” stemming from my co-authored book with Patricia Goodson, Keep Writing: 101 Strategies for Academic Writers. I’ll give you a “taste”, but you can learn more by purchasing and reading this great resource. The book will be part of our “Book Club” (read about it below) for Fall 2025!

Finding good co-authors can bring fresh motivation and momentum to your projects.

In our book we discuss tools to help you understand your strengths and weaknesses as a writer which can help when looking for collaborators.

We also discuss how collaborations can specifically motivate and improve your academic writing. Learn more by getting your book copy today.

Amazon Link

We also would love to have you join us during the LAST free writing retreat of the summer! Learn more below!

Get Your Writing Done

WHEN

Our last writing retreat for the summer is this Saturday, July 19!
We’ve also put up the tentative Fall schedule on the calendar…but please see the VERY Important Announcement below.

Calendar

If you are already part of the writing retreat group, you should have the retreat link through email.
If you need us to resend the link, please email us at inforealacademics@gmail.com.
If you are not part of the writing retreat group, email me before Saturday, and I’ll share the Zoom link.

VERY Important Announcements

First, thank you to all who subscribe to this newsletter and who have told others about it.
- Thank you to all who join our writing community bi-monthly during the virtual writing retreats. It has been such a joy to write with you!
- A super special thanks to those who have donated to keep us going! We could not have kept going this year without you.
Second, starting in August I’ll be switching from weekly to monthly newsletters.
Third, the writing retreats will be accessible in the fall only if you apply and are accepted to join our Writing Retreat Cohort.
- While we’ve grown in number at the retreats (which I love!!), the donations do not match the growth and the operations cost and time, so we are not sustainable without a change. Learn more by reading below and how to easily apply.

Real Academics Writing Retreat Cohort

5 Reasons Why You Should Apply to the Writing Retreat Cohort

You'll make progress towards finishing your proposals, publications, grants, tenure/promotion, and/or other.
You'll practice a writing habit that you can keep throughout your academic career.
You'll benefit from motivation and accountability to get your work done.
You'll connect with other amazing academics.
You'll be investing in yourself and your career. Need we say more? :-)

What You Get As Part of the Writing Retreat Cohort

Access to the Real Academics Writing Retreats for the season.
- This is a super fun event each season! We get to hang out for 5 hours and write together approximately twice a month. You'll also receive guidance to boost your writing motivation and productivity throughout the retreat.

Access to Book Club - integrated into retreats
- This is a relaxing but focused time to connect with other academics and talk about anything and everything related to academia, writing, research, and your careers.
- We use a writing book to guide us, but you can come even if you have not read. No question is too big or too small in this group. Bring questions, comments, thoughts, and ideas and/or just listen in!

What Others Have Said

The writing retreats helped with feeling connected with other academic writers! It's a reminder that I am not alone in this! We all go through the process and there are ups and downs for all of us. I have also learned very useful and new strategies and resources that I have used to help me be more productive.
- Past Participant
I was able to submit and resubmit a paper during this time and it was published! Academic writing is like being on the high school tennis or wrestling team - it's an individual sport, but it's motivating and fun to know that your wins contribute to the team's success.
- Past Participant
The writing retreats were extremely helpful in developing confidence and facing obstacles with a clearer perspective. I appreciate that the coaches are understanding and have a genuine desire to help you through your research and writing journey.
- Past Participant
These writing retreats have been pivotal in the last few months for me. This has set a positive impact on me. I have self-reflected on the areas of improvement and my strengths. They have been a guiding tool for me.
- Past Participant

More Info and How to Apply

The retreat is held virtually.
The Fall Writing Retreat Cohort (August-November with December bonus) cost is only $240, payable through Zelle. The fee is non-refundable. If you need financial assistance, please email inforealacademics@gmail.com and we’ll see if we can find a sponsor for you.
The writing retreat schedule is posted on our website: https://www.therealacademics.com/calendar
To apply, fill out the short application by clicking on the button below. If you are accepted, we'll get back to you on next steps and how to pay through Zelle.