Writing Support Program

Build a Sustainable Writing Practice in 2024-25.

JOIN WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES AND RECHARGE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY.

Fall 2024 CFDE Writing Support Program

The Center for Faculty Development and Excellence invites all faculty to participate in a spring 2024 semester-long program of remote and in-person writing support structures. Registrants may choose from four options:

Writing Discussion Groups – participants read and discuss one another’s work, via Zoom or in-person
Writing Time Together Groups – participants gather in-person for writing time together
Sit Down and Write with the CFDE– twice weekly virtual (and in-person in the CFDE Faculty Writing Room) one-hour group writing sessions and accountability on Tuesdays and Fridays 11 am, via Facebook or Slack
Writing Coach Message Service – twice weekly emails with practical writing tips and support, plus one optional individual 30-minute writing coaching session during the semester

The writing groups will convene in September 2024 and conclude the first week of December.

Deadline to Register: Wednesday, August 28

WRITING GROUP MINI-GRANTS

Once the CFDE Writing Groups are formed for the semester, each group may apply for small grants to support activities related to the group’s shared writing practice. For example, a group may apply for funds to

Organize a one-day writing retreat and order breakfast and lunch delivered.
Hire a sitter for writing group members’ children during some of their sessions together.
Order lunch for writing group lunch meeting(s)
Purchase all group members copies of Write Your Journal Article in 12 Weeks(or some other book on academic writing) and use the book to structure the activities of the writing group for the term.

Groups may apply for up to $75 per group member (for instance, a group of 5 participants may apply for up to $75 x 5 = $375). Once the writing groups are formed for the semester, instructions for making mini-grant requests will be provided. There will be no deadline for the grants; awards will be made on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted for the semester.

THE CFDE FACULTY WRITING ROOM

The CFDE Faculty Writing Room inside Suite 216 of Woodruff Library is adedicated gathering space on campus for writing groups and any faculty member who might just need a quiet place to sit and focus.

Comfortable chairs
Good lighting
Table for groups
Tea, coffee, and snacks station
Desk with docking station
White noise machine

The Faculty Writing Room is available on reserve for all CFDE organized writing groups, and available to all faculty writers at other times, during business hours.

MORE ABOUT WRITING GROUPS

A writing group can offer support, accountability, structure, and camaraderie for faculty in terms of both the process and the product, for writing across the range of types, lengths, stages of development, and goals. It can supply a welcome antidote to the professional isolation that often comes with the task of writing and, if desired, provide a source for constructive critical feedback on work in progress. Any writing project, whether it’s a book, a journal article, or a grant, can benefit from a writing group.

The CFDE serves as scheduler and convener, provides support, and sends reminders and online group prompts. The CFDE also sets up email lists for each group to facilitate planning and communication between group meetings. CFDE director Allison Adams will meet once with each group during the semester.

For more information, contact Allison Adams.