Initially, I was concerned about fitting the writing groups into my graduate-student budget. But, now, I can honestly say that this has been the best investment I’ve made since beginning my PhD program. What I’ve learned about pacing, accountability, and setting achievable writing goals has already made me a happier, more productive writer and will surely position me for success once I begin to tackle my dissertation topic.

I cannot express enough gratitude about participating in this writing group. I’ve learned a lot about myself as a writer and I have a clearer picture of what I need to move forward in my writing projects. I appreciate the willingness of other group members to share resources. This has been a game changing experience for me.

I came up with a plan so that I would be ready for my regularization (tenure) review years from now. I had been hunkering down to get my dissertation done, but as a writer, I hadn’t decided what to do after that. I left this group with a vision for the future, but also concrete steps to move forward.

Focusing on my identity as a scholar and writer is something that I’ve come to later in my career. Katie’s coaching was just the foundation I needed to gain confidence, strategies and camaraderie with like-minded colleagues. This investment in myself was one of the best personal and professional decisions I’ve ever made.

This writing group gave me the encouragement and focus necessary to complete my dissertation. I learned to situate myself as a writer, academic, and researcher through the interactions and discussions of the group. This group has done more to help me in this endeavor than any class at the University.

This writing group has been the space that I’ve needed because it’s not always just about the writing itself. It’s about the conversation that gets you to where you need to be. Creating the space to talk about my writing has been really important to me.

I highly recommend Katie’s writing groups.  My writing group was a wonderfully supportive and productive experience!  Weekly chats about writing productivity, tips on organizing my manuscript pipeline, and regular check-ins (specific to my progress) created a helpful structure to keep me on track.  Katie always had great tips to help us overcome hurdles and she definitely understands the complicated nature of academic publishing.  The writing groups provide the much-needed writing  support I needed!

I’ve been inspired by this process and by what Katie does as a coach. There are things I’ve taken away from everyone in the group. It’s something I’ll pull from when I need some inspiration.

Getting as far as I did with my dissertation, I feel more like a contributing member to my field. I feel more like a writer in my field than a student in my field.

Katie’s writing group helped me to simplify and systematize both my academic and professional writing so that it is not only manageable, but also enjoyable.

Katie’s writing group was an unparalleled investment as I begin my work toward a Ph.D. I went in thinking I wanted to be an academic writer and came out feeling that I am an academic writer. The strategies Katie shared and the conversations we had in our group were vital in helping me to believe I am a writer and then to make that belief true. The camaraderie of the group created space to grow and try out new techniques to improve my writing focus and perseverance.

This has been the most incredibly productive three months of my academic life, which is directly as a result of this writing group.