DP&L Episode 229 - Tips for Academic Mom Summer Planning
Defend, Publish & Lead Podcast
Release Date: 05/24/2025
DP&L Episode 235: Give Yourself a Conference Maintenance Day
Defend, Publish & Lead Podcast
In this practical summer organization episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley introduces a systematic approach to managing academic conference logistics, planning, and participation. She shares her streamlined method for transforming the often chaotic world of conference attendance into a manageable, strategic process that saves time and reduces stress throughout the academic year. Christine opens by acknowledging the common academic struggle with conference management chaos - missed deadlines for desired conferences, last-minute scrambling for hotel reservations, lost...
info_outline
DP&L Episode 234 - Are You Behind This Summer?
Defend, Publish & Lead Podcast
In this timely mid-summer episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley addresses the universal academic experience of feeling behind on summer projects. Recording at the end of June, she provides practical strategies for reassessing summer goals, managing academic guilt, and making strategic decisions about competing priorities when time feels scarce. Christine opens by acknowledging the extra layer of summer guilt that academics experience - the pressure to "catch up" during months supposedly dedicated to research and writing progress. She shares her personal summer project...
info_outline
DP&L Episode 233 - Paragraphing
Defend, Publish & Lead Podcast
In this focused writing craft episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley explores the fundamental structure that drives successful scholarly communication. Christine reveals how understanding paragraph architecture can transform academic writing from scattered thoughts into compelling, publishable scholarship that resonates with readers and reviewers alike. Christine introduces the concept that scholarly paragraphs function as miniature essays, each containing their own complete argument arc within the larger framework of academic discourse. This understanding shifts how...
info_outline
DP&L Episode 232 - Look Yourself Up
Defend, Publish & Lead Podcast
In this essential professional development episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley demonstrates the importance of conducting an annual Google search audit of your academic presence. She provides practical guidance for academics on monitoring and managing their online research profile, particularly during summer months when professional development tasks typically receive more attention. Christine begins by sharing her personal practice of Googling herself annually, acknowledging that while she doesn't always maintain perfect consistency, this summer task has become...
info_outline
DP&L Episode 231 - Work or Play!
Defend, Publish & Lead Podcast
In this summer-themed episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley addresses the common challenge academics face during summer months: distinguishing between work time and personal time while managing writing projects effectively. She provides practical strategies for creating sustainable boundaries around scholarly work during the less structured summer period. Christine begins by acknowledging a widespread issue among her clients - the tendency to view summer as an unlimited reservoir of time to "catch up" on writing projects that may have stalled during the academic year....
info_outline
DP&L Episode 230 - Closing Out Spring Semester
Defend, Publish & Lead Podcast
In this episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley provides essential strategies for effectively wrapping up the spring semester and preparing for a smooth transition into summer. Christine focuses on specific end-of-academic-year tasks that differ from typical semester closures, offering practical advice for academics looking to tie up loose ends before the fiscal year ends. Christine emphasizes the critical importance of addressing deadline-driven tasks first - from spending remaining faculty development funds to completing annual productivity reports and tenure-track...
info_outline
DP&L Episode 229 - Tips for Academic Mom Summer Planning
Defend, Publish & Lead Podcast
In this longer episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley and coach share valuable insights on balancing academic writing with parenting responsibilities during summer breaks. Drawing from their personal experiences, they discuss strategies for maintaining scholarly productivity while managing childcare for children of different ages - from preschoolers to college students. The episode explores how to create effective summer routines that accommodate both professional goals and family needs. Christine and Heather share their summer writing plans and offer practical advice...
info_outline
DP&L Episode 228 - Short Form Academic Books
Defend, Publish & Lead Podcast
In this informative episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley interviews coach about the growing trend of short form academic books. Learn what these publications are, who they're for, and why they're becoming increasingly popular among academic presses. Heather shares her personal experience publishing in Palgrave's Pivot series and offers valuable insights about the proposal process for these focused, timely works. This episode explores how short form books provide an excellent option for niche topics that may be too focused for traditional monographs but too...
info_outline
DP&L Episode 227 - Summer Writing Strategies for Restoration and Project Completion
Defend, Publish & Lead Podcast
In this valuable episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley explores the two common speeds of academic writing during summer breaks. Learn how to navigate between intensive project work and necessary rest periods while maintaining productive writing habits. Christine shares five practical strategies for integrating writing sessions into a more relaxed summer rhythm, with a focus on restoration that supports both your wellbeing and manuscript revision. This episode provides essential guidance for academics seeking to establish sustainable summer writing routines that...
info_outline
DP&L Episode 226 - Are You Maxed Out?
Defend, Publish & Lead Podcast
In this essential episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley identifies warning signs of burnout and shares effective academic writing strategies for navigating a "maxed out" season, particularly during finals week. Learn practical writing productivity techniques and establish sustainable writing habits to maintain momentum even during your busiest periods. Christine explores how structured writing sessions and realistic writing goals can help academics regain balance while maintaining scholarly output. This episode provides valuable insights for anyone struggling to...
info_outlineIn this longer episode, President and executive writing coach Christine Tulley and coach Heather Witcher share valuable insights on balancing academic writing with parenting responsibilities during summer breaks. Drawing from their personal experiences, they discuss strategies for maintaining scholarly productivity while managing childcare for children of different ages - from preschoolers to college students.
The episode explores how to create effective summer routines that accommodate both professional goals and family needs. Christine and Heather share their summer writing plans and offer practical advice on carving out productive time amid the parenting demands of summer. From creative activities to keep children engaged to community-based childcare solutions, they provide realistic approaches for academic parents to make progress on their professional work.
This conversation highlights how different institutional contexts shape summer writing strategies - whether using summer for intensive writing to meet annual review requirements or focusing on smaller projects while recovering from a demanding academic year. The hosts share honest perspectives on managing the logistical challenges of summer while acknowledging the importance of enjoying this special time with children.
Resources Mentioned
- Related Episodes: EP 227: Summer Writing Strategies for Restoration and Project Completion (if you missed the summer planning 2026 webinar, email [email protected] and ask for a copy).
- Don't miss our upcoming FREE webinar! Join us Monday, June 2nd at 11 am Eastern for "Academic Parents: Summer Time Management Strategies” where we'll expand on these strategies in more detail. Register now or email [email protected] for the recording if you miss the live event.
- The Textbook and Academic Authors Association (TAA) conference is approaching on June 6-7 with full virtual access. Christine highlights an especially valuable session on "Succession Planning, Onboarding and Training New Co-authors" - perfect for academics managing collaborative projects. Registration includes TAA membership and provides access to numerous valuable resources for academic writers.
- Need personalized support with your book proposals? Our team of experienced writing coaches can help you develop strategies tailored to your needs. Email [email protected] to learn more.