News and Resources for Writers

News

May 2015

Mary Beth’s big news is that she and Hillary Hutchinson published their book, How to become an academic coach: What you need to know, in the fall of 2014. We are now at work creating a two day writing and job search boot camp for post docs and grad students in their final year.

Mary Beth currently facilitates a virtual faculty writing group on Friday afternoons and an in-office ABD (All But Dissertation) group in her office on Monday afternoons. Both groups have room for more members. If you are interested in a virtual ABD group, contact Mary Beth to get on the waiting list.

Mary Beth Averill is still enjoying a large, sunny new office within walking distance of the University of Oregon campus, an easy bus ride from Lane Community College, and about an hour’s drive from Oregon State University. Mary Beth has plenty of room for groups and for an extensive library of books related to writing, publishing, journaling, memoir, coaching, dissertations, and research methods.

Located slightly south of Eugene center, Mary Beth’s office is disability accessible, with ample parking and easy access to public transportation. We’re close to cafes and shops for browsing before or after your appointment if you choose an in-office session.

Having worked with graduate students and academics from as far away as Hawaii and Europe, Write on MBA communicates mainly by phone, email, and US Postal Service. We are expanding the business to reach aspiring authors and people who want to move ahead in their nonfiction writing from all over the US—thus this web site to acquaint you with our services.

Mary Beth’s other recent publications include book reviews for The Provender Newsletter and for Kalmiopsis, the journal of the Native Plant Society of Oregon.

This summer, Mary Beth is offering three groups:

• Writing for Publication, a weekly group for faculty working on books, journal articles, or other manuscripts
• ABD (All But Dissertation), a weekly group for graduate students at the proposal stage and beyond
• Brain-based Coaching, a free weekly virtual book group for academic coaches

 

As a service to people who visit our web site, we offer monthly tips on moving ahead in your writing.

To get started, check out our 10 Suggestions to Getting Your Writing Unblocked and/or feel free to print the Resources listed below.

Resources

At Write On MBA, we care about helping you develop skills you can take with you into the future as well as providing help coaching you to the completion of your current project. To this end, we offer the following reading list with notes and web site addresses (where available).

For more complete bibliographies about theses and dissertations, overcoming learning challenges, and getting published, please contact Write On MBA with your question(s).

Print Resources (AKA MBA’s favorite books to use in coaching or with academics)

American Psychological Association. (2009). Publication Manual, sixth edition. Washington, DC: APA.

Belcher, W. L. (2009). Writing Your Journal Article in 12 Weeks: A guide to academic publishing success. Los Angeles: Sage.

Galvan, J. L. (2006). Writing Literature Reviews: A guide for students of the social and behavioral sciences, 3rd edition. Glendale, CA: Pyrczak

Graunstein, J. S. (2014). How to write an exceptional thesis or dissertation: A step-by-step guide from proposal to successful defense. Ocala, FL: Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.  *Graustein has broken the dissertation process into ten chapters, identified by action verbs: prepare, explore, read, design, propose, test, analyze, write, defend, and share. Each chapter includes what she sees as the core elements that are “interdependent and continuous throughout the process”: topic, literature, assistance, data, written work, and organization. She has provided some case examples and graduate student survival tips in the chapters as well. Her book is well organized and easy to read, but perhaps a little dated in terms of technology.

Joyner, R. L., Rouse, W. A., & Glatthorn, A. A. (2012). Writing the winning thesis or dissertation: A step-by-step guide. *Long chapter on proposals (32 pages).

Mooney, J., & Cole, D. (2000). Learning Outside the Lines: Two ivy league students with learning disabilities and ADHD give you the tools for academic success and educational revolution. New York: Fireside (Simon & Schuster). *An easy and irreverent read.

Silva, P. J. (2007). How to Write a Lot: A practical guide to productive academic writing. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Softcover, 149 pp.

Sumerson, J. B. (2014). Finish your dissertation, don’t let it finish you. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. 182 pp. *Good overview of the dissertation from research questions to writing it up. Unfortunately, no chapter on the dissertation proposal. Seven page chapter on discussion chapter. Sidebars in most chapters that I found particularly useful include Reality Checks and Chapter Killers. Several appendices, one of which includes the main points from each chapter.