Writing coaching
Work efficiently
Be accountable
Get your writing done
Is your research group struggling to publish?
I get it. I know that many graduate students, academic staff members and medical researchers have been sitting on their drafts for weeks, months, or even years. They feel overwhelmed, bored or scared, and they just want it finished and submitted.
Some people find it difficult to prioritise the tasks in their ever-growing list of 'things they are supposed to do each week'. As I've learned while giving writing workshops at universities around Australia, the result is that writing falls to the bottom of the to-do list and therefore never gets done.
For others, the issue is that they have moved onto a new research project and, over time, have lost interest in writing up their previous project. However, while their interest has waned, they feel guilty, knowing that they really should be putting their work out into the world.
There are also many people working in clinical settings who have never received formal training in how to write an academic journal article, leaving them feeling unsure as to how to get started.
I also know that for many graduate students, it can feel like they will never finish their thesis. They are scared to ask for feedback and feel that they don't know enough, so they decide that they should read more rather than actually write something.
And carers have their own set of challenges. The demands on their time can feel relentless and yet they are supposed to turn up to work as if they have nothing else to worry about.
For years I have worked with individuals to help them write, submit and publish successfully. But now, I am focusing on working with teams.
How do you support groups?
I offer a flexible approach to supporting you and your research team, creating a tailored mix of the following support:
I meet with the research leader on Zoom each week. Our initial session is 50 minutes and then after that we meet for 25 minutes a week. You can work with me in this way for just one month or for as long as you like. On the calls, we will set goals for you and for the team and I will help you ensure that manuscripts are moving through the pipeline in a sustainable and efficient manner. You will also have access to me between session through the Voxer app. You can contact me via voice note or text as often as you like, and I commit to responding at least once/weekday. In that way, you get support in real time. This option particularly suits people who are verbal processors and who want daily accountability or support.
I can come to your department and do a one-day workshop, where together as a team we go through my 10-step publishing process and discuss where people are getting stuck.
I also have an online course that members of your team can purchase, where they get some support from me on their publications.
I can also offer online group coaching sessions, to take the pressure off the group leader and provide a safe space where people can get feedback and support.
Note: when I'm working with a group then I offer discounts on workshops and my course.
What does the program cost?
The cost for coaching for the team leader is A$1000+GST per month.
The costs for other services can be provided on application.
What's the next step?
Malini’s coaching feels incredibly grounded in an understanding of both the ECR experience and the fundamentals of the academic writing process. I think this why I come away from every coaching session feeling deeply understood and with such clear and tangible strategies to move forward with my research and writing.
Malini’s coaching has supported my writing confidence on many levels. I have an emerging, deep confidence in the value of what I have to contribute to the literature and community, and of the kind of researcher and writer I want to be. To be able to write with this emerging confidence is so much more enjoyable and productive!HC, ECR
I finally passed! Only minor corrections! Thank you sooooooo much! I couldn't have done this without your help. Thank you especially for helping me get across the finish line. There were so many times when I wanted to give up, and you encouraged me so much. I don't think there are any words to describe how grateful I am for all you have done for me!
CL, PhD student and clinician
Prior to working with Malini I would have said there were no emotional blocks to my writing. Even after three sessions, I am beginning to understand that there can be emotional blocks – even if you don’t actively feel them all the time. I am now beginning to work on unpacking my thoughts about writing and I am discovering things I definitely could not have done without a coach. There is one paper I have been ‘stuck’ on for about a year, and I have finally begun to make real progress on it, thanks to Malini.KS, Lecturer and ECR
Thank you for all of your support last year through the coaching and writing sessions that allowed me to reach this point. I have learnt so much about myself through your teachings and have gained new confidence in myself and my writing.
ES, PhD student
Malini’s guidance enabled me to write effortlessly and quickly. Her framework and approach to writing is so simple it defies belief; I can’t believe that I have struggled with writing for so long! What I love is that I can keep going back to the course work for each paper to cement my learning. I wish I had discovered Malini 15 years ago at the start of my research career, — I would be so much further ahead now.
VP, Clinical associate professor
I am talking to everyone who will listen just how valuable it has been to receive coaching for my writing from Malini! Through our sessions I have learned clear processes for writing that I can replicate across all my work. I’ve also learned strategies for combating writers block and fitting writing into my busy work week rather than after hours. Malini also prompted me to think about writing outside of academia, and I have since developed the confidence to move out of my comfort zone and write for news media.
BJ, Senior research fellow