Workshops for Scholars & Graduate Students

Writing, publishing, and productivity workshops for academic scholar-authors and graduate students.

Open notebook with a pen in front of a computer and a mug of coffee

Helping busy scholar-authors hone their ideas and bring their writing to life.

Ink Blotter writing workshops and retreats offer scholar-authors a unique opportunity to make meaningful progress on their work while developing the key skills and practices that contribute to an effective writing practice.

Confidence and calm in the face of publishing demands and writing deadlines
Structural approaches to developing projects and deepening ideas
Publishing insights, strategies, and strategic guidance
Protected writing time to implement new learning and make measurable progress
Community reflection in an intimate and supportive environment dedicated to mutual uplift

Offered virtually and in-person, Ink Blotter's signature workshops have a proven track record of helping scholars develop sustainable writing practices, compelling projects, and long-lasting community.

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"When I first decided to apply, I had no idea what I could expect from this initiative (I've been disappointed before by workshops and boot camps that promise to transform my writing). Yet, the workshop not only helped tremendously with my writing, but also gave me the space to clarify what my writing and my work in the institution mean to me. The energy of the weekend continues to be a source of the spark that motivates me to continue and to want to pursue more opportunities to build on the first cohort community as we work towards tenure.”

Participant, FOCUS Writing Retreat, UC Berkeley
“[This workshop] was life-changing and transformative. Dr. Elena K. Abbott is a superb teacher and facilitator; no one had explained how to improve the clarity in my writing so succinctly and successfully before this."

Workshop participant, UC Davis
“THIS WAS AMAZING. I couldn't recommend it more highly. There are so many programs at Cal that focus on mentoring but lack real material support for scholars to do the work that is essential to our promotion and retention. This program was the first I found that offered the kind of support that I really needed to move forward on my publishing.”

Participant, FOCUS Writing Retreat, UC Berkeley
“[This workshop/retreat experience] has far exceeded my expectations. I did not know what to expect what wanted to avail myself of this opportunity regardless. What I found was a supportive community of peers, tips and strategies from a seasoned writing coach, and time/space to prioritize my writing."

Participant in the P.L.A.C.E. Writing Community Retreat, UC Davis

Open books in large bay window looking out over a courtyard garden

Developing insight.
Deepening practice.

All Ink Blotter workshops and retreats can be calibrated to meet the unique needs of your participants, their interests, and the available budget. Reach out to start the conversation.

- Writing with Purpose: Embracing Your WHYs and WHOs
- Structure and Story: Thinking Like Your Editor
- Build a Book that Works
- Mindful Productivity for a Sustainable Writing Practice
- Book Proposal Bootcamp: How to Develop a Great Submission Package
- How to Hone and Communicate Your Personal Brand
- How to Hack It: Productivity Masterclass for Busy Graduate Students
- Organized Writing: Tips, Tricks, and Tools to Write an Effective Dissertation
- Engage Your Audience: Presentation Skill-Building for Job Talks, Conferences, and Life Beyond the Academy

How it works:

All workshops are offered privately for faculty and graduate students through your institution in any of the following formats:

2-hr interactive workshops
Half-day (4 hr) interactive workshops
1–2-day Writing Retreats (combination of interactive workshops and sacred writing time)
Informational webinars (60, 90, or 120 minutes)

Pricing:

Pricing depends on length, projected participation, and whether the workshop will be delivered virtually or in person. There is a way to work with nearly all defined budgets, so let's make a plan!

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