We’re excited to announce our summer 2024 writing support initiatives! This summer you can participate in two events:

June Writing Retreat (Wed June 5 – Tue June 11)
Start off the summer term with focused writing time and peer support from colleagues across the college!

Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks (all summer)
Break down the writing process into small, manageable steps, and complete your journal article by the end of summer!

All full-time and part-time Hunter faculty and staff are welcome to participate. 

Sign up here for the ACERT summer writing programs

About the June Writing Retreat

Join us from Wednesday June 5 to Tuesday June 11 for writing tips and inspiration, community and accountability, and above all plenty of dedicated time to get your summer writing projects moving forward! Group time and check-ins are scheduled on weekdays (Wed 6/5, Thu 6/6, Fri 6/7, Mon 6/10, Tue 6/11) at 9am. We’ll leave the Zoom room open until 12pm for those who prefer quiet writing time together. If there’s enough interest, we’ll also offer in-person writing sessions during those times at the Faculty Center on the 68th Street campus. 

About the Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks

Participants in this program will follow the step-by-step “Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks” method by Wendy Laura Belcher to complete a journal article over the summer. By the end of August, participants will have submitted a journal article for publication. The program will run for 12 weeks from Wednesday May 29 to Friday August 23, right before the start of the fall 2024 semester. Participants will receive a copy of the writing workbook. 

The Writing Retreat will be facilitated by Lisa Anderson and Julie Van Peteghem. Gina Riley will facilitate the Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks program. 

Summer Writing Retreat Q&A

Q: How is the retreat structured?
A: We meet every weekday at 9am for 15-30 minutes to share our daily writing goals and progress. The rest of the morning (until noon) is quiet group writing time.

Q: Are we meeting during the weekend?
A: Nope! You can keep writing or take a break, but there are no group check-ins or group writing sessions on Saturday and Sunday.

Q: I can’t make it every day. And some days I can join only at 10am.
A: That’s fine! Join us when you can. Just keep in mind that quiet writing time starts between 9:15-9:30am.

Q: You mention the possibility of writing together on campus. Where would we meet?
A: If there’s enough interest, we will meet on weekdays on the 5th floor of the Cooperman Library on the 68th Street Campus. We’d first meet for check-ins in Hunter East 530, and then cross the hallway to the Faculty Center for quiet writing. There are several outlets in the rooms, and we’d offer coffee, tea, and snacks between 9am and 12pm. After 12pm, participants can continue working in the Faculty Center until the Library closes. If you’re interested in participating in person (even if only in part), please indicate that on the sign-up form.

Q: Can I work on ____ during this writing retreat?
A: YES! Past and current writing group members have worked on articles, conference abstracts, translations, dissertation chapters, cover letters, novels, websites, newsletters, grant proposals, teaching materials, presentation slides, blog posts, correspondence, … you name it! There’s no set rule about what you can work on. Use this time to make progress on your writing and projects, whatever form that takes.

Writing Your Article in 12 Weeks Program Q&A

Q: Do I need to have a draft of an article to start the program?
A: No, because you will be drafting during the process. You do need to have a concrete idea. If your work relies on data analysis, then make sure you have the data set ready at the beginning of the program. 

Q: How is the Writing Your Article in Twelve Weeks program structured?
A: We will follow the chapters and tasks of Wendy Laura Belcher’s writing workbook. Participants will receive an email from Gina every Sunday evening, which includes the focus for the week to come as well as a helpful tip. On Wednesday morning we’ll check in with each other about our progress on the task of the week. These meetings will be either held on Zoom (9-9:30am) or asynchronously on Padlet. 

Q: How much time should I expect to dedicate to the weekly tasks? Will it take me five full workdays a week to stay on track with the tasks?
A: No – setting aside even 1 hour each weekday will bring you significant progress towards your goal. Some weeks you may need more time, some weeks less.

Q: What if I can’t make some of the Wednesday meetings?
A: No worries. There will always be an opportunity to share progress asynchronously.

Q: I’ll be on vacation for a week or two. Can I still join?
A: You deserve some time off! Of course you can still join. Follow the instructions of the Sunday emails as best as you can, and we’d be happy to help you figure out a way to catch up on missed time.

Q: Can I participate in both the Writing Retreat and the Twelve Weeks Program?
A: YES!

Do you have any further questions? Please contact us at acert@hunter.cuny.edu.