WriteFest 2024
WriteFest is an academic write-a-thon that happens during November every year, catering to the specific needs of research and academic writers. WriteFest aims to support researchers to:
- Develop good writing practices, strategies and habits
- Protect time for writing as part of the working day
- Overcome blocks and take a proactive approach to writing
- Join a community of writers to share writing experiences
Here at Liverpool, we will be joining the celebration with a month of writing related activities. You can also view our Writing Resources for Researchers Wakelet!
Join the WriteFest Community!
Join the WriteFest Teams channel and share your writing goals for the month with a friendly community of peers who can provide support, encouragement and accountability. Share your daily or weekly writing progress and celebrate your achievements! Join the WriteFest Teams community here!
Shut Up and Write Retreats
Each week during WriteFest 2024 there will be two Shut Up and Write virtual writing retreats: 2 hours of protected time allowing participants to focus on a writing project of their choice, strengthened by accountability and supported by a community of peers. Join the Shut Up and Write Teams group here!
Programme
Please note: In order to view some of the videos on this page, you may be asked to sign in to Panopto using your University sign in details.
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Warm up to WriteFest! |
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Here are some writing-related activities happening in the run up to WriteFest: Developing PGRs as academic writers – Wednesday 23rd October 12:00-13:00 – PGR Supervisor Network hybrid seminar – Register here (for PGR Supervisors only) Shut Up and Write - Virtual writing retreats on Tuesdays (09:00-11:00) & Fridays (10:00-12:00). Join the SUAW Teams group here |
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Week 1: 4 - 8 November |
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Monday 4th November |
Get Writing! The value of #AcWriMo for getting writing done Blog post by Dr Eli Saetnan |
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Tuesday 5th November |
Shut Up and Write Virtual writing retreat |
09:00-11:00 |
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Fellowship Quest: Navigating the journey from Pre-Application to Success This online RSA Lunch & Learn session provides an introduction to applying for a fellowship – how to go about it, what to consider and what support might be available. Presenter: Brigid Bell & Dr Suzanne Palmer, Research and Partnerships |
13:00-14:00 |
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CV Masterclass for PGRs An interactive CV Workshop for PGR students that will help you to build a tailored CV to match your skills, experience and career aspirations. Presenter: Cornelia Nelson, Careers & Employability |
14:00-16:00 Register here (open to PGRs only) |
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Wednesday 6th November |
How to beat digital distraction and write more A podcast series in 13 brief episodes. Presenter: Dr Andy Tattersall |
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Thursday 7th November |
Academic Writing for Late Stage PGRs Explore the practicalities of thesis writing, including planning techniques, appropriate writing style, and writing to completion. Presenter: Dr Sally Hoare, Researcher Development and Culture |
09:30-12:30 Register here (open to PGRs only)
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Friday 8th November |
Shut Up and Write Virtual writing retreat |
10:00-12:00 |
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Possible futures for academic publishing Presenter: Martin Wolf |
Pre-recorded video. |
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Week 2: 11 - 15 November |
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Monday 11th November |
Strategies to help make the power hour work for you Presenter: Dr Eli Saetnan |
Pre-recorded video. |
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Tuesday 12th November
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Shut Up and Write Virtual writing retreat |
09:00-11:00 |
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Academic Writing for Mid-Stage PGRs Deepen your understanding of academic writing and develop good writing practices. This online workshop will focus on how to start writing, how to keep going and how to finish, covering initiating and managing a manuscript, structure, productive writing techniques and a short introduction to new collaborative writing tools. Presenter: Dr Sally Hoare, Researcher Development and Culture |
09:30-12:30 Register here (open to PGRs only) |
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How to get published in Nature - an ex-editor's perspective An overview of how high-profile science journals work and how to write to maximise your chances of success of publishing in them. Presenter: Dr Jane Rees, Research and Partnerships |
14:00-15:00 |
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Wednesday 13th November |
How to write yourself into an interview: effective cover letters and applications The resources from this workshop from WriteFest 2023 provide tips on how to make your cover letters and application forms the winning ticket for your next job application. Presenter: Dr Stefania Silvestri, Prosper |
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Thursday 14th November |
Overcoming Writer’s Block Learn the common roadblocks for writing and how to combat them in this in-person live workshop. Presenter: Dr Amy Birch, Researcher Development and Culture |
14:00-16:00 |
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Friday 15th November |
Shut Up and Write Virtual writing retreat |
10:00-12:00 |
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Week 3: 18 - 22 November |
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Monday 18th November |
Writing Policy Briefings This online workshop provides a guide for researchers interested in writing targeted policy briefings with potential to generate genuine impact. Presenter: Dr Tom Arnold, Heseltine Institute |
13:00-14:30 |
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Desk Yoga Sat at your desk writing? Need an energy boost? Desk Yoga is accessible for all levels and abilities that you can use at your desk throughout the day to energise, stretch and refocus the mind, instantly change mood and boost overall wellbeing. |
Pre-recorded video. |
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Tuesday 19th November
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Shut Up and Write Virtual writing retreat |
09:00-11:00 |
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Hook, Line and Research: How to Perfect your Academic Abstract Learn the essentials of crafting effective abstracts, including tips, common pitfalls, and peer feedback for your own work. Presenters: Mareike Wehner and Dr Natalie Wallis, Outputs Development |
14:00-15:00 |
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Wednesday 20th November
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The PhD Thesis - What does it actually look like? November is Academic Writing Month, and many PGRs will be busy making progress on their thesis at this time. But what does a good thesis actually look like? In this session, we will discuss some of the different thesis format options available along with strategies for supporting PGR students to design their own PhD thesis. Presenter: Dr Eli Saetnan, Academic Development |
12:00-13:00 Register here (open to PGR supervisors only)
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Academic reading for academic writing This online session is designed to help participants develop skills and strategies for academic reading which feed into their academic and research writing. Presenter: Dr Jeni Driscoll, English Language Centre |
13:00-16:00 |
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Thursday 21st November |
Mastering the art of writing for non-academic audiences Join this in-person session to take the first steps of your non-academic writing journey. During the session we will guide you through different writing forms, writing routines and give you space and time to put your inspiration onto paper. Presenter: Dr Andrew Holmes & Dr Stefania Silvestri, Researcher Development and Culture |
13:00-14:30
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Friday 22nd November |
Shut Up and Write Virtual writing retreat |
10:00-12:00 |
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Writing without discipline How can writing change your thinking? And how can understanding how people write, change the way you think about and approach writing? This interactive online workshop uses video and face to face materials to help participants get to grips with creative writing methods and techniques to introduce new ways of building writing into your daily routine. Presenters: Dr Amy Birch & Dr Andrew Holmes, Researcher Development and Culture |
13:30-15:30 |
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Week 4: 25 - 29 November |
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Monday 25th November |
Choosing the right journal to publish in Video by Researcher KnowHow |
Pre-recorded video. |
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Tuesday 26th November |
Shut Up and Write Virtual writing retreat |
09:00-11:00 |
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RSA Writing Retreat Join the RSA for a day-long in-person writing retreat, with structured writing sessions and support. |
09:30-16:30 |
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Wednesday 27th November |
Developing effective writing practices This interactive workshop will introduce you to different tools and techniques to boost your writing productivity. Presenter: Dr Sally Hoare, Researcher Development and Culture |
10:00-12:30 Register here (open to PGRs only) |
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Thursday 28th November |
PGR Writing Retreat This full day in-person PGR writing retreat is designed to help participants develop skills and strategies for research writing. Presenter: Dr Jeni Driscoll, English Language Centre |
10:30-17:00 Register here (open to PGRs only)
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Friday 29th November |
Shut Up and Write Virtual writing retreat |
10:00-12:00 |
WriteFest 2024 Playlist
Listen to the WriteFest 2024 Playlist, especially created to celebrate Academic writing. The playlist has some background instrumental songs, some that are slightly upbeat to recharge energy as well as some that are linked to writing. Enjoy!
Researcher development resources
- Writing Resources for Researchers Wakelet
- Prosper's Communication Playlist
- Ten Simple Rules for Writing a Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Blog post Making time for writing
- Turbo Charge Your Writing video
- ResDevInYourPj’s bitezised video on Academic writing and WriteFest
- Free templates and planners to help with your writing, planning and collaboration.
- Data Statements – after you have cracked writing up your research and are pleased with your article, don’t forget that to maximise its impact and to comply if you are funded you need to add a data statement.
- Open Access – Now you have your article, you need to consider how to publish open access. If your research is funded you should be aware of your funder’s policy too.
Further resources
Researcher KnowHow at the library
LDC Development Team resources
Back to: Researcher Hub