Every week I bring you what I feel are the most useful blog posts from around the web. So, I hope it goes without saying that our blog also has some AMAZING content that should already be on your list to read! For example, a couple of really great posts that I hope you didn’t miss were 6 Tips for finding writing time and 6 Useful software tools for academic writers. We also have GREAT posts by guest bloggers like Cassie Premo Steele and Tanya Golash-Boza (and so many others!). My point is, our blog Abstract has great content every week. That’s why you should, if you haven’t already, sign-up to receive our weekly eNewsletter. (Simply enter your email in the box on the right and click ‘Subscribe!’). It will save you time because once a week, every week, you’ll receive this eNewsletter that is jam-packed with great articles to help you thrive as an academic or textbook author.

Happy writing!

The Temptations of Collaboration
A look at the pros and cons of collaborative writing projects are explored in this article. This particular quote really stood out to me, “Working with others teaches us new ways — often better ways — of doing the things we’ve grown too used to doing our way.” It’s a great reminder that even if we think we know a topic really well, there is always more to learn or a different approach to take.

The Importance of Recognizing Your Strengths As a Writer
This is an excellent piece, written by Amy Benson Brown, that I highly recommend everyone read. The focus of this piece is self-efficacy as a writer, identifying strengths as a writer, and how understanding those will also help identify weaknesses in one’s writing that will ultimately improve one’s writing skills.

Don’t introduce your paper by saying that many people have long been interested in the topic (UPATEDx2)
I discovered a new blog, Dynamic Ecology, started by an Associate Professor of Population Ecology, Jeremy Fox. Many articles on his blog are well worth taking the time to read, so I encourage you to explore his blog more beyond this article. Also, if you are considering starting an academic blog but don’t know exactly what type of content or formats you would post, Jeremy’s blog is a great example to follow.

Agents’ advice to academics: Break old habits to break into trade publishing
For advice to help you succeed in trade publishing, this is a must read. Also discussed is the shifting landscape of digital media and what impact that will have on scholarly writing.

When Open Access is the norm, how do scientists work together online?
I found this to be an extremely interesting read on online collaboration and the platforms that are used. It also explores how those platforms are breaking down barriers and allowing scholars to find one another to form collaborations that may have otherwise not existed.

Moving Beyond MOOCS
Having not heard much about MOOCs lately, I decided to see if anything new was being said about whether these courses were here to stay or just another craze destined for a short lived life. See what Steven M. Gillon has to say about the life of MOOCs by reading this piece. What are your thoughts on MOOCs?

Why I Love Academic Conferences
As you can tell from the title, this post is all about academic conferences. Devoney Looser shares useful tips for how you can get the most out of a scholarly meeting. Since we’re on the subject of conferences, have you registered for the 28^th Annual Textbook and Academic Authoring Conference? Early registration ends May 1!