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The most useful textbook & academic writing posts of the week: June 26, 2015

Can you believe that we are already at the end of June? "Don't wait for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect."Have you found yourself sticking to your writing goals or does hearing that it’s the end of June make you want to run screaming in panic? You might not be screaming in panic, but you might be quickly assessing all that you have and have yet to accomplish this summer to meet the goals you set for yourself this past spring. Luckily, many of the articles below are focused on summer writing. Some reassuring there is still plenty of time to be productive and others on productivity and realistic writing schedules.

Happy writing!

making a summary #literatureknowhow
“Summary is at the very heart of dealing with academic literatures.” –Pat Thomson
This is an excellent resource for how to write a summary that will best allow you to understand and remember the text you read when you begin to write your thesis.

The Secret to Hitting Your Writing Goals May Be Simple: Peer Pressure
This piece looks at the benefits and mechanics of writing-accountability groups. Could the key to writing more be simply join a writing group? Do you belong to a writing group on your campus?

It’s Not Too Late to Gear Up for a Productive Summer!
I love this piece by MargaretEdits because it is a great reminder that there still is plenty of time to have a productive summer and meet your writing goals. The “pro-tip” she gives under goal setting is something I’m starting to hear more people do. Have you tried that tactic before?

A Realistic Summer Writing Schedule
Theresa MacPhail offers excellent insight into realistic goal setting for a summer writing schedule. If you are struggling to meet the goals you set for yourself, you need to read this piece.

Time Management in Academia, Or, Educated Chaos
The advice at the end of this article is something all academics can benefit from. Keep these three pieces of advice on your desk for days when you need a reminder that it’s okay to be off balance and going along at your own pace.

Guest Post: Writing the Book Proposal
Craig W. Gill, Editor-in-Chief and Assistant Director of the University Press of Mississippi, gives insight and advice to authors submitting a book proposal in this informational piece. Before you submit a book proposal, read this piece.

Work backwards
Ever wonder how to create a reverse timeline? This article gives an easy to follow step-by-step process on how to do so for a grant application.

What Do You Do When You Are Waiting?
I like this piece because it is a good reminder that even when you are waiting (to hear from a journal, reviewers, dissertation approval, etc.), you should always be writing.

Stress: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
This is an interesting look at stress and how in some cases stress can actually be good and maybe even beneficial.