That First Page (or Word)

By John Bond

To many people, the blank screen or page is daunting. It blinks at you. Or calls to you. Or it might even laugh at you, daring you to commit to a thought or an idea. It may seem as if you are etching something in stone that can’t be sandblasted out. Not true. Typing or writing that first line can be a challenge, though it need not be.

I’m not a big believer in “Writer’s Block.” It is not to say I don’t have real empathy for people that feel that they’re at a creative impasse or are paralyzed by the process or where their work is going. But I do think that the most common way to address this condition is tried and true. It all just comes down to writing something. Anything.

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2026 TAA Institute Bookstore Featured Book: ‘A Visual Guide to Human Physiology’

Students in anatomy and physiology (A&P) often have difficulty visualizing complex physiology concepts that require deep understanding. The fourth edition of A Visual Guide to Human Physiology by Paul A. Krieger uses visual analogies to assist students in learning the details of human physiology. Using these analogies and other tools (mnemonic devices and conceptual illustrations), students are able to take objects and processes they know from everyday life and apply them physiological concepts with which they are unfamiliar. This edition of A Visual Guide to Human Physiology (VAGP) has been digitized to enhance learning by adding interactive self-quizzes, 3D anatomical models, videos, downloadable coloring pages, and assessments, as well as updates to colors and features in many original illustrations.

2026 TAA Institute Bookstore Featured Book: ‘A Visual Guide to Human Physiology’ Read More

Dear Dr. Noelle: Protecting Your Dissertation: Three Holiday Strategies

Q: How can I keep making progress on my dissertation with all the holiday obligations?

    —Rather-be-Writing

A: The holidays can be wonderful times for reconnecting with family and friends; taking breathers from the daily-weekly-yearly chase of accomplishment; kindling or rekindling feelings of love, warmth, and generosity even to those who’ve published much more than you; and indulging in delectable seasonal goodies. But dissertation candidates, bent on making progress during the break from other duties, often feel conflicted about how much time to “take off.”

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How to Set Effective Goals

By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

The other day, I considered setting a goal to help me write more. This made me reflect on my time as a graduate student, when I was especially productive with my writing. Besides completing course assignments and publishing academic articles, I wrote a book (“Running into Happiness”) while working on my dissertation. How did I manage to accomplish all that? Have you ever looked back at a success and wondered how you achieved it? If so, you’re already using a key principle for setting effective goals. Here’s why.

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2026 TAA Institute Bookstore Featured Book: ‘A Visual Guide to Human Anatomy & Physiology’

Students in anatomy and physiology (A&P) often have difficulty visualizing complex structures of the human body (anatomy) and concepts that require deep understanding (physiology). The fifth edition of A Visual Guide to Human Anatomy & Physiology by Paul A. Krieger uses visual analogies to assist students in learning the details of human A&P. Using these analogies and other tools (mnemonic devices and conceptual illustrations), students are able to take objects and processes they know from everyday life and apply them to understand anatomical structures and physiological concepts with which they are unfamiliar. This edition of A Visual Guide to Human Anatomy & Physiology (VAGAP) has been digitized to enhance learning by adding interactive self-quizzes, 3D anatomical models, videos, downloadable coloring pages, and assessments, as well as updates to colors and features in many original illustrations. Purchase it in the 2026 TAA Institute for Textbook & Academic Authors Bookstore. 

2026 TAA Institute Bookstore Featured Book: ‘A Visual Guide to Human Anatomy & Physiology’ Read More

Industry News Round-Up Week of 12/1/25

Stay updated on the latest news, advancements, and changes that are shaping the textbook and academic authoring industry with our bi-weekly Industry News Round-Up. Have an item to share? Email Sierra.Pawlak@TAAonline.net.

Citing Anti-DEI DOJ Memo, Alabama Ends Black-, Women-Focused Student Magazines (December 3, 2025)

Policy Changes and Financial Issues Drove November Cuts (December 3, 2025)

Make Faculty Writing Support Easier to Find (December 3, 2025)

IGI Global Scientific Publishing and Wake Forest University School of Medicine Continue Collaboration Through Renewed Open Access Agreement (December 3, 2025)

Trump Administration Continues Efforts to Dismantle the Education Department (November 18, 2025)

Industry News Round-Up Week of 12/1/25 Read More