Beyond the Journal: Writing for a Wider World
This retreat is for academics who sense that their research has a life beyond the academia, and who want to explore what that might look like. Perhaps you want to write long-form journalism, essays, or a book to bring your expertise into public conversation?
During the morning workshops we'll employ techniques from narrative nonfiction, literary journalism and creative writing to help you realize the potential of your material. Without abandoning academic rigour, you'll locate the story in the scholarship, the human stakes inside the research question, and the voice that will allow you to connect with a wider readership.
“I found a narrative voice I didn’t know I had, and changed my research question very radically as a result. The exercises reinforced the message, and it was very inspiring seeing other participants blossoming… into fiendishly writing all afternoon and evening, they were so energized… The breadth of creativity was quite fantastic”
(Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology
Beyond the Journal: Writing for a Wider World
This retreat is open to academics at any career stage, though it particularly suits those who have an idea for a book but don't know how to begin, and those who have started writing for public audiences and want to develop that work more seriously. Components of this retreat can also be delivered as shorter in-person or online workshops.
Sample Structure (mornings only)
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Day 1 — What’s Your Motive?​
Day one is about reconnecting with the curiosity that drives your research and the stakes that make it matter. You’ll reflect on your own personal connection with your topic and surface what your research is ‘really’ about.
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Day 2 — Finding Your Readers​
Writing for a wider audience begins with a clear sense of who you are writing for. We work on identifying your ideal reader as a curious, time-pressured person, and we’ll consider the choices that follow from that: tone, structure, pace, the information you include and what you can afford to leave out.
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Day 3 — Structure and Narrative​
This day introduces the tools that writers in other genres use to keep readers reading: scene, voice, argument, anecdote, tension and revelation. We look at how these techniques can be employed to shape your project and engage your readers.
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Day 4 — Voice, Authority and Risk​
Writing for a broader audience requires a more present, more personal voice, which can feel exposing. This session explores why the willingness to be vulnerable is also what can make writing outside of academia so compelling.
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Day 5 — From Retreat to Project​
The final morning is practical and forward-looking. We look at what you've produced during the week and introduce the basics of finding a wider audience for your research. You’ll leave with a sense of what your next steps might be.
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Components of this retreat can also be delivered as shorter in-person or online workshops.