Publish or perish.
We’ve all heard it, and many of us have felt it in our scholarly bones.
We begin hearing the mantra in graduate school when some admired faculty member tells us publishing is the key to the academic job market. Many of us internalize it then and use it as a barometer for all career success.
When we finish a PhD and get an academic job, we hear that publishing is the key to getting the better job.
If we land the better job, publishing then becomes a main, or perhaps the main, requirement for keeping it.
Publish or perish is a persistent hum in our ears, and for some of us, that hum is loud.
This newsletter is not about perishing but flourishing instead. There are many ways to achieve this feat and to work towards being the balanced human being we’d all prefer to be.
Topics we explore include
Developing a Writing Practice
Cultivating Productivity
Navigating Academic Culture
Promoting Balance
Thriving Beyond the Academy
Publish Not Perish is my effort to share what I have learned along the way, to develop community with fellow travelers, and to explore best practices in writing as academics with multiple demands on our time.
Please like, share, and comment! I would love to hear what topics you’d like to see covered.
Hi, I’m Jenn!
I am a writer, teacher, and scholarly writing and career coach who spent her academic career at the University of Washington Seattle (PhD program) and the University of Texas at Austin (assistant professor) before deciding to work full-time at helping scholars realize their writing and career dreams. Read all about my decision to leave academia here.
I’ve struggled as a writer at various parts of my career and took a deep dive into figuring out strategies to overcome these challenges. Publish, Not Perish is one way I share what I learned along the way!
I now run a scholarly writing and career coaching business to help you rise above the challenges of academia, rediscover your inner brilliance, and better the world around you through your work!
What are the various ways to subscribe?
Free Membership:
Get a public post delivered to your inbox every week. While some posts become paywalled after two weeks, those that resonate the most are kept open for everyone because I value accessibility.
Paid Membership:
With a paid membership, you’ll get the weekly free post plus:
Quarterly Webinars—Interactive deep dives into academic writing & managing academic life. We’ll also record and summarize these for folks who cannot attend live.
A Monthly "How-To" Guide —Practical templates and frameworks you can immediately apply to your work.
The PNP Writing Circle—A community space for accountability, encouragement, and connection.
Full Access to All PNP Resources—A growing archive of more than 150K words of advice & strategies.
10% discount on Other Services—Receive a 10% discount on 1:1 coaching and courses.
AI Use Policy
I use generative AI as a supportive tool to enhance my work in creative, writing, and professional projects. Its contributions include:
Idea Generation and Brainstorming: Helping me explore new angles and refine concepts.
Drafting and Revising: Assisting in early drafts or alternative phrasing, while I review and adapt the output to ensure it reflects my voice and expertise.
Editing and Structuring: Offering suggestions to improve clarity, flow, and organization of content such as lesson plans or administrative documents.
I take care to ensure that AI output is only an assistant in the creative process. All final content is thoroughly evaluated and tailored to maintain originality, integrity, and the high standards of my work. I do not rely on AI to replace scholarly research, substitute creative or critical thinking, evaluate client work, or share personal information—rather, it is an aid that supports thoughtful, ethical practice.
Disclaimer
The content shared in Publish Not Perish is for informational and educational purposes only and reflects the views and experiences of Jenn McClearen, Ph.D. While I strive to offer thoughtful insights and strategies to support academic writers, the material provided is not a substitute for professional advice tailored to your specific situation—whether legal, financial, mental health, or institutional.
All readers are encouraged to use their judgment and seek appropriate support where needed. Any mention of products, services, or institutions does not constitute an endorsement unless explicitly stated. By reading this newsletter, you agree that the author is not responsible for any outcomes that may result from actions taken based on the information provided.
