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In the latest episode of the Faculty Factory podcast, Rachel Walden, MS, ELS, makes a highly informative return to discuss considerations for becoming a more effective writing coach in academic medicine.
Rachel is the Director of Editorial Services and an Assistant Professor with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. She is a board-certified editor in the life sciences and provides education and training on scientific writing and publishing for residents and faculty.
Rachel reminds us that countless faculty members do not naturally consider themselves writing coaches. Instead, they often feel pressured to revise manuscripts for less experienced authors, which ends up failing to equip trainees with the skills to become proficient scholarly writers.
She likens the role of a writing coach to that of a sports coach, highlighting the importance of hands-on mentorship, strong feedback, and support. At the end of the day, confidence plays a crucial role in writing, and by helping others recognize and develop their strengths, coaches can truly make a lasting difference.
Additionally, Rachel introduces an eight-step coaching process that guides coaches on how to effectively assess and provide feedback on manuscripts. This structure not only ensures accountability but also encourages ongoing progress in each writer’s development.
More Scholarly Writing Tips
Rachel’s previous appearance on our show was a discussion alongside our friend and colleague, Sarah Poynton, PhD, in September 2023. That episode was entitled, “A Comprehensive Guide to the Fundamentals of Scholarly Writing,” and you can revisit that full discussion here.
You can also visit her first-ever appearance, in an episode titled “Habits, Hacks, and Editorial Services,” which you can listen to here.
For more information, please contact her directly via email: rachelwalden@jhu.edu.