Coaching

For Scholars

That Moves Your Career Forward

Whether it’s getting the promotion, securing tenure, or building the reputation your research deserves

—your publication record matters. A lot.

But getting to those projects to the finish line?

That's the part no one prepares you for.

It’s not just about writing—it’s about navigating everything that makes that so difficult, including:

✵ Juggling teaching, research, service, and everything in between

✵ Navigating perfectionism in a culture of constant critique and rejection

✵ Managing nonstop demands with little time to pause or reflect

✵ Struggling to carve out space for writing—let alone enjoy the process

✵ Feeling anxious by the lack of clear, transparent metrics for promotion and tenure

That’s where I come in.

As your writing coach, I’ll help you build a consistent, sustainable writing practice that works in real life—not in some perfect world where your inbox is empty and your calendar is wide open.

Together, we’ll not only create a plan that fits your life—we’ll also work through the inevitable challenges, reflect on what’s working (and what’s not), and make steady, meaningful progress toward your goals.

You don’t have to power through this on your own. You can write, publish, and move your career forward—without the stress, the second-guessing, or the burnout. And I’m here to help you every step of the way.

Ready to learn more about coaching with Jenn?

No pressure. Just a conversation to see if this is right for you.

Client Testimonials

  • "I truly cannot overstate how impactful our work together was."

    Working with Jenn during the summer after my first year on the tenure track was so incredibly life-giving.

    First, I was able to finally submit (and get an R&R!) on a dissertation paper I had been dragging my feet on as a direct result of our work together. Specifically, Jenn helped me recognize and overcome some specific mindset roadblocks I didn't even realize I had around writing; and she also supported me in articulating and analyzing my writing process clearly for the first time. This fundamentally changed my research process!

    Jenn is incredibly kind, supportive, organized, and clear in her communication and approach. I truly cannot overstate how impactful our work together was, and I recommend working with her to anyone who is feeling lost about their research, writing, and/or career!

    Dr. Meaghan McSorley, Assistant Professor, Florida State University

  • "I’ve learned how to envision the career I want and take actionable steps toward achieving it. "

    Jenn has been a steady source of support, encouragement, and guidance. She doesn’t just give advice—she models everything she offers. As her client, I’ve learned how to envision the career I want and take actionable steps toward achieving it.

    She’s helped me prioritize the projects that matter most to me and find better ways to manage my time as a neurodivergent person and parent of a neurodivergent child. 

    Dr. Briana Barner, Assistant Professor, University of Maryland

  • "These shifts in my mindset have helped me grow more confident as a scholar."

    Working with Jenn has helped me transform my relationship to writing. Her attentive listening, suggestions, and positive reinforcement have helped me decrease my anxiety towards writing and remember all the things I love about writing.

    Jenn's coaching has helped me think of writing as any other part of my life, rather than a high-stakes "my career depends on this" act of perfection. These shifts in my mindset have helped me grow more confident as a scholar and move towards a daily writing practice. 

    Dr. Karolina Dos Santos, Postdoctoral Scholar, New York University Gallatin

  • "Jenn is able to decipher an end goal through what felt like my confused rambling."

    What I appreciated about working with Jenn is that when you tell her about your project, what you want to accomplish, and what you are having trouble with, she can turn it into tangible and specific goals with solutions. She is able to decipher an end goal through what felt like my confused rambling.

    In the time I worked with Jenn, I was able to complete my dissertation, which has now garnered the interest of publishers and is the blueprint for my forthcoming book. Additionally, I was able to write, revise, and publish my first peer-reviewed academic article. Her help is invaluable and neither of these projects could have been completed without her assistance.

    Dr. Lily Kunda, Assistant Teaching Professor, The College of William and Mary

  • "Jenn's support and guidance have empowered me to overcome mental barriers, prioritize my goals, and approach academic writing with renewed confidence and clarity.

    Working with Jenn has been transformative—she has helped me cultivate a positive and productive relationship with writing through sustainable routines and clear strategies. Her support and guidance have empowered me to overcome mental barriers, prioritize my goals, and approach academic writing with renewed confidence and clarity.

    Anonymous

  • "I am so glad I found Jenn at this stage of my career."

    Jenn is an amazing coach. She is gentle, receptive, and, most importantly, she has helped me overcome my fears of academic writing. Her structured outlines, discussion point recaps, and clear next steps truly bring clarity to the task at hand. I greatly appreciate her prompt replies and encouraging notes. I am so glad I found her at this stage of my career.

    Dr. Muniza Askari, SPJ Singapore Campus

My Coaching Process

  • #1 CLARIFY YOUR FOCUS

    We begin by identifying your most meaningful writing goals and uncovering what’s keeping you stuck—so you can move forward with purpose, not pressure.

  • #2 BUILD FOR SUSTAINABILITY

    We co-create a writing plan that fits your actual life—so you can build consistency without burnout, even when things get busy.

  • #3 MAINTAIN MOMENTUM

    With regular check-ins, mindset support, and strategy, you’ll keep momentum going—so your projects don’t stay stuck in draft form and your work makes it out into the world.

Coaching’s Impact by the Numbers

  • Enhanced Goal Achievement

    Individuals who received coaching were 74% more effective at setting goals and following through, according to a meta-analysis—helping them gain clarity, stay focused, and make real progress. (Source)

  • Increased Self Confidence

    Approximately 80% of coaching clients report greater self-confidence, based on survey data—empowering them to take action and pursue meaningful goals. (Source)

  • Financial Return on Coaching

    One study found that coaching paid for itself—and then some. On average, organizations who invested in coaching earned back seven times what they spent—a powerful indicator of coaching’s value. (Source)

  • Improved Well-Being

    Research suggests coaching may lead to a 46% increase in well-being—supporting stress reduction, life satisfaction, and resilience. (Source)

Are you…

An Assistant Professor on the Tenure Track

who’s balancing teaching, service, and research.

A Scholar with Big Goals but Stalled Projects

—held back by perfectionism, imposter syndrome, or procrastination.

An Academic Who’s Done With Burnout Culture 

who’s ready to build a sustainable, values-aligned writing practice.

You’re in the right place.

If you're ready to make progress on your most important writing goals

with structure, support, and clarity, this coaching experience was built for you.

Picture this…

You’re approaching your tenure and promotion review, and instead of panic, you feel steady. Your writing is on track, and your most important projects are finally moving forward—not stuck in endless draft mode.

You’re no longer losing weeks to avoidance or overthinking. You sit down to write with clarity, purpose, and a plan that fits your real life.

Your promotion file is growing stronger with every submission. You’re publishing more, staying visible, and building momentum—without running yourself into the ground.

And when you close your laptop, you actually have time and energy left for the rest of your life.

You’re not just working toward tenure. You’re creating a career—and a life—you actually want.

Ready to get started?

Let’s turn your writing goals into an action plan you can actually follow.

10 weeks of Structure, Support, and Progress

  • Get Clear on What Matters Most

    We start with a strategy session where we take a deep dive into your goals, challenges, and priorities. Together, we’ll design a custom action plan and a clear, grounded path forward.

  • Build Momentum and Shift What's Stuck

    Across four coaching sessions, we’ll focus on reflection, problem-solving, and mindset shifts to help you make steady, meaningful progress—always grounded in your real-life context.

  • Support When You Need It Most

    You’ll have access to me via email or WhatsApp between sessions, so you’re never stuck waiting. Whether you need encouragement, feedback, or a gentle nudge, I’m here to help you keep moving forward.

  • Keep Going with Clarity

    In our final session, we’ll reflect on your progress and create a sustainability plan to carry your momentum forward—so you can keep writing and building your career with clarity and confidence.

Your Investment:

€1600

or four monthly installments of €420

Book a free discovery call to get started

Why invest in coaching?

  • Time Saved

    Avoidance, overthinking, and decision fatigue can waste weeks or months of valuable time and delay your progress.

    Coaching helps you move forward with clarity and confidence so you can focus on what matters most—whether that’s publishing, grant writing, or time with loved ones.

  • Projects Completed

    Projects often stall in the middle, leaving you with unfinished drafts that don’t move your career forward.

    Coaching offers the accountability and structure you need to follow through and turn ideas into completed, shareable work.

  • Momentum Built

    Delays in publishing can ripple into missed raises, weaker tenure and promotion files, and lost opportunities for grants or awards.

    Coaching helps you stay on track with the writing that supports your professional goals and institutional expectations.

  • Burnout Avoided

    The pressure to do everything can lead to overwork and burnout, which may cause a significant dip in productivity and overall well-being.

    Coaching helps you build writing practices that are both effective and sustainable—so you can make steady progress without running yourself into the ground.

First Session Satifaction Policy

I’m confident in the value of this coaching experience—but I also know how important it is to feel like the right fit. If after our first 90-minute session you don’t feel supported or aligned with the approach, please let me know within 48 hours. I'll offer a partial refund (minus 20% of the full price) and cancel the remaining portion of the package.

My goal is never to pressure you into continuing something that doesn’t serve you. I want you to feel empowered, not stuck—and that starts with trust.

FAQs

  • Developmental editing and coaching serve different—though often related—purposes in your writing life.

    Developmental editing focuses on improving a specific piece of writing. An editor will give you detailed feedback on structure, argumentation, clarity, and coherence to help you strengthen a manuscript in progress. It’s about shaping that article, that chapter, that proposal into its best possible form.

    Coaching, on the other hand, focuses on you—your process, habits, mindset, and long-term goals as a writer and scholar. Coaching supports you in building the systems and self-awareness you need to write more consistently, reduce avoidance, navigate self-doubt, and make steady progress on high-stakes projects. It’s about creating sustainable practices that help you move forward not just once, but again and again.

    If developmental editing helps you polish the car, coaching helps you build the road—so you can keep driving.

    Writers often benefit from both at different stages. Editing can refine your work. Coaching helps you get it written in the first place—and keep writing long after.

  • That’s exactly why coaching can help. We’ll build strategies that work with your real schedule, not an ideal one. And if a rough week happens, we’ll adjust without judgment.

  • I work with scholars on a wide range of writing projects, including books, journal articles, grant proposals, conference papers, and dissertations. Whether you're working toward tenure, preparing for the job market, or trying to carve out time for a long-delayed project, we can tailor our work together to fit your goals.

    If the writing matters to your academic career, it matters here—and we’ll create the structure, support, and momentum you need to move it forward.

  • Coaching focuses on your writing process—not just the final product.

    In our sessions, we look at how you're approaching your work: your routines, mindset, priorities, and the patterns that help or hinder your progress. Coaching is designed to support sustainable writing habits, clarity around your goals, and the confidence to follow through. It’s ideal if you want to write more consistently and with less stress, across all stages of your academic career.

    But I also know that sometimes, you need in-depth feedback on the writing itself.

    If you’re working on a key article, chapter, or proposal and want focused input on how to strengthen the structure, argument, or clarity of the piece, I offer developmental editing at an additional rate of €0.05 per word.

    Because of my own academic background, I specialize in editing work in the humanities and qualitative social sciences. That’s where I can offer the most meaningful and field-specific support—especially when it comes to argument development, voice, and structure.

    Many clients choose to combine coaching and editing—using coaching to keep the writing moving and editing to sharpen the work when it’s ready. You don’t have to choose one or the other if both would support your goals.

    We can talk through the best fit during your discovery call.

  • Yes, I work with all of the above! I coach scholars at various stages of their academic journey—from PhD students navigating dissertation writing and early publishing to precariously employed faculty looking to augment their publications for the job market to mid-career faculty balancing research, teaching, service, and leadership responsibilities.

    Whether you're just starting out or looking to regain momentum later in your career, I tailor my coaching to meet you where you are and support your goals without adding to the overwhelm.

  • Most clients meet with me every other week over the course of 10 weeks, which provides momentum with space to integrate. That said, we can absolutely discuss meeting more frequently or spreading coaching sessions out to fit your needs.

    For example, if you have a pressing deadline you need support on, we could design our work together to span 5 weeks, meeting once a week.

  • Of course, only you can answer that question for yourself! But I invite you to consider what it might be costing you to stay stuck—missed deadlines, ongoing stress, projects that don’t move forward, and the nagging feeling that you’re not reaching your full potential.

    The professional, emotional, and even financial impacts of stalled progress can be significant. For scholars working toward tenure or promotion, unfinished writing can contribute to delayed recognition, fewer opportunities, or a more uncertain path forward. And the toll it takes—on confidence, well-being, and peace of mind—is just as real.

    Coaching is both a time and financial investment, and it isn’t a quick fix. But many clients find that the structure, clarity, and support it offers make a meaningful difference—not only in how much they write but also in how they feel about the work.

    Everyone’s experience is different, and there are no absolutes. But if you're ready to shift out of survival mode and into steady, supported progress, this may be the right next step.

    Many clients have told me, once they began, I wish I’d started sooner.

  • I want you to feel confident in your decision to invest in coaching. If after the strategy session, you feel like we aren’t a good fit for your needs, then reach out within 48 hours, and I will issue a partial refund (minus 20 percent of the full price).

  • Yes, many of my clients use university funds to pay for coaching. Typically you connect me with a department administrator and they pay me directly.

  • Yes—flexible payment options are available. You’re welcome to pay in four monthly installments rather than all at once, and I’m happy to discuss a longer plan if that would make coaching more accessible.

    I also offer a small number of scholarships for scholars with financial need. If cost is a barrier, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be glad to talk with you about what’s possible: jenn@jennmcclearen.com.

  • Coaching and therapy can both be powerful forms of support—but they serve different purposes.

    Therapy is typically focused on healing, mental health, and addressing past experiences or emotional difficulties that may be interfering with your well-being. Therapists are licensed professionals trained to work with issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and other psychological concerns.

    Coaching, by contrast, is forward-looking. It’s focused on helping you clarify goals, develop strategies, and build the habits, mindset, and support systems you need to move forward—whether that means finishing your book, navigating academic expectations, or creating a more sustainable writing practice. Coaching is not a substitute for mental health treatment, but it can be a valuable complement if you’re feeling generally well and want guidance, structure, and accountability.

You don’t have to do this alone.

I remember what it felt like to be overwhelmed by academic writing—confused by what was expected, second-guessing everything I put on the page, and wondering if I was really cut out for this path. Those struggles started for me in graduate school, and they nearly derailed my confidence before my career had even begun.

Over time, I learned how to write with more clarity, resilience, and purpose. I carried those tools with me into a successful tenure-track position, and now I use them to support other scholars who are facing the pressure to publish—and to do it all perfectly.

If you’re feeling behind, stuck, or unsure how to move forward, you’re not alone. And the risk of staying stuck is often far greater than the risk of asking for support.

You deserve a writing life that’s not defined by panic or perfectionism, but by progress. You deserve to finish your projects, to feel proud of what you publish, and to build a career that reflects your values—not just your obligations.

This is your chance to get the support you need to do your best work without burning out. I’d love to be in your corner.

Let’s make it happen—together.