MLA Sit and Write Sessions

Join a community of writers this spring for the MLA Sit and Write sessions, virtual writing retreats designed to support members at all stages of their careers. These monthly ninety-minute sessions feature a solid hour of dedicated, quiet writing time for you to focus on your work in the (digital) company of other writers. You’ll set goals, make progress, and maybe even start a writing group.

Sessions begin with a prewriting “Snack,” a bite-sized presentation offering suggestions and resources on topics such as creating a writing schedule, developing a book proposal, and using AI as a tool for creativity and composing. Snacks are tailored for specific topics, but the writing hour is open to all members bringing any aspect of their writing life and any type of project—and all Snacks will be available on the Sit and Write Snack Recordings page shortly thereafter.

For the spring 2024 season, the MLA Sit and Write sessions will feature Snacks on:

• 15 February: Writing about Archives: Are you completing (or contemplating) a project that involves archival research or writing about primary sources? Join Amanda Golden (New York Inst. of Tech., Old Westbury) to learn about working with and writing about literary, cultural, and historical archives.
• 21 March: Habits for Thriving in Your Writing: Writing is often one of the most rewarding aspects of our work but also one of the most challenging. How can you curate your physical and virtual spaces so that your writing practice makes you feel alive and engaged? Get advice from Katina Rogers (InkCap Consulting) on how to discern what environments are most conducive for you and tips on building habits that help your writing practice—and you—thrive.
• 18 April: Critical and Creative Writing Strategies: What can creative writing practice and pedagogy bring to critical composition? Learn from Lesley Wheeler (Washington and Lee Univ.) about critical-creative hybrid forms and expand your sense of what scholarly writing can do.
• 16 May: Finding Your Writing Community: Writing does not have to be a lonely endeavor; finding a community of fellow writers can help build motivation, spark new ideas, and keep you on target. Hear from Aimee Armande Wilson (Univ. of Kansas) about experiences with different kinds of writing groups or communities and get suggestions on how to find (or create) your own. 

After each writing hour, you’ll be able to join your fellow writers in breakout groups to discuss your progress and next steps. Unable to attend the Snack or postwriting chat? Feel welcome to log on just for the writing time.

Participants are invited to join the MLA Sit and Write page on MLA Commons. Members can share resources and engage in discussion threads throughout the sessions and beyond.

The spring 2024 MLA Sit and Write sessions will take place on 15 February, 21 March, 18 April, and 16 May at 10 a.m. ET. Sessions are open to all MLA members, and there is no cap on attendance. Log in for a Zoom link that will allow you to join all four upcoming sessions.

Past Sit and Write Snacks

• 8 February 2023: Creating a Kind Writing Schedule, Anne Fernald (Fordham Univ.)
• 8 March 2023: Getting Your Journal Article Finished and Published, Faye Halpern (Univ. of Calgary)
• 12 April 2023: Synthesizing Feedback (and Bouncing Back) after Rejection, Michelle Boyd (Inkwell Academic Writing Retreats)
• 10 May 2023: Collaborative Writing, Rebecca Moore Howard (Syracuse Univ.) and Sandra Jamieson (Drew Univ.)
• 21 September 2023: How to Write a Book Proposal in Five Easy Steps, Katherine Fusco (Univ. of Nevada, Reno)
• 19 October 2023: Talking to Your Editor Human to Human, Rebecca Colesworthy (SUNY Press)
• 16 November 2023: How to Pitch Your Writing, Devoney Looser (Arizona State Univ., Tempe)
• 21 December 2023: Making LLMs Work for Your Writing Process, Leo Flores (Appalachian State Univ.)

View recordings of past Snacks.

Join or renew, and learn about other benefits of MLA membership.