Recap: 12 Weeks to Done! A Summer of Writing & Community at BMCC

This summer, the BMCC Library hosted its inaugural 12 Weeks to Done! Summer Writing Group, creating a dedicated space for faculty and staff to focus on their summer writing goals. The writing group was facilitated by Open Knowledge Librarian jean amaral and myself, Adjunct Research Librarian Craig Nielsen. Meeting every Wednesday morning across twelve weeks, participants carved out time to write, built momentum, and supported each other along the way.

Unlike a traditional writing workshop, where participants give and receive feedback, this group was more about accountability and motivation: an opportunity to show up, write together, and mark personal progress from week to week.

How it worked – regular structure, flexible format

The group gathered on Wednesday mornings for two hours in a hybrid format: online via Zoom and in-person in the CETLS conference room (S510D). This flexible approach ensured maximum attendance and accessibility.

Each session began with quick check-ins and discussion before transitioning into focused and silent co-writing time. Participants could choose their preferred environment:

• Individual breakout rooms in Zoom that they could self-assign to for distraction-free writing
• Group writing spaces (virtual and in-person) for those who preferred the motivation of working alongside others

In addition, everyone received a copy of Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks by Wendy Laura Belcher–the original inspiration behind the writing group. While not everyone followed the book step by step, many drew inspiration and strategies from it throughout the summer.

A diversity of projects

The writing group brought together BMCC faculty and staff working across disciplines and even different genres. Projects varied widely, from academic journal articles, book chapters, and dissertations, to creative works like poetry collections and novels.

The common thread was a commitment to making steady progress, supported by a recurring hybrid space and the presence of a writing community.

Scholarly publishing breakouts

In addition to writing time, the group offered optional breakout sessions and tutorials on different topics related to the scholarly publishing ecosystem. These sessions, based on participant interest, sparked lively and productive exchanges. Our topics this summer included:

• Identifying publication outlets
• Open Access (OA) publishing
• Predatory & faux publishers
• Zotero Citation Manager (tutorial)
• The role of AI/LLMs in scholarship
• Citational justice

These conversations, held approximately half of the 12 weeks, showcased the vibrant scholarly interests at BMCC. Community colleges aren’t typically thought of as centers for scholarly communication, but the engagement we received demonstrated a strong appetite among faculty and staff for these critical conversations.

Impact and outcomes

The 12 Weeks to Done! Summer Writing Group made a genuine difference for participants. According to our end-of-program survey:

• 100% of respondents said they would highly recommend future versions of the writing group to a colleague.
• Over 70% reported either “significant progress” or “completion” of their summer writing projects.
• A majority wanted the optional breakout discussions to continue in future sessions.

One participant shared:

It was so motivating to be a part of the group, to know that other people were serious about getting their work done, and I could be too. I did some work during the sessions, but much throughout the week, using the sessions as marker point for having made progress. […] I would love to be a part of this again in the Fall. Thank you for offering it!

These results speak to the power of community, accountability, and dedicated time.

What’s next? Join us this Fall!

The success of this summer’s 12 Weeks to Done! Writing Group highlights the demand for ongoing, regularly held spaces that support writing and scholarly exchange at BMCC. We’re excited to announce that another 12-week series will be held in Fall 2025, starting the week of September 15. Stay tuned for more details!

A heartfelt thank you to all of the participants who brought their energy, projects, and dedication week after week. The BMCC Library is proud to support not only our students but also the scholarship and creativity of our staff and faculty. We can’t wait to write with you again soon!