Anna Clemens, PhD

darujme.czDon’t allow the only feminist public library in Czechia to disappearHelp us save a place where feminist history is preserved, experiences are shared, and new ideas are born.

29 June

The Researchers' Writing Academy just donated 9000 CZK (around $420 USD) to keep the only public feminist library in the Czech Republic alive. www.darujme.cz/knihovna-jir... If you can, please donate as well! Since year 1 we've always donated at least 1% of our revenue. 🙌

Exceeding the word limit in your manuscript? Here are 7 strategies to reduce your word count. A thread. 🧵 #AcademicSky #AcademicWriting #PhDLife

TL;DR - 7 strategies to ✂️ cut your word count (& improve your writing!) 1: Have a clearly defined central message 2: Implement a consistent structure 3: Cut repetitive sentences 4: Eliminate filler words 5: Swap nouns for verbs 6: Kill conjunctions 7: Use parentheses

annaclemens.comFree writing training for researchersLearn how to get published in high-ranking journals without lacking structure in the writing process

If you liked this thread, please: 👩‍💻Watch my free video training on how to write scientific papers faster and actually get them published in your target journals 👇 annaclemens.com/training

Exceeding the word limit in your manuscript? Here are 7 strategies to reduce your word count. A thread. 🧵 #AcademicSky #AcademicWriting #PhDLife

6: Kill conjunctions ➡️ Not every sentence needs to start with a "furthermore", "also", "while" etc. Make sure your writing flows and fewer conjunctions will be needed. 💁‍♀️

7: Use parentheses wisely ➡️ When listing numerous parameters of numerous samples, condense the information into one sentence using parentheses. For example, write "the weight of sample X(Y) was 5.8g (4.2g) at 150°C and 5.0g (3.6g) at 250°C".

Exceeding the word limit in your manuscript? Here are 7 strategies to reduce your word count. A thread. 🧵 #AcademicSky #AcademicWriting #PhDLife

4: Eliminate filler words ➡️ Remove any words that don't carry additional meaning, e.g. using "could" and "likely" in the same sentence.✨

5: Swap nouns for verbs ➡️ Check your draft for nouns that could be replaced by a verb. For example, instead of "we present an analysis of...", write "we analysed..." and save 3 words just like that. This will make your text easier to read too! 💃

Exceeding the word limit in your manuscript? Here are 7 strategies to reduce your word count. A thread. 🧵 #AcademicSky #AcademicWriting #PhDLife

2: Implement a consistent structure in your manuscript ➡️ Make sure you aren't repeating information at various places in your manuscript, such as sharing background information on your research topic in both your Introduction AND Discussion. 🧐

3: Cut repetitive sentences ➡️ Go through each sentence and remove any redundant ones repeating information already shared. The goal is for each sentence to present new information in the most precise way. ✍️

Exceeding the word limit in your manuscript? Here are 7 strategies to reduce your word count. A thread. 🧵 #AcademicSky #AcademicWriting #PhDLife

1: Have a clearly defined central message that runs through the WHOLE manuscript ➡️ Check each figure panel, each subsection, each paragraph and each sentence to make sure they're aligned with your central message. 💫

Getting your articles desk-rejected in top-tier journals even though you're doing good science? Here are 7 recommendations from an academic writing coach that'll increase your chances to get published in high-ranking journals. A thread. 🧵 #Academia #phd #Postdoc

TL;DR: 7 tips to get published in a top-tier journal 1: Solve a big problem 2: Present a robust study 3: Tell a story 4: Simple & clear figures 5: Good writing 6: Follow journal guidelines 7: Convincing cover letter Fingers crossed! 🤞

annaclemens.comFree writing training for researchersLearn how to get published in high-ranking journals without lacking structure in the writing process

If you would like to learn a reliable process to write clear and concise papers for high-ranking journals time-efficiently, check out our free training where I break down the process step by step. 👇👇 annaclemens.com/training

6: Follow the journal guidelines 📏 Journals with high JIF often have many requirements when it comes to word count, reference format, lengths of title, subheadings etc. Follow all of them! (I know it's tedious.)

7: Convince in your cover letter 💌 Never just copy and paste text from your manuscript into the cover letter. Use this space to sell your paper to the journal editor -- this is your chance to speak to them directly!

4: Create simple, clear and compelling figures 📊 Journal editors often skip right to the figures to understand your results, so help them understand your findings and argument without having to read your Results section.

5: Write a clear and concise manuscript ✍️ Invest in your writing skills. Don't stress about perfect grammar or having to sound like an expert. Here’s what good writing really is: As short as needed to convey your ideas in the clearest way possible.

2: Present a robust study 💪 High-impact journals look for comprehensive data sets. Corroborate your findings using different methods, various conditions, several model systems,... - whatever is applicable.

3: Tell a story 🎥 Just reporting interesting data isn't enough. Use story-telling to provide context and help the reader understand the significance of your findings. Pro-tip: Have just ONE story line in your paper!

1: Solve (even partially) a big & relevant problem 🦣 Top-tier journals are less interested in incremental advances. Tackle the larger questions in your scientific field -- even better if they are directly relevant to society in some way.

ifocusandwrite.lpages.coThriving PI Summit 2026: Systems, Writing & Funding for Principal InvestigatorsJoin the online Thriving PI Summit to learn systems, writing, funding, and resilience strategies for Principal Investigators.

16 June

This is for PIs who are tired of admin work taking over their day in expense of publishing, securing grants and leading their incredible team. 15+ expert sessions. Get ready for some practical strategies and mindset shifts! ifocusandwrite.lpages.co/summit-the-t... #AcademicSky

Editing nightmares with your co-authors? Procrastinating while having a huge backlog of papers? Getting stuck in each paragraph? As an academic writing coach, I recommend following this process for writing scientific papers. A thread. 🧵 #AcWri #ScienceSky #PhDSky

"Anna’s formula turns a complicated and oftentimes daunting task into an easy to follow method. I now have a clearly written manuscript that delivers my results, and demonstrates their impact from the first sentence to the last." 💬 Amy Sardone, PhD, Ohio State University, US

annaclemens.comFree writing training for researchersLearn how to get published in high-ranking journals without lacking structure in the writing process

If you liked this thread, you’ll love this free training where I go over the whole process in more detail: annaclemens.com/training 👇👇👇

🎁 Step 5: Package for publication Write a title, abstract and cover letter. Proof-read your manuscript and make sure you adhere to all formatting guidelines.

TL;DR: 5-step process to write your papers time-efficiently 1: Streamline your process 2: Develop the story 3: Outline each section 4: Write text & create figures 5: Package for publication I call this process the Journal Publication Formula ✨

📜 Step 3: Outline each section of your paper Use your storyboard to plan out each section down to paragraph level using bullet points. Define subsection headings.

✍️ Step 4: Write your paper and create your figures Write a quick first draft based on your outline, then go back and edit your text making sure it is clear and concise. Create figures that visually present your data in the simplest and clearest way.

🗓️ Step 1: Streamline your writing process Create a project plan for your paper (I love Trello for this), schedule writing sessions in your calendar, set up an accountability system, and define check points for co-author input.

🎥 Step 2: Develop the story of your paper Define the reader of your story, construct your argument and storyboard your paper. Make sure all co-authors agree on the story before you proceed.

Finding it difficult to make time for writing? Do other tasks and projects constantly take priority even though writing is the most meaningful thing you can do? 💡You may need to attend a writing retreat! Here’s why. A thread. 🧵 #AcademicWriting #AcWri #ScienceSky

TL;DR: Why you should attend a writing retreat: 1 You'll publish more. 2 You'll have dedicated time & space for writing. 3 You'll identify as a writer. 4 You'll meet writing buddies. 5 You'll start enjoying writing. ✨

annaclemens.comFree writing training for researchersLearn how to get published in high-ranking journals without lacking structure in the writing process

If you want to attend regular writing retreats, join the Researchers' Writing Academy, our online course that helps researchers get published consistently. We'd love to have you! 🧡 annaclemens.com/training

4. You'll write in community. 👩‍🔬👨‍🔬 Writing doesn't have to feel lonely. Writing with others in the same (virtual) room creates a sense of connection. Having a writing buddy is also great to get feedback on your writing!

5. You'll start enjoying writing. 😍 Studies have reported that academics who attend writing retreats feel more motivated and confident about writing and less fearful of it.

2. You'll be able to focus on your writing in a creative and safe atmosphere. 🌳 Retreats are set up to get you that uninterrupted time and space to write -- even better when you're off campus and somewhere near nature.

3. You'll strengthen your identity as a writer. 🤓 Don't think you're a professional writer? Attending a retreat will help you feel like a writer! And that's important because it'll help you start prioritising writing in your work days.

1. You'll publish more. 🙌 The literature agrees on this: Academics who regularly attend writing retreats publish more.

2 June

I woke up to these very sad news. May you rest in peace, Raúl. You have done so much for the academic (writing) community and you and your contributions will be truly truly missed. 💔

harmodio@harmodio.bsky.social

Buen camino, profe Raúl Pacheco Vega. Fuiste y serás siempre el investigador más chido.

5 writing tips for an ⭐️excellent⭐️ Materials & Methods section A thread. 🧵 #Academia #phd #Postdoc

TL;DR: 5 writing tips for an excellent Materials & Methods section ✨ 1⃣ Provide the right amount of detail 2⃣ Use a storytelling structure 3⃣ Structure it like your Results section 4⃣ Refer to your Supporting Information in an organised way 5⃣ Don't self-plagiarise

annaclemens.comFree writing training for researchersLearn how to get published in high-ranking journals without lacking structure in the writing process

If you liked this thread and would like to learn a structured approach to develop your paper so that it tells a story from the first sentence to the last, please watch my free training: 👩‍💻👇 annaclemens.com/training

5 writing tips for an ⭐️excellent⭐️ Materials & Methods section A thread. 🧵 #Academia #phd #Postdoc

4 Refer to your Supporting Information in an organised way ✅ Clearly indicate where exactly the info can be found in the SI ✅ Use subsections and clear titles in the SI that make it easy to find the referred information

5 Don't self-plagiarise ✅ Rewrite already published descriptions of your experiments ✅ Refer to previous publications for detailed descriptions of your method

5 writing tips for an ⭐️excellent⭐️ Materials & Methods section A thread. 🧵 #Academia #phd #Postdoc

2: Use a storytelling structure ✅ Tell your readers the purpose of each of your experiments

3 Structure your M&M section in the same way your Results section is structured ✅ Order your experiments as you you present them in the Result section ✅ Use equivalent subsection headings as in the Results section

5 writing tips for an ⭐️excellent⭐️ Materials & Methods section A thread. 🧵 #Academia #phd #Postdoc