DP&L Episode 281: You Finished a Project, Now What?

In Episode 281 of the Defend, Publish, and Lead podcast, host Christine Tulley shares a practical post-project workflow for academics who have just completed a major writing project — drawing directly from her own experience of turning in a book manuscript days earlier. She outlines five key steps. First, genuinely celebrate and resist the urge to immediately dive into the next project. Second, write closing notes (she uses the free online notebook PenZu) to capture unfinished ideas, figure renaming quirks, missing references, and anything that needs attention when page proofs arrive. Third, save and organize browser tabs into a dedicated bookmarks folder rather than simply closing them, so sources are easy to locate later. Fourth, preserve any unused project bits — such as formatted references that didn't make the final manuscript — as a gift to your future self. And fifth, look ahead to the next project with intention. Tulley also uses the episode to highlight Defend, Publish, and Lead's summer accountability group and to preview her upcoming mid-career writing lab at the TAA Summer Institute, where she'll help veteran academics keep their writing pipelines moving despite increasing administrative and mentorship demands. 

Slides From This Episode

Episodes Mentioned

• Episode 280: Interview with Dr. Greg Lewbart about Textbook Authoring & TAA Institute
• Episode 277: Interview with Dr. Pat Goodsen author of "Keep Writing"
• Episode 263: Interview with Brenda Ulrich, Academic Publishing Attorney

Resources Mentioned

• Summer writing accountability group - just $25 for entire summer and sessions are recorded, email Christine Tulley if you want to join us every Monday (christine@defendpublishlead.com) and get a FREE summer progress tracker
• TAA Summer Institute  Register for the TAA Institute for Textbook & Academic Authors, which will be held June 12-13. Get $50 off registration with code DP26.

DPL Resources

• Set your writing goals with us! Try us out in a free consultation.
• Check out our current and past workshops at Eventbrite for writing support content. A FREE webinar is posted each month. Missed a workshop? Request a workshop or webinar recording from christine@defendandpublish.com
• Don't forget about the wonderful resources at Textbook and Academic Authors Association. The organization can be found at: https://www.taaonline.net
• New to TAA? Join for just $25 using discount code DP26! You will also receive a copy of the eBook, Guide to Making Time to Write: 100+ Time & Productivity Management Tips for Textbook and Academic Authors.