Interlude: Preparing for Talks, Gifts for Writers, and Spotting Fake Scientists
For the past couple of years, I've been a writing coach for TEDxNewEngland (formerly TEDxCambridge). I've met some phenomenal people, both on the TEDx team and the scientists who speak on the stage.
I've also learned how much preparation goes into these short talks. And I've been reminded that in all talks—from informal chalk talks to keynote addresses—how you present is just as important as what you present. The way you show up on stage or in front of the room changes your audience's experience, how they feel, and what they take away from your talk.
The 2025 talks are not publicly available yet. But if you'd like to watch the 2024 talks for the speakers that I've supported, I've included the links below. You can also find the full roster of talks on the event website.
I'm not taking credit for these talks. They were a collaborative effort with remarkable scientists and an incredible team. And it's been an honor to work with them.
How the Earth's Rhythms Keep Time
How Memories Shape Your Reality
Now onto this week's round-up...
💌 Round-up
🎉 Featured
An Interview with Medical Writing Consultant Crystal Herron
I was delighted when WordRake asked to interview me as a guest expert in medical writing. In the interview, I share what I think are the best qualities of good writing, what I'm currently thinking about in the age of AI, what I think about how people are taught to write, and more.
💻 From My Desk
12+ Holiday Gift Ideas for the Writers in Your Life
The holidays are right around the corner. And if you have a writer or editor in your life, you might not know what to get them for a holiday gift. Or you might be looking for something special to gift yourself. In this video, I share some of my favorite things that I think other wordsmiths in your life might also enjoy.
📆 Upcoming
Ask Me Anything About Manuscripts – November 25, 2025 @ 11 am PT
Have questions about writing research manuscripts, case reports, and other scientific publications? Get your questions answered in this free live Q&A session. Can't make it live? Add your questions to the registration from and watch the replay. Learn more and register
👓 Reading
How to spot fake scientists and stop them from publishing papers
". . . verifying identity is difficult because journal editors, reviewers and authors typically communicate remotely through e-mail or submission systems. Scientific publishing runs mostly on trust. There are ongoing discussions about whether to adopt more stringent measures — for example, requiring use of institutional e-mails or logging in with a system that uses university credentials—and even asking for documents such as passports or driving licences. . . Fictitious personas are just one example of identity fraud. Individuals and paper mills can also impersonate real scientists, posing as authors, reviewers or guest editors to slip poor-quality or fabricated work into journals…”
🎓 Training
Marketing Made Easy with AI – The Mighty Marketer
In this 7-week online course with Lori De Milto, you can discover how to use AI as your personal marketing assistant. You'll get an AI-powered toolkit packed with ready-to-use resources and prompts that you can combine with your own voice to help you grow your business and personal brand. Enroll by December 20 to save 50%.
Thank you so much for reading.
Warmly,
Crystal
