We are on YouTube!


Hi Reader,

Thank you for being part of Guanine Medical Academy!

First, I want to sincerely apologize for not being as active with my newsletter as I would have liked. That said, I haven’t forgotten about you—I’ve simply been dedicating my energy to something exciting behind the scenes… and now it’s time to share it with you.

We’re on YouTube! 🎉

Yes, you heard that right! After much thought, I’ve launched a YouTube channel to teach, support, and inspire medical writers.

On the channel, I’ll be sharing a mix of content—from medical writing guidance and career insights to work–life balance and simplifying science for a broader audience. I have so many ideas, but most importantly, I’d truly love to hear yours too. What would you like to see? Your input means a lot to me.

👉 Check out the channel and its description here:

video preview

Academy Updates

I’ve also been working on publishing two e-books:

  • A practical guide for beginner medical writers

If you've been to my coaching, this is similar to what you've received but now it's published with a professional look and sold independent of my coaching.

  • My personal journey into medical writing, with insights on work–life balance

This is especially meaningful for freelance mothers who may be struggling with time. I hope the stories I shared offer you support and make your journey feel less lonely.

You can explore them here:

How I Write My Balanced Equation

With a background in chemistry, I dedicated years to learning the art of writing and balancing chemical equations.... Read more

Your Roadmap to Medical Writing

Are you standing at a career crossroads, intrigued by the world of medical writing, yet unsure of how to take that... Read more

That's all for now. Thank you again for being here and for your patience.

I’m excited about what’s coming next, and I’m so glad you’re part of this journey.

To your success,

Thank you for joining the Pen and Parents Newsletter, a resource for freelance medical writers who also wear the badge of motherhood!

Nisreen Shumayrikh, PhD

Find me here:

Guanine Medical Academy

"Busy parents make time; they don't wait for it." As a wife, mother, and medical writer, I know the challenge of balancing family life with professional growth. That’s why I created the "Pen & Parent" Newsletter. This is a space for fellow parents navigating the world of medical writing and science communication. Through Guanine Medical Academy, I also teach foundational courses and share real-world insights, productivity tips, and encouragement drawn from my own journey.

Read more from Guanine Medical Academy
A tree with vibrant red autumn leaves

Hi Reader, My kids are back to school, and suddenly the house feels… quiet. September has finally arrived after a summer of sticky ice cream fingers on my keyboard and constant “Mom, can I…?” interruptions. If you’re also a parent and a freelancer, you know what this season feels like. It’s not just back-to-school for the kids; it’s back-to-focus for us. But before this fresh start, the summer brought its own mix of challenges and joys. What Was My Experience Like This Past Summer? Freelance...

Lessons from Covering an Ad Board Mastering Advisory Board Coverage For Pharma Start Learning Today! Hi Reader, Today I had the opportunity to cover an advisory board (ad board) for a new client, and it turned out to be a fantastic success. The client was delighted with the final deliverable and immediately expressed interest in more collaboration. Let me tell you more about it! The Nature of Ad Board Projects Many Medical Writers Miss The project wasn’t just about capturing what was said in...

Hi Reader, Can your beliefs change the outcomes you experience? Make you sick, or protect you from harm? Modern medicine increasingly says yes. The way patients anticipate side effects or benefits can shape what they actually experience. This is now called the science of placebo and nocebo effects. The placebo effect shows us how positive expectations can trigger measurable health improvements even without an active treatment. Its lesser-known counterpart, the nocebo effect, reveals the...