An increasing number of professionals take on doctoral studies in order to advance their professional knowledge and develop their practice in line with academic practice. Many choose a thesis by publication. Using a mixed method approach, including data from the publishing process and autoethnographic narrative, this article explores one case of the publishing process for a professional doctoral student. The results show that the doctoral process when reconstructed is an overlapping process in which the professional combines academic and professional skills, moving from a professional doing research to a professional researcher. This space can be understood as a transformative or liminal space of creative opportunities in line with Van Gennep's thoughts regarding rites of passage and liminal space. It is concluded that awareness of the doctoral publishing process may facilitate this process for doctoral students as well as supervisors.