The Foreign Service Journal, January-February 2015

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY FEBRUARY 2015 45 AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION “IN THEIR OWN WRITE” IN PERSON AFSA Hosts FS Authors Book Market January 7 12-2 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting January 8 AFSA Book Notes Outpost: Life on the Frontlines of American Diplomacy Amb. Christopher R. Hill January 19 MLK Day AFSA Oces Closed February 2 Deadline for Nominations AFSA Governing Board Election February 4 12-2 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting February 6 Deadline for Applications AFSAMerit and Community Service Awards February 16 Presidents’ Day AFSA Oces Closed February 28 Deadline for Nominations AFSA Dissent Awards March 1-5 AFSA Road Scholar Program On Nov. 13, AFSA’s main floor conference room was transformed: Foreign Service authors displayed their books to sell, shoppers meandered and mingled, and new connections were made. The first-ever AFSA Book Market was a resounding success. Following the growing popularity of the Novem- ber Journal’s “In Their Own Write” section, which features descriptions of books written by Foreign Service authors, AFSA introduced this new event and invited all of the featured authors to sell their books at AFSA. Seventeen authors, some from as far away as Texas and Georgia, turned up to introduce them- selves to readers. The event saw a steady streamof visitors from all of the foreign a“airs agencies and related organizations, as well as a fewwho showed up via word of mouth. Authors were able to reach new audiences and connect with old friends and former colleagues. The books covered a wide range of topics, from in-depth accounts of overseas experi- ences to biographies of Civil War heroes, from calorie-con- scious cookbooks to cultural analysis.“In Their OwnWrite” books from authors who were unable to attend the Book Market were displayed, as well. Robert Mearkle, author of the novel The Feller from For- tune, told the Journal he found the Book Market “impressively organized and well advertised.” He added,“[It] showcased some impressive and enter- taining literary talent among State’s ranks.” GregWillis attended on behalf of his father, Nicholas Willis, nephew of the first woman tomake the Foreign Service a career and the author of Frances Elizabeth Willis: Up the Foreign Service Ladder to the Summit—Despite Continued on p. 46 AFSA hosted its first-ever Book Market in November, giving Foreign Service authors and readers the chance to sell, shop and mingle. AFSA/ASGEIRSIGFUSSON P. 55 2014 AFSA TAX GUIDE CALENDAR ISTOCK.COM/RETROROCKET