THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2025 55 this life. So for me it has been having a built-in community of people who care about you and your successes and are rooting for you. Corsino: It took about two years from start to finish, but really a month of constant work. I knew I wanted to write recipes, but I struggled with what the customer needed. Also, as culinary trends changed, my scope would get thrown out. So I opted for something more specific and broader in subject matter. That first book was done prior to my wife’s first tour, but that lit a fire under me to get it done. My next book, which is in development, is looking at a trend that is speculative but should be a hit right when it comes out. It’s important to always know where they are going in culinary research and development. Horie: At first I wrote in Japanese for a Japanese audience. Later, some American colleagues and friends said they wanted to read the book, so I decided to publish it in English as well. As a writer, I want to share new learnings and insights from the countries where I will live in the future through articles and books. Being part of the Foreign Service community provides me with that environment, and I am grateful for it. Wessel: Did your Foreign Service life hinder your writing journey in any way? If so, how? Algeo: Yes, undoubtedly it was difficult to do some research overseas, especially in the early years of Allyson’s career. I often had to hire researchers to look things up for me in the States. As the years went on, however, more and more archival material could be found online (especially newspapers), so this became less of a concern. I should mention, too, that I always tried to find a place to do my writing, either in a library or a shared workspace. I have library cards from Rome, Ulaanbaatar, and Sarajevo! Becker: The biggest hindrance is the distance away from writing events, whether launch parties or big conferences. There’s no replacement for face time with readers (and other writers, editors, agents). Corsino: No. As an EFM, and with a hiring freeze while being in a country with no bilateral work agreement, I find myself with an immense amount of time to write. Horie: Not at all. Wessel: What advice would you offer other aspiring Foreign Service authors? Algeo: Write what you want to write, not what you think you can sell. If you write nonfiction, take note of all the times you’ve thought “I’d like to read a book about that,” and write that book. Fiction is much more difficult to sell (and to write, I believe). The nice thing about writing nonfiction is that you don’t have to write the whole book before you sell it, you only need to write a detailed proposal. Becker: Find a community of writers. It doesn’t matter who, and you certainly don’t have to share your writing; but having people to talk to throughout a process that is filled with rejection at every step is a must. I am super chatty, so come talk to me! Corsino: Give it a shot, and when in doubt self-publish! Horie: Publishing a book might seem intimidating at first, but nowadays it’s easy to self-publish without going through commercial publishing. Plus, not everyone gets the chance to live abroad, so I encourage you to consider publishing with the mindset of sharing what you have seen and experienced with others. n Matthew Becker, with the first two books in his murder mystery trilogy. Run, a psychological thriller, was published in 2024, and Don’t Look Down followed in 2025. COURTESY OF MATTHEW BECKER
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