The Foreign Service Journal, December 2003

L ast month’s issue of the Journal featured our fourth annual compilation of recently published books by Foreign Service- affiliated authors, “In Their Own Write.” Following up on that theme, I want to use this column to remind you all that you don’t have to write a book to share your thoughts and expe- riences in our pages. For example, the Speaking Out column is your forum to advocate pol- icy, regulatory or statutory changes to the Foreign Service. These columns (approximately 1,500 words long) can be based on personal experience with an injustice or your insights into a for- eign affairs-related issue. Each issue of the Journal features a focus section examining various facets of an issue related to the Foreign Service or international rela- tions. We commission most of the articles for these sections from differ- ent sources, but warmly welcome contributions (2,000-3,000 words is the usual range) from FS personnel who are familiar with these issues. Below is a boxed list of the focus topics our Editorial Board has identi- fied for the coming year (subject, of course, to revision). As you can see, most of these themes relate directly to Foreign Service professional and lifestyle issues, so I hope many of you will con- sider sharing your insights and exper- tise on them with your colleagues. However, note that because of our lead time for publication, we need to receive submissions at least two months (and preferably longer) prior to the issue’s release date. Thus, we have already lined up authors for the January and February issues, but there is still time to submit manu- scripts for later months. If those choices don’t grab you, or if you feel we have not devoted enough space to a professional con- cern or functional issue, please con- sider writing a feature article (gen- erally 2,000-3,000 words long) about it for us. For those of you with a more liter- ary bent, consider submitting a piece (600 words) for our Reflections department (formerly “Postcard from Abroad”). While Reflections are usu- ally based on personal experiences while living or traveling overseas, they should center on insights gained as a result of interactions with other cul- tures. Last but certainly not least, it’s not too early to start thinking about writ- ing one or more short stories for our annual summer fiction issue. (By the way, the deadline to submit stories for next summer’s contest will again be April 1.) See next month’s issue for details on how to enter. Please note that all submissions to the Journal must be approved by our Editorial Board and are subject to editing for style, length and format. For information on how to submit a column, article or letter, please con- tact us at journal@afsa.org an d we will be delighted to respond. Let us hear from you. ■ D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 3 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 7 L ETTER FROM THE E DITOR B Y S TEVEN A LAN H ONLEY There are many ways you can share your insights in our pages. Let us hear from you. 2004 EDITORIAL CALENDAR for the FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL JANUARY International Broadcasting Bureau/Voice of America FEBRUARY George Kennan Turns 100 MARCH Iraq, A Year Later APRIL Foreign Service Workforce Planning MAY Africa: The Forgotten Continent JUNE FS Family Issues: The Sandwich Generation JULY/AUGUST Summer Fiction SEPTEMBER The War on Terror, 3 Years Later OCTOBER Foreign Policy & the U.S. Presidential Election (commentaries by foreign journalists) NOVEMBER “In Their Own Write” (annual roundup of books by FS authors) DECEMBER Medical Issues & Diplomacy