Submission Guidelines.

Diplomatic courier's

style guide
.

Diplomatic Courier reserves the exclusive right to the publication, republication, or other public dissemination of content which has been published on our platform—except by prior and explicit arrangement. Diplomatic Courier will, on occasion, entertain requests to republish content on other platforms with proper links back to the original content.

Read our stuff first.

Take a good look at the content we publish; it can serve as template for what we accept and what we don’t.

Send us an abstract and a working title.

A short paragraph that describes your thesis and conclusions will help us find a spot for your piece. A working title would be just as helpful, but avoid the obvious. We receive too many pieces named: “Middle East Process” or “Conflict in Africa.” We take too long to look at them. Choose a title that reflects the unique purpose of your piece.

consider topics fitting to Diplomatic Courier.

From time to time our editors will choose a special theme and topics for an issue. However, in general, submissions can cover any topic of the author’s choice that is in line with the publication’s mandate and general themes of global affairs, diplomacy, negotiations, business, and social good. Consider that the audience of the publication is global; therefore, issues should be relevant to our audience.

Don’t pitch your company or organization.

Is your piece about a product or service that you are paid to promote? Diplomatic Courier will not accept any content designed to advertise your employer, client, or organization. You are, of course, free to mention your work as a disclosure on your bio, but it should not distract from the content you submit for publication. Branded content can be directed to our business department. Email us for more information.

We do not accept requests for inserting links on our articles and we do not publish SEO links or blogs on our website under any circumstances (paid or otherwise).

Avoid wonky language and insider jargon.

Choose an engaging and accessible style, and consider that your audience is the world.

Tell us who you are.

Give us a short bio that tells us who you are, and about your interests and credentials. If possible, include a resume or prior clips.

Follow the particulars.

Submit your article with your information in a word document or in the body of the email (devoid of complicated graphics or fonts). Do not include footnotes, endnotes, or a list of references. Hyperlinks are welcome and will be included when the article is published online. However, please do not link to Wikipedia. Any accompanying graphics, photos, graphs, or tables should be submitted on a separate document. We will not return any material, so do not mail us original documents.


The first and most important rule is to familiarize yourself with existing content on the website to get a feel for our style and tone expectations. This style guide will address common issues. For a more complete discussion of writing style, refer to New Hart’s Rules or the Economist Style Guide for internationally recognized standards.

General Rules (Dos and Don’ts)

DO:

  • Use American English. The only exception is when a different spelling is particular to a title or an institution’s name.
  • Use the Oxford Comma.
  • Use symbols. Use “%” instead of “percent,” and “$” instead of “USD.”
  • Spell out acronyms. Always spell out an acronym the first time it is used except where the acronym is commonly known across a broad, general audience.  Acronyms should be without punctuation, except the U.S. IE: The U.S. is part of NATO.
  • Use American English. The only exception is when a different spelling is particular to a title or an institution’s name.
  • Use active voice whenever possible.
  • Write clearly. Keep your sentences simple whenever possible, avoiding double negatives and excessive use of commas.
  • Keep punctuation inside. Punctuation goes inside quotes and parentheses.  Dashes should all be em dashes. This doesn’t apply to a hyphenated single word, which should use a single dash. In all other cases, please use the em dash. Note that with an em dash, there is no space between the words and the dash. Word–word.
  • Keep it simple. Avoid long words when a short one does just as well. Avoid unnecessary words–if you can cut out a word without changing the meaning of your sentence it is usually best to.
  • Be clear. Make it clear early on what your argument is, then make sure everything else you write for your piece is in service of furthering that argument.
  • Cite your work. Claims need to be cited with a hyperlink to a trustworthy source, unless you are a recognized expert with specific topical expertise that can stand in place of a citation. If you are making a claim based on unpublished research by an organization you represent, explain that.
  • Use our standards for topical verbiage. Some topical terms have several acceptable ways of being spelled. Diplomatic Courier settles on a given spelling to be used in all cases. You can find a list of common examples at the end of this guide.
  • Be sparing in your use of the “Rule of Three.” We are often trained to use the rule of three to add rhetorical heft on the belief that it emphasizes the importance of a point, engages the reader’s interest, and makes the writer look smarter. (See previous sentence for example.) Avoid this. The “rule of three” works best when used sparingly, and only to drive home truly key themes.

DO NOT:

  • Do Not use punctuation in acronyms. This is especially true for acronyms that shorten the names of states and institutions. The only exceptions for this are “U.S.” and for organizational acronyms that intentionally use punctuation as part of the org name.
  • Do Not use biased sources. When citing arguments or statistics avoid using Wikipedia, blogs, or biased viewpoint sites. If in doubt, you can refer to RAND’s “fighting disinformation” resource page. Under “Verification” there are numerous resources you can use.
  • Do Not use straw man arguments. Be fair when characterizing arguments you disagree with—misrepresenting those arguments only makes your core argument weaker. Do Not use common metaphors. An original or rarely-seen metaphor helps strengthen your points by evoking mental images, while well-recognized metaphors add no value and unnecessarily complicate your sentences.
  • Do Not use specialist or “wonky” language. We cater to a broad audience and must be accessible. Research pieces may require more technical language, but always keep your audience in mind.  
  • Do Not be stuffy, arrogant, or chatty. Use language of everyday speech when possible. Avoid morally charged language and don’t speak down to those you disagree with. At the same time, avoid “chatty” language. While using everyday speech makes your arguments accessible, writing too informally is irritating and makes your arguments feel less weighty.
  • Do Not be afraid to occasionally stray from these rules. If you are a seasoned writer and confident in your ability, you may on occasion find that ignoring one of these rules helps your tone or to make your argument more weighty. Don’t be afraid to do this occasionally. If you find yourself wanting to break these rules often, it probably isn’t productive.

Content & Submission Guidelines

Please note that failure to follow these guidelines could result in your submission being returned to you without review, though we will attach a note telling you what needs addressing.

Submissions:

  • Please read our submission guidelines here.
  • All submissions should be sent via the submissions form here.
  • Make sure you read and agree with our Submissions Agreement (located at the bottom of the Submissions Guideline page, linked above.) By submitting a piece to us, you indicate your agreement.
  • Make special note of our word count guidelines. Submissions significantly over word count will be sent back to you without being reviewed, with a note asking you to adjust for word count.
  • Submission types and word count:
    - Editorial: approx. 600 words
    - Feature: approx. 800 words
    - Book Review: approx. 1,000 words
    - Analysis Piece: approx. 1,200 words (note we only accept these from authors with clear topical expertise)
    - Photography, Video, and Book Manuscript proposals, email us.

Content:

  • Hyperlinks to valid sources are required linking to data or substantiating claims which are not widely known. The exception is when the author is a recognized expert on the specific topic to which the knowledge claim is made. Links to Wikipedia, blogs, or clearly biased or controversial sites are not permitted.
  • Content should be concise. Lay out your thesis statement in the first paragraph and ensure everything in your piece is relevant to this.
  • Bias. While Diplomatic Courier publishes op-eds which argue for particular viewpoints, your viewpoint should never override logic in your argument. Recognize your bias, keep it in check, and treat opposing viewpoints fairly.
  • Advertising. Diplomatic Courier will not publish any piece which seems to have the purpose of advertising a business or brand. When relevant, you may point out work your organization is doing to confront a problem highlighted in your piece, but this should be minimized and tasteful. Avoid any appearance you may be trying to build “hype” for any brand or organization.

types of submissions
we accept

Editorials: 600 words or less

Features: 1,000 words (maximum)

multimedia: email your proposal for photography & video Here

white papers: we do not accept white papers

Book Manuscript: email your proposal Here

Submitting Content

In the email subject title, please include “Submissions” and your submission’s working title.
We usually take about 2-5 working days to get back to you with a decision.

By submitting content, this confirms that you have read and agree to the Submissions Agreement below.

Submit Content




submissions Agreement.

Before we can accept any Content from you now or in the future, please confirm that you have read and agree to this Submissions Agreement (“Agreement”), which will govern any Content that you provide to us that is accepted for publication on the Site.

  1. We do not wish to receive or hold any materials from you in confidence. Therefore, you agree that no confidential relationship or obligation of secrecy is established between you and us with respect to your Content. You irrevocably agree not to assert any claim of idea appropriation, misappropriation, or any other similar claims of any kind with respect to your Content.
  2. If your Content is accepted for publication, you can promote yourself and broadcast your voice to our audience. Please understand, however, that we may publish without restriction other content on the same or similar topics as that of your Content. We make no representations, warranties, or promises whatsoever regarding the nature or level of exposure that you or your Content will receive through our publication, and you agree that we have no obligation to you under this Agreement, or under any law, or in equity, in connection with any of your Content that we may use. We expressly disclaim all warranties of any kind, express or implied including, without limitation, any warranty of merchantability, quiet enjoyment, or fitness for a particular purpose.
  3. We do not publish “Anonymous” content and do not guarantee that your identity will not be revealed by other on the internet should you send us content under a pseudonym.
  4. You should not provide us with any Content that is private. Anything published by Diplomatic Courier will be available to anyone on the internet. You are solely responsible for any legal or other repercussions that occur as a result of your Content posted with us. We assume no responsibility or liability which may arise from your Content.
  5. We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to edit the Content, remove the Content, and benefit commercially from the Content.
  6. You represent and warrant to us that (a) you are 18 years of age or older and have provided us with your real name and contact information; (b) the Content is an original work created by you that has not been published elsewhere; (c) you own the copyright in the Content; (d) the Content does not contain any express or implied statements of fact that are untrue, false, or misleading; (e) the Content does not infringe the copyrights, trademarks or other rights of any third party; (f) the Content does not contain any viruses, worms, malware or other harmful or destructive material; and (g) the Content does not contain any defamatory, libelous, obscene, pornographic, threatening, abusive, harassing, or similarly unlawful material. You will indemnify and hold us harmless against any damages sustained or expenses incurred (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) in connection with any claim, action or proceeding based on an actual or alleged violation of these representations and warranties.
  7. You acknowledge that there is no partnership, joint venture, employment, consulting or other such relationship between you or us (each a “Party” and together the “Parties”).
  8. The terms of this Agreement are binding upon, and will inure to the benefit of the Parties, including their respective licensees, successors, and assigns.  We may assign, license or transfer any or all of the Rights you have granted to us to any other person or entity.  Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, there are no third-party beneficiaries to the Agreement.
  9. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible so as to effect the intent of the Parties, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not be affected or impaired, unless continued enforcement of the provisions frustrates the intent of the Parties.

This is the entire agreement between the Parties, and any changes must be agreed to in writing by the Parties. If you have read and agree to the above Submissions Agreement, you can send your submissions to the editors using the Submit Content button above.