Submission Guidelines

In general, while one can describe the problems we face, the emphasis should be on offering constructive ideas about how we can achieve best possible outcomes and make this a better and more peaceful world. Articles that simply list all that is wrong are not following the principle that what is focused on, manifests, and therefore do not fit within the scope of PeaceConsciousness.

The e-zine seeks to provide an effective toolbox for others to reach into for best possible outcomes in world situations. The goal is for PeaceConsciousness to be read by world leaders of all attitudes, and people at all levels of society, and the ideas considered for their own merits. While the e-zine format allows a lot of flexibility, including inserting links, sound files, and even videos, many of the readers are likely to be “Executive Summary” people, so writers are asked to be as concise and coherent as possible. This does not mean that an author cannot take the space needed to fully develop ideas, but consider the prospective audience for these articles. In other words, be eloquent in the mathematical sense: say just enough, not too much, not too little:

"True eloquence does not consist ... in saying great things in a sublime style, but in a simple style; for there is, properly speaking, no such thing as a sublime style, the sublimity lies only in the things; and when they are not so, the language may be turgid, affected, metaphorical, but not affecting." (Oliver Goldsmith, Of Eloquence, 1759)

Writing Guidelines:

• Bias-Free language and approaches are requested, according to the ideals and guidelines in the Chicago Manual of Style, 15^th Edition (sections 5.203, 5.204 and 5.205 – See Appendix A below) being considerate of all religions, belief systems, ethnic groups, genders, nationalities, walks of life, and political parties.
  
  
• Approach the situation with positive suggestions, and do not attack the personalities involved. Find ways to meet others half way, and extend your hand for them to come together and talk, and then be willing to listen! We will undoubtedly learn more than we expected. 
  
  
• Please avoid references that will easily identify you as the author. We want to keep some mystery about that, so that people will be curious, dig in, and actively consider the concepts you present. We envision authors and readers discussing the ideas and concepts of the articles in the Letters and Discussion section between issues.
  
  
• While the primary focus will be on World Affairs, we will also consider articles addressing personal, regional, and national affairs.
  
  
• The e-zine will launch in English. If you are fluent in other languages, we invite you to volunteer your services to translate materials, so that, in the future, we can offer a multilingual version of PeaceConsciousness. Please send your name, contact information and languages from which, and into which, you are comfortable translating, to editor@peaceconsciousness.org.
  

Format Guidelines:

• Articles should be written in English. Other languages will be added as a body of volunteer translators is built up. If you can submit an article in more than one language, that will be welcomed.
  
  
• Articles should normally have a maximum length of 10-15 double-spaced numbered pages in 11 point font; approximately 3000 - 4500 words maximum, including references. However, longer and shorter papers of exceptional merit will also be considered for publication.
  
  
• All figures, photographs, and tables must have captions that are complete enough for the reader to comprehend without reading the text. Figures and tables should be computer generated or professionally drafted and camera-ready for publishing. It is recommended that figures and tables be placed within the paper, and as close to the relevant text as possible -- especially if the paper is long. Any figures, photographs, etc. must be free of copyright or have permission for publication.
  
  
• Internal consistency should also be maintained for other elements of style, such as font and typeface.
  
  
• Double spacing between paragraphs is recommended.
  
  
• Right-hand or full justification should be avoided. Hyphenation (splitting) of words to improve the appearance of the right-hand margin should also be avoided. This is because right-hand justification and hyphenated (split) words create spacing problems in the computer files. Words that are hyphenated for reasons not related to the right-hand margin are acceptable.
  
  
• To break up the text and best use space, Peace Consciousness occasionally uses quotations by famous scientists, philosophers, and other scholars, typically illustrating the theme of the article. If you can identify one or two such quotations that lend impact to your paper, please include them on separate pages.
  
  
• To submit your paper, please e-mail it as a MS Word file (or .RTF file if necessary) to editor@peaceconsciousness.org. Normally it will not be necessary to submit a printed copy of your paper in addition to the electronic copy. If after receiving the electronic copy, the PeaceConsciousness Editorial Staff determines that a printed copy is needed (for example, to resolve formatting issues), we will so advise you.
  
  
• Artists are invited to submit original works of art on themes of Peace, for consideration for publication. A low-resolution electronic version of submissions of artwork should be sent to editor@peaceconsciousness.org for consideration. If your work of art is selected for publication, we will arrange with you to obtain a high-resolution version suitable for the e-zine.
  

This is an initiative that will make a significant change in the way the peoples of the world think and resolve their differences. Please consider becoming a part of that process. A contributor does not have to be famous, and will probably not become famous from this, but a writer can contribute towards a more harmonious world for our grandchildren to grow up in, and we can all take enormous satisfaction in that. 

Appendix A: Bias Free Language (From Chicago Manual of Style, 15^th Edition. Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 2003.)

“5.203 Maintaining credibility. Biased language-language that is either sexist or suggestive of other conscious or subconscious prejudices that are not cen­tral to the meaning of the work-distracts and may even offend readers, and in their eyes it makes the work less credible. Few texts warrant the deliberate display of linguistic biases. Nor is it ideal, however, to call attention to the supposed absence of linguistic biases, since this will also distract readers and weaken credibility.

“5.204 Gender bias. Consider the issue of gender-neutral language. On the one hand, it is unacceptable to a great many reasonable readers to use the generic masculine pronoun (he in reference to no one in particular). On the other hand, it is unacceptable to a great many readers either to resort to nontraditional gimmicks to avoid the generic masculine (by using he/she or s/he, for example) or to use they as a kind of singular pronoun. Either way, credibility is lost with some readers. What is wanted, in short, is a kind of invisible gender neutrality. There are many ways to achieve such language, but it takes thought and often some hard work. See 5.43, 5.51, 5.78.