Peace Corps Worldwide: New Horizons

A Legacy of Service Continues

John Coyne & Marian Biel

In October 2024, this group’s co-founders John Coyne and Marian Biel entrusted me with the stewardship of Peace Corps Worldwide and Peace Corps Writers. These platforms have been vital resources for the Peace Corps community for more than three decades, thanks to their unwavering dedication and countless hours of volunteer time, as well as to the contributions of Joanne Roll, Noah Biel, Dean Jefferson, and many others.

As we gradually transition ownership and responsibilities, we are committed to celebrating, strengthening, and building upon their extraordinary legacy of service to the Peace Corps community. Their work has made immeasurable contributions to the Peace Corps’ Third Goal of promoting a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans, and I fully intend to to what I can to honor and amplify that legacy.

Building a Foundation for Growth

Meet Our Founding Advisory Council

One of our first initiatives was to establish an Advisory Council of experts to provide strategic guidance on the many opportunities we see ahead of us. Our inaugural members:

• Steven Saum (RPCV Ukraine 1994-96; Editor, Worldview Magazine 2020-22): award-winning writer, editor, and communications professional
• Greg Emerson (RPCV Morocco 2003, Peru 2003-05; Communications Advisor, Peace Corps Park 2023-present): journalist and digital professional
• Mark Walker (RPCV Guatemala 1971-73): author and professional fundraiser
• Evelyn La Torre (RPCV Peru 1964-66) author, educator, and global traveler
• Cynthia Mosca (RPCV Ethiopia 1967-69): author, ESL educator, and global traveler

Their collective expertise will be invaluable as we honor the foundation that John and Marian – now “founding editors emeriti” – built, while exploring new possibilities to bring the values and experiences of this whole community to a broader audience.

New Platform, New Opportunity

In November we launched our newsletter on Substack, giving us access to a wider digital community and facilitating partnerships with other publishers. As a result, our subscribed audience has doubled, viewership is increasing exponentially, and our content now reaches well beyond the traditional “echo chamber” of Peace Corps community members. We continue to post book announcements and reviews on the Peace Corps Worldwide website (peacecorpsworldwide.org).

Revitalizing Core Programs

Book Reviews Are Back

After a brief hiatus, we’re formally relaunching the Peace Corps Writers book review program under the leadership of Cynthia Mosca, who has volunteered to coordinate this effort. This means that we now have:

• A refreshed team of reviewers to read and critique books
• A growing pipeline of books by Peace Corps writers to be reviewed

These reviews aim to amplify and elevate the voices in our community that are bringing diverse global perspectives to American readers, and if you, our audience, are motivated to buy your own copy of the books we review, then maybe we can help those authors increase their book sales as a bonus.

Most importantly, we have heard from many of you how valuable you find the reviews to be, and are committed to continuing the vital work that John and Marian pioneered.

Get Your Book Reviewed!

If you’ve published a book that you would like reviewed, we always want to promote the best work on our news channel Peace Corps Worldwide! Our enthusiastic RPCV reviewers are ready to read books in every genre—from memoir to horror, poetry to children’s literature—as long as the author has a direct connection (volunteer, staff, host country partner, family or friend) to the Peace Corps.

To have your book reviewed, please send the following information to Cynthia Mosca at cnmosca69@gmail.com:

• Title
• Publisher
• Year of publication
• Genre
• One-sentence description
• Where it can be purchased
• How you’ll provide the book to us for review (digital or hard copy)

Once received, Cynthia will match your book with an appropriate reviewer and connect you. Peace Corps Writers is committed to promoting the work of active and returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Please share this opportunity with other RPCV authors you know!

The Future of Peace Corps Writers Imprint

For decades, Marian and John have generously given their time and talent to help hundreds of RPCVs publish their books through the Peace Corps Writers imprint. As we plan for the future of this vital publishing arm, we recognize the significant level of effort required and are exploring several options, including:

• Finding a home for the imprint within a major publishing company that shares our values
• Partnering with established small presses or university publishers with experience in international literature
• Creating a hybrid publishing model with professional editorial and design support
• Developing a network of publishing professionals willing to mentor Peace Corps authors
• Establishing a formal submission and selection process for manuscripts

We’re committed to ensuring that Peace Corps writers continue to have pathways to publication while creating a sustainable model that doesn’t rely solely on volunteer efforts. The bibliography of books from Marian’s care will be transitioned to a new interactive online platform that showcases this remarkable literary legacy.

Enhancing the Peace Corps Writers Awards

The annual Peace Corps Writers awards have long recognized excellence in literature that brings global experiences to American readers. As we begin transitioning this program from Marian and John, we’re planning several enhancements:

• Establishing a formal jury of respected literary figures to evaluate submissions
• Creating monetary awards to accompany the recognition
• Implementing a more visible nomination and selection process
• Hosting a special recognition event in literary centers like Washington D.C., New York, or San Francisco
• Creating pathways to nominate our top authors for prestigious national literary awards

Our goal is to raise the profile of Peace Corps writers in the broader literary community while maintaining the integrity and authenticity that has characterized these awards from the beginning.

Strategic Vision

As we plan for the future, we’re crafting a strategic framework that honors the past while embracing new possibilities. Our goal is to create a sustainable organization that amplifies Peace Corps voices, supports writers at every stage of their journey, and significantly contributes to broader cross-cultural understanding. This vision will guide our decisions and priorities in the coming years.

Vision

To be the premier platform for showcasing Peace Corps voices and experiences, connecting generations of volunteers and inspiring global citizenship through literature and dialogue.

Mission

To preserve and promote the literary legacy of the Peace Corps community by supporting writers, publishing compelling content, and fostering connections that extend the Peace Corps mission of world peace and friendship. Through these efforts, we help Americans better understand the people and cultures of the world, embracing the Third Goal of the Peace Corps.

Strategic Priorities

1. Expand Literary Impact
   • Formalize and elevate the Peace Corps Writers annual book awards
   • Establish strategic publishing partnerships for Peace Corps Writers
   • Create mentorship opportunities between established and emerging writers
   • Develop writing workshops and resources for the Peace Corps community
   • Amplify diverse voices that bring global perspectives to American readers
2. Build Community Engagement
   • Organize regular virtual and in-person literary events celebrating the work of Peace Corps writers
   • Create opportunities for intergenerational connections among RPCVs
   • Develop partnerships with universities, museums, and literary organizations
   • Foster dialogue between Peace Corps writers and international audiences
   • Engage broader American communities in conversations about global cultures
3. Enhance Digital Presence
   • Upgrade and refresh our website for improved user experience
   • Implement a comprehensive digital strategy across social media and other digital platforms
   • Develop interactive features to engage readers and writers
   • Create a searchable, comprehensive database of Peace Corps literature
   • Utilize digital tools to extend our Third Goal impact to new audiences
4. Ensure Organizational Sustainability
   • Incorporate as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization
   • Create clear governance structures and succession planning
   • Develop and implement a diversified funding model
   • Build institutional strength while preserving our volunteer-driven spirit

Creating a Sustainable Future

Until now, Peace Corps Worldwide and Peace Corps Writers have relied entirely on the generous volunteer time of John, Marian, and the numerous others who have given selflessly to this project. Their dedication has created an incredible legacy that we are committed to honoring and extending. While this spirit of volunteerism remains central to our identity, we recognize that our ambitious goals require sustainable resources.

We plan to incorporate Peace Corps Worldwide as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the near future, which will mean we can:

• Enable supporters to make tax-deductible donations
• Apply for grants from foundations that support literary and cultural initiatives
• Establish a modest but reliable budget for core operations
• Potentially provide stipends for specialized roles that require significant commitments

We welcome the assistance of anyone with experience in nonprofit incorporation, particularly those familiar with the 501(c)(3) application process, to help us with this transition.

Call for Support

To achieve our ambitious goals and to build upon the extraordinary foundation that John and Marian established, we are seeking Peace Corps community members with experience in:

• Publishing / publishing enterprises
• Web design and development
• Digital marketing and social media
• Fundraising and grant writing
• Nonprofit governance and legal expertise

Please contact me (gblumhorst@gmail.com) for more information or to offer your help. Together, we can ensure that the voices and stories of Peace Corps Volunteers continue to inspire, educate, and connect people for generations to come, while furthering the Peace Corps’ vital Third Goal of promoting a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

“The Peace Corps experience continues to shape our lives long after we return home. Through our stories, we bring the world to America, fulfilling the Third Goal and enriching our national conversation.” –Glenn A. Blumhorst (Guatemala 1988-91)