Welcome to Writer’s Camp!

I am delighted that you have found your way to Writer's Camp, a community that celebrates excellence in writing, editing, and publishing. While we emphasize these skills for nursologists, everyone is welcome. Take a few minutes to see what we have to offer.

You can be a learner, or if you are so inclined, you can write for Writer's Camp. Bookmark the site and visit it often — there's something new almost every day. I am glad you are here!
—Leslie H. Nicoll, Camp Director

Writer’s Camp Bugle #14

In this issue:

  • Donations in honor of Dr. Jacqueline Fawcett now being accepted.
  • Register for the upcoming CAMPOREE and Scholarly Dialogue
  • Nursing Journals Directory badges now available in the store!
  • Writer’s Camp one-year anniversary highlights
  • Working Guide to Editorial Systems update--subscriptions available.
  • Editorial Leadership Intensive (ELI) registration now open
  • Coming soon: Shh! Editor Confidential
  • What do you think of Writer's Camp? Share your thoughts.

Trail Pack: Nursing Theory Think Tanks: Bridges Between Knowledge and Action

This month's Trail Pack features a discussion on nursing theory, with contributions from experts Peggy Chinn, Afaf Meleis, and Jacqueline Fawcett. It includes an engaging article, video conversation, and insights into the significance of informal scholarly gatherings for fostering intellectual growth and exploring nursing theory. Participants are encouraged to reflect and form their own think tanks.

Wordcraft at Camp: Frolleague

Leslie H. Nicoll reflects on her relationship with two deceased colleagues, Dr. Julia Snethen and Dr. Jacqueline Fawcett, and introduces the term "frolleague." A frolleague is a professional peer who feels like a friend within a work context, without personal involvement outside of the workplace, helping maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

The Power of Parallelism

Parallel structure is a writing technique that enhances clarity and cohesion. By maintaining a consistent format for words and phrases, writers improve readability and help readers absorb key messages with less effort. This tool can be applied in various writing situations, transforming lists and sentences into well-organized, impactful text.

Onward: Remembering Jacqueline Fawcett

Dr. Jacqueline Fawcett passed away at her home in Maine at the age of 87. Recognized as a significant influence in nursing theory, her work has shaped scholarly thought in the field. She fostered collegial relationships and continued to engage in meaningful dialogue about nursing theory until her last days.

Announcing: Working Guide to Editorial Systems

The Working Guide to Editorial Systems (WGES) is a dynamic resource aimed at editors and peer reviewers in scholarly publishing. Launching on May 1 with seven entries, it responds to real editorial questions and will be updated bi-monthly. Available by subscription with early enrollment available at a special rate.

Version Control Is Editorial Kindness

Leslie H. Nicoll emphasizes the significance of effective version control in collaborative writing, highlighting its impact on trust, momentum, and overall productivity. Confusion over document versions can lead to unnecessary stress and inefficiencies. By establishing clear systems and using shared platforms, collaborators can mitigate these challenges, fostering a more caring and efficient writing process.

We Get Letters

Rita H. Pickler discusses the roles of queries and letters to the editor in the publication process. Queries help authors assess manuscript fit with journals, while letters engage in critical discussions about published papers. Adhering to guidelines is essential for both, ensuring meaningful contributions to scholarly dialogue.

Opportunity: Editor Position — Australian Critical Care

The Australian College of Critical Care Nurses (ACCCN) is seeking expressions of interest for an Editor position with the journal Australian Critical Care. The Editor works with the Editor-in-Chief and editorial team to support the peer-review process, help guide the journal’s strategic direction, and promote high-quality scholarship in critical care practice. Deadline to apply is April 24, 2026.

Call for Papers: Teaching and Learning in Nursing

Teaching and Learning in Nursing, the official journal of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN), is planning a special issue on the 2025 ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses. Manuscripts are invited that explore the 10 provisions of the 2025 Code. Submission deadline: March 20, 2027.

Trail Pack: Author Guidance as Editorial Infrastructure: What We Knew, What Has Changed, and Why This Still Matters

This month’s Trail Pack explores a part of scholarly publishing that is everywhere—and rarely examined: instructions for authors. Featuring two foundational 2018 studies by Marilyn Oermann and colleagues, along with a new original essay written for this Trail Pack, this collection revisits how journals communicate expectations to authors and how that guidance functions as editorial infrastructure. What has changed since 2018? What has intensified? And what remains structurally the same? The Trail Pack also includes an exclusive video interview with Marilyn Oermann reflecting on the studies, their continued relevance, and what editors and authors can do today. Together, these materials invite us to see author guidelines not as administrative paperwork, but as one of the most important—and most overlooked—sites of editorial leadership.