Today fly to Seoul from Osaka. This is similar to flying from Auckland to Sydney, or Sydney to Brisbane. From Seoul we will take a train and then probably a bus to the National Arboretum of Korea, located in a forest that has had protected status for hundreds of years.

I look forward to leaving behind the heat island of urban Osaka. I have two chapters by two different students to look at while I am travelling. Perhaps I will have some useful thoughts while sitting in a cool place, away from the distractions of the office.

Last year, for $179, I joined the Council of Science Editors (headquarters in the USA). The cost was a bit of shock, but I have been looking forward to seeing their journal. I like having a good read for the train.

Today I received the first issue for 2013: Science Editor , Vol. 36 (1, January-March), with 36 pages.

As well as being supported by membership dues, the journal has one inside-front and two back-cover pages carrying full page advertisements.

The present issue shows advertisements for online publishers and publishing systems. The issue theme is related:

Perspectives on Open Access .

It's a slim volume, but the writing is all to a high standard, and is clearly guided by an understanding that less can be more.

Reading what editors say about writing, editing, and publishing might sound like self-inflicted punishment to many people.

Rest assured, the pain is short-lived, and you may enjoy relief afterwards. The editors believe in Brevity.

Personally, I am glad to see the work of authors who are caring and knowledgeable about how science is communicated.

See: Science Editor

A free white paper can be downloaded: Open Access: Five Considerations for Publishers