Update 2024 Guidelines and Submission Calendar
In today’s fast-moving culture, it is important to disseminate information as quickly as possible. Beginning in 2020, Update magazine utilizes a new publication process. Articles are now openly accessible and posted online as soon as they are ready. These articles are compiled quarterly into a standard online magazine issue.
Please notify publications@fdli.org one month prior to the submission deadline of your intent to submit.
Manuscripts are accepted on a rolling basis.
Submission Calendar
Summer 2024
Deadline: April 26
Fall 2024
Deadline: July 26
Winter 2024
Deadline: October 25
Spring 2025
Deadline: January 24
Scope
Submissions that will be considered for publication will include an analysis of federal legislation, regulations, court decisions, and public policies affecting industries regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and related agencies and authorities. Submissions with an international focus will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but should have substantial relevance to U.S. regulations.
Topics covered by Update include the development, manufacture, marketing, and use of drugs, medical devices, biologics, food, dietary supplements, cosmetics, veterinary, tobacco, and cannabis-derived products.
Guidelines
Update does not guarantee publication of submitted material. The Update Editorial Advisory Board provides peer review of most submissions.
Priority consideration for Update magazine is typically given to members.
Types of Articles
Articles will be edited for length, FDLI style, content, grammar, and punctuation. Where substantive changes are suggested, authors are queried with suggested edits. In keeping with a “magazine” style, we urge limited use of citations. Endnotes are the preferred citation style.
- Feature articles related to timely or emerging issues. These can include analysis of industry-specific trends, regulatory concerns, the latest developments in the law, and current events in food and drug law throughout the U.S. and the world. Reporting, synthetic analysis, and a “neutral” tone are preferred (2,000 – 4,000 words).
- Non-feature articles or shorts can address a wide range of topics, including case notes, practice notes, interviews, meeting proceedings, etc. (750-2,000 words).
- Letters to the Editor address a single topic raised in a previous issue of Update or express an opinion on a topic relevant to the field (up to 1,000 words).
Affiliation Statements & Photos
A single attribution line indicating current employment and location is required. Authors who are or have been involved as a principal or in a representative capacity with the subject matter of the article must so designate this in an additional attribution line. Full disclosure is necessary to provide reviewers and readers with useful information to assess the publication.
Authors are asked to submit a high-resolution head-shot photo, (300 dpi) along with their articles.
Delivery
The preferred method for receiving articles is by email attachment as Word documents sent to publications@fdli.org.
Authors may include art, illustrations, charts, and tables with their articles in high resolution, print-ready format. Authors are responsible for obtaining reprint permission for any copyrighted material. These materials can be submitted as an email attachment.
Copyright, Reprints, and Permissions
FDLI requires exclusive first publication rights. Authors submitting a manuscript do so on the understanding that if it is accepted for publication, the copyright to the article, including the right to reproduce the article in all forms and media, shall be assigned exclusively to FDLI. Authors will receive a PDF version of their article suitable for reprinting or posting on their organization’s website. To request permission for republication, email publications@fdli.org.
