The National Magazine Award for Best Single Issue rewards general excellence of an individual issue of a magazine in terms of quality of content and design, originality and relevance to its intended audience. As an integrated category this award celebrates the collaborative effort of editors, art directors and content creators in producing a successful magazine edition. The Gold and Silver winners in Best Single Issue will be revealed at the 36th NMA Gala on June 7. [INFO & TICKETS]
Here are this year’s nominees…
About this issue: The third installment of Cottage Life‘s twenty-fifth anniversary series celebrated the unrivaled sensation of the Canadian lake swim in a cover story by Scotiabank Giller Prize-winning author Joseph Boyden. The magazine’s consistent service to its hungry readers continued unabated with an installment of its regular Grill Guide (to essential sides) and a how-to for DIY boathouse builders. Page after page of some of Canada’s best magazine writers, photographers and illustrators made it an especially memorable issue.
About this issue: enRoute’s annual look at the interconnectedness of food and travel took on new shapes for its November 2012 issue. Centered primarily upon the title of “Canada’s Best New Restaurants,” readers were invited into a nation-wide search for Canada’s top-10 new restaurants. Specific emphasis was placed upon Canadian chefs and Toronto’s burgeoning food culture. A series of delectable topics were also attended to, inclusive of sea lettuce, vermouth and international dining experiences set in Tokyo, Puerto Rico and Birmingham.
About this issue: LE Must‘s summer guide to “Santé alimentaire” was an exaltation of all things green; an homage to herbs, a celebration of salad. The editors curated a series of healthy recipes, including desserts, bolstered by stunning photography and practical guides to cooking and eating according to the body’s needs. Plus an in-depth look at school breakfast clubs in Quebec and a nostalgic ode to the family picnic (complete with portraits of a VW microbus).
About this issue: Maisonneuve’s Spring 2012 issue celebrated its ten-year anniversary. The decade-old publication–and Canada’s reigning Magazine of the Year–chose to emphasize the importance of its birthday with the addition of sixteen pages and contributions from top Canadian writers. Among the latter was Tim Falconer who authored a personal reflection into the science of music as well as Paul Gettlich who delved into the Occupy Toronto movement. Commonwealth Prize winning author Demi Y. Bechard also offered a compelling memoir regarding the criminal past of his father. And in a cross-Canada tour of Nunavut, Vancouver and Montreal Maisonneuve explored the human condition.
About this issue: The Featherale Review’s mandate is to provide a literary voice for a new contingent of Canadian creators while also giving rise to breakout developments in the world of art. The single issue that was Feathertale No.9 accomplished these very goals with contributions from 33 writers and artists. A regard for timelessness was maintained throughout as the content was intended to be read as if produced at any point during the past 200 years, a nod to Edward Cave, a.k.a. Sylvanus Urban, who produced the first magazine in 1731.
About this issue: The Grid‘s Chef’s Guide to Toronto graced the pages of its inaugural issue in 2011, and the 2012 installment once again whetted urban appetites for the latest culinary creations and foodie trends, as well as a guide to the city’s new food trucks. The indispensable weekly guide to Canada’s largest city stimulated readers with colourful graphics on every page, a hallmark of its award-winning design. Add in a dash of Edward Keenan’s widely read column, excellent reviews and handy tips for how to become a firefighter, and you have one delectable issue.
About this issue: The November 2012 issue of The Walrus addressed North American politics as the U.S. breached its Presidential election. Pulitzer Prize winner Chris Hedges addressed a pressing political question in his cover story that asked what happens to Canada if America fails? Working alongside Hedges was photographer Alan Chin whose “A Metaphor for America” images drew sobering ties between Canada’s economy and America’s political climate. These governmental considerations were further paired with reviews of food truck booms, the dancing career of Peggy Bajer and the new $20 bill.
About this issue: Toronto Life‘s May 2012 issue remained true to the magazine’s established history of covering stories that matter most to Torontonians, this time via its profile of embattled mayor Rob Ford. Author Marci MacDonald followed Ford’s political trajectory with precision and a cold review of facts. A focus upon the city’s best in food, fashion and real estate was also maintained via its coverage of pop-up restaurants, spring apparel trends and chic loft conversions.
Congratulations to all the nominees in Best Single Issue. The Gold and Silver winners will be revealed at the 36th annual National Magazine Awards gala on June 7 at The Carlu in Toronto. [INFO & TICKETS]
Meet the NMA Finalists for:
Art Direction for an Entire Issue
Photojournalism & Photo Essay
Best New Magazine Writer
Illustration
Magazine Covers
Online Video
Magazine Website of the Year
