2023 Submission Requirements

Please see below for notes on submitting to categories 6 and 12.

For the Writing Awards, please upload:

• PDF version* of each entry in its entirety.

*PDF documents must be printable on 8.5×11 format (single-page). Do NOT submit double-page spreads for any Writing Awards. Please ensure all text is no closer than 0.5” from the page edge.

Investigative Reporting (Category 6)

• PDF version* of each entry in its entirety, and;
• PDF of a background statement (max 500 words) providing context for the investigation and any details of the investigative process that may be relevant to the jury’s consideration.

*PDF documents must be printable on 8.5×11 format (single-page). Do NOT submit double-page spreads for any Writing Awards. Please ensure all text is no closer than 0.5” from the page edge.

Best Emerging Writer (Category 12)

• PDF version* of the entry in its entirety (must be a single feature story of minimum 2000 words);
• PDF version of up to two (2) additional feature articles (for these additional articles, there are no word count requirements and submission is optional, but they must have been published between 2019 and 2021) and;
• PDF of a letter** from the candidate, attesting to their eligibility for the award and providing context for the work submitted.

*PDF documents must be printable on 8.5×11 format (single-page). Do NOT submit double-page spreads for any Writing Awards. Please ensure all text is no closer than 0.5” from the page edge.

**The letter should include the year the individual started working in journalism (including the year the candidate graduated from university or college if applicable); the date the candidate’s first piece of 2000 words or more in length was published; the dates of publication of any other articles submitted; and a list of the candidate’s published pieces as of December 31, 2022.

Please upload:

• PDF version of each entry in its entirety (double page spreads accepted).

Please upload:

• PDF version of each entry in its entirety (double page spreads accepted).

Please upload:

• PDF version of each entry in its entirety (double page spreads accepted).

Please upload:

• PDF version of the cover of first page of package; and
• PDF of the package to be judged. If the package consists of a complete issue, please upload a PDF of the issue in its entirety. If the package consists of a specific portion of the issue, please only upload a PDF of that portion. For details on how to extract pages from a PDF, please refer to Adobe’s guide, available here.

Please upload:

• Low – medium resolution PDF of the entire issue to be judged;
• Art director’s headshot (jpg or png); and
• PDF of a background statement (max 250 words) providing context for the art direction (NB: this is optional).

Please upload:

• High resolution JPG or PNG image of the editor’s headshot;
• PDF version of two (2) issues published in the past year;
• PDF of a letter of nomination on behalf of the candidate, which may come from a publisher, mentor or other colleague, and which should provide biographical information as well as a summary of achievements over the past year; and
• PDFs of up to two additional supporting letters of recommendation may be included.

Please upload:

• PDF version of the cover to be judged.

Please upload:

• PDF version of the cover of the issue;
• PDF version of the entire issue to be judged; and
• PDF of a cover letter (max 400 words) providing context for the issue.

Please upload:

• JPG or PNG of the publisher’s headshot;
• PDF version of the cover of any one issue published in 2022;
• PDF of the publication’s editorial mandate and the target audience;
• PDF of a list with embedded links of all the digital platforms, as well as a detailed description of the brand extensions, including any data that would demonstrate the success of the magazine’s initiatives;
• PDF of one issue of the magazine published in 2022; and
• To include support material (merchandise, special issues, books, etc.), please upload either a PDF or JPEG of the product.

Please upload:

• PDF cover of any issues published in 2022; and
• PDFs of two issues from 2022*.
• PDF with answers to the following four (4) questions:

For these four questions, there is no word limit. However, we kindly remind entrants that the judges will be reviewing many entries, and so we encourage you to carefully consider your answers and to keep them concise. 

Quality: How does your magazine deliver quality content to its readers, across any platform? Examples might include specific editorial content, packaging, and/or design.)

Currency: How does your magazine stay fresh and relevant, sustaining its audience’s interest while consistently generating new perspectives? Examples might include editorial strategies, specific content, new initiatives, audience engagement and feedback, and/or innovative ways the magazine reaches and excites its readers.

Design: How does your magazine demonstrate excellence and innovation in style, design, treatment and structure? Examples might include specific design strategies, typographic, digital and social media design, branding successes and/or specific design elements in the magazine.

Reader Experience: How does your magazine provide an experience to its audience that challenges, educates, entertains, and helps define a community of readers? Examples might include specific content, any data or relevant information about your audience, circulation or marketing data, audience feedback, special issues and events, awards and other recognition, and/or any initiative.

PLEASE NOTE: If you’re submitting for two Best Magazine categories, you must submit an entry in each category through the online portal. 

* If your magazine is published only once a year, please submit one (1) PDF version of your annual issue. Do not submit issues published prior to the awards year.

*Digital publications may also submit links to your digital issues, rather than uploading a PDF.

No submissions are required for this award. Finalists are automatically generated from the winners of Best Magazine Awards and compete for this awards’ honour.

Entries for the Outstanding Achievement award consist of a cover letter indicating the candidate’s name, title, and a summary of their career achievements, including links to or examples of their work, as well as at least two (2) supporting letters from other individuals. The deadline for entries for this award is March 2, 2023. Entries submitted after the online submission deadline must be emailed to staff@magazine-awards.com.

Please upload a brief statement (max 500 words) that:

• A) introduces the publication to the jury;
• B) articulates the publication’s strategy for newsletters;
• C) provides context for the development and deployment of the emails; and
• D) comments on the impact of the newsletter.
• Submit URLs to three newsletters to be evaluated.

Submit a URL to the main point of entry for the podcast series; and submit URLs to 3 specific episodes to be judged.

Submit a URL to the main point of entry for the podcast series; and submit URLs to 3 specific episodes to be judged.

Submit a URL to the video to be judged. Judges will be advised that the overall quality and impact of the video relative to its intended audience, and not its length or subject matter, should be considered.

Submit a URL to the video to be judged. Judges will be advised that the overall quality and impact of the video relative to its intended audience, and not its length or subject matter, should be considered.

Submit a URL to the video to be judged. Judges will be advised that the overall quality and impact of the video relative to its intended audience, and not its length or subject matter, should be considered.

Submit a URL to the feature article to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the quality and presentation of content, as well as user experience and overall impact.

Honours the best overall story dealing with issues or subjects of science or technology, including investigative reporting, analysis and/or profiles.

Submission Requirements:  Submit a URL to the article to be judged. Judges will be advised to evaluate the quality and presentation of content, as well as user experience and overall impact.

Judging Criteria: Judges should consider the following criteria in evaluating Best Science and Technology Storytelling:

• Overall quality of writing and reporting, including style and creativity;
• Overall quality of the feature’s content;
• User experience and overall impact: Was the article written with the digital medium in mind? Does the article hold the interest of the intended reader?

This category rewards: Writer(s); Editor(s); Other Content Creator(s); Digital Developer(s); Other Contributor(s).

This award includes a cash prize of $500.

Submit the main URL of column and up to three (3) URLs to specific content. Judges will be advised to explore the column section to evaluate the quality and presentation of content, as well as user experience and overall impact.