HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRIES
*Please follow carefully these instructions when preparing your entries. Please refer to the specific category you’re submitting for.
If required, hard copies can be mailed to us at the following address:
2300 Yonge Street, Suite 1600
Toronto, ON, M4P 1E4
Writing Awards (Categories 1-12) +see below for category 7.
How to submit: Hard copies are not required for this category.
Entries must be submitted through our online portal. Submitters must upload:
-PDF version* of each entry in its entirety, and;
*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.
Note that for Columns (Category 5), entries must consist of any three columns by a single author in a single publication.
Investigative Journalism (Category 7)
How to submit: Hard copies are not required for this category.
Entries must be submitted through our online portal. Submitters must upload:
-PDF version* of each entry in its entirety, and;
-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 13)
How to submit: Hard copies are not required for this category.
Entries must be submitted through our online portal. Submitters must upload:
-PDF version* of the entry in its entirety (must be a single feature story of minimum 2,000 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) and;
-Reference letter** from a teacher, mentor, editor or colleague, attesting to the candidate’s eligibility and providing context for the work.
*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 college or if applicable); the date the candidate’s first 2,000 words or more piece was published; the dates of publication of any other articles submitted; and a list of the candidate’s published pieces as of December 31, 2019.
Visual Awards (Categories 14-17)
How to submit: Hard copies are not required for this category.
Entries must be submitted through our online portal. Submitters must upload:
-PDF version of each entry in its entirety (double page spreads accepted)
One-of-a Kind Storytelling (Category 18)
How to submit: Hard copies are not required for this category.
Entries must be submitted through our online portal. Submitters must upload:
-PDF version of each entry in its entirety (double page spreads accepted)
Art Direction of a Single Article (Category 19)
How to submit: Hard copies are not required for this category.
Entries must be submitted through our online portal. Submitters must upload:
-PDF version of each entry in its entirety (double page spreads accepted)
Best Editorial Package (Category 20)
How to submit: Hard copies are required for this category.
Entries must also be submitted through our online portal. Submitters must upload:
– PDF version of the cover of first page of package,
Please mail or courier: 4 copies of the package to be judged (if the package consists of a complete issue, submit 4 copies of the issue) and 4 copies of the entry form, which can be printed after you submit your entries via the online submission portal.
Art Direction Grand Prix (Category 21)
How to submit: Hard copies are required for this category.
Entries must also be submitted through our online portal. Submitters must upload:
– PDF version of the cover of the issue
–JPG or PNG image of the cover and jpeg of the art director’s headshot
Please mail or courier: 4 copies of the issue to be judged as well as 4 copies of the entry form, which can be printed after you submit your entries via the online submission portal. Submitters may also include 4 copies of a background statement (max 250 words) providing context for the art direction (optional).
Editor Grand Prix (Category 22)
How to submit: Hard copies are required for this category. Entries must also be submitted through our online portal. Submitters must upload:
– PDF version of the editor’s headshot
–JPG or PNG image of the editor’s headshot
Please mail or courier 4 sets of a submission package which must include each:
– Two issues published in the past year
– 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.
– Up to two additional supporting letters of recommendation may be included
– The entry form, which can be printed after you submit your entries via the online submission portal.
Cover Grand Prix (Category 23)
How to submit: Hard copies are not required for this category.
Entries must be submitted through our online portal. Submitters must upload:
– PDF version of the cover to be judged
Issue Grand Prix (Category 24)
How to submit: Hard copies are required for this category.
Entries must also be submitted through our online portal. Submitters must upload:
– PDF version of the cover of the issue
Please mail or courier: 4 copies of the issue to be judged; 4 copies of a cover letter (max 400 words) providing context for the issue, and 4 copies of the entry form, which can be printed after you submit your entries via the online submission portal.
Publisher Grand Prix (Category 25)
How to submit: Hard copies are required for this category.
Entries must also be submitted through our online portal. Submitters must upload:
– PDF version of the cover of any issue published in 2019
-JPG or PNG of the publisher’s headshot
Please mail or courier 4 sets of a submission package which must include each:
– The publication’s editorial mandate and the target audience;
– 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;
– One issue of the magazine published in 2019;
– Any support material (merchandise, special issues, books, etc.).
-The entry form, which can be printed after you submit your entries via the online submission portal.
Grand Prix: Best Magazines (Categories 26-29)
How to submit: Hard copies are required for the Best Magazine categories. Entries must also be submitted through our online portal. Submitters must upload:
– PDF of the cover of any issues published in 2019
– Submitters must answer 4 questions during the online submission process – see below for details.
Please mail or courier 6 sets of a submission package which must include:
-Two print issues from 2019* (for a total of 12 magazines per entry);
-The entry form, which can be printed after you submit your entries via the online submission portal. The printed form must include the answers to the 4 following questions:
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 and mail or courier the required submission package for each entry.
*If your magazine is published only once a year, please submit 6 copies of your annual issue. Do not submit issues published prior to the awards year.
Digital publications do not have to print & send copies for Best Magazine. Please submit links to your digital issues via the submission platform.
Magazine Grand Prix
No submissions are required for this award. Finalists are automatically generated from the winners of Best Magazine Awards and compete for this awards’ honour.
Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement
Submission requirements: 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 supporting letters from other individuals. The deadline for entries for this award is March 2, 2020. Entries submitted after the online submission deadline must be emailed to staff@magazine-awards.com.