Click here to download the entry form for the 2012 Editor's Choice Awards
WHAT IT IS
The Editors’ Choice Awards honour and celebrate the high-quality work of editors within the Canadian magazine industry. The awards are presented yearly by the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors (CSME), and are handed out at the Editors’ Gala, which will be held on June 6, during MagNet.
THE CATEGORIES & JUDGING PROCESS
Each magazine entry competes in a category based on circulation or magazine type:
- Consumer:
- Small circ: up to 49,999
- Medium circ: 50,000 to 149,999
- Large circ: 150,000+
- Trade (all circ levels)
- Custom (all circ levels)
Entrants will be judged according to how well the publication fulfills its mission statement. Magazines must also comply with the Code of Engagement (formerly known as the Ad/Edit Guidelines) supported by CSME.
The winners of first-tier judging in each circulation and magazine-type category receive an award for Magazine of the Year. In a second round of judging, these winners vie for the top honour, Editor of the Year.
In addition, the magazines that score the highest points for front-of-book and display writing are judged in a second-tier round to determine the winners of Best Front of Book, Editor of the Year, and the Jim Cormier Award for Display Writing.
There are also awards for Best Website Editorial in two categories — Small (less than 150,000 unique visitors [UVs] per month) and Large (more than 150,000 UVs per month) — as well as an award for Best Editorial Blog.
WHO CAN ENTER
All Canadian consumer, trade, custom and digital magazines who are currently members of CSME are eligible to enter. Click here to purchase a membership.
ENTRY FEE
Entry is free — yes, free — with the purchase of a 2012 patron or individual membership to CSME. Click here to purchase a membership.
HOW TO ENTER
Complete the entry form (click here to download) and mail it along with your entry package to CSME by 5 p.m., Fri., March 30, 2012.
Your entry package should contain:
__ 6 copies each of 3 consecutive 2011 issues of your magazine (includes December 2011/January 2012 double issue). If you are short back issues, we’ll accept a minimum of 3 copies each of 3 consecutive issues
__ 6 copies of your magazine’s mission statement
__ Website address (if you wish your website judged)
__ Blog address (if you wish one blog judged)
__ 1 completed entry form (click here to download)
Send your entry package to:
CSME Editors' Choice Awards
c/o Magazines Canada
425 Adelaide Street West, Suite 700
Toronto ON M5V 3C1
Digital magazines and magazines wishing to enter only the Best Website Editorial and/or Best Editorial Blog are invited to email their completed entry form to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Do not include a cover letter or any additional materials (these are unnecessary and will just be thrown out, so no need to waste your time).
ENTRY DEADLINE
5 p.m., Fri., March 30, 2012. Entries must be received by this time; please allow time for delivery when sending your packages.
FAQs
Is my digital magazine eligible to enter?
Yes! Starting this year, CSME welcomes digital and web-based magazines to become members and enter the Editors’ Choice Awards. Digital magazines will be entered in an appropriate circulation or magazine-type category, and judged alongside print publications. Web-based magazines will be entered in one of the two the Best Website Editorial categories and judged alongside other magazine websites. Unfortunately, web-only magazines are not eligible to win the Editor of the Year, Best Front-of-Book or the Jim Cormier Award for Display Writing.
Can I enter just my website or blog?
Yes! We encourage web editors of member publications to enter their websites and a blog, even if your print or digital magazine is not entering.
How do I know if I win?
Winners will be announced and awards handed out at the Editors’ Gala held during MagNet on June 6, 2012. Be sure to register for MagNet and buy your ticket(s) for the gala so you can be there to accept your award should you win.
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have any questions that have not been answered here, please contact the awards director, Corinna vanGerwen, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
