Entries are subject to the following conditions:
1 Print content must be dated 2026. Entries consisting in whole or in part of print issues may include one issue dated December 2026/January 2027 (but not December 2025/January 2026). Print issues with comparable dates, such as Fall 2026/Winter 2027, may also be included. Entries consisting of two or more articles or examples of work may include one article or example dated January 2027 or an equivalent, such as Winter 2027.
2 Digital content must have been posted in 2026. Screenshots may be requested to verify publication dates.
3 No entry can duplicate an entry in another category. No article or example of work may be entered in more than one category except as part of an entry in General Excellence, Design, Photography and Single-Topic Issue or as part of a series or editorial package in another category.
4 Excerpts from previously published books are not eligible except as part of an entry in General Excellence, Design, Photography and Single-Topic Issue.
5 No magazine or website will be nominated more than once in any category except as the partner of another publication.
6 Only one “Ellie” will be awarded to each winner. Media organizations that fund or partner in the publication of a winner will receive certificates of recognition.
7 Entries found to be in violation of commonly accepted editorial standards, including the ASME Guidelines for Editors and Publishers, may be disqualified at any time.
8 The administrators of the National Magazine Awards may at their own discretion extend the deadline for entry in any category. How Finalists and Winners Are Chosen Five to seven finalists are traditionally selected in each category by a panel of judges chosen by the administrators of the awards in consultation with the members of the ASME Board of Directors. See the “About” page at nationalmagazineawards.org for information about the selection of the winners. Awards may be withheld in any category in which the entries fall below the standard of excellence set by the ASME Board of Directors or in which the number of entries is deemed insufficient by ASME. GENERAL EXCELLENCE CATEGORIES 1 — 4
Rules and Eligibility: Magazines and websites may enter only one General Excellence category and may submit only one entry. An entry may be print only, digital only or multiplatform, combining print and digital content. Magazines that publish four or more issues a year and maintain active editorial websites must submit multiplatform entries. For instructions, fees and deadlines, click here. Entries in Categories 1 to 4 consist of one of the following:
• three print issues
• an editorial website
• an editorial website and as many as two print issues Entries may include one clearly branded single-topic issue or special-interest publication. An entry may also include off-platform podcasts, videos and social media produced by editorial staff. What to submit for print-only entries: Three print copies each of three different print issues. Also required is a PDF of each issue. For digital-only entries: As many as 10 links to content representative of the achievements of the publication, which must include one or more links to an editorial website and may include links to off-platform podcasts, videos and social media produced by editorial staff. For multiplatform entries: Three print copies each of as many as two different print issues and as many as 10 links to content representative of the achievements of the publication, which must include one or more links to an editorial website and may include links to off-platform podcasts, videos and social media produced by editorial staff. Also required is a PDF or PDFs of the print issue or issues. Judging Criteria: Judges will evaluate entries in these categories based on the achievement of editorial and visual excellence in print and online and the editors’ success in serving the interests of their readers. Digital-only and multiplatform entries will also be judged based on user accessibility and the outstanding use of digital technologies. The National Magazine Award for General Excellence honors print, digital and multiplatform publications for editorial achievement and audience engagement. The award is presented in four categories organized by audience and content. Publications may choose which category to enter. The four categories are: 1 News, Sports and Entertainment
Honors publications covering topics including but not limited to society, culture, politics, business, technology and professional sports
2 Service and Lifestyle
Honors publications covering topics including but not limited to fashion, food, travel, design, health, parenting, personal finance and active sports
3 Special Interest
Honors publications serving highly defined reader communities, including city and regional magazines
4 Literature, Science and Politics
Honors publications covering topics including but not limited to literature, science, news analysis, political and social commentary, media and the arts DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY CATEGORIES 5 — 6
Rules and Eligibility: Publications edited by ASME members may submit two entries in each of these categories. Nonmembers may submit one entry in each category. An entry may be print only, digital only or multiplatform, combining print and digital content. For instructions, fees and deadlines, click here. Entries in Categories 5 and 6 consist of three examples of work, which may include any of the following:
• one or more articles or clearly branded editorial packages
• one or more examples of regularly published editorial sections
• one print issue or special-interest publication Entries may not consist exclusively of content from one print issue or SIP. Examples of work may include no more than two links to off-platform podcasts, videos and social media produced by editorial staff. What to submit for print-only entries: PDFs of each example. Also required are three print copies of any issue in which an example appeared and a PDF of the cover of each of the issues. For digital-only entries: Links to each example. For multiplatform entries: PDFs of each print example and links to each digital example. Also required are three print copies of any issue in which a print example appeared and a PDF of the cover of each of the issues. Judging Criteria: Judges will evaluate entries in these categories based on the quality and consistency of the visual content of the magazine or website; the ambition, resourcefulness and skill of art and photography staff and contributors; and the use of design and photography to fulfill the editorial mission of the publication. Digital-only and multiplatform entries will also be judged based on design innovation, functional excellence and user accessibility. 5 Design
This category honors overall excellence in the art direction of magazines and websites as demonstrated by three examples of work.
6 Photography
This category honors overall excellence in the photo direction of magazines and websites as demonstrated by three examples of work. PODCASTING AND VIDEO CATEGORIES 7 — 10
Rules and Eligibility: Publications edited by ASME members may submit three entries in each of these categories. Nonmembers may submit two entries in each category. For instructions, fees and deadlines, click here. Except as noted, entries in Categories 7 to 10 consist of as many as three examples of work, which may include one of the following:
• one or more episodes of one podcast
• one or more videos linked by producer, director, participant, topic or format Entries in Category 10 (News and Entertainment Videos) may also consist exclusively of as many as five vertical videos published on one or more social media platforms. Entries in these categories may include off-platform content but may not include content primarily intended for broadcast or transmission on radio or television or exhibited or released before its publication by the entrant. What to Submit: Links to each video or podcast in its original context. Also required are uploads of audio or video files of the same content. Judging Criteria: Judges will evaluate entries in these categories based on the quality and consistency of the reporting and storytelling; the expressiveness and insight of the participants; the ambition, creativity and skill of the editorial and production teams; and the use of audio or video to fulfill the editorial mission of the publication. 7 Narrative Podcasts
This category honors audio content distinguished by the traditional characteristics of magazine storytelling, including original reporting, stylish narrative and informed analysis. 8 News and Entertainment Podcasts
This category honors the use of audio by magazines and websites to provide occasional or regularly scheduled coverage of or conversations about topics including but not limited to politics, technology, sports, entertainment and service and lifestyle. Entries may include or consist exclusively of video podcasts. 9 Narrative Videos
This category honors video content distinguished by the traditional characteristics of magazine storytelling, including original reporting, stylish narrative and informed analysis. 10 News and Entertainment Videos
This category honors the use of horizontal or vertical video by magazines and websites to provide occasional or regularly scheduled coverage of or interviews about topics including but not limited to politics, technology, sports, entertainment and service and lifestyle. PRINT AND DIGITAL CATEGORIES 11 — 22
Rules and Eligibility: Publications edited by ASME members may submit four entries in each of these categories. Nonmembers may submit two entries in each of these categories. Depending on the category, an entry may be print only, digital only or multiplatform, combining print and digital content. For instructions, fees and deadlines, click here. Except as noted, entries in Categories 11 to 22 consist of as many as three examples of work, which may include one of the following:
• one or more articles linked by writer, topic or format
• one clearly branded editorial package
• one or more examples of regularly published editorial sections Entries in Categories 14 (Service Journalism) and 15 (Lifestyle Journalism) may also consist exclusively of one clearly branded single-topic issue or special-interest publication. Entries in other categories may include content from single-topic issues or SIPs but may not include an entire single-topic issue or SIP. Examples of work may include no more than two links to off-platform podcasts, videos and social media produced by editorial staff. No multi-article entry totaling more than 18,000 words may be submitted in Categories 18 (Profile Writing), 20 (Columns and Commentary) and 21 (Reviews and Criticism) without the approval of the administrators of the awards. What to submit for print-only entries: PDFs of each example. Also required are separate PDFs of the covers of any issues in which examples appeared. For digital-only entries: Links to each example. For multiplatform entries: PDFs of each print example and links to each digital example. Also required are separate PDFs of the covers of any issues in which print examples appeared. Judging Criteria: Judges will evaluate entries in these categories based on the criteria relevant to the category, which may include but are not limited to the accuracy and thoroughness of the reporting; the vividness and perceptiveness of the writing; the depth of analysis and insight; the originality of perspective and expression; the enterprise and skill of staff and contributors; and the degree to which the entry serves the interests of the readers of the publication. Entries may be judged based on the use of design and photography to achieve editorial goals. Digital-only and multiplatform entries may also be judged based on user accessibility and the innovative use of digital technologies. 11 Fiction
This category honors fiction first published by a magazine or website. An entry consists of one short story or no more than three short stories by one or more writers. Entries may include excerpts from soon-to-be-published books and recent translations into English. All entrants are entitled to pay a special entry fee of $195 in this category. 12 Newsletters
This category honors newsletters published on a regular schedule and in a consistent format by magazines, websites and independent creators. An entry consists of three issues of one newsletter. Newsletters and newsletter articles may also be entered in other categories. Independent creators are entitled to pay a special entry fee of $195 in this category. 13 Single-Topic Issue
This category, traditionally called Single-Topic Issue despite the eligibility of digital media, honors a single print issue or a major digital package devoted to the comprehensive examination of one subject or topic. An entry consists of one clearly branded single-topic issue, special-interest publication or digital package. Single-topic issues and SIPs may also be entered in Service Journalism and Lifestyle Journalism. 14 Service Journalism
This category honors magazine storytelling that addresses readers’ needs and aspirations while providing instruction and advice. Entries in this category may include but are not limited to coverage of topics such as health care, personal relationships, parenting, career planning and personal finance. Special weight will be given to innovative editorial packaging. 15 Lifestyle Journalism
This category honors magazine storytelling that explores readers’ interests or pursuits while providing inspiration or instruction. Entries in this category may include but are not limited to generously illustrated coverage of topics such as fashion, food, travel, design, personal entertainment and leisure activities. Special weight will be given to innovative editorial packaging. 16 Reporting
This category honors magazine storytelling distinguished by original reporting, compelling narrative and insightful analysis. 17 Feature Writing
This category honors magazine storytelling distinguished by stylishness and originality. An entry consists of one article. Entries may have been published in multiple parts in more than one issue. 18 Profile Writing
This category honors news or feature stories that explore the character and background of an individual or a group of closely linked individuals. Special weight will be given to concision and timeliness. 19 Essays
This category honors examples of analytical or interpretative journalism, including but not limited to articles about historical events, current affairs or the personal experience of the writer. An entry consists of one article. Content entered in this category may not be submitted as part of an entry in Columns and Commentary. 20 Columns and Commentary
This category honors a series of articles by one or more writers or a regularly published editorial section, either of which conveys the views of the writer or writers or provides coverage of topics important to readers of the publication. 21 Reviews and Criticism
This category honors commentary on the arts and reviews of products and services, the latter of which may include but are not limited to articles about fashion, food, travel, design, consumer technology and personal entertainment. 22 Public Interest
This category honors magazine storytelling that illuminates issues of local, national or international importance. Special weight will be given to the potential of the work to affect public or private policies or practices. Download the Call for Entries
Create an Account | Submit an Entry For more information, email asme@asme.media or call 212.872.3737  
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