EDITORIAL CATEGORIES

Note: The 2024 AAN Awards cover content published Jan-Dec 2023. There is one exception (Investigative Reporting) where some pieces could be outside calendar 2023; see that category for details.

Arts Criticism (Jim Ridley Award)

$500 cash award funded by the Nashville Scene.

Each entry must consist of one to three pieces of criticism by the same author or writing team. The criticism may pertain to any cultural genre except music or food. The acceptable genres include (but are not limited to) literature, film, dance, video, video games, multimedia, photography, painting, sculpture, theater and performance art. This award is dedicated in the honor of former Nashville Scene editor Jim Ridley.

Arts Feature

Each entry must consist of a single feature or a series of features written by the same author or writing team. It may pertain to any arts genre, including (but not limited to) film, music, literature, dance, video, video games, multimedia, photography, painting, sculpture, theater and performance art.

Beat Reporting

Each entry must consist of three to five pieces showing breadth and depth of coverage on a specific area of interest (e.g., education, environment, business, sports) by a single author. Entries may include blog posts, features, and/or multimedia components as part of the body of work work.

Note: You should not include food, arts, cannabis, music, environment, right-wing extremist or health care writing in this category, as those beats have their own categories.

Cannabis Coverage

Each entry must consist of one to three unrelated pieces by the same author or writing team that focus on cannabis or the cannabis industry.

Column-Political

Each entry must consist of three representative columns by the same author or same writing team that focus on politics or government. Unsigned editorials may be entered in this category as long as all three editorials are written by the same author or writing team.

Column (Billy Manes Award)

$250 cash award funded by The Billy Manes Foundation.

Each entry must consist of three representative columns by the same author or writing team on any topic other than politics. Unsigned editorials may be entered in this category as long as all three editorials are written by the same author or writing team.

Environmental Coverage (2024 Wildcard Category)

Each entry must consist of a single story or series focusing on the environment or issues surrounding the environment.

Explanatory Journalism

Each entry must consist of a single news story or series that attempts, as Digiday puts it, “to present nuanced, ongoing news stories in a more accessible manner.” Explanatory stories tackle complex topics, providing context and history.

Feature Story

Each entry must consist of a single, non-arts-related feature or series of features by the same author or writing team. Features are human-interest stories that may be inspired by the news but are more vividly written and generally delve deeper into the character of a person, group, thing or place than a straight-news story would.

Food Writing

Each entry must consist of one to three unrelated pieces by the same author or writing team that focus on food, drinks or restaurants.

Health Care Reporting

Each entry must contain a single story or series focusing on health care.

Investigative Reporting (David Carr Award)

$500 cash award funded by AAN.

Each entry must consist of a single news story or a series by the same author or writing team that displays evidence of extensive research and investigation to cover an issue vital to its community. This category allows work published outside of the Jan. 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2023, contest period, but the bulk of the reporting must have been published in 2023.

Each entry must also include a statement from the member publication explaining what reporting techniques were required, what obstacles were overcome and what impact, if any, the story had on the community. Use the Impact Statement tab in the online awards submission.

LGBTQ+ Coverage

$500 cash prize funded by Boulder Weekly publisher Fran Zankowski.

Each entry must consist of a single story or series focusing on LGBTQ+ issues.

Music Writing

Each entry must consist of up to three unrelated pieces by the same author or writing team. Pieces can focus on any genre of music.

News Story

Each entry must contain a single multi-sourced hard-news story.

Additionally, up to two stories following up on that initial story, written by the same author or writing team, may be included (but are not required).

Right-Wing Extremism Coverage

$500 cash prize funded by Anonymous.

Each entry must consist of a single news story or a series focusing on white supremacy, neo-nazi movements, Christian nationalism etc.

Solutions Journalism

Each entry must consist of a single news story or series that covers solutions to common problems in the publication’s community. From the Solutions Journalism Network: “Solutions stories don’t celebrate responses to problems, or advocate for specific ones; they cover them, investigating what was done and what the evidence says worked and didn’t work about it, and why. They report on the limitations of a response.”

DESIGN CATEGORIES

Cover Design

Each entry must consist of three separate front covers that appeared in the member publication in 2023. The covers of inserts and inside sections are not eligible. Photos and illustrations used in one of the submitted cover designs may also be entered in the Photography or Illustration category.

Editorial Layout – Print

Each entry must consist of a complete layout that is no longer than seven spreads. The layout may be a single article, an article with sidebars or several articles that were clearly published together as part of a package. The photos, illustrations or front cover of the editorial layout may not be submitted in one of the other Design categories.

Editorial Layout – Digital

Each entry must consist either a story or series layout accomplished online via your website or a special microsite. The layout may be a single article, an article with side content or several articles that were clearly published together as part of a package.

Illustration

Each entry must consist of a single illustration or set of illustrations for a single story. The illustration(s) must be original to the member publication. If a set of illustrations is submitted, all must be by the same artist or the same team of artists. Illustrations submitted to this category may also be submitted in the Cover Design category.

Photography

Each entry may consist of up to ten photos by the same photographer or team of photographers. If the photos have been digitally altered in any way beyond conventional cropping and sizing, please attach a description of the alteration and how it was achieved to each copy of the entry. Photos submitted to this category may also be submitted in the Cover Design category.

OUTSIDE-THE-BOX CATEGORIES

Ad Marketing Campaign (Created In-House)

Innovation/Format Buster

This category recognizes work on a single topic presented in an unconventional format in print or a combination of web and print. While a web component is not required, the entry must have a print component. The print component may present information with an atypical juxtaposition of graphics, art and text. The web component may incorporate video, audio, slideshows or maps to convey information. Entries may include an accompanying statement—use the Impact Statement tab if desired—but it is not required.

(Note: Works in the Innovation category may not be submitted in another category.)

Multimedia

This category recognizes the best use of multimedia to enhance storytelling. Examples include slide shows, video, audio, interactive features, or a combination of formats. Advertorial content is not allowed.

Permalink URLs for each work must be pasted into the URL fields of the contest site. If more than one component shares a web page, please submit an explanation on the “Impact Statement” tab to make clear which components are being judged. Do not submit files for features that are no longer active on your site.

Newsletter – Digital

Submit three editions of a digital newsletter produced by the publication. Newsletters will be judged based on their impact beyond the publisher’s website, the design of the newsletter and writing that’s exclusive to the newsletter. 

Use the Impact Statement tab to tell us more about the strategy behind this newsletter.

Special Section – Print

Each entry must consist of a special section or supplement that is not part of the regular print publication lineup. Examples are a “Best Of” issue, Holiday Gift Guide, Fashion Guide or Summer Guide.

Special Publication – Print

Each entry must consist of a publication distributed independently of the regular publication, such as quarterly or annual glossy magazines that operate as stand-alone brands. Special sections (distributed in place of or as part of your regular publication) have their own category. Examples include annual manuals or newcomers’ guides; standalone bar, nightlife, drinking, or cannabis-focused publications; and tourism or college magazines.