National Magazine Awards entries now open

Submissions are now being accepted for the 42nd annual National Magazine Awards. Entries are accepted in 29 written & visual, editorial, best magazine and special categories. Gold winner in written & visual categories receive $1,000 cash prize; Digital content is eligible in most categories. Entry fees for most categories is $100

Deadline is January 18; the early bird rate is by January 11th. 

Back by popular demand, the Freelancer Support Fund allows freelance creators to submit their first two entries at the discounted rate of $50 per submission, or 50% of the regular rate if entries are submitted after the early-bird deadline.

If your magazines’ annual revenue is $200,000 or less, you’re likely eligible for the Small Magazine Rebate. This rebate is equal to one free entry.

The 2019 Digital Publishing Awards will feature 23 awards recognizing and rewarding Canadian digital publications and creators. Creators’ awards come with a $500 cash prize. Submissions for the 4th annual DPAs will open on January 2, 2019.

National Magazine Awards: B2B In addition to submitting for the NMA category of Professional Article, B2B journalists and publications are invited to enter the inaugural National Magazine Awards: B2B. Awards in 19 categories will recognize the work of business-to-business creators and editorial teams, with $500 cash prizes for gGold winners in creator-focused categories. Submissions open on January 3, 2019.

Ford government claws back money from the Ontario Arts Council.

About 10 years ago, Ontario's Culture Ministry announced a $5 million funding boost to the budget of the Ontario Arts Council. It brought the government's annual support of the OAC to about $60 million.

This week, the Conservative  government cut funding to the OAC by $5 million, dropping the base funding for 2018-19 to $65 million.

In addition. after barely a year in existence, the goverment has slashed in half the Indigenous Culture Fund from $5 million to $2.75 million in 2018-19. 
Go figure.

Writing for Magazines and Web for seriously interested in writing and selling mag articles

Writing for Magazines and the Web (CDJN 117) at Ryerson University's Chang School is an introductory evening course about the basics of conceiving, focussing, pitching, researching, structuring, writing and revising a full-length feature magazine story. It is intended for those with a serious interest in writing and selling non-fiction articles to print and online magazines. Participants are expected to read a wide variety of Canadian and American periodicals and to complete (for grading) four shorter writing assignments in addition to the feature. The 13-week Wednesday evening course starts January 16 6:30 to 9:30.
https://ce-online.ryerson.ca/ce/calendar/default.aspx?id=5&section=course&mode=course&ccode=CDJN%20117 

Mag and web publishing course provides a comprehensive overview

One of the foundation courses offered by the Chang School about magazine and web publishing is CDJN 112, due to start Monday, January 14th. It provides a broad overview of print and digital publishing with an emphasis on make the most of a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Each week concentrates on one aspect of the business (editorial, advertising, production etc.) and invited industry speakers  provide real-world insights. The main group project is creating a business plan that explores the various  aspects of the business.

https://ce-online.ryerson.ca/ce/calendar/default.aspx?id=5&section=course&mode=course&ccode=CDJN%20112

The News Group wholesale arm to be sold to U.S.-based hedge fund

The News Group (TNG) owned by the Jim Pattison Group is to be sold to Chatham Asset Management in a deal expected to close by year's end, according to a story in Folio:. 

What it means is that control of about two-thirds of the North American magazine wholesale market (including its subsidary Comag Marketing Group, the national distributor for Hearst Magazines,  Condé Nast, and American Media Inc., among others) will pass into the hands of a New Jersey-based hedge fund. 

About 1,500 TNG employees will move under the umbrella of a newly-formed American News Group. Canadian operations and TNG Merchandising were excluded from the sale and will remain as part of the Jim Pattison Group.

Related stories

• Coast to Coast newsstand distributor to be bought by Pattison's Comag group
• TNG acquires magazine sales and distribution arm of Ingram Content Services
• Jim Pattison Group buys Comag newsstand distribution firm from Hearst and Condé Nast
• Increasing clout of The News Group in U.S. magazine distribution is noted