Bay State Parent wins 16 National Awards!

Bay State Parent magazine won 16 awards at the national Parenting Publications of America (PPA) Conference this past weekend in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The magazine won more PPA awards than another parenting publication in Massachusetts, including a bronze award for best parenting publication in the medium circulation category.
The judges wrote: "This publication is full of nicely reported and written local stories full of local real people and experts. The design is consistent and organized, and it is easy to navigate through the publication."
I'm extremely proud that we took first and second place for best special section within a publication for our Think Pink Guide and our Dreams Do Come True 12th Annual Arts Guide, respectively.
And I was thrilled to hear what the judges had to say about the magazine's reporting: "The sheer volume of content in this magazine is impressive, but its writers and editors also take the time to make every page, story and listing exude authority and provide useful information. Monthly themes give each issue a personality all its own."
Thus far in 2008, the magazine has won 26 national and regional awards.
In fact, Bay State Parent has won more than 100 awards since changing our name to Bay State Parent from Today's Parent four years ago. We truly are Massachusetts' Premier Magazine for Families.

Below is a rundown of our 16 awards & what the judges had to say (I'd apologize for the length of this blog entry, but I'm NOT sorry we did so well.) I'm very proud to be editor of Bay State Parent and extremely proud of our entire staff and all the freelance writers & photographers of the work they do to produce a high-quality publication month in and month out!

DESIGN AWARDS:

* Original Cover Photo on Newsprint
Silver: October 2007 - photography by Patrick O'Connor, designed by creative director Paula Monette Ethier
Judges: "The photograph of the woman, obviously a cancer survivor, and the child fits the lead story perfectly. The smiles and the hug are endearing. The colors also fit the subject matter. This is tastefully executed."

* Original Interior Photography
Gold: “Timely Fashions,” August 2007 back-to-school fashion spread. Photographed by Nancy MacDonald and designed by Paula Monette Ethier
Judges: "This is a creative and unique way to illustrate a back to school fashion story. The images are fun, quirky and anachronistic. They are given tremendous display space both in size and quantity. "

* Best Special Section Within a Publication
Gold: "12th Annual Arts Guide, September 2007" Paula Monette Ethier
Judges: "A fabulous guide that is sure to attract more than just parents. The stories are interesting and entertaining. The guide has lovely photography and a classic design style. Surely it’s a must-read for every parent and child. "

EDITORIAL AWARDS:

* Cover Lines

Gold: Cover lines written by editor Susan Scully Petroni (Submitted issues: April & August 2007)

Judges: "There's so much to like about these covers, including the large number of well-written cover blurbs. The August cover has a line for "Goldilocks Parents," and the April line: "Shut up about your perfect kid" sealed the deal for this magazine to win first place. The publication doesn't take itself too seriously, and that allows the editors to have more freedom with humor."

*Calendar of Events
Silver: Calendar editor Carrie Wattu & editor Susan Scully Petroni (Submitted issues: April & October 2007)

Judges: "In addition to thorough listings, this calendar includes several useful side lists, such as editor's picks, free museum dates, weekly story hours, and events just for moms."

* Child Development & Parenting Issues Column

Gold: Pondering Parenting by Kerri Augusto (Submitted columns: January & April 2007)

Judges: "The writer uses and effective personal examples to instantly connect with readers, lures them in with her compassionate interpretations of behavior and then provides sound, authoritative advice."

* Family Fun Column
Gold: Day Trip Destination (Submitted columns: August & December 2007)
Writers: Carrie Wattu & Rose Cafasso

Judges: "This column offers honest, interesting and well-written assessments of unique venues in the Baystate area. Just reading about the writers' experiences is entertaining enough. Families that decide to follow through with their own visits know exactly what to expect."

* Humor Column
Silver: Pondering Parenting by Kerri Augusto (Submitted columns: July & October 2007)
Judges: "Is it possible to write with authority while at the same time tendering information in a humorous and interesting way? The answer is a definite "yes" when reading this author's columns, whose voice is simultaneously credible and whimsical."

* Profile
Silver: Meet The Real-Life Emily Elizabeth (September 2007)
Writer: Elizabeth C. Regan
Judges: "This article is a story within a story. Clifford, The Big Red Dog, is a favorite of many people, but very few people know the story behind the scenes. The writer does a good job of profiling the real-life Emily and demonstrating what it was like for her to live with a fictional character."

* Service Feature
Silver: Talking To Your Child About A Loved One’s Breast Cancer (October 2007)
Writer: Carrie Wattu
Judges: "Talking to children about illness, particularly when the illness is potentially life-threatening, requires all the communication skills a parent can muster. Wattu offers a wealth of information for building those skills and handling this difficult task. Clearly organized and comprehensive. "

* Special Series
Silver: Fitting In While Standing Out (September, October, & November 2007)
Writer: Dr. Robyn Silverman’s Parenting 1-2-3
Judges: "Timely and informative, these columns contain the ideal mix of fact and narrative."

* Special Series
Bronze: The Truth About Miscarriage (March & April 2007)
Writer: Marguerite Paolino
Judges: "Informative, yet entertaining. A strong voice throughout helps carry the reader through the piece."

* Special Section Within A Publication
Gold: Think Pink Guide (October 2007)
Writers: Susan Scully Petroni, Michelle Xiarhos Curran, Carrie Wattu, Jane Mackay, Jennifer Lefferts, Alyson Aiello, & Elizabeth C. Regan,
Judges: "This section presents an interesting and unusual approach to a parenting guide. A concentration of articles about breast cancer and its effect on not just the health victims but also on their children offers a refreshing change of pace from how to prevent Internet stalking. More importantly, the articles give concise and understanding advice on how to help children cope and understand the change in the family’s situation. "

* Special Section Within A Publication
Silver: Dream Do Come True 12th Annual Arts Guide (September 2007)
Writers: Susan Scully Petroni, Michelle Xiarhos Curran, Robin Burke, Carrie Wattu, Leslie Castillo, Sue Lovejoy & Elizabeth C. Regan
Judges: "What fun – a look at performing arts through the eyes of moms, dads and teens who want to have some fun and provide some entertainment. The articles are interesting and strike the right tone between information and entertainment."

* Overall Reporting
Bronze: (Submitted issues: March, September, & October 2007 )
Writers: Susan Scully Petroni, Alyson Aiello, Kerri Augusto, Amy Benoit, Robin Burke, Rosemary Cafasso, Lindsay Crone, Michelle Xiarhos Curran, Antoinette Donovan, Jon Grayzel, Marta Kowalczyk, Jennifer Lefferts, Sue Lovejoy, Jane Mackay, Maria Marien, Marguerite Paolino, Elizabeth C. Regan, Robyn Silverman, Donna White
Judges: "The sheer volume of content in this magazine is impressive, but its writers and editors also take the time to make every page, story and listing exude authority and provide useful information. Monthly themes give each issue a personality all its own."

* Overall General Excellence
Bronze: (Submitted issues: September, October, & November 2007)
Writers: Susan Scully Petroni, Alyson Aiello, Kerri Augusto, Amy Benoit, Robin Burke, Rosemary Cafasso, Lindsay Crone, Michelle Xiarhos Curran, Antoinette Donovan, Jon Grayzel, Kate M Jackson, Jennifer Lefferts, Sue Lovejoy, Jennifer Lucarelli, Sarah MacDonald, Jane Mackay, Marguerite Paolino, Elizabeth C. Regan, Donna Roberson, Robyn Silverman, & Donna White
Designers & Photographers: Paula Monette Ethier, Stephanie Renaud, Brittany Durgin, Jimmy Leblanc, Chrissa Marcos, Portrait Simple Studios, Patrick O’Connor, & Nancy MacDonald,
Judges: "This publication is full of nicely reported and written local stories full of local real people and experts. The design is consistent and organized, and it is easy to navigate through the publication. "

Parenting Publications of America (PPA) gave out more than 400 awards to 78 parenting publications in the United States, Canada, & Australia.
PPA's Editorial & Design Awards Competition recognizes excellence in journalism, photography, and design achieved by publishers, editors, writers, and designers at member publications. Professor Daryl Moen of the University of Missouri's School of Journalism coordinated the annual contest. A panel of judges reviewed 1,249 entries this year (up 5% from last year) to choose the winners in each category. All judges have had significant professional journalism experience.
"The strong increase in the number of entries reflects a publishing niche which continues to prosper," said Professor Moen. "Writing entries, ranging from feature writing to the columns, remains the core strength of the contest. In addition, much of the design is becoming more professional and sophisticated. For the magazines, editors and designers are doing a much better job matching the words to strong visuals and selling the content."