AMPA's Summer Story Contest - two more days for your entries!

Only two more days to enter AMPA's Summer Story Contest!!!! Deadline July 31, 2010

Do you dream of attaining fame and fortune as a writer? Looking for that big break to get your wise words out to the public? Or maybe you just want to share a memory with a truly appreciative audience? Has AMPA got the contest for you!

It's easy: First, jot down your favourite Alberta summer memory. The more rah rah Alberta-rific, the better. Second, send your entry (max. 250 words) to ampa@albertamagazines.com by July 31, 2010. Third, check your email obsessively awaiting those magical words: You've Won!

The prize: Publication of your story in our MagaScene newsletter, a one-year subscription to any one of our member magazines AND a flippin' sweet t-shirt! All you have to do is compose your good times and your talent. Plus, you get free stuff. Enough said.

More Jobs Galore

Tired of those lazy days of summer yet and keen to get back to the grind in the fall? Never fear, a new internship season is here. The AMPA job board has several new postings for fall internships - the perfect entry-level opportunity for a fabulous magazine keener such as yourself.

Redpoint Media Group just posted these gems:
Marketing Intern
Editorial Intern, Avenue (Calgary)
Web Intern, Avenue (Calgary)

And for those of you who have already climbed the industry ladder, there are plenty of career opportunities in Alberta magazines for you right now too!

Early Bird Deadline August 2nd!!!

Don't forget the early-bird deadline for the 2nd Annual Sugar Bowl for the Amber Webb-Bowerman Memorial Foundation (AWBMF). Register by Monday August 2, 2010 to get your ticket - includes admission, lawn bowling, dinner, two drink tickets - for only $70!!!

For more information, visit:
http://www.albertamagazines.com/news_and_events/events.php#SugarBowl

Save the date - AdDirect Webinar July 29

Magazines Canada AdDirect Webinar
July 29, 2010 at 1:00pm

Register today for a free webinar demonstration of Magazines Canada AdDirect™ exclusively for the publishing community. You will learn how the AdDirect™ ad preflight and delivery portal can work for you.

Magazines Canada AdDirect™ ad portal was the recipient of the 2010 Ted Rogers Innovation Award for Best Process Improvement. The award recognized the contribution that AdDirect™ has made in automating, streamlining and managing the submission, preflight and approval process for advertising files. The AdDirect™ ad portal verifies that an ad will print correctly within publisher specifications or, if ads are incorrectly prepared, identify the issues that need to be corrected. AdDirect™ has allowed publishers to reduce the time and resources required to check ads and go back and forth with advertisers on fixes.

For information about AdDirect™, contact Gary Garland, Executive Director Advertising Services, Magazines Canada at ggarland@magazinescanada.ca.

Jobs Galore

If you have experience in the publishing industry, or are looking to get your foot in the door, you may find the opportunity you've been looking for in one of the many jobs currently posted on the AMPA website. Happy hunting!

• Communications Coordinator, Canopy

• Forest Campaigner, Canopy

• Editor, Apple Magazine

• Sales & Circulation/Traffic Coordinator, Where Calgary

• Interim Editor (Maternity Leave), IMPACT Magazine

• Associate Art Director, Alberta Oil

• GMCC Intercamp Managing Editor

• Listings & Web Editor, Where Calgary

• Senior Account Executive, Where Edmonton

Aveda Environmental Award

The Aveda Environmental Award is one of the many ways the Better Paper Project rewards the best of the best for outstanding environmental publishing.

When judging applications for the Aveda Environmental Award, the greatest weight will be given to a magazine's paper and production choices followed by procurement policies and educational efforts.

The judges for the Aveda Environmental Award have more than 60 years combined experience with paper and publishing. They use predefined criteria to select winners for each category of award. This year there are several all new categories of the Award:

• Best Paper & Printing Practices
• Best Distribution & Efficiency Practices
• Best Overall Environmental Commitment
  

Applications are due no later than 5 pm Pacific Time on August 31, 2010. For more information about the award criteria, please click here.

IMPACT Magazine Turns Twenty

Pick up the July/August 2010 issue of IMPACT Magazine. No, seriously, pick it up -- this 94-page beauty packs some weight, and I have it on good word that reading a bulky magazine burns calories. (Disclaimer: this is just what us bookworms tell ourselves every time we pass up activity in favor of reading. Further disclaimer: IMPACT does not endorse this message. In fact, reading this magazine actually encourages any and all physical activity).

This Summer 2010 Sports Issue marks the completion of nineteen years of publishing. From its humble beginnings as a fitness and health magazine, IMPACT has evolved over the years to, as described in the Memorandum from the Editor, a "more refined sport performance, fitness and health publication" full of expert advice and contributions. Along with ideas for your workout and healthy diet, this issue of IMPACT explores the rise of marathon cycling events, profiles both established and up-and-coming athletic inspirations, follows an ultra-runner on a 936-km trek in Australia, and then some.

PS - if you're already hooked and want to work behind-the-scenes with the magazine -- plus you have editorial experience, and a passion for sports performance, health and fitness -- consider submitting your resume for the Interim Editor (maternity leave) position now available.

filling Station Wants Your Words

filling Station, Canada's Alternative Literary Magazine, is always looking for great poetry. Share your most innovative, original, challenging, and/or experimental unpublished poems today. Send any number of poems, comprising no more than 10 pages of poetry, to Beth Langford, Poetry Editor, poetry.fs@gmail.com

Submission Guidelines:

- Send up to 6 poems of any length in a Word attachment to poetry.fs@gmail.com
- Visual files should be in jpg or eps format and 300 dpi or greater.
- Simultaneous submissions are acceptable.
- Please allow up to 4 months for reply.
- Include your name & email address on each page of your Word document.
- In your covering email, please include a short bio in the 3rd person, email address,
mailing address, and the name of the pieces being submitted.*

*Submissions that do not include bio and address will be considered incomplete.

Do you dream of attaining fame and fortune as a writer?

Looking for that big break to get your wise words out to the public? Or maybe you just want to share a memory with a truly appreciative audience? Has AMPA got the contest for you! It’s easy:

1) write down your favourite Alberta summer memory. The more rah-rah-Alberta-rific, the better
2) send your entry (max. 250 words) to ampa@albertamagazines.com by July 31, 2010
3) check your email obsessively, awaiting those magical words: You’ve Won!

Won what, you ask?
The prize:

• Publication of your story in our monthly newsletter MagaScene (sent to over a thousand industry professionals and enthusiasts) ;
• a one-year subscription to any one of our member magazines;
• AND a flippin' sweet t-shirt!

All you have to do is compose your good times and your talent. Plus, you get free stuff. Enough said.

Worldcolor Enters New Phase

Quad/Graphics, a global provider of print and related multichannel solutions, has acquired AMPA associate member Worldcolor (formerly with Quebecor World Printing), following the “overwhelming approval” of stakeholders at both companies. It is evident from the news release that this had been the most amicable and organized of mergers. “Quad/Graphics has had five months to plan this integration and is better prepared than any team with which I've been associated over the years,” stated Mark Angelson, former Chairman and CEO of Worldcolor, who continues on with Quad/Graphics as a member of the Board of Directors.

The full press release can be read online.

Alberta Magazines Get in the Cowboy Spirit

With an office in the heart of cowboy city there’s no avoiding Stampede and rodeo season—and who would want to? Once a year Calgarians get to trade in their business attire for those dashing duds, partake daily in those fabulous free feasts, and party till the cows come home. Yet, with all of this fuss and fanfare about the Stampede, Calgarians tend to forget that it’s also rodeo season throughout Western Canada.

With that in mind, here are just a few of the Alberta magazines offering events, ideas, and info to help you get in the cowboy spirit throughout the province:

• airdrielife (Summer 2010 issue) - 2010 Airdrie Pro Rodeo Guide, plus a story featuring Airdrie’s bull riding Joe Messina
• Avenue Calgary (July 2010) - Four Calgarians share their Stampeding styles, secrets and suggestions in "4 ways to Stampede"
• Canadian Cowboy Country (June/July 2010) – 2010 Western Vacation Map “Your Guide to All Things Cowboy”, as well as a Quick Guide to the 2010 Highlights at the Calgary Stampede
• Gay Calgary (June 2010) - Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association (ARGRA) Rodeo Guide at a Glance
• Lethbridge living (July/August 2010) - The latest adventures at Fort Whoop-up in “How the West was Really Won” will get you in the mood for Whoop-up Days and Rodeo

Saturday, August 28, 2010

2nd Annual Sugar Bowl

It's finally time to announce details for the highly anticipated 2nd Annual Sugar Bowl for the Amber Webb-Bowerman Memorial Foundation (AWBMF). Have you been eagerly awaiting this event and the chance to hoist the winner's trophy at this year's Sugar Bowl?

Here are the details:
Date: Saturday, August 28
Time: TBD (Registration will likely begin around 4pm)
Where: Calgary Lawn Bowling Club, 1238 - 16 Avenue SW
What: Lawn bowling tourney, food, drinks, music, silent auction, fun!!
Tickets: Early-bird (must be paid for by Monday, Aug. 2); $70--includes admission, lawn bowling, dinner, two drink tickets
After Aug. 2, tickets will be $100 each. CASH OR CHEQUE ONLY PLEASE. (Fan tickets may become available if all play tickets are sold.)

Don't hesitate! Register today at info@amberbowerman.ca. Teams of three to five are encouraged, although singles and pairs are also welcome to register. Space is limited for number of players.

Reminisce about last year's Sugar Bowl: http://www.flickr.com/photos/awbmf/