The Best American Magazine Writing

The Best American Magazine Writing is an annual anthology that showcases the best magazine writing in the United States, featuring works by renowned authors such as Jonathan Franzen, Zadie Smith, and David Foster Wallace. The series is published by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and has been edited by notable figures like Glenn Stout, Jacqueline Mitchell, and Robert S. Boynton. With its diverse range of topics and styles, the anthology has become a staple of American literary and journalistic culture, alongside other esteemed publications like The New Yorker, Harper's Magazine, and The Atlantic.

Introduction to The Best American Magazine Writing

The Best American Magazine Writing series was established to recognize and celebrate exceptional magazine writing, highlighting the work of talented authors and journalists who have contributed to prominent publications like Esquire, Vanity Fair, and The New York Times Magazine. The anthology features a wide range of essays and articles, from Nicholas Kristof's investigative reporting to Atul Gawande's thought-provoking commentary, and from Jennifer Egan's innovative fiction to Sarah Kendzior's incisive analysis. By showcasing the best of American magazine writing, the series aims to promote excellence in journalism and literature, inspiring writers like Ta-Nehisi Coates, Rebecca Solnit, and George Packer to push the boundaries of their craft.

History of the Series

The first edition of The Best American Magazine Writing was published in 2000, with subsequent volumes released annually, featuring works by acclaimed authors like Donna Tartt, Michael Chabon, and Alice Munro. Over the years, the series has included essays and articles from a variety of publications, including The Paris Review, Granta, and McSweeney's, as well as online magazines like Slate and The Huffington Post. The series has also recognized the work of emerging writers like Leslie Jamison, Ottessa Moshfegh, and Alexander Chee, who have gone on to achieve great success in the literary world, with publications in The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Los Angeles Times.

Notable Editors and Contributors

The Best American Magazine Writing series has been edited by a number of distinguished journalists and authors, including Susan Orlean, Calvin Trillin, and Mark Bowden. Notable contributors to the series have included Tom Wolfe, Gay Talese, and Joan Didion, as well as contemporary writers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, George Saunders, and Claire Vaye Watkins. The series has also featured works by prominent journalists like Sarah Kendzior, Glenn Greenwald, and Nick Turse, who have made significant contributions to the field of investigative reporting, with publications in The Intercept, ProPublica, and The Nation.

Award-Winning Essays and Articles

The Best American Magazine Writing series has included a number of award-winning essays and articles, such as Sarah Kendzior's Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting on the Trump presidency, and Glenn Greenwald's Polk Award-winning coverage of the NSA surveillance scandal. Other notable works featured in the series include Nicholas Kristof's Pulitzer Prize-winning commentary on global health and Atul Gawande's National Book Award-nominated essays on medicine and healthcare, published in The New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet.

Impact on American Literature and Journalism

The Best American Magazine Writing series has had a significant impact on American literature and journalism, providing a platform for emerging writers and showcasing the best of contemporary magazine writing. The series has been recognized by major literary and journalistic organizations, including the Pulitzer Prize board, the National Book Foundation, and the American Society of Magazine Editors. By promoting excellence in writing and journalism, the series has helped to shape the literary and journalistic landscape of the United States, influencing publications like The New York Review of Books, The London Review of Books, and The Times Literary Supplement.

Selection Process and Criteria

The selection process for The Best American Magazine Writing series involves a rigorous review of magazine articles and essays published throughout the year, with a focus on works that demonstrate exceptional writing, reporting, and storytelling. The criteria for selection include the quality of the writing, the significance of the topic, and the impact of the article or essay on the reader, as well as the author's use of language, structure, and style, with consideration of publications like The New Yorker, Harper's Magazine, and The Atlantic. The series editors, in consultation with a panel of distinguished journalists and authors, including Nicholas Lemann, Helen Rosner, and Patrick Radden Keefe, select the best works of the year, which are then featured in the annual anthology, alongside works by other notable authors and journalists, such as Jane Kramer, Lawrence Wright, and Laura Miller.