Texas Monthly

Cover of November 2008 issue

Texas Monthly is a monthly American magazine published in Austin, Texas. Founded in 1973 by Michael R. Levy, Texas Monthly chronicles life in contemporary Texas, writing on politics, the environment, industry, and education. The magazine also covers leisure topics such as music, art, dining, and travel. Texas Monthly has a paid circulation of 300,000 and is read by more than 2,500,000 people each month — one out of seven Texas adults. Texas Monthly is published by Emmis Publishing, L.P.

Texas Monthly takes as its premise that Texas began as a distinctive place and remains so. As waves of New Yorkers, Californians, and the like have moved to Texas, attracted by a strong economy and vibrant lifestyle, the state has evolved and thus has the mission of the magazine. For the natives, Texas Monthly functions as a reminder of what once was, a record of their proud heritage. For those new to the state, it is part textbook and part guidebook, a journalistic road map of the state, its history, and its people.

Its audience comprises an equal number of men and women, most of whom are between the ages of 30 and 55. Generally speaking, they are college educated, married, and affluent, and they live in urban areas.

[edit] Subject matter

The magazine regularly profiles famous and infamous Texans, which in the past have included President George W. Bush, Texas Longhorns football coach Mack Brown, and the late Anna Nicole Smith.

Texas Monthly also is the self-appointed arbiter of all things culturally Texan, with past articles on Texas BBQ, the Texas Rangers (including Joaquin Jackson's famous 1994 cover appearance), and Texas musicians.

Texas Monthly's annual "Bum Steer Awards" poke fun at Texas politicians and policies, odd Texas-related news items and personalities from the previous year. Anna Nicole Smith (prior to her death) was a perennial "winner." Other Bum Steer 'Hall of Famers' include Ross Perot, Tom DeLay, and Jessica Simpson.

The magazine's current president and editor in chief is Evan Smith, who also hosts the weekly television interview/talk program Texas Monthly Talks.

[edit] Awards

The magazine has received nine National Magazine Awards:

• General Excellence - 2003, 1992, 1990
• Public Interest - 1996, for "Not What the Doctor Ordered" by Mimi Swartz
• Photography - 1990
• Reporting - 1985, for "The Man in the Black Hat" (part 1 and 2) by Paul Burka
• Public Service - 1980, for "Why Teachers Can't Teach" by Gene Lyons
• Reporting - 1979, for a three-part series by Richard West
• Outstanding Editorial Achievement in Special Journalism - 1974

A full list of awards is on Texas Monthly's website.

[edit] References

• Texas Monthly from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved Apr. 13, 2005.
• Texas Monthly Awards. Retrieved Apr. 13, 2005.

[edit] External links

• TexasMonthly.com - Official site