EPA Best in Class: First Place 2023

Judges evaluated each entry on six criteria:

• Cover design 

• Quality and use of imagery (photos and/or illustration)  

• Overall design (including typography, pace and consistency, originality, creativity) 

• Quality (or strength) of writing 

• Strength (or intrigue) of titling 

• Overall editorial punch (creativity, uniqueness of approach, timeliness or timelessness, appropriateness to audience/purpose)

Some of the judges’ comments:

Though not a long magazine, this issue consisting of narratives of Christian martyrs' lives is powerful in an understated way. The stories are built through painstaking, in-person reporting; there is not one bit of triumphalism or hype. The writer(s) do not avoid complicated situations in unfamiliar cultures; they carefully explain facts and circumstances. Good range of geographic locations. VOM's role in sustaining the families of these individuals is stated simply near the end of the stories. Having been an investigative reporter for years, I know how difficult it is to put together accurate, well-rounded, narrative portraits like these. Well done. The photos are strong, too.

First striking thing about your cover is the color – very nice.  Simple masthead and your titling is simple, if somewhat small for the overall effect.  Photographs seem much improved.  Nice job.  Strong well-written stories that have depth and interest.