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Texas Monthly

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Texas Monthly
Cover of the January 2007 issue, covering the Dick Cheney hunting incident
Editor-in-chiefDan Goodgame[1]
FrequencyMonthly
Total circulation
(2023)		257,611[2]
First issueFebruary 1973; 51 years ago (1973-02)
CompanyTexas Monthly LLC (Randa Williams)
CountryUnited States
Based inAustin, Texas
Websitewww.texasmonthly.com
ISSN0148-7736
Texas Monthly News shop at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston

Texas Monthly (stylized as TexasMonthly) is a monthly American magazine headquartered in Downtown 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. It is a member of the City and Regional Magazine Association (CRMA).[3]

After being sold to Emmis Publishing, L.P. in 1998,[4] the magazine was later sold to Genesis Park LP in 2016 for $25 million,[5][6] and is currently owned by Randa Williams as of 2019.[7][8][9] In 2021, Texas Monthly began expanding into video production through its acquisition of Phillips Productions, best known as the producers of Texas Country Reporter.[10]

Subject matter

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Texas Monthly takes as its premise that Texas began as a distinctive place and remains so. It 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. It releases biennial lists with explanations of the "Ten Best" and "Ten Worst" Texas state legislators.

Since the establishment of the magazine, barbecue enthusiasts have been among the Texas Monthly staff. The magazine's first article about barbecue in Texas was published in 1973. The magazine often ranks what it considers to be the best barbecue restaurants in Texas.[11] Calvin Trillin of The New Yorker said in 2008 that East Texas barbecue often did not interest the Austin-based staff of the Texas Monthly, who were more focused on Central Texas barbecue.[12]

In December 2021, the magazine signed a three-year first-look deal with HBO and HBO Max.[13]

Headquarters

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816 Congress, which houses the Texas Monthly headquarters

It has its headquarters at 816 Congress Ave. in Downtown Austin. It occupies a 21,610 square feet (2,008 m2) area on the 17th floor of the building. As of 2011 it has about 80 employees.[14]

Around 2009 the Texas Monthly headquarters moved to University Park, on the site of the former Concordia University. The headquarters was scheduled to move to its current location in Downtown Austin in the summer of 2011.[14]

Previously the headquarters was in Suite 1600 of 701 Brazos in Downtown Austin.[15]

Awards

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The magazine has received ten National Magazine Awards:[16]

  • General Excellence—2009, 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

Archives

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The complete archives of Texas Monthly (1972–present) are located at the Wittliff collections of Southwestern Writers, Texas State University.[17]

Texas Monthly Press

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In the 1980s, Texas Monthly Press published such books as Goodbye to a River and Hank the Cowdog and authors such as Bud Shrake, Stephen Harrigan and Gary Cartwright. Gulf Publishing Company purchased Texas Monthly Press in 1989.

References

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  1. ^ Pulsinelli, Olivia (June 25, 2019). "Houston billionaire buys Texas Monthly magazine". Austin Business Journal. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  2. ^ "ABC". Abcas3.accessabc.com. December 31, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "CRMA Magazines". City and Regional Magazine Association. Archived from the original on May 31, 2010. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  4. ^ "Emmis to Buy Texas Monthly Publisher". The New York Times. Associated Press. 5 April 1998. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  5. ^ "Texas Monthly magazine sold for $25 million". Austin American-Statesman. 2016-10-14. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  6. ^ "Texas Monthly sale puts a Hobby in charge". Houston Chronicle. 2016-10-13. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  7. ^ "Texas Monthly sells to billionaire oil and gas heiress". Dallas News. 2019-06-25. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  8. ^ Dawson, Peter (June 25, 2019). "10 things to know about Randa Duncan Williams, the Houston billionaire who just bought Texas Monthly". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Texas Monthly gets new ownership, again". Austin American Statesman. June 25, 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Why Texas Monthly thinks a pivot to video will help attract subscribers". 11 February 2022.
  11. ^ Forrest Brown. "The big city takeover of Texas barbecue". CNN. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  12. ^ Trillin, Calvin. "By Meat Alone", The New Yorker, November 24, 2008. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
  13. ^ Porter, Rick (December 17, 2021). "HBO Strikes First-Look Deal With Texas Monthly". The Hollywood Reporter.
  14. ^ a b "Texas Monthly moving back downtown". Austin Business Journal. 2011-05-12. Retrieved 2017-02-08. - Updated May 13, 2011.
  15. ^ "Media Kit." Texas Monthly. Retrieved on September 5, 2009. "Texas Monthly Attn: Nicki Longoria 701 Brazos, Suite 1600 Austin, TX 78701"
  16. ^ Nominations for National Magazine Awards Archived February 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. TexasMonthly.com.
  17. ^ "Texas Monthly Magazine Archive at The Wittliff Collections, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX". Texas Uni. Library.[dead link]
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