I write for a really wide variety of publications, and I love the range of assignments they provide. Every day and every article is different. I also love the reputation that many of these publications hold.

Just yesterday, I received an e-mail from my editor at Lafayette Magazine saying the publication took third place in the Best of Gannett competition. This magazine is only a year old, but it's been well received in the community, and now it's being recognized by the industry.

Last year, Hoof Beats magazine won the General Excellence award for Association or Subsidized Magazine(circulation under 15,000) from American Horse Publications. Barrel Horse News won General Excellence for Best Tabloid/Newspaper—admittedly, I wasn't writing for them during this awards period, but it's exciting, nonetheless. Equine Veterinary Management received a General Excellence honorable mention for Self-Supported Magazine (circulation under 15,000). Western Horseman received a General Excellence honorable mention as Self-Supported Magazine (circulation 15,000 and over)—again, I started writing for them just this year.

There are other measures of merit that are worth paying more attention to, most important being reader and source satisfaction—getting the story right and making it useful. This week, I got a note from someone whose business we profiled in The Indianapolis Star's "Suburban Homescape" section. She offered to send a small token of appreciation. We don't accept gifts, but her thanks was a nice reward.