Editors and writers at Canadian magazine websites and online publications have been doing amazing things in recent years, but official recognition for their work has been minimal at best. That’s why MastheadOnline is today launching a call for entries for the first-ever Canadian Online Publishing Awards, a new awards program honouring excellence in online editorial and innovation by Canadian magazine and website publishers. To enter, visit canadianonlinepublishingawards.com. There, you’ll also find details on eligibility, rules, fees, prizes, judging, and more.

The contest is open to websites associated with print magazines, as well as online-only publications. Awards will be handed out in ten categories, with each category divided into two divisions (one for consumer, custom, religious and public association publications; the other for business-to-business, professional association, farm and scholarly publications).

The categories are:

• Best overall magazine website
• Best overall online-only publication website
• Best website design
• Best news coverage
• Best blog
• Best video feature
• Best community feature
• Best online-only article or series of articles
• Best cross-platform initiative
• Best e-newsletter

"Canada leads the world in Internet usage and Canadian online editors, writers and designers are also world-leaders," says Masthead publisher Doug Bennet. "We need to recognize and celebrate their work. We also need to bring that work to the attention of the larger media, to the advertising community, to governments and to readers everywhere. That's why we're excited by these awards and the prize packages we have assembled to promote Canadian online publishing excellence."

Entry deadline is June15, 2009. Nominees will be announced in the fall, followed by a winners’ celebration a few weeks later.

Produced by Masthead, the awards are also sponsored by Cornerstone Group, CCAB division of BPA Worldwide and Media in Canada.