Making the web a better place takes many forms, especially inside Automattic. WordPress.com and WooCommerce help creators and businesses design beautiful sites and stores to make their dreams a reality. Tumblr offers powerful tools for building community; Day One does the same for a journaling practice. Security, podcasts, messaging, spam prevention: it’s all part of a healthy open web.
But a healthy open web also needs quality journalism. That’s why Automattic serves as proud home to The Atavist, a digital magazine that publishes one deeply reported piece of narrative nonfiction each month.
Over the years The Atavist has run nearly every kind of story imaginable, from true crime investigations to jaw-dropping tales of suspense. We’re always excited when the publication receives public recognition for its work—and this month it did so three times, for three different features.
- Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi Award in Magazine Writing: “Held Together”
- NLGJA (The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists), Excellence in Feature Writing: “Who Killed the Fudge King?”
- Finalist, Bayeux Calvados-Normandy Award for War Correspondents: “Two Thousand Miles from Home”
“Nothing makes me happier than seeing Atavist stories win awards,” said editor-in-chief Seyward Darby. “The latest honors are a testament to the incredible, diverse work of our talented freelance contributors, including writers, fact-checkers, and artists.”
The Atavist and its sister publication, Longreads, are both built on Newspack, a publishing and solution for independent newsrooms built on WordPress. Newspack hosts a network of more than 270 news publishers, from local and regional outlets to national nonprofits; publishers include Reveal, Hong Kong Free Press, The Oaklandside, Capital B, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Transitions Online, and The Center for Public Integrity.
The Atavist’s full history of awards and accolades is available on its website.
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