Public Management (PM) Magazine relies on article submissions from ICMA members and others in the local government space sharing their expertise. We're searching for interesting and insightful stories on a variety of topics to advance professional local government.

Article pitches and submissions can be sent to Kerry Hansen, managing editor, at khansen@icma.org. Access our full editorial guidelines here and view the 2025 Editorial Calendar here.

Check out the PM Editorial Calendar for 2024:

JAN: Local Government Careers and Workforce

Career development, hiring and retention, workforce trends and challenges, digital workspace
Deadline for article submissions: Nov 1

FEB: Using Data to Drive Success

Case studies in how best to capture, analyze, and use data in local government decision-making; ICMA technical assistance programs
Deadline for article submissions: Dec 1

MAR: Ethics, Political Neutrality, and Voting

Ethical leadership, importance of political neutrality for local government professionals;
100th anniversary of the ICMA Code of Ethics
Deadline for article submissions: Jan 1

APR: Finance and Budgeting

Innovations in finance management and budget preparation, strategic planning
Deadline for article submissions: Feb 1

MAY: Public Health Reimagined

Prioritizing mental health, post-pandemic public concerns and innovations
Deadline for article submissions: Mar 1

JUN: Community Engagement Reimagined

Engagement tactics and challenges, 311, deliberative discourse, polarity management
Deadline for article submissions: Apr 1

JUL: Thriving Economies

Economic development, shared mobility, sustainability
Deadline for article submissions: May 1

AUG: Emergency Management and Public Safety Reimagined

Leadership during a crisis; police, fire, and EMS services; emergency and disaster preparedness
Deadline for article submissions: Jun 1

SEP: Inspiring Leaders and Innovative Communities (Awards)

Stories of ICMA award recipients and award-winning communities
Deadline for article submissions: Jul 1

OCT: Technology and Cybersecurity

Innovative technologies, drones, cybersecurity awareness and cyber hygiene
Deadline for article submissions: Aug 1

NOV: Low-Population Communities

Challenges and solutions for small towns, rural areas, and low-population counties
Deadline for article submissions: Sep 1

DEC: Council-Manager Relations

Orientation/education, communication, setting expectations, establishing trust
Deadline for article submissions: Oct 1

Frequent Departments:

Letter from the CEO/Executive Director
Ethics Matter!
Assistants and Deputies
Tech Updates
Member/Global Spotlight
IDEALS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Leadership, Social Justice)
Women in Leadership
Advocacy
Next Generation
First-Time Administrators
Managers in Transition

Topics Commonly Found in Each Issue:

Leadership
Management
Gnarly/wicked issues
Counties/small towns
Innovation
Council–manager form of government