Public Management (PM) Magazine relies on article submissions from local government professionals around the world sharing their expertise. Publication priority goes to authors who are ICMA members, but submissions will be considered from others in the local government space.
We're searching for interesting and insightful stories on a variety of topics to advance professional local government thought leadership.
Access our full editorial guidelines here. Article pitches and submissions, as well as any questions about PM and the editorial process, can be sent to Kerry Hansen, senior managing editor, at khansen@icma.org.
Check out the PM Editorial Calendar for 2026:
JANUARY: THE EVOLVING WORKFORCE
Recruitment, Retention, and Culture
Deadline for article submissions: September 1, 2025
FEBRUARY: AI & AUTOMATION
The Future of Municipal Services
Deadline for article submissions: October 1, 2025
MARCH: ELECTIONS & CIVIC TRUST
Ensuring a Secure and Accessible Process
Deadline for article submissions: November 1, 2025
APRIL: COUNTY MANAGEMENT
Issues and Challenges Impacting the Management of Counties
Deadline for article submissions: December 1, 2025
MAY: THE FISCAL CLIFF
Navigating Contemporary Financial Challenges
Deadline for article submissions: January 1, 2026
JUNE: RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE
Building for the Next Century
Deadline for article submissions: February 1, 2026
JULY: PUBLIC SAFETY & COMMUNITY WELL-BEING
Police/Fire/EMS Services, Crisis/Disaster Preparedness and Management, Public Health
Deadline for article submissions: March 1, 2026
AUGUST: SMALL TOWNS & RURAL COMMUNITIES
Issues and Challenges, Scaling Solutions for Your Community
Deadline for article submissions: April 1, 2026
SEPTEMBER: INSPIRING LEADERS & INNOVATIVE COMMUNITIES
Stories of ICMA Award Recipients and Award-Winning Communities
Deadline for article submissions: May 1, 2026
OCTOBER: HOUSING & AFFORDABILITY
A Crisis on the Local Level / Sustainability and Climate Action
Deadline for article submissions: June 1, 2026
NOVEMBER: CYBERSECURITY
Protecting the Public Sector
Deadline for article submissions: July 1, 2026
DECEMBER: 2026 YEAR IN REVIEW
Deadline for article submissions: September 1, 2026
Frequent Columns and Topics:
- Executive Director's Corner
- Ethics Matter!
- Council-Manager Form of Government
- Council-Manager Relations
- Mental Health
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility
- Women in Leadership
- Assistants and Deputies
- Tech Updates
- Member Spotlight
- Innovation
- Senior Advisors
- Outdoors
