Public Management (PM) Magazine relies on article submissions from local government professionals around the world sharing their expertise.
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.
Publication in PM is highly competitive, with priority given to authors who are ICMA members, though submissions from others in the local government space are also considered. Vendor submissions are accepted on a limited basis and and must be strictly educational and non-promotional. Paid sponsored content opportunities are available through the ICMA Media Kit.
Articles are accepted and slated on a rolling basis. An issue may be fully slated prior to the submission deadline listed below, or there may still be space available after the deadline has passed. Email khansen@icma.org with any questions.
Check out the PM Editorial Calendar for 2027:
JANUARY: ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE & THE FUTURE OF THE WORKFORCE
Staffing shortages, recruitment, retention, burnout, work-life balance, attracting younger professionals, rural recruitment, multi-generational workforce, employee engagement, high-performing teams
Deadline for article submissions: October 1, 2026
FEBRUARY: TRUST, INCIVILITY & ENGAGEMENT
Difficult conversations, communicating during controversy, online harassment of staff and officials, rumor control and rapid-response communication, community ambassadors and trusted messengers, engaging residents before—not after—a decision
Deadline for article submissions: November 1, 2026
MARCH: GOVERNANCE & ETHICS
Council-manager relationships, ethical leadership under pressure, political polarization, political neutrality, governing body conflict, professionalism, council onboarding and governance education
Special section and digital supplement on brownfields, economic opportunity, and redevelopment. Copies of March issue to be distributed at the Brownfields 2027 Conference, May 25–28, 2027.
Deadline for article submissions: December 1, 2026
APRIL: LEGISLATIVE & FISCAL PRESSURES
Home rule, state preemption, property taxes, fiscal uncertainty, revenue limitations, state mandates, financial sustainability, local authority
Deadline for article submissions: January 1, 2027
MAY: LEADERSHIP WELL-BEING & MENTAL HEALTH
Emotional resilience, burnout, stress management, navigating transitions and termination, sustaining joy in public service, peer support, family considerations in the management profession
Deadline for article submissions: February 1, 2027
JUNE: PUBLIC SAFETY, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT & COMMUNITY RESILIENCE
Police/Fire/EMS services, behavioral health crisis response, severe weather preparedness, public health, after-action reviews and organizational learning, building resident preparedness
Deadline for article submissions: March 1, 2027
JULY: PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
From measurement to management, connecting performance to the strategic plan, building a performance culture, data storytelling, measuring what matters to the community, AI and predictive analytics
Deadline for article submissions: April 1, 2027
AUGUST: LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & SUCCESSION PLANNING
Career development, executive readiness, first-time managers, succession planning, executive transitions, mentoring, coaching, peer networks, leadership academies, developing internal talent
Deadline for article submissions: May 1, 2027
SEPTEMBER: INSPIRING LEADERS & INNOVATIVE COMMUNITIES
An in-depth look at the year's ICMA award recipients and award-winning communities, along with content on a variety of topics
Deadline for article submissions: June 1, 2027
OCTOBER: AI & EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
AI implementation, AI governance, policy development, cybersecurity, responsible use, operational impacts, environmental and utility impacts of data centers, technology-driven service delivery
Deadline for article submissions: July 1, 2027
NOVEMBER: SMALL TOWNS & RURAL MANAGEMENT
Shared services and regional collaboration, cooperative purchasing, leadership isolation, rural workforce challenges, infrastructure limitations, seasonal population fluctuations, working with volunteer boards and commissions
Deadline for article submissions: August 1, 2027
DECEMBER: 2027 YEAR IN REVIEW
Selection of content on the year’s most trending topics
Deadline for article submissions: August 1, 2027
Frequent Columns
- Executive Director's Corner
- Ethics Matter!
- Member Spotlight
- Inside ICMA
- Assistants and Deputies
- Women in Leadership
- Mental Health
- Tech Updates
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility
- Innovation
- Insights
