Beyonce has been recognized for her musical contributions with 16 Grammys and various other music awards, but she can now add a journalism award to her many accolades.

As the New York Association of Black Journalists announced Wednesday, the organization will be honoring Beyonce for a story she wrote in the July 2011 edition of Essence Magazine entitled “Eat, Play, Love.” In the first-person story, the singer wrote about her nine-month vacation around the world.

“I was going to give myself a year to do the things I never get to do,” Beyonce wrote. “Simple things like play with my nephew, pick him up from school, visit museums, go to concerts, see some Broadway shows, learn to cook a meal and spend time with my husband. My priority was savoring every moment. Yes, I needed some relaxation, but I wanted inspiration too, from regular, everyday things.”

But the decision to award the singer and new mom with a writing award has drawn criticism, The New York Times reports.

Although Essence magazine’s entertainment editor, Cori Murray, called Beyonce a “real writer,” some – like Mused columnist Amber Rose – disagree with the award.

“These types of awards overlook the real journalists who write about insightful and sometimes dangerous topics,” Rose wrote. “Beyoncé is getting an award along with Robert Naylor, a thirty-year reporter who chaired the Associated Press Diversity Council and founding member of the LGBT Task Force and the late Gil Noble, who hosted “Like It Is” since 1967 and interviewed Adam Clayton Powell, Muhammad Ali, Bill Cosby and Dr. Martin Luther King. Beyoncé wrote an article about a 9-month vacation.”

Read Bey’s story at Essence Magazine. Does she deserve the award?