Education: On researching, writing and publishing columns
By Suzette Martinez Standring NSNC Past President The best storytellers are like keen-nosed truffle dogs, looking for riches below the surface. It’s what columnists do most days under deadline, usually in 750 words or less. Other writers have a lot more space. Recently, I went to see The New York Times best-selling…
By Suzette Martinez Standring NSNC Past President “Give a little to get a lot.” I never forgot this memorable advice from Mary McCarty of the Dayton Daily News, who has won awards for unique insights often revealed in the telling details about, and the quotations from, the people featured in her columns. I work at…
Don Fry, writing coach and emeritus faculty member of The Poynter Institute, lectured on the factors that make columns accurate, complete and fair. Don Fry’s appearance was sponsored by the Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau in order to make it possible to have a top expert in attendance. Fry said to always remember that good column…
You, the Columnist By Dave Lieber Fort Worth Star-Telegram Columnist www.YankeeCowboy.com Years ago, in this space, I wrote a piece wondering what the 21st century columnist would be like. Of course, I got it wrong. I didn’t understand how social media, not yet invented, would change what we do. I didn’t realize that the 21st…
Columnists’ Academy Self-Promotion as an Act of Generosity By Man Martin, Atlanta, Georgia When authors see their novel in print from a big publishing house, they often naively believe that the publicist is going to make sure it rises to the top of the best seller list, lands in the hands of Oprah, and is…
Find out how most journalists start their careers with a bachelor’s degree in journalism with help from a journalism professor.
Art of Column Writing By Suzette Martinez Standring NSNC Past President The possibility to host your own TV show may be easier than you think and if you are so inclined, be encouraged. Since last June, I’ve hosted “It’s All Write with Suzette,” a 30 minute how-to program on the craft of column writing. The…
you, the columnist My-picture-on-top-of-the-column-syndrome By Dave Lieber Columnists.com The other day I was insecure about something. I got zero comments beneath my column on my newspaper’s website for what I thought was a pretty good column. Then I clicked on the comments for my columnist colleague at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Bob Ray Sanders.…
By Ben Pollock, NSNC President 1. Quit grasping onto obvious topics like “Columnist Lists New Year’s Resolutions.” 2. When writing, quit the posed, “I don’t know about you, but as for me …” or a similar phrase. Reflective columns are just that, writing about oneself and hoping they strike a chord in readers. Writing in…
you, the columnist By Dave Lieber Fort Worth Star-Telegram Columnist www.YankeeCowboy.com Are you ready to publish an e-book? When I decided this summer to jump in to this rapidly-growing market, I searched the Internet for an up-to-date guide showing how to do it yourself, who to contact and what the difficulties are. Couldn’t find one.…
It’s All Write With Suzette, Guest: Jerry Zezima – Humor Writing from Suzette Standring on Vimeo. It’s All Write With Suzette is a how-to writing program for novice and seasoned columnists covering various aspects column writing and book authorship.
you, the columnist By Dave Lieber Fort Worth Star-Telegram Do you have a harder time concentrating these days because of distractions? Does it take a greater effort to make time to read, research, write and get things done? Is keeping to a long-term plan tough in the midst of an over-stimulated day? …
Robert Niles Robert Niles, computer and journalism guru, offers his advice to students arriving or returning to journalism schools this fall in the Online Journalism Review. However, what is true for students is also true for anyone trying to build a career in the journalism field. Niles will be recalled as panel member speaking on…
you, the columnist Social media was built for YOU So why aren’t you doing a better job? By Dave Lieber NSNC Education Foundation Secretary I heard somebody say the other day that the only thing social media does for you is make you less social. Knew you’d like that. You’re a…
NSNC sometimes receives inquires from aspiring columnists about how to be a columnist. This answer covers it for almost anyone interested. ——EMAIL—– From: Jameson Date: May 6, 2010 8:06 AM Subject: Becoming a Columnist To: director@columnists.com [This mail was sent via contact form on columnists.com https://www.columnists.com] Message Body: My name is Jameson. I am a…
VIDEO – Inspiration and writing advice from famous authors to get your creative juices flowing.
By Marcia Meier Most writers I know struggle with finding the time, and energy, to complete their writing projects. Many of us hold day jobs or have busy family lives that interfere with quality writing time. One thing I learned from nearly 20 years in the newspaper business is the value of a deadline. There’s…
