Selected articles from the NSNC newsletter; only members get the entire contents of the monthly newsletter
By Ben S. Pollock NSNC President Had a bizarre dream the other night, that World War III had started. I saw Dianne Feinstein, she having moved up from senator to secretary of state or vice president, holding a news conference. She announced the U.S. ambassador to Turkey had died in a suspicious plane crash. A…
This year’s Will Rogers Humanitarian Award winner won’t have to go far to accept the award. She’s one of Detroit’s own. President Ben Pollock’s monthly contribution makes you want to say, “hmmm.” Suzette Standring has an interesting essay on “Writing to Heal.” Lots of news about your fellow members of the NSNC … and much…
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…
By Ben S. Pollock NSNC President A huge columnist controversy — looking to be the worst in years — began in mid-March, only it turned out to be so puny it ran its course in days. It seemed a microcosm to our desperate economic times and the end of newspapers as we know them: A…
Another name has been added to the list of columnists being honored at the 35th annual NSNC Conference, and it’s a familiar name to those who have attended past conferences … or read his columns … or his books. Conference Chair Brian O’Connor is still adding more reasons to register for the big to-do in…
By Ben S. Pollock NSNC President An NSNC friend e-mailed links to farewell pieces that a couple of just-downsized columnists were allowed to publish. That opportunity isn’t always granted. Atypically, he didn’t add his opinion, which made my impression of this pair a surprise — mainly to me: So what, I thought? How dare they?…
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…
Emails from NSNC are important, including the monthly newsletter. In the March issue of the e-Columnist you’ll find: – Reasons why you should register now for the 2011 Conference in Detroit, June 23-26. – Program details from Conference Chair Brian O’Connor. – News about columnists being honored at the conference. – Some observations about “farewell columns” by…
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.…
Ben S. Pollock NSNC President Columnists get labeled as opinionated. This was brought home again after the Tucson shooting. Americans saw on the air and online — come on, paper? — as many pundits as politicians (and rarely people with facts, like FBI spokesmen). The funny thing is, few NSNC members are op-eddies. The society…
In your email mail box: The February issue of the e-Columnist contains: – President Ben Pollock opines on opinions, and the reluctance of many columnists to express them, to take stances. – Dave Lieber’s “you, the columnist” is about a black writer whose picture at the top of his column draws vicious hate mail, mostly…
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…
New Year’s resolutions? Again? Oh, come on. Well, President Ben Pollock does have a way of making a worn-out device fresh and amusing, as well as good advice. Also some tips on the business side of writing … a “Membership Bonus” for all members. And a variety of happenings in the World’s Longest Column About…
President’s Message By Ben S. Pollock NSNC President One morning I woke up presuming I could start this month’s column with, “Hello, I have a story to tell,” and wing it. I didn’t have a clue where to go from there, though. It’s OK not to have a story. I figured out a principle…
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.…
Some holiday time gifts: no dues increase and a super, thoroughly-researched “Guide to Publishing Your e-Book” by Dave Lieber. Conference 2011 announcement: June 23-26 at the Westin Book-Cadillac in Detroit. President Ben Pollock tells why essayists and storytellers (i.e. both columnists) are necessary. News about the Bruce Cameron-Cathryn Michon wedding and other notable achievements by…
From the November 2010 issue of the e-Columnist newsletter By Suzette Martinez Standring 2004-05 NSNC Past President As a long time freelance columnist, I used to envy the steady paycheck and job security of my salaried colleagues as I chased after writing gigs and venues. Today, newspapers have decimated their ranks of columnists and reporters,…
