The National Society of Newspaper Columnists (NSNC) President and Board of Directors are pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 Annual Columnist Contest at an online awards celebration on Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m. EST. If you would like to join us for the awards ceremony, email nsncdirector@gmail.com for the Zoom link.
Welcome! Whether you write for newspapers, magazines, newsletters, trade journals or you create a podcast or write digital content, or you manage your own blog … whether you’re on staff, a freelancer, syndicated, self-syndicated or independent, if you write opinion or provide commentary, we invite you to join the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Join us at https://www.columnists.com/join-or-renew-membership/.
The National Society of Newspaper Columnists Education Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization [501(c)3] devoted to the education and training of new and experienced columnists everywhere. Donate here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/NSNCEdFnd
Ben Pollock, NSNC President, opened the conference following an early morning meeting of the Board of Directors. Yes, that’s a Detroit Tigers baseball cap he is wearing. Several panels convened to speak on various topics. A crusading columnists’ panel told us what it takes to go beyond your regular column to push for justice in…
NSNC members began arriving and registration opened at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit. Some of the officers who arrived early were kept busy in the afternoon helping to assemble conference materials and stuff goody bags as Conference Chair, Brian O’Connor, took care of last minute conference details. President Ben Pollock personally worked at the registration table…
By Dave Lieber Fort Worth Star-Telegram Columnist www.YankeeCowboy.com I’m celebrating 20 years of NSNC membership. I got what I put into it. Great friends, more learning about column writing than anywhere else combined, an actual columnist job (hired while attending my first conference, no less), a lengthy career of growth and improvement, and, yes, worth…
Luellen Smiley, NSNC member, is the daughter of reputed mobster, Allen Smiley, who was a close friend and confidant of famous Las Vegas mobster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and was just feet away from Siegel the night he was murdered. She has been a columnist since 2004 when she began writing a weekly column in San Diego called “Smiley’s Dice.”…
In the annual Pennsylvania Press Club competition, Walter M. Brasch took 1st place in features; 2nd in environmental writing; and 2nd for his syndicated newspaper column, Wanderings. In addition, Brasch and his wife, Rosemary, took 2nd place in specialty articles/labor and business. Brasch recently retired as professor of mass communications/journalism at Bloomsburg University, but is…
A Columnist’s Scrapbook By Ben S. Pollock NSNC President The NSNC Conference, three days out of 365, is a highlight of my year. Apparently, I mustn’t have a life. Actually, I do have a grand life, and NSNC has been a huge part of it. So there. The conventions are a blast. I have a…
Congratulations to all of the award winners and finalists of the 2026 Columnist Contest. To view the slide show: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/144vxJWEtuafL9kDeHNA8ReNSp0Pe72yNg_HBUso2joU/edit?slide=id.gdf1a1552a4_0_0#slide=id.gdf1a1552a4_0_0
National Society of Newspaper Columnists to Recognize 2026 Annual Columnist Contest Winners CONTACT: Ginny McCabe Executive Director, NSNC NSNCdirector@gmail.com For Immediate Release National Society of Newspaper Columnists to Recognize 2026 Annual Columnist Contest Winners The National Society of Newspaper Columnists (NSNC) President and Board of Directors are pleased to announce the winners of the 2026…
Save the Date NSNC 2026 Columnist Contest Virtual Awards Ceremony – July 23, 2026 at 7 p.m. EST Mark your calendar for the 2026 NSNC Virtual Awards Ceremony, which will be held on Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m. EST. Winners will be announced at an online celebration on July 23 at 7 p.m. EST.…
NSNC 2026 Columnist Contest Deadline Extended – Enter by May 1 National Society of Newspaper Columnists Annual Column Contest Deadline Extended – Contest Closes: May 1, 2026 11:59 p.m. (EST) For Registration & General Guidelines visit: nsnc.submittable.com/submit Email Joanne Browkaw, contest chair, with any questions at joannebrokaw@gmail.com. “The NSNC Annual Columnist Contest gives columnists a chance to…
National Society of Newspaper Columnists Annual Column Contest Last Call to Enter! Closes: April 17, 2026 11:59 p.m. (EST) For Registration & General Guidelines visit: nsnc.submittable.com/submit Email Joanne Browkaw, contest chair, with any questions at joannebrokaw@gmail.com. “The NSNC Annual Columnist Contest gives columnists a chance to win awards for their submissions and be acknowledged by their peers.”…
