NSNC 2026 Columnist Contest - Deadline Extended to May 1

Consider a Gift to the NSNC Education Foundation

NSNC 2026 Columnist Contest - Deadline Extended to May 1

Contest submissions will be accepted through May 1! We are accepting entries from columnists, bloggers, and serial essayists  for our 2026 Annual Columnist Contest (for work published in 2025). We will accept entries from columnists, bloggers, and serial essayists published in 2025.  Everyone is welcome to submit. You don’t have to be an NSNC member.

Consider a Gift to the NSNC Education Foundation

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

Column about Columns

Columnist

By  Trisha Blanchet  The Sun,  Lowell, Mass.     Writing a column is a lot like slapping a bumper sticker onto your car. You feel strongly about something, stick it up there for the world to see, and then forget about it. But you never know what that guy behind you is thinking as he drives along.…

Don’t Write for Free

Laura Snyder

By Laura Snyder Nationally Syndicated Columnist         Our new Vice President, Ben Pollock, was the brains and momentum behind our membership poll this winter.  The results that came in from 183 respondents were actually very surprising to the board and served as a wake-up call.  As it turns out, we had been operating on…

The Apple Controversy

Apps & Apple

Apple has become the center of controversy because of its control of the “apps” that are accepted for use on its latest product, the iPad, which is similar to the iPhone by Apple. App is an abbreviation for “application program,” as opposed to a systems program which operates the device itself. Apple has created a…

Will Rogers Memorial Fights Merger

Will Rogers Memorial

The Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore, Oklahoma, established in 1937 by Oklahoma law “to operate and maintain” a memorial to Will Rogers, is fighting a battle to retain its individual identity in the face of a severe budget crisis in the state of Oklahoma.  Gov. Brad Henry has proposed a merger of the Will Rogers…

Haught helps local library playing Will Rogers

Haught as Rogers

Robert Haught, retired journalist and NSNC Newsletter Editor, is a lifelong fan and student of Oklahoma humorist, Will Rogers.  Recently he helped headline a fundraiser for the Madison County Library in Virginia, giving two brief interpretations of Rogers. “I call what I do an interpretation of Will Rogers, rather than an impersonation,” said Haught.  Bob…