NSNC to Recognize 2026 Annual Columnist Contest Winners

Join or Renew Your NSNC Membership

Consider a Gift to the NSNC Education Foundation

NSNC 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 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.

Join or Renew Your NSNC Membership

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/.

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

Rearick’s Stories Chosen for Collections

“Kudzu’s Last Stand,” a short story by Cappy Hall Rearick, was selected to appear in the Florida Writers Association Collection #1 — From Our Family to Yours. Another short story, “A Cellular Christmas,” was picked for publication in “Christmas Traditions,” a collection of holiday stories.   Her most recent book, a novel titled “Return to…

Presidents Message – Samantha Bennett

Samantha Bennett

By Samantha Bennett NSNC President     We keep hearing that print journalism is dead, that no one reads it, that it’s irrelevant and dull and deservedly outmoded. And yet … somehow, your local multiplex didn’t get that memo.   In “State of Play,” Russell Crowe plays a crusty investigative reporter who goes after a…

Schwartzberg’s book released

Joel Schwartzberg, second place winner in the Online Category of the 2009 writing contest, has a new book which was just released, “The 40-Year-Old Version: Humoirs of a Divorced Dad”.  You can find more information at: http://www.divorceddadbook.com/. *NOTE:  When you click on the Amazon link from our website and buy a book at Amazon, a percentage of…

Texas Student Newspaper Wins Awards

Dave Lieber

The Black Cow, a student newspaper with Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Dave Lieber as its adviser, swept the Texas state scholastic competition by winning 55 awards.  The paper eclipsed its own record from last year and is credited with “vaulting Westlake Academy to journalistic prominence.”  (Read the full story from Alliance Regional Newspapers at http://bit.ly/z14cF…

Brush Still Meeting Her Deadlines

Dorothy Brush, an octogenarian from Tennessee, was not up to traveling to California for last year’s conference.  But she reports that “my brain is still working well and I continue doing two columns each week, plus a few features, too.” NSNC named her Columnist of the Year in 2004 for her courageous battle against cancer,…

Lopez Receives Mental Health Award

Steve Lopez

Mental Health America presented a special award, The Bell Award for Significant Contributions to Mental Health Journalism, to Steve Lopez of the Los Angeles Times at a media awards luncheon in Washington, D.C.   Lopez, the 2009 conference keynote speaker, is the author of “The Soloist,” which inspired the film of the same name. He won…