NSNC 2026 Columnist Contest - Now Open

Sunshine Week March 15-21, 2026

Consider a Gift to the NSNC Education Foundation

Join NSNC and Reap the Benefits!

NSNC 2026 Columnist Contest - Now Open

Contest submissions now open! 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.

Sunshine Week March 15-21, 2026

We’re counting down to #SunshineWeek 2026, March 15-21. Together, we champion #OpenRecords and #OpenGovernment nationwide March 15-21. #FOIA #transparency. Free resources: sunshineweek.org

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

Join NSNC and Reap the Benefits!

We are excited for What’s in-store for NSNC members this year. We are gearing up to launch the NSNC Annual Columnist Contest on January 15, so you’ll want to be sure your membership is up-to-date. Also, if you have ideas, suggestions, etc., please share them with our President Meredith Cummings at meredithcummings@gmail.com or Executive Director Ginny McCabe at nsncdirector@gmail.com. Thank you for your support of NSNC!

“Did you know your video is sideways?”

you, the columnist By Dave Lieber Dallas Morning News columnist A media expert I know suggested to me that columnists such as you and I ought to go on Facebook Live and read our work aloud. How boring. But that night, I went home, turned on blue lights in my backyard, and launched the “Sunday…

Learning in OKC That a Columnist Group Was Much More Than OK

By Joy Steele NSNC Member I believe the most profound gift I’ve received as a writer—other than a John Steinbeck Paddywax candle—is the gift of time and undivided attention by my mentor in the NSNC. In the Spring of 2007, I traveled to Oklahoma City to attend the Will Rogers Writers Workshop. Sponsored by the…

My Exceptionally Warm Welcome From the NSNC

Donate Now By Chandra Bozelko NSNC Vice President I found NSNC’s website when I was searching for information about syndication, back in early 2016. I noticed they had a contest going on and I was interested to see how I would do. I joined and entered without expectation. Then I received an email from Cathy…

‘The Day I Became a Columnist Was One of the Happiest of My Life’: a Q&A With 2019 Pyle Recipient Kathleen Parker

By Dave Astor NSNC Archivist Our 2019 Ernie Pyle Lifetime Achievement Award winner is…Kathleen Parker! She’ll receive the National Society of Newspaper Columnists’ highest honor at the June 20-23 NSNC conference in Buffalo, New York. Ms. Parker is a widely syndicated columnist who previously won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for commentary, among other awards. She’s…

Are You a Jerk?

By Chris Carosa NSNC President I admit it. I’m not enough of a jerk. I’m guessing that explains why I’m not as successful as I could be. Do you feel the same way about yourself and your own career? Here’s what I mean: At a recent journalism conference, I listened to a very dynamic speaker.…

NSNC Criticizes Attacks on the News Media

In the run-up to tomorrow’s election, President Trump has made several attacks on news media and journalism, calling us an enemy of the people and purveyors of falsehoods. The National Society of Newspaper Columnists condemns these statements on journalism as both inaccurate and harmful.  Since 1977, the NSNC has been comprised of writers who are…