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

NSNC Column Writing Contest 2018 – Judges’ Comments

Thank you to our awesome judges! Here are there comments for our 2018 winners. General interest category over 50,000   First Place Mike Newall The best Metro columnists can write about anything and find the angle that makes the subject soar.  Philadelphia Inquirer’s Mike Newall is as good as it gets with that. Example: His…

2018 NSNC Column Writing Contest Winners

Congratulations to our Winners! Find the recording of the entire Awards Ceremony on YouTube: I you are interested in reading the judges comments you can find those HERE. Also, Thank you to our wonderful panel of judges.   And the winners are… CATEGORY A: General Interest, Print publications over 50,000 circulation   First Place:  Mike…

Congratulations Alex!

By Lisa Smith Molinari NSNC President During this season of flying caps and tassels, I’ve been a soupy, sentimental mess. In the last month, I’ve watched my son graduate from college and my daughter graduate from high school. My eyes are swollen and puffy, I’m tired of entertaining visiting family members, and I’ve gained ten pounds…

Isn’t It Amazing What You Do?

You, the Columnist By Dave Lieber Dallas Morning News columnist Isn’t it amazing what you do? Isn’t it amazing that you can… – Get an idea about something interesting and after you write about it, thousands of people know what’s on your mind. – Get paid for that. – Easily take high-quality photos to go…

Annual Contest Finalists – 2018

Thank you to all who entered the 2018 NSNC Columnist Contest and a special thank you to our wonderful panel of judges. Below you will find our list of finalists from all eight categories in alphabetical order by first name. Exact placements and categories will be announced at our Awards Banquet during the NSNC Conference…

Rochelle Riley’s NSNC Ties Span Two Decades

By Dave Astor NSNC Archivist Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley has a long and varied history with the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. When Riley worked for the Louisville (Ky.) Courier Journal two decades ago, she was asked by fellow CJ writer and NSNC co-founder Bob Hill to help Hill plan our organization’s 1999…