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

What’s Your Thang?

Hedda Hopper

you, the columnist By Dave Lieber Dallas Morning News columnist What’s your thang? Do you have something that you’re known for? What kind of writer are you? How do you explain what you do at parties? This comes up because decades after her death, columnist Hedda Hopper came back to life as actress Helen Mirren…

College Students Live for Deadlines and Ramen Noodles

NSNC Education Foundation

NSNC Scholarship 2016 By Mike Leonard Scholarship Chairman Having been an adjunct in journalism at Indiana University for nearly 30 years, I can say with authority that there are bright, committed and good college columnists out there, and they tend to flip an assignment on a dime. Deadline Wednesday? Knock it off Tuesday night. So…

Hollywood Conference Secrets Revealed!

Hollywood Sign, Los Angeles, California

#NSNC16 – Los Angeles By Lisa Smith Molinari Vice President National Society of Newspaper nnelumnists At NSNC’s 40th Annual Conference, which will take place June 23-26 in Los Angeles, a panel of Hollywood insiders will give us their behind the scenes perspectives on how written words are transformed for the screen. The panel will be…

The Kentucky Derby of Journalism

illustration of win-place-show with a horseshoe

#NSNC16 Column Contest By Cathy Turney Contest Chair Win First Place – $300 Second Place – $200 Third Place – $100 Place Be one of 36 finalists Show Just show us your best columns or blogs Enter by March 15! All it takes is three newspaper columns or blog posts from 2015 and $25 for NSNC members; $50 for…

Hoppe’s Satire Tip: Like Your Target

Art Hoppe

Lifetime Achievers This is the fourth in a series of articles about winners of the NSNC’s annual Ernie Pyle Lifetime Achievement Award. By Dave Astor Archivist National Society of Newspaper Columnists How much impact do columnists really have? Political/social satirist Art Hoppe answered that question after receiving the National Society of Newspaper Columnists’ Ernie Pyle…

Funny Lady

Erma Bombeck

President’s Message By Jerry Zezima President National Society of Newspaper Columnists Erma Bombeck was the mother of all humorists. Also the mother of three children, Erma had a legion of fans in women who identified with her funny take on what she called “the second-oldest profession.” But she didn’t appeal only to women. A lot…