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.
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/.
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
By Mary Schmich Copyright © 2015 Mary Schmich When I arrived at the Chicago Tribune in 1985 to work in the features department, the features editor sat me down and asked me how I envisioned my newspaper future. “I’d like to write a column,” I chirped. She snorted. “Yeah,” she said, “you and everybody else.” And…
Jeff Kramer Mystic Tie Award 2014 INDIANAPOLIS, June 27, 2015 — Dave Astor, a New Jersey-based writer, employed a bit of magic realism to take home the 2015 Jeff Kramer Mystic Tie Award for his creation of the top of a story from a farcical premise. The set-up, by longtime NSNC member Bill Tammeus, was…
Sitting Duck 2015 INDIANAPOLIS, June 27, 2015 — In the first-in-the-nation Indiana straw-man caucus, Donald Trump swept all other candidates for the Sitting Duck Award of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. The award is given each year to a subject or person, about which or whom columnists can easily grab, much as low-hanging fruit,…
INDIANAPOLIS, June 27, 2015 — Winners in the 2015 annual column contest of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists were announced tonight at the awards banquet of its 39th annual conference, held at The Alexander hotel. Each contestant submitted three columns or blog posts that were published in calendar year 2014. First place in each…
Art of Column Writing By Suzette Standring 2004-06 President National Society of Newspaper Columnists There are aspects aplenty to controversy. When tackling fifty shades of truth, being “gray” doesn’t grow a readership. Yet life is never black and white. Family. Politics. Feminism. Race. Religion. How best to take a decisive stand on polarizing topics? It’s…
Humor columnist Burton W. Cole‘s third “faith, fun and farm pranks” children’s novel, “Bash and the Chocolate Milk Cows,” was released May 1 from B&H Publishing Group, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources. Cole’s second novel, “Bash and the Chicken Coop Caper” (2014, B&H Kids), won the prestigious 2015 Selah Award as Best Novel for…
National Society of Newspaper Columnists to Recognize 2026 Annual Columnist Contest Winners CONTACT: Ginny McCabe Executive Director, NSNC NSNCdirector@gmail.com For Immediate Release National Society of Newspaper Columnists 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…
Save the Date NSNC 2026 Columnist Contest Virtual Awards Ceremony – July 23, 2026 at 7 p.m. EST Mark your calendar for the 2026 NSNC Virtual Awards Ceremony, which will be held on Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m. EST. Winners will be announced at an online celebration on July 23 at 7 p.m. EST.…
NSNC 2026 Columnist Contest Deadline Extended – Enter by May 1 National Society of Newspaper Columnists Annual Column Contest Deadline Extended – Contest Closes: May 1, 2026 11:59 p.m. (EST) For Registration & General Guidelines visit: nsnc.submittable.com/submit Email Joanne Browkaw, contest chair, with any questions at joannebrokaw@gmail.com. “The NSNC Annual Columnist Contest gives columnists a chance to…
National Society of Newspaper Columnists Annual Column Contest Last Call to Enter! Closes: April 17, 2026 11:59 p.m. (EST) For Registration & General Guidelines visit: nsnc.submittable.com/submit Email Joanne Browkaw, contest chair, with any questions at joannebrokaw@gmail.com. “The NSNC Annual Columnist Contest gives columnists a chance to win awards for their submissions and be acknowledged by their peers.”…
