NSNC 2026 Columnist Contest - Deadline Extended to May 1

Consider a Gift to the NSNC Education Foundation

NSNC 2026 Columnist Contest - Deadline Extended to May 1

Contest submissions will be accepted through May 1! 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.

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

To Blog or Not to Blog, That Is the Question

Suzette Standring and Dr. Henry Lee

Art of Column Writing By Suzette Martinez Standring 2004-06 President National Society of Newspaper Columnists Dinner with forensic scientist Dr. Henry C. Lee, blogging and “what’s-it all-about-Alfie” all came together for me one night. You see, a question gnaws at the edges of my gray matter. Can one have writing success without a vibrant blog?…

Ready for Life in the Small Screen World?

Old rotary phone with notebook

you, the columnist By Dave Lieber Dallas Morning News columnist I’m taking the long view with you, the columnist, about the future of journalism and column writing. The long view now is 18 months away. Remember when it was five years? In this briefest of essays, I was prepared to argue that all the efforts…

Role Models

Robert Benchley, circa 1935

President’s Message By Jerry Zezima President National Society of Newspaper Columnists I write an alleged humor column (I have to say “alleged” because I am not above suing even myself) for a simple reason: I am spectacularly unqualified to do anything else. I knew I wanted to be a writer in high school, not just…

Great Hotel. Great City. Great Conference.

Logo for NSNC Conference Indy 2015

Black & White and Read All Over’ — Indianapolis, June 25-28, 2015 By Ginger Truitt, Michelle Freed, Amanda Beam and Mike Leonard 2015 Conference Co-Chairs Who’s your mama? Who’s your daddy? Who’re your hosts for the 2015 NSNC conference? It’s the Hoo-hoo Hoosiers, who are happy to be your hosts for our 2015 conference at…

Bullish on the Future of Column Writing

John Avlon addresses the National Society of Newspaper Columnists June 28, 2014, at the Washington Plaza Hotel.

Art of Column Writing By Suzette Martinez Standring 2004-06 President National Society of Newspaper Columnists Columnist downsizing feels like a solitary darkness, so news that our industry is turning a corner was sunlight on a cell window.  Last June John Avlon, editor in chief of The Daily Beast, was a bringer of light. At the…

Entries sought for 2014 Robert Benchley Contest

Robert Benchley, circa 1935

The Robert Benchley Society has opened its 2014 Humor Writing Award Competition, named for the early 20th century humorist. The deadline is Sept. 15, his 125th birthday, having been born in 1889. The society also announced that political comedian Mark Russell will be the finalists’ judge this year. Information on the competition can be found…