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

NSNC Honoring Brinkley’s Memory

Postcard of U.S. Capitol mid-19th century

This column originally was published in the April 2014 edition of The Columnist, the members’ newsletter of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. President’s Message By Eric Heyl President National Society of Newspaper Columnists He missed writing his column. In one of the last email exchanges I had with Joel Brinkley, he confided that he…

Brinkley’s ‘Fresh Eyes,’ Curiosity Pass for Expertise

Suzette Standring, Joel Brinkley

Art of Column Writing This column originally was published in the April 2014 edition of The Columnist, the members’ newsletter of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. By Suzette Martinez Standring 2004-06 NSNC president Recently I ventured into a column genre so outside of my comfort zone: foreign affairs. I was inspired to try based…

The Legacy of Ernie Pyle

This column originally was published in the April 2014 edition of The Columnist, the members’ newsletter of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Editor’s Note: April 18, Friday this year, is National Columnists’ Day. The National Society of Newspaper Columnists created this holiday both for members but mainly as a flag to the world, reminding…

In the April Newsletter

newspaper

The April 2014 issue of The Columnist, out April 1, offers a lot of news. Conference Update Brinkley’s ‘Fresh Eyes,’ Curiosity Pass for Expertise — Art of Column Writing NSNC Honoring Brinkley’s Memory — President’s Message Joel Brinkley 1952-2014, an Obituary The Legacy of Ernie Pyle Journalism Survey Request Ethics, Horizontal Loyalty and Recalling Joel…

Some Cautionary Tales

Shredder Scissors

Daily Diary for March This column originally was published in the March 2014 edition of The Columnist, the members’ newsletter of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. By Ben Pollock Director of Media National Society of Newspaper Columnists I want to wish everyone the best of luck in our column contest. I’ll be entering again.…

Short Takes, A Tall Order

IBM Selectric II typewriter

President’s Message This column originally was published in the March 2014 edition of The Columnist, the members’ newsletter of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. By Eric Heyl President National Society of Newspaper Columnists ITEM! When facing a tight deadline or lacking a topic of particular gravitas, some columnists occasionally resort to a “notes” column,…