NSNC 2026 Columnist Contest - Now Open

Sunshine Week March 15-21, 2026

Consider a Gift to the NSNC Education Foundation

Join NSNC and Reap the Benefits!

NSNC 2026 Columnist Contest - Now Open

Contest submissions now open! 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.

Sunshine Week March 15-21, 2026

We’re counting down to #SunshineWeek 2026, March 15-21. Together, we champion #OpenRecords and #OpenGovernment nationwide March 15-21. #FOIA #transparency. Free resources: sunshineweek.org

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

Join NSNC and Reap the Benefits!

We are excited for What’s in-store for NSNC members this year. We are gearing up to launch the NSNC Annual Columnist Contest on January 15, so you’ll want to be sure your membership is up-to-date. Also, if you have ideas, suggestions, etc., please share them with our President Meredith Cummings at meredithcummings@gmail.com or Executive Director Ginny McCabe at nsncdirector@gmail.com. Thank you for your support of NSNC!

D.C. Conference Hotel Sets Online Reservations

Washington Plaza Hotel

This piece was originally published in November 2013 edition of The Columnist, the members’ newsletter of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. The site of the 2014 conference of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, the Washington Plaza Hotel, has created an Internet reservations link for us. Click on this link to its page to…

Free Verse Isn’t Necessarily Free, Either

This Month’s Daily Diary This piece was originally published in November 2013 edition of The Columnist, the members’ newsletter of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. By Ben S. Pollock NSNC Director of Media 2010-12 NSNC president Slaves of the Internet, Unite!” Huh? A late October op-ed column in The New York Times by the…

The November Newsletter Has Been Delivered

Attention, members of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, the November 2013 edition of The Columnist newsletter is waiting for you in your emailbox (the address on file at NSNC HQ). Here’s the news: Conference Hotel Sets Online Reservations – we have a hot link to the Washington Plaza’s great $149 rate for next June…

Rubles Won’t Be a Problem for Columnists

Washington Plaza Hotel

President’s Message By Eric Heyl President National Society of Newspaper Columnists My concern for your jewelry ultimately made it an easy call. I’m sure that after seeing Russian President Vladimir Putin step one of his Russian presidential toes into the waters of column writing, many of you were wondering: Would he be invited to speak…

Stay Dogged for the Underdog

"The Art of the Heist" by Myles J. Connor Jr.

Art of Column Writing By Suzette Martinez Standring 2004-06 President National Society of Newspaper Columnists I like the underdog. Recently, I was responsible for featuring notorious art thief Myles J. Connor Jr., age 69, at a rare public appearance that took place in Milton, Mass. Understandably, a powerful aversion to his having a public platform…

In the October 2013 Newsletter

newspaper

Members of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, check your email apps (emailboxes?). The October 2013 edition of The Columnist, our monthly newsletter, will be waiting for you. * “Stay Dogged for the Underdog” — Suzette Martinez Standring’s “Art of the Column” bimonthly piece “Rubles Won’t Be a Problem for Columnists” — Message from President…