President’s Message By Jerry Zezima President National Society of Newspaper Columnists I had a beer with Miss Manners. Never did I think I would write that sentence. But now, with great pride and, finally, a clear head, I can say that I did, indeed, clink glasses with Judith Martin, the aforementioned empress of etiquette, even…
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…
Will Rogers Humanitarian Award Winners Presented annually by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists to a columnist whose sustained work in civic journalism produces tangible benefits for the community. Will Rogers (1879-1935) used his public forum as a columnist and commentator to arouse sentiment for worthy causes and helped raise large sums of money for…
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…
The National Society of Newspaper Columnists (NSNC) created the Sitting Duck Award, an honor bestowed each year on the crème de la crème of the most ridiculed newsmakers in America. A time-honored tradition within the Society, the award provides columnists with the opportunity to give back to those public figures who have given so much to…
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…
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…
The 2015 Nominating Committee of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists presents the following slate of nominees to two-year positions being left vacant June 30. Secretary: Telly Halkias Treasurer: Kathy Eliscu Archivist: Dave Astor Contest chair: Michele Wojciechowski Membership chair: Amanda Beam This year’s Nominating Committee comprised NSNC former presidents Eric Heyl, Suzette Martinez Standring…
President’s Message By Jerry Zezima President National Society of Newspaper Columnists In A Christmas Story, the 1983 holiday film classic that was co-written and narrated by Indiana humorist Jean Shepherd, little Ralphie Parker wants nothing more than a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. His efforts are initially thwarted by his mother, his teacher and…
Finalists in the 2015 annual column contest of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists have been chosen. Their third-, second- and first-place positions will be announced at the Awards Banquet during the 2015 NSNC conference on Saturday, June 27, at The Alexander in Indianapolis. Each contestant submitted three columns or blog posts that were published…
NSNC 2015 — Indianapolis Thursday, June 25, 2015 All events are confirmed. Updates to the schedule, however, will be clearly noted. 4 – 6 p.m. — Registration (check-in time for The Alexander is 3 p.m.) 3 – 5 — NSNC board meeting 6 – 9 — Optional group dinner at Scotty’s Brewhouse, meet in lobby…
NSNC 2015 — Indianapolis By Michelle Freed 2015 Conference Committee National Society of Newspaper Columnists Writers are a work in progress. Always. Times change, perspectives adjust, and the quest for that perfect sentence or paragraph never ends. As Ernest Hemingway said, “We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.”…
Will Rogers Humanitarian Award An award-winning writer from The Indianapolis Star has been chosen to receive the 2015 Will Rogers Humanitarian Award at the annual conference of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Marisa Kwiatkowski, an investigative reporter covering social services, will be recognized for her outstanding work on behalf of children. In nominating her…
Columnists and Bloggers Welcome Ready to renew? $75 for one year $200 for three years $35 for Students 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…
Remarks of Owen V. Johnson, Ph.D., for delivery at the 70th anniversary commemoration of the death of Ernie Pyle, near his grave at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl Crater, Hawaii, April 18, 2015. Johnson is a professor emeritus of journalism at Indiana University, which the noted war correspondent, an Indiana native, attended.…
President’s Message By Jerry Zezima President National Society of Newspaper Columnists Leave it to Mark Twain to have the best take on April Fools’ Day. In “Pudd’nhead Wilson’s Calendar,” he wrote, “This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are the other 364.” Before he became “the Lincoln of our literature,”…
NSNC 2015 — Indianapolis The National Society of Newspaper Columnists will hold its 2015 conference June 25-28 in Indianapolis. Here is a statement to the membership from NSNC President Jerry Zezima. Dear NSNC members: As our conference in Indianapolis approaches — and it will be here before we know it — I have heard from…
