Oscars statuette image: Richard Harbaugh / Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences
By Laura T. Coffey
On Feb. 8, 2024, the Society for Features Journalism revived a helpful SFJ offering that had been on hiatus for several years: Show & Steal!
Back in the day at our in-person national conferences, our Show & Steal sessions provided a popular (and easy!) way to get coverage ideas to try at home. Features journalists and editors from around the country helped each other by sharing what worked well and what they learned.
We’d love to resurrect Show & Steal in casual monthly brownbag sessions on Zoom. The event is open to all our members.
At our first virtual Show & Steal event this year, we brainstormed coverage ideas for the Oscars (coming up on March 10!) and other awards shows. Here are some trends that emerged from the discussion:
Unless you work for a national publication, prioritize local story angles.
Local and regional publications are finding value in differentiating themselves from wire services and national outlets. They’ve been sharing local angles about awards nominees (no matter how obscure!), identifying unexpected locations of film shoots and sharing fun stories from backup dancers and other behind-the-scenes characters. Here are some examples of local coverage from around the country:
If appropriate for your publication, lean into SEO for the long haul.
Especially if a news site doesn’t have a paywall, it can be worthwhile to put serious thought into search engine optimization strategies. Here are some examples of stories designed to bubble up in search results. Such stories can be updated with minimal hassle each year, creating a “puffer fish” approach for expanding a publication’s overall content offerings during awards season:
Huge thanks to Stefanie Loh of The Seattle Times for hosting our first virtual Show & Steal session. We hope this roundup makes awards season at least slightly easier for you this year!
If you’d like to participate in future Show & Steal sessions but you’re not yet a member of SFJ, it’s easy to join and it’s free! Here’s how to join.
The Society for Features Journalism is thrilled to announce that our 2024 Excellence-in-Features contest is now open for submissions.
Once again, first-place winners in each category will receive $300.
Entry cost will be split into two tiers:
Early-bird submissions: Feb. 1 through March 4, cost per entry is $50.
Regular submissions: March 5 through March 18, cost per entry is $55.
All entries must have been published in print or online between Jan. 1, 2023 and Dec. 31, 2023.
You can login to the Better Newspaper Contest site here and scroll to find 2024 Society for Features Journalism Excellence-in-Features Awards.
We’ve made some updates to some of our categories.
General Feature has always been our most popular category, and we’d like to continue to honor all kinds of feature stories, from short form to longform. That’s why we reworked our awards structure and have introduced these new category names: General Feature, 2,500+ words; General Feature, 1,000-2,499 words; and General Feature, 999 words or fewer. The latter category has replaced the Short Feature award. We believe these changes give all feature stories a chance at shining among their peers.
We also changed the name of our Best Consumer/Service Feature category — it is now Best Utility FeaturePortfolio.
There are three divisions based on circulation size.
CATEGORIES BY DIVISION
DIVISION 1 | Circulation up to 90,000
DIVISION 2 | Circulation 90,000 to 199,999
DIVISION 3 | Circulation 200,000 and up; digital-only organizations
GENERAL FEATURE 2,500+ WORDS: This category will celebrate longform storytelling at its finest, and must be at least 2,500 words; no world limit after that. Feature topics can be A&E, lifestyles or news. Food features should be entered in the Food Feature category.
GENERAL FEATURE 1,000-2,499 WORDS: This category will highlight top-notch feature storytelling between 1,000 and 2,499 words. Feature topics can be A&E, lifestyles or news. Food features should be entered in the Food Feature category.
GENERAL FEATURE 999 WORDS OR FEWER: This category will honor excellence in short feature writing, so please share your best examples of tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words. Feature topics can be A&E, lifestyles or news. Food features should be entered in the Food Feature category.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE: Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic.
FOOD FEATURE: A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personality profile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic.
FOOD CRITICISM: A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry.
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT: Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING: A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme.
FEATURES BEAT WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. Newsletters qualify here.
ARTS & CULTURE CRITICISM PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts, entertainment or culture topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials.
SPORTS FEATURE: Feature treatment of any sports topic.
VISUAL STORYTELLING: The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length.
BEST SPECIAL SECTION: The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
BEST SPECIAL PRODUCT: The best examples of a special product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year.
BEST UTILITY FEATURE PORTFOLIO: Three stories focused on educating readers about topics that affect their everyday lives (e.g., health, retail prices, product availability) in an easy-to-digest, consumer-oriented, “news you can use” way. Multiple bylines accepted. Please attach a 100-150 word letter explaining how the writer(s) knew this was information the community needed.
BEST FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE/ESSAYS: A single story written as an essay or in the first-person point of view that demonstrates a sense of proportion and perspective.
BEST FEATURE WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer that can be a combination of any beats.
INCLUSION AND REPRESENTATION IN FEATURES — The coverage of any lifestyle or culture topic that centers historically marginalized or undercovered communities through revelatory storytelling. Such community identities can be at (and is not limited to) any intersection of the following: race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs or other ideologies, or any identity with lesser power. An entry can be a single story, a series, multimedia package or any combination thereof. Multiple bylines accepted. An entry should check most of the following points:
The story is produced for a community, not about it.
There is a strong voice or point of view.
There are elements of intentionality, compassion and empathy.
There is a challenging of assumptions and biases.
There is a sense of celebration and/or sharing of our journalistic platform.
There is a sense of urgency.
There is a portrait of the human experience.
COMBINED DIVISION CATEGORIES
BEST PODCAST — NARRATIVE: An audio story, told in a narrative style, on lifestyle or culture coverage. While the entry can be a limited series, serial or reporting built into a recurring series, the entry should exhibit narrative techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme. The entry should also display the best qualities of this format — production, found sound, voiceover work, etc. — and will be judged by the content as well as its relevance to the moment and the communities it serves. Each entry must include a summary statement of the project of no more than 200 words. All entries consist of three episodes and, regardless of circulation category, compete in one group.
BEST PODCAST — RECURRING SERIES: A regular, recurring podcast series that handles lifestyles or culture coverage. The episodes do not have to be consecutive and do not have to feature the same host. Entries will be judged by quality of content, which includes how journalists are using the medium to advance how we cover news and our communities. All entries consist of three episodes and, regardless of circulation category, compete in one group.
Here are some helpful tips for SFJ contest entrants:
If your media organization is in the Contestant Manager dropdown list and you don’t remember your password (or you need to change the name of the contact person compiling the entries), send an email to our contest administrator Terry Bertling at SFJcontest4@gmail.com. She can update your account.
If your media organization circulation has changed and you need to move into a different circulation division, please let the contest administrator know so she can move your account to the right division.
All Open Call Contestants go through an approval process by our contest administrator, using information in your Credentials section in your new account to grant access to the contest. Make sure you tell us about you and your published work in that Credentials section so we can approve your account. We’re checking for accounts that need to be approved at least twice a day.
HUGELY IMPORTANT FAVOR: Please make sure you include the login credentials (email and password) in the Comments section for each entry to get judges past any paywall. Please also note your circulation division in that space. (Division 1, circ up to 90,000; Division 2, circ 90,001-199,999; and Division 3, circ of 200,000 and up AND all online-only publications.)
Most categories give you the option of including a URL or a PDF. You can include both.
To get the cheaper early-bird entry fee through March 4, pay for your entries by March 4. The fee for each entry goes up to $55 on March 5.
When you pay for your entries using PayPal, you can print a receipt for your payment.
If you have questions about the contest, email our contest administrator at sfjcontest4@gmail.com. We’re happy to help. Good luck!
Looking for some inspiration when it comes to narrative reporting and writing techniques? SFJ has got you covered!
At a Society for Features Journalism webinar on Jan. 30 attended by 100 people, Houston Chronicle reporter Andrea Ball shared tips to help writers craft compelling non-fiction narratives. The tools discussed by Andrea can be used in longform stories and in short pieces written on tight deadlines.
You can watch a recording of the presentation via this link.
The virtual event was moderated by Sue Campbell, SFJ’s chief programming officer and the assistant managing editor overseeing features at the Minneapolis Star Tribune. During the presentation, Andrea gave time-tested advice about choosing the right story, selecting the best story subjects and interviewing and reporting for narrative. Along the way, she encouraged journalists to think differently about their approaches to stories — beyond the “traditional ‘who/what/when/hurry up.’”
“You can do things like (this) fast if you’re thinking differently,” Andrea said.
As an example, she described a story she reported and wrote in under three hours in Uvalde, Texas, after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022. Andrea had spent the night in her car and was delirious with exhaustion when she encountered Carmelo Quiroz, a man mourning the loss of his 10-year-old grandson, Jayce Luevanos. She was able to meet Quiroz and have a meaningful interview with him because she decided to “go where nobody else is.”
“If you want something different, do something different,” she said.
Andrea also shared narrative lessons learned while working on two of her longer investigative projects:
And she offered tips about practicing self-care when working on challenging stories, finding good mentors in journalism, putting story sources at ease and de-escalating emotionally charged situations with angry sources.
Andrea has been an investigative reporter at the Houston Chronicle since January 2023. Before joining the Chronicle, Andrea worked as a reporter for USA Today and the Austin American-Statesman. Over the past three decades, she has written about policing, foster care, social services, psychiatric hospitals and other local and statewide issues. A passionate advocate of narrative writing, she uses storytelling techniques in as many stories as possible.
Her work has been recognized by National Headliners, IRE, SPJ/Sigma Delta Chi and Texas APME. She was part of the Austin American-Statesman team named a 2023 Pulitzer finalist for its work on the Uvalde school shooting.
The Society for Features Journalism is excited to welcome Andrea Ball, an investigative reporter at the Houston Chronicle, at our next free webinar on Jan. 30.
Over the past three decades, Andrea has written investigative pieces about policing, foster care, social services, psychiatric hospitals and more. Before joining the Chronicle in January 2023, she worked as a reporter for USA Today and the Austin American-Statesman.
A passionate advocate of narrative writing, Andrea uses storytelling techniques in as many stories as possible — and now she’s eager to share what she’s learned.
When does it make the most sense for a feature writer to tackle a first-person essay instead of a reported story?
Follow-up question: Just how terrifying is it to share a deeply personal story with strangers?
Three of the Society for Features Journalism’s award-winning essay writers — Théoden Janes of The Charlotte Observer, Alexandra Rain of Deseret News and Janelle Harris Dixon of Shondaland — answered those questions and more at a Dec. 12 virtual session all about first-person writing. The discussion was moderated by SFJ board member Stefanie Loh, the assistant managing editor overseeing features at The Seattle Times.
During the session, the writers discussed their decisions to share their essays with family members before publication — or not. They also offered tips for making a personal story as universal and relatable as possible.
“It’s so important that we tell our stories because I think we need them,” said Rain, whose essay reckoned with the love and the loss of an addicted parent. “Our connective tissue to each other is vulnerability and writing and reading and talking and sharing our stories.”
Janes noted that all three panelists wrote essays about “the greatest struggles of our lives” and explored them “in ways that we hadn’t wanted to confront or attempted to confront before.” In Janes’ case, his essay chronicled his decision to take a deep dive into his own adoption story as his 50th birthday approached. Janes was adopted from South Korea when he was 9 months old.
Harris Dixon described her personal love story as an essay “about intentional healing, accidental love and how getting married reinforced my belief in big, fantastic possibilities.” She encouraged her listeners to be fearless about sharing their unique perspectives with readers. “You are your own greatest source of writing inspiration, that’s for sure,” Harris Dixon said.
Here are more details about the panelists’ essays, which won awards in SFJ’s contest category for “Best First-Person Narrative or Essay” in 2023:
From left: Alexandra Rain, Théoden Janes and Janelle Harris Dixon will join SFJ board member Stefanie Loh in a virtual conversation about writing in first person on Dec. 12.
The Society for Features Journalism launched a new contest category in 2023 for “Best First-Person Narrative or Essay,” and now we’re celebrating it at a special free virtual event.
Please join us for an hourlong conversation with three of our winning essay writers — Théoden Janes of The Charlotte Observer, Alexandra Rain of Deseret News and Janelle Harris Dixon of Shondaland — about why they chose to go personal, how they made their winning works so effective and what you stand to gain by giving it a try. Details:
The Society for Features Journalism’s annual contest celebrating excellence in storytelling received more than 900 entries this year.
We are so grateful to the small village of contest judges who volunteered their time to ensure that we continue to celebrate the craft of storytelling in words, video and podcasts.
The following are the winners listed by each of the three divisions. First-place winners (except in Sweepstakes awards) will receive a $300 prize.
Congratulations to all!
CATEGORIES BY DIVISION
DIVISION 1: Circulation up to 90,000
FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS: These awards recognize the publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 21 categories.
First place: The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier: First place awards in general feature and arts and entertainment feature; second place awards in general feature and feature writing portfolio; third place awards in feature writing portfolio and feature series or project, and one honorable mention in narrative storytelling.
Second place: Deseret News: First place award in narrative storytelling; second place awards in sports feature, first-person narrative essay and feature beat writing portfolio; a third place award in short feature; and one honorable mention in inclusion and representation in features.
Third place: TIE
The (Colorado Springs) Gazette: First place awards in feature series or project and visual storytelling; a second place award in visual storytelling; a third place award in food writing portfolio; and honorable mention awards in food writing portfolio and general features.The
Times Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate: first place awards in short features and food writing portfolio; second place awards in food criticism and narrative storytelling; and an honorable mention in food feature.
GENERAL FEATURE: Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic.
First place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “Captive no more: One SC man’s journey to freedom after years in modern-day slavery” Judge’s comments: “I’ve struggled to rate the stories in this general features category. A few of these pieces are so artfully written, it’s just astonishing. Many of them tell stories that are vital to their communities. If I could, I’d pick a first place entry and then award four or five second places. In my dream world, I’d hire all of them, and we’d live happily ever after in an alternate universe where journalism unites us and lifts us up. But I digress. First place goes to Jennifer Berry Hawes whose story about a man held in modern-day slavery is just astonishing. I’ve never read anything like it. Never. Hawes writes about Christopher Smith, an intellectually disabled man who was held captive for years by a man who forced him to work 100 hours a week or more in his restaurant, who forced Smith to live there as he ‘built an insidious trap of financial power, isolation and violence that human traffickers often use to control their victims.’ From the start, we know that Smith has been removed from this nightmarish situation, but that does not take away from the power of this story. Smith was beaten and burned – in a restaurant patronized by the members of the local law enforcement community. ‘Every night, he prayed for God to save him.’ This went on for years until his rescue. ‘It is hard,’ Hawes writes, ‘to picture how something that looked so much like slavery happened at all in the 21st century, much less beneath the noses of so many.’ Hawes’ story is a must read for every person in America.”
Second place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “As firing squad looms, man facing execution shares his SC death row story” Judge’s comment: “This is a wrenching, 360-degree portrait of Richard Moore, a man on death row in South Carolina. Jennifer Berry Hawes has amazing detail on the crime — and what happened before and after — that sent him there and writes in a manner that is, well, I guess the correct word is ‘fair.’ Moore shot a man who died, but the story is about so much more than the crime. Moore provided ‘a rare look inside South Carolina’s secretive death row and detailed the realities of standing at the precipice of an execution date.’”
Third place: Kelly Powers, York (Pa.) Daily Record, “Bullying, culture shock and US schools: Refugee students face ‘huge lift’ to integrate” Judge’s comments: “Kelly Powers has produced a riveting narrative about young immigrants who struggle to find their place in a bewildering world–the American educational system–where resources are limited and bullies run free to wreak havoc. The resiliency of these young students will impress you and bring tears to your eyes at the same time. The teachers who try to ease them into the system are heroes.”
Honorable mention: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs) Gazette, “Late in life of triumph and tragedy, Les Franklin, nephew of Fannie Mae Duncan, opens up”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE: Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic.
First place: Adam Parker and Gavin McIntyre, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “Making Omar: The story behind Spoleto Festival’s opera about an enslaved Muslim scholar in the Carolinas” Judge’s comments: “The world learning of Omar’s story was remarkable, however Adam Parker’s retelling of how Rhiannon Giddens wove Omar’s words into an opera was equally phenomenal. His artful writing was as captivating as the body of work Giddens and her collaborators created. Parker’s exquisite reporting made the reader feel he was with Giddens every step of the way, even during the months long pauses, to bring Omar’s nearly 200-year-old manuscript to the stage. In addition, the attention to detail Parker gave toward Omar Ibn Said’s origin story was the respect this Black man did not receive during his lifetime. Parker’s care there was appreciated.”
Second place: Leor Galil, Chicago Reader, “How Chicago helped put the Queen of Grunge back on her throne” Judge’s comments: “Leor Galil’s dedicated, deep dive reporting gives new meaning to ‘give respect where respect is due.’ Her beautiful celebration of Tina Bell as a hidden figure in music gives an education not only in Bell, but also women in grunge. There’s also the tribute to vinyl lovers, who through their discovery, found a long-lost gem. Galil’s writing definitely gave Bell the shine she deserved.”
Third place: Tracey O’Shaughnessy, Bill O’Brien and Jim Shannon, (Waterbury, Conn.) Republican-American, “The gospel according to Joy” Judge’s comments: “In writing about a group, the word ‘community’ is often used but in Tracey O’Shaughnessy’s profile on Joy Brown’s sculptures, the reader sees the impact of a collective. Detailing how several people are needed to fire Brown’s massive kilns, goes deeper than explaining how the pieces are made. O’Shaughnessy places the reader there with Brown and the residents who have become like family.”
Honorable mention: Collin Leonard, Deseret News, “The Osmonds, Saddam Hussein and the CIA — my search for the truth”
SHORT FEATURE:Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words.
First place: Doug MacCash, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate, “Man wallows in flooded French Quarter sinkhole: ‘There’s a beer involved’” Judge’s comments: This is a delightful tale about a tourist who decided to take a dip in a flooded French Quarter sinkhole, and the witty tour guide who documented the ordeal in a video posted on Reddit. The piece manages to be a snapshot of the French Quarter that is very “French Quarter” but without the stereotypical antics. It illustrates a whole new set of antics! It helps that the tour guide was a pithy quote machine, but this writer knew how and where to sprinkle the best of them into the piece. Gems include: ‘Cothern said that he suspected shots had been involved, but not the kind of shots that ward off hepatitis, which he believes one should probably get before or after splashing around in the French Quarter streets’ and ‘In fact, that very evening at the end of the crawl, one of Cothern’s tour clients requested that he lead her to a Tarot reader, which he did. Though he suspected she may have been too full of spirits to successfully engage in metaphysics.’ It was a great way to dive in (sorry) to the ever-present struggles facing New Orleans’ infrastructure and the persistent problem of potholes and sinkholes. It ends up illustrating the problem, the lack of solution, and how all of that isn’t going to stop ye olde bon temps from rouler-ing.
Second place: Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, Children’s museum feature Judge’s comments: “This review of a dinosaur-centric museum exhibit told from the perspective of the writer’s preschooler was a really fun approach. No one wants to hear what a grown-up thinks about a museum feature aimed at kids, but the play-by-play of the 4-year-old’s reactions and takeaways was sweet and effective. The writer/dad’s explanatory asides rounded it all out. It was as much an exhibit review as it was a tale of a father-and-son outing in the city as bedtime ticked ever closer. Very cute quotes, for example when asked: Are you a paleontologist now? ‘I’m a pretty tired now.’”
Third place: Meg Walter, Deseret News, “Utah’s dirty soda war may give way to a revolution” Judge’s comments: “This piece, about Utah’s ‘dirty soda’ trend, had me at ‘waking up and smelling the aspartame.’ I honestly had never heard of dirty soda, and this story had me intrigued from the get-go. It was a very Utah-centric story but told in a way that totally worked for a reader thousands of miles away, giving a quick and deft sense of place, and of Utahns (a word this piece introduced me to). For example: ‘I guess we were always poised to be innovators in the soda space, given that many of us adhere to a religious code for food and drink that prohibits coffee. Instead, we imbibe our caffeine cold, on the rocks and in 44-ounce Styrofoam cups. That has always been the way of our people.’ Engaging writing style with the perfect tone for the topic, and the story rolled along like it was laced with 44 ounces of fake sugar and caffeine.”
Honorable mention: Eric Webb, Austin American-Statesman, “What it’s like to watch Pink fly over ACL Fest”
FOOD FEATURE: A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary.
First place: Amy Loeffler, Melissa Alexander, Whetstone Magazine, “Salt and Sex” Judge’s comments: “Fine writing. Well-researched. Goes right to the edge, but never over it with words like these: ‘But to taste love itself, in the carnal sense, is most definitely a savory endeavor.’ ‘As preposterous as sprinkling salt over a sexual partner is to modern sensibilities—as if prepping a chicken for roasting…’ Lots of fascinating facts, bits of history delivered in an engaging, thought-provoking piece that makes you smile and say, really, I didn’t know that. Indeed, from her name comes the word “aphrine,” referring to the nascent delicate white crystals that develop when saltwater begins to evaporate and negative chlorine ions coalesce with positively charged sodium ions to form sodium chloride.’ Terrific.”
Second place: Matthew Korfhage, The (Salisbury, Md.) Daily Times, “How the history of Southern Maryland stuffed ham is tied to slavery” Judge’s comments: “Great lede that drew me. Good use of quotes to add life to the piece. Excellent explanation of the dish, what makes it what it is. Nice turns of phrase: ‘The same way you can’t step into the same river twice — and in water-laced St. Mary’s County, this can feel almost literal — you’ll also never taste the same stuffed ham in two different homes.’ Succinct writing about complex topics: That pivotal ingredient tells a story familiar to much Southern food: African and Caribbean influence from enslaved cooks brought a new twist to European ham, to create something uniquely American.
Third place: Sierra McClain, (Salem, Ore.) Capital Press, “Still ambitious: Inside Anderson Ranches’ sheep farm and its rise to success” Judge’s comments: “Interesting story well-told. Lots of nice details: ‘Reed recalls building fences with Robyn, their diapered boys slung in baby backpacks.’ Good details: ‘Harvest is normally once a week, 550 to 600 head in a day.’ These give you a sense of the scope of the place run by this family. Good use of quotes: ‘Our lambs have plenty of water and a short trip,’ said Reed Anderson. Nice imagery: ‘The Anderson farm is a quilt of properties pieced together over decades: green pastures, blue hills, flocks of grazing sheep. It looks like a postcard.’ Fine job. Good read.”
Honorable mention: Ian McNulty, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate, “At Gloria’s Grocery, a New Orleans corner store is the center of neighborhood life”
FOOD CRITICISM: A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry.
First place: Matthew Odam, Austin American-Statesman, Austin restaurant review: “Canje brings Caribbean flavor and soul to East Austin” Judge’s comments: “This restaurant review not only made me want to go to Austin immediately to eat at this place, but it also took me into the history and influences that make this menu so special. The writing was beautiful and intelligent; I love that it was both conversational in tone and erudite in content. And I also love the way the writer reminded us why eating out, at its best, is such a life-affirming experience, and one that, post-pandemic, we must not take for granted. I don’t expect a restaurant review to move me, but in addition to making me hungry, this nuanced, thoughtful and well-reported story also touched my soul.”
Second place: Ian McNulty, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate, Review of French cafe in New Orleans Judge’s comments: “This story was a fun one to read. I especially loved the way the writer put this French restaurant into the context of the neighborhood, with local folks passing by and stopping in, and into the context of New Orleans’ French heritage, describing, for example, the celebration of Bastille Day. Not easy to describe a place that is both elegant in its offerings and warm and friendly in its ambience, but this story achieves that. I will certainly be stopping by this place on my next visit!”
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT: Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
First place: Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Tipping Point – The Colorado in Peril” Judge’s comments: “Impressive seems an understatement for the depth and scope of this project on Colorado’s fires and drought and the impact they are having on the state and the Colorado River. There’s science — we learn hydrophobic soil is not good — but we also meet the people who are confronting the issue in their daily lives. We learn that ‘not everyone suffers equally.’”
Second place: Staff, (Rochester, N.Y.) Democrat & Chronicle, “Buffalo’s East Side: What a neighborhood ravaged by a mass shooting reveals about the power of community” Judge’s comments: “In the wake of a racist shooting, this series delved into an underserved Buffalo neighborhood brought low by neglect and disinvestment. But the life and light of the series are the people who love the place and have hopes for a better future. We meet them in telling detail, on the streets, in their gardens and sometimes wheeling their plants in a cart. The reader roots for them all.”
Third place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “The Rising: Legacy of Denmark Vesey and crushed 1822 slave revolt still inspires activism, debate” Judge’s comments: “The story of Denmark Vesey is compelling and complex. The writer adeptly takes on the challenge of who gets to write history and how to find the most likely truth of the matter. And we’re here for it.”
Honorable mention: Brian PJ Cronin, The Highlands (N.Y.) Current, “The Challenge for Churches”
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING: A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme.
First place: Daryl Gibson, Deseret News, “The world’s most remarkable kid died in Newcastle, Utah” Judge’s comments: “The fascinating story of a remarkable kid who was taken from us too soon. The colorful anecdotes of his life make us wonder what more he could have accomplished.”
Second place: Tristan Baurick, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate, “The Last Days of Isle de Jean Charles” Judge’s comments: “A detailed account of a people at the mercy of rising seas and government bureaucracy.”
Third place: Matthew Korfhage, (Rochester, N.Y.) Democrat & Chronicle, “A veteran’s son received a mysterious box. It held the secret to his father’s early death” Judge’s comments: “This story sheds light on the little-known tale of America’s Atomic Veterans — and the legacy of harm potentially passed on to their descendants.”
Honorable mention: Jennifer Hawes Berry, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, Captive no more: One SC man’s journey to freedom after years in modern-day slavery”
FEATURES BEAT WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
First place: Kelly Powers, The (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal, “Threatened communities along the Mid-Atlantic” Judge’s comments: “This writer tells fascinating histories of unique communities. The clear, compelling writing style connects strongly — and memorably — with readers.”
Second place: Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News, Religion beat Judge’s comments: Arresting topics are bolstered by strong writing and deep reporting. This journalist writes with well-deserved authority.
Third place: Matthew Leimkuehler, The (Nashville) Tennessean, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Clearly a storyteller, this writer is a master of the sharp lede and exquisite detail. Very compelling profiles.”
Honorable mention:Karen Hendricks, TheBurg, Environmental beat: “Night Watch, Reigner Reigns over the Outdoors, They Made a Stink”
FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
First place: Ian McNulty, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Ian McNulty’s writing is at once elegant and thoughtful and sometimes humorous, but always evoking a strong sense of place, especially in the Cafe Degas review. A clear first place winner!”
Second place: Maggie Heyn Richardson, 225 Magazine (Baton Rouge, La.), Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Maggie Heyn Richardson’s love of good food and her local knowledge shines in these three well-written pieces, especially the extensive review of bakeries. Bravo!”
Third place: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “His gourmet hot dog restaurant serves up ostrich, rattlesnake, rabbit and more | Craving Colorado” Judge’s comments: “Seth Boster has an easy writing style that he obviously combines with ample reportage. The biker profile was a standout in this third place entry.”
Honorable mention: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Mother’s love the key ingredient at Japanese bakery near Denver | Craving Colorado”
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials.
First place: Chris Willman, Variety Judge’s comments: “Three smart, thoughtful, incisive pieces on music legends including Bob Dylan, early rock and roll artists and Taylor Swift. The analyses weren’t predictable, and the articles showed true craft of writing.”
Second place: Mary C. Curtis, Roll Call Third place: Michael Schneider, Variety Honorable mention: Jay Evensen, Deseret News
ARTS & CULTURE CRITICISM PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts, entertainment or culture topic, including dining reviews.
First place: Tracey O’Shaughnessy, (Waterbury, Conn.) Republican-American, Visual arts Judge’s comments: “Oh, the texture! There’s so much color here, and the way it’s interwoven with story makes each piece irresistible. Every piece gripped me. Loved this work.”
Second place: Chris Willman, Variety, Music reviews Third place: Owen Gleiberman, Variety, Film reviews Honorable mention: Jennifer Huberdeau, Berkshire Eagle, Arts criticism
SPORTS FEATURE: Feature treatment of any sports topic.
First place: Jason Wolf, Buffalo (N.Y.) News, “’Does anybody want to talk about it?’ Youth football coach a shepherd through Buffalo mass shooting” Judge’s comments: “Wonderfully written, timely and emotional — a perfect feature story.”
Second place: Sarah Todd, Deseret News, “The untold story of the high school coaches who helped shape Utah Jazz’s Texas trio” Judge’s comments: “A smart piece weaving together narratives with the reminder: good coaching lasts a lifetime.”
Third place: Melissa Federspill, The Uvalde Leader-News, “Peers, coaches choose middle linebacker Rendon to wear #21” Judge’s comments: “Short but powerful.”
Honorable mention: Amie Just, Lincoln Journal Star, “After bleeding ulcer threatened his life, Sam Griesel is thrilled to be wearing red”
VISUAL STORYTELLING: The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes.
First place: Skyler Ballard, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Tipping Point: Lake Powell reaches record lows amid drought” Judge’s comments: “Beautifully shot, produced and edited. A must watch video story.”
Second place: Skyler Ballard, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Mountain Unicycling in Colorado” Judge’s comments: “Fun and cool video about mountain cycling.”
BEST SPECIAL SECTION: The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
First place: Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, “Sustainability Issue” Judge’s comments: “Fantastic stories and ambitious reporting with a sophisticated, beautiful and easy-to-navigate web presentation made this section a winner.”
Second place: Mackensy Lunsford and Todd Price, Southern Kitchen, “Fire & Smoke: The Art of Cooking Outdoors” Judge’s comments: “A really interesting take on a food section that honors the First Peoples’ histories and stories behind the backyard barbecue, as well as exploring the influences from other parts of the world.”
Third place: Matthew Odam, Austin American-Statesman, “2022 Dining Guide: The best restaurants in Austin” Judge’s comments: “A sweet intro set the stage for this roundup, complete with evocative food descriptions and great photos.”
Honorable mention: Kirk Williamson, Enrique Limón, Chicago Reader, “The People Issue (Volume 52, Number 3)”
BEST SPECIAL PRODUCT: The best examples of a special product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year.
First place: Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Out There Summer/Fall Guide” Judge’s comments: “From its fun biker-meets-saloon cover to its array of different storytelling techniques, this summer/fall guide, a mix of travel and entertainment elements, is a beautiful and informative look at the Colorado Springs area. What separates this from the rest of the pack is its polish and attention to detail – the stories are authoritative, interesting and fun, and the design is first-rate throughout.”
Second place: Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo) Gazette, “OTC Winter Guide” Judge’s comments: “Though its theme is ice, this winter guidebook is warm and inviting. The writing is well done, especially the listicles, and the design complements the writing rather than working against it. It offers a nice variety of formats and an effective design.”
Third place: Herald Staff, The Daily (Everett, Wash.) Herald, “Sound & Summit Magazine” Judge’s comments: “A few nicely written features are the highlight of this small but effective magazine celebrating two counties in the Puget Sound area. It’s a bit food and drink heavy, but the stories are interesting. A bit more variety might have elevated this publication.”
BEST FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE/ESSAYS: A single story written as an essay or in the first-person point of view that demonstrates a sense of proportion and perspective.
First place: Alexandra Rain, Deseret News, “The prodigal mother” Judge’s comments: “A wonderful, searing, insightful piece that perfectly marries first person with actual service journalism for the millions dealing with this issue. Loved the dance details and this line in particular — ‘There aren’t memorials for living addicts. Their hearts still beat but to a different rhythm’ — really struck a chord. This is what first-person journalism should be. Moving but also instructive. Terrific work.”
Second place: Ethan Bauer, Deseret News, “The house that exile built” Judge’s comments: “Excellent piece. Very evocative in painting a picture of places and people. It was informative about the history and touching with the regards to the writer’s longing and confusion, both his own and on behalf of his family. Deft use of details and bits of humor throughout to leaven the gravity and history lessons. Great job.”
Third place: Peter D. Kramer, (Rochester, N.Y.) Democrat & Chronicle, “Even after ’13 Seconds,’ Buffalo Bills fans believe. This is how they do it.” Judge’s comments: “A lovely human interest tale well-told through the larger lens of the sports team. Great MOS interviews and videos and, even though I know it’s first person, great foregrounding of the actual subjects and local flavor. Very enjoyable!”
BEST FEATURE WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer that can be a combination of any beats.
First place: Peter D. Kramer, The (Westchester N.J.) Journal News, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Peter’s entry stood out for two reasons: His story on the aftermath of the Buffalo supermarket massacre was the best single piece in this category, and the range he demonstrated as a writer with his months-long dive into the reshaping of the Rockettes. The former showed what a thoughtful reporter can do to craft a sensitive feature in short order; the latter, while possibly ultimately too much of a good thing, was a great example of weaving numerous characters and their story lines into a compelling read.”
Second place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Jennifer is clearly a gifted writer and reporter. She has a great eye for detail and ear for compelling quotes. The subject matter of these pieces is also compelling: they are stories of people who might otherwise be forgotten. My only quibble: Each of these might have used another edit to tighten them.”
Third place: Adam Parker, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Adam is a terrific storyteller. As with the work of his colleague Jennifer, I was struck by the subject matter in this entry: in-depth stories of lives not routinely seen in newspaper pages. The story about Polly Sheppard was the best in his entry, a three-dimensional portrait of a strong but haunted survivor. Same comment, though, on the length of these pieces: a bit tighter would have made them stronger.”
Honorable mention: Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, Portfolio
INCLUSION AND REPRESENTATION IN FEATURES: The coverage of any lifestyle or culture topic that centers historically marginalized or under covered communities through revelatory storytelling.
First place: Mackensy Lunsford, Todd Price and George Walker IV, The (Nashville) Tennessean, “Uneven Ground: Exceptional Black farmers and their fight to flourish in the South” Judge’s comments: “’Uneven Ground’ is a full and empathetic portrait of the human experience in the present and history of Black farmers. The work focuses on the personal stories of a community — despite the physical distance of one interviewee from another. The series still finds their common issues so that readers can see the bigger picture. The series offers unexpected new information and context for contemporary challenges. The writers’ work is uniformly personal and accessible. The photographs are close and beautiful. The publication obviously supported enterprise reporting and original presentations and the investment paid off.”
Second place: Chip Rowe, Leonard Sparks and Pierce Strudler, The Highlands (N.Y.) Current, “Always Present, Never Seen” Judge’s comments: “This lengthy and comprehensive feature series. ‘Always Present Never Seen,’ displays an enormous amount of work and thought. The writing is clean and easily accessible. The series contains an excellent balance between current reportage and historical research.”
Third place: Staff, (Rochester, N. Y.) Democrat & Chronicle, “Resettling Main Street — Refugees Bring Revitalization to some of America’s Smaller Cities” Judge’s comments: “Resettling Main Street provides excellent national coverage of diverse communities with a wide range of interviews, clear writing and current data. The feature series is well-timed to the larger issues facing the U.S. now.
Honorable mention: Tracy Schuhmacher and Robert Bell, (Rochester, N.Y.) Democrat & Chronicle, “Welcoming People with Disabilities”
DIVISION 2 | Circulation 90,000 to 199,999
FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS: These awards recognize the three publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 21 categories.
First place: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: First place awards in short feature, general commentary, sports and consumer/service features; second place awards in features beat writing, general commentary and inclusion and representation in features.
Second place: The Oregonian: First place awards in general features and visual storytelling; second place awards in food features and visual storytelling; third place awards in visual storytelling, short features and arts & entertainment feature; honorable mention in visual storytelling.
Third place: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel: First place awards in food feature and food criticism, second place awards in short features and special product; third place awards in general commentary and consumer/service feature.
GENERAL FEATURE: Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic.
First place: Tom Hallman Jr., The Oregonian, “Their little parrot was thought to be a goner after he flew away in downtown Portland” Judge’s comments: “Tom Hallman Jr.’s piece about a tiny parrot named Joy who once was lost but now is found is a storytelling masterpiece. Tom starts out with this lede: ‘More than 40 years in the writing business and I’ve never stumbled across a story as crazy as the one I’m about to tell you.’ And he DELIVERS! In this celebration of the power of human connection and kindness, Tom takes us by the hand and brings us on a journey filled with unexpected plot twists, loveable characters and the happiest possible outcome. Anyone who reads this story will be left cheering, crying and feeling grateful to be alive. Bravo!”
Second place: Samantha Michaels, Mother Jones, “She Never Hurt Her Kids. So Why Is a Mother Serving More Time Than the Man Who Abused Her Daughter?” Judge’s comments: “Mother Jones’ in-depth examination of failure-to-protect laws that incarcerate mothers for violence committed by other people is both harrowing and haunting. These little-known laws target women — particularly women of color — for failing to protect their children from abuse by men who, in many cases, also are abusing the kids’ terrified and trapped moms. This story masterfully dissects the case of an abused mother named Kerry King who never hurt her children but who got 30 years in prison — 12 more years than the man who horrifically abused her daughter. The 17-minute documentary video accompanying this must-read story is also excellent.
Third place: Neil Steinberg, Chicago Sun-Times, “Nothing lasts forever, but manhole covers come close” Judge’s comments: “Hooray to Neil Steinberg for writing the loveliest story about, of all things, the manufacture of manhole covers. Neil’s writing is infused with a sense of wonder and curiosity, and his story overflows with fascinating details. (For instance, did you know that iron is the fourth-most common element in the universe, or that the process of casting iron is thought to have originated in ancient China around the sixth century B.C.?) What really makes this story sing, though, is his appreciation for the foundry workers behind the objects that “are literally everywhere, around the world and at our feet, on every block, every street corner.” It’s easy to see why this was one of the Chicago Sun-Times’ best-read stories of the year.
Honorable mention: Lucy Meyer, The Guardian, “His daughter went missing at 16. But his fight was only beginning”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE: Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic.
First place: Eric Stinton, Hana Hou! Magazine, “Breaking Ground” Judge’s comments: “Just like breakdancing, this read was fun and fantastic.”
Second place: Jane Henderson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Bones of Contention” Judge’s comments: “Informative and well-written.”
Third place: Kristi Turnquist, The Oregonian, “‘Outdoor School’ movie brings together a diverse Portland creative team for a story of homelessness and hope” Judge’s comments: “A touching story with joy at the center of it all.”
SHORT FEATURE:Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words.
First place: Bob Batz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Aliquippa wants to get the band back together” Judge’s comments: “It’s hard to fault Bob Batz Jr.’s tale of a small town junior/ senior high school struggling to have a band to play at football games — and largely succeeding. It’s funny and sweet and heartwarming, full of pizza, pride and pandemic price inflation. And then there’s the ‘Blues Brothers’ inflected lede – ‘Aliquippa wants to get the band back together.’ Bravo.”
Second place: Mark Gauert, South Florida Sun Sentinel, City and Shore magazine, “Light in the Darkness” Judge’s comments: “Mark Gauert’s entry, ‘Light in the Darkness,’ is gentle and wistful and full of wonder. Mosquitoes kept the stargazers from their goal. But disaster — Hurricane Wilma — inadvertently revealed the beauty of the Milky Way.”
Third place: Samantha Swindler, The Oregonian, “Why does Garibaldi have a cellphone booth? Ask the town’s tallest barber” Judge’s comments: “Samantha Swindler’s story is funny from top to bottom. The tallest barber in Garibaldi doesn’t crest 5 feet. She has a cellphone booth so clients keep their secrets to themselves (more or less). And the way she describes her job makes for a memorable kicker: ‘I get to make a living running my fingers through men’s hair. What could be better?’ Indeed.”
FOOD FEATURE: A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary.
First place: Phillip Valys, South Florida Sun Sentinel, “After a violent spiral, famed Chicago chef seeks redemption — and Michelin stars — in South Florida” Judge’s comments: “Beautiful writing. The story doesn’t sugar-coat or dance around the chef’s past, but lays it out there for the reader to see. The food descriptions are glorious.”
Second place: Samantha Swindler, The Oregonian, “Table setting competition sets a high bar at Oregon State Fair” Judge’s comments: “Love this story so much! The descriptions, the interviews, it’s all wonderful. I now will forever be careful to make sure my pinks match.”
Third place: Hal B. Klein, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Amazing Dumplings brings a couple’s northern Chinese cuisine to Squirrel Hill” Judge’s comments: “Beautiful writing. Love the descriptions of the dumplings and the details about the restaurant owners’ lives.”
Honorable mention: Christina Tkacik, The Baltimore Sun, “As Maryland crab houses face labor shortage, Black crab pickers recall legacy of struggle”
FOOD CRITICISM: A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry.
First place: Mark Gauert, South Florida Sun Sentinel, City & Shore magazine, “The Fault in Our Stars” Judge’s comments: “Uses a funny, conversational style to make a larger point that’s relevant to local readers: how to really judge restaurants now that Michelin has arrived.”
Second place: Ian Froeb, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Santa Fe Bistro takes a wrong turn at Albuquerque, crashes in Creve Coeur” Judge’s comments: “Laugh-out-loud funny. And backs up its barbs with the colorful details that let the reader feels as if they, too, are tasting (and recoiling from) the food.”
Third place: Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, “Review: Cullum’s Attaboy a brunch tour of long-lost S.A. faves” Judge’s comments: “In lively, witty writing, the writer captures not just the menu and feel of the restaurant but the history and culture of the city that powers it.”
Honorable mention: Hal B. Klein, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Best Pizza in Pittsburgh
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT: Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
First place: Hannah Levintova, Tim Murphy and Ian Gordon, Mother Jones, “How Private Equity Looted America”
Second place: Courtney Crowder and Brianne Pfannenstiel, The Des Moines Register, “The death of the Iowa Democratic caucus: How 50 years of jury-rigging doomed an American tradition”
Third place: Hanh Truong and Savanna Smith, The Sacramento Bee, “Bee Curious” Honorable mention: News team, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Coping with inflation”
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING: A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme.
First place: Raquel Rutledge, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Ken Armstrong, ProPublica, “The Landlord & the Tenant” Judge’s comments: “The best feature writing is built on authoritative reporting. This story, wherever your outrage is directed by its facts, is a model of comprehensive, unassailable reporting. A tour de force.”
Second place: Courtney Crowder, The Des Moines Register, “’We Had a Way Out’: Exhaustion, anger, courage and sorrow in an Iowa ICU fighting another COVID wave” Judge’s comments: “One of the signature achievements of memorable feature writing is to make the familiar feel not just fresh again, but vital. The toll of the pandemic came to include our capacity for both sorrow and admiration. This story shakes us out of that stupor and makes us feel both again. No small thing.”
Third place: Lucy Meyer, The Guardian, “His daughter went missing at 16. But his fight was only beginning” Judge’s comments: “The episodes could not have been an accident: Native people telling as federal task force about their lost loved ones found themselves silenced, literally muted by the investigators there to listen. It’s an arresting passage in this story, and the accomplishment of the work is that it unmutes those who had been silenced. They get to tell their stories of hurt and confusion and frustration in full. Impressive.”
FEATURES BEAT WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
First place: David Hudnall, The Kansas City Star, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “David Hudnall shows extraordinary range in this portfolio of narrative stories. Is it business? Is it travel? Is it investigative? Is it profile? Is it culture? Who cares?! It’s a collection of sit-down, kick-back, rocking-chair reads that introduce the people and stories behind a diverse collection of Kansas City-area businesses: from the homegrown global fashion icons and the billionaires who closed them down; to the proprietors and customers of the oldest bar in town; to the tiny town undergoing an unlikely transformation into a tourist destination. Using techniques from first-rate digging to first-person, Hudnall’s portfolio shows why feature writing is a pillar of our community storytelling.”
Second place: Abby Mackey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Good news beat Judge’s comments: “This portfolio is the living, breathing rebuttal to all those who suggest that a focus on telling positive human-centered stories will inevitably be shallow, trite or cliché. In this entry, Abby Mackey uses deft storytelling and an ear for dialogue, a distinct sense of place and authentic characters, to bring to life the neighbors in the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. A community finds a way to give back to someone who daily changes their lives in big and small ways; a photographer sheds light on and creates art with an unexpected community; an accident victim and her life-saving first responder meet by chance 40 years later: These stories are the usually unseen golden threads underlying the complexity of everyday life, illuminated beautifully by this portfolio’s work.”
Third place: Jeremy Reynolds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Classical music beat Judge’s comments: “Here is how you make people care about the music they aren’t streaming through their AirPods: Make it human. Follow a world-renowned conductor to his homeland and weave a story of details and personality and humanity with the cold, hard facts of the business of classical music. Introduce a group of people with mental health issues who overcome, who find joy and a sense of self and sanity – through playing music together. Build affinity around the top international news headline with the melody that is strumming the world’s, and the community’s, heartstrings. Jeremy Reynolds’ classical music portfolio tells the human stories of music beyond the orchestral hall and in so doing, shows why beat reporting still matters in features journalism.”
FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
First place: Christina Tkacik, The Baltimore Sun, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Strong, clear writing that vividly captures time and place (Baltimore, 2022). The Black crab-pickers story shed light on a dying part of Maryland food culture that many eaters might not realize. The piece on the murder of an Italian restaurateur conveyed the unease and randomness of big-city violence (and its impact on the community). The detailed feature on restaurants which took federal pandemic money and then closed was good old-fashioned watchdog journalism.”
Second place: Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Experienced, authoritative, mellifluous and hilarious review-writing on display. How could anyone not appreciate a withering critique of a churrascaria that takes a cutting dig at ‘the infinite sadness of the meat parade’ and a sideswipe at the disturbing trend of restaurants allowing non-service dogs inside dining rooms?”
Third place: Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, Portfolio Judge’s comments: Lively writing, interesting subject matter, all tied heavily to a sense of place with a distinctive voice. The Texas wine vs. cotton crop story was edifying, the California burrito invasion story amusing (french fries!?) and the No Beans vs. Beans chili debate story a history lesson that true food enthusiasts should devour. Great quote: ‘People who are arguing about beans, they don’t know beans about American foodways.’”
Honorable mention: Phillip Valys, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Portfolio
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials.
First place: Brandon McGinley, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Brandon McGinley’s columns reflect an analytical mind, an observant eye and a compassionate heart. A column about Senate candidates shows deft analysis, as well as his gift for description as he sums up Rep. Conor Lamb: ‘He is just the right height — taller than usual, but not unusually tall — and has maintained his military fitness, and every hair on his head is where it is meant to be.’ He visits a crime scene and makes us view the exact spot of the killing as sacred ground. He unspools his tales with prose that is approachable, deceptively simple and elegant. This is most apparent in a piece written as a letter to a son lost through miscarriage. ‘Dear John Isaiah,’ it begins. Reflecting on his family’s loss, and what might have been, McGinley surely left readers in tears as he recounts this scene from the cemetery: ‘It rained the morning we buried you, not enough to be uncomfortable and just enough to feel cinematic. It was perfect. Your older sister said the sky was crying for you.’”
Second place: Tony Norman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “In columns that are passionate and angry but never lapse into ranting, Tony Norman raises important questions about the fatal shootings of Black men. Where, he asks, is justice? And why aren’t authorities releasing more information about what happened? They’re the kind of questions authorities would rather not answer. Norman, in blunt, forceful prose, asks them.”
Third place: Mark Gauert, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Mark Gauert seems to find meaning and messages in just about anything — while tying his shoes, while feeding a cat, while gazing at the Milky Way. His columns celebrating the seemingly ordinary are tightly written and thoughtful.”
ARTS & CULTURE CRITICISM PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts, entertainment or culture topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials.
First place: Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Sometimes biting, sometimes poignant but always engaging, Mike Sutter’s culinary commentary is absolutely delicious.”
Second place: Théoden Janes, The Charlotte Observer, Portfolio Judge’s comments: While some concert reviews are rote recaps of a night’s highlights, Théoden Janes’ writeups not only make you feel like you were there, but also break down the cultural importance of the event.”
Third place: Joshua Axelrod, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Portfolio Judge’s comments: Joshua Axelrod’s reviews are entertaining and smartly connect the material back to local readers.
SPORTS FEATURE: Feature treatment of any sports topic.
First place: Sean D. Hamill, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “A secret life in the rackets” Judge’s comments: “A thorough and complete examination of the unknown tales behind one of Pittsburgh’s most famous sports leaders. Well-reported and presented with elegant digital touches. The editors should be applauded for adding so much context on how and why they had access to the documents. Excellent work.”
Second place: Dave Kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “They grew up Amish in Wisconsin. Now these cousins are living a NASCAR dream” Judge’s comments: “A smart story idea which was told in a non-judgmental and thoughtful way. The writer avoided stereotypes and cliches, telling a personal tale in a way that anyone could understand.”
Third place: Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “How Giannis Antetokounmpo’s view on ego, humility has inspired people around the world” Judge’s comments: “A very interesting way to use a sports comment to produce a story with an audience well beyond sports. Great reporting to find a diverse group of people who were affected by a quote at a sports news conference. A very interesting way to use a sports comment to produce a story with an audience well beyond sports. Great reporting to find a diverse group of people who were affected by a quote at a sports news conference.”
Honorable mention: Eric Stinton, Hana Hou! magazine, “One for the team”
VISUAL STORYTELLING: The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length.
First place: Samantha Swindler, The Oregonian, “Garibaldi Crab Races: Dungeness crabs race to the finish for charity” Judge’s comments: “This video about the Garibaldi crab races features all the elements of excellent visual storytelling: compelling video, engaging subjects, dynamic editing and thoughtful story structure. The intro’s energetic visuals and enigmatic narration immediately drew me in; I had to learn more about this quirky event! The breadth and variety of beautifully framed, vibrantly colored shots keeps you visually engaged as the well-crafted and well-paced voiceover tells the story of this whimsical community tradition. Expertly mixed audio—a major feat in a raucous environment—leverages exciting natural sounds of the races and crowds along with up-tempo music that perfectly captures the event’s spirited energy. The result: a front row seat at the races!”
Second place: Vickie Connor, The Oregonian, “Circles in the sand” Judge’s comments: “Gorgeous footage and a well-timed edit bring “Circles in the Sand” to life in a beautiful, visual way. The variety of framing — particularly the stunning wide shots — and excellent use of sequences (e.g., a close of the rake followed by a wide of the beach and mid of participants) makes for a dynamic viewing experience that transports audiences into the labyrinth. The subtle music, use of ocean sounds, and relaxed pace of the edit reinforces its peaceful and meditative message.
Third place: MJ Johnson, The Oregonian, “Deaf-owned Portland restaurant Pah! opens in Lents neighborhood” Judge’s comments: “‘Deaf-owned Portland restaurant’ is a powerful and educational video that smartly utilizes ASL as both a narrative and visual storytelling technique. A compelling interview subject coupled with strong soundbite selection and structure highlights the owner’s passion for his business and his community. While the use of natural sound and a single shot throughout the interview scenes keeps the focus on Lillouie’s signing, a greater variety of footage (food, customer interactions, etc.) and/or music/sound could make for an even more engaging piece. The video flourishes during its more dynamic moments of visual/auditory creativity — for example, as a picture-in-picture technique features both Lillouie at work and narrating, or when music and energetic shots bring his drag show to life. Overall, it is a moving and informative profile that sheds important light on an often-underrepresented community.”
Honorable mention: Vickie Connor, The Oregonian, “Alameda Elementary School’s bike bus allows active group transportation for these Portland students”
BEST SPECIAL SECTION: The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
First place: Robert Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times, “Chicago-pedia, Volume Tree, Our town’s lexicon” Judge’s comments: “What a fun feature, and a twist on the usual ‘guide to the city.’ I can see readers saving this guide as an intro to the city for visitors or new residents. It’s clear a lot of institutional knowledge, irreverence and cheeky attitudes went into compiling the guide.”
Second place: Arts + Culture Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, “Arts + Culture – Looking Ahead” special section Judge’s comments: “I enjoyed read this; it was packed with staff-written content with good diversity across mediums so readers have options that might interest them. Great photography, too.”
Third place: Ian Froeb and Gabe Hartwig, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Ian Froeb’s STL 100” Judge’s comments: “I love a restaurant guide, especially one that that’s well organized and can be referred to again. I was glad to see the reviewer acknowledged the difficulty for restaurants reopening post-pandemic and adjusted their judging accordingly. I would have liked to see a little better reproduction quality on the photos in the print guide; the color and resolution was distinctly muddy.”
Honorable mention: Jan Waddy, and Jim Kiest, San Antonio Express-News, “S.A. Life”
BEST SPECIAL PRODUCT: The best examples of a special product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year.
First place: Amy Bertrand and Gabe Hartwig, “STL Life” Judge’s comments: “STL Life brings new life to the classic features section with well reported local stories broad enough to appeal to a national audience. Examples include Aisha Sultan’s excellent feature on St. Louis’s Pi Day, not just another day in the 314 area code. Jane Henderson’s thorough article on the ethics of displaying mummies as art was a thoughtful piece based on a local exhibit. Sultan’s columns tackle tough subjects such as why teachers are retiring early. The layouts are fresh and exciting, pushing the limits of what designers can do in a newspaper format.”
Second place: Mark Gauert, Melina De Rose and Anderson Greene, South Florida Sun Sentinel, “City & Shore PRIME Magazine” Judge’s comments: “Prime is a magazine for readers 50 and older that understand its audience and finds it with relevant content rather than a callout for readers of a certain age. Greg Carannate’s story on Bruce Springsteen and exorbitant ticket prices is a great example and well written with lines like: ‘Maybe The Boss was trading in his blue jeans for blue blood?’ Mark Gauert’s ‘First Words’ columns are elegant personal essays that set the tone for each issue. Robyn Friedman’s On the Money columns decipher issues as complex as choosing a Medicare plan. The calendar lists events and activities that Prime readers might want to attend while reflecting a broad range of tastes. At a hefty 100 pages or more, the magazine contains a smart mix of interesting, reported stories and engaging photos and layouts.”
Third place: Gretchen McKay, Jennifer Kundrach, Ashley Marchetti, Pittsburgh Post-Gazelle, “Food Section” Judge’s comments: “The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette devoted its Aug. 4 Food & Flavor section to the challenges of inflation for home cooks and diners. Gretchen MacKay’s cover story on how to feed a family of four for $200 a week is service journalism at its best. Other stories identified the best happy hours for those on a budget, and showed how some area farmers’ markets are competing on price with grocery stores. Another Food & Flavor issue profiled the author of a vegan Chinese cookbook. The layouts were engaging and stories covered a mix of topics beyond the usual food section fare.
Honorable mention: Josh Neufeld, Chicago Sun-Times, “Vaccinated at the ball, The Journalist’s Resource”
BEST CONSUMER/SERVICE FEATURES: Three stories focused on educating readers about topics that affect their everyday lives (e.g., health, retail prices, product availability) in an easy-to-digest, consumer-oriented, “news you can use” way.
First place: Hanna Webster and Emily Mullin, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Judge’s comments: “The Post-Gazette’s reporters did a fantastic job of translating national policy changes into what-does-it-mean-for-me? series of FAQs about abortion pills and hearing loss solutions. Note its conversational headlines and tight-bright-authoritative writing voice.”
Second place: Brianna Taylor, The Sacramento Bee, “How to navigate the California food waste mandate” Judge’s comments: “The Sacramento Bee’s series surely helped readers navigate an issue that really changed daily life. The easy-to-read format was perfectly digestible too with bullets, lists, links to deeper dive coverage.
Third place: Lois Solomon, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “We never know what our readers are thinking — until we ask! Lois Solomon’s COVID-inspired ask-us-anything experiment has morphed into a wide-ranging, reader-focused service column that creates a fun (helpful!) space for readers to get their burning questions answered.”
BEST FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE/ESSAYS: A single story written as an essay or in the first-person point of view that demonstrates a sense of proportion and perspective.
First place: Théoden Janes, The Charlotte Observer, “As a baby, I was left on a street by … someone. As an adult, I tried to figure out why” Judge’s comments: “Compelling, deep, personal, touching, informative — Théoden’s story is a must-read.”
Second place: Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Homeschooling our eighth grader” Judge’s comments: “Parenthood is a wild ride, and this reflection is moving and special.”
Third place: Anne Elizabeth Moore, The Guardian, “I was given a house for free – but it already belonged to someone else” Judge’s comments: “Insightful and well written.”
BEST FEATURE WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer that can be a combination of any beats.
First place: Courtney Crowder, The Des Moines Register, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Crowder’s voice is remarkably compelling in this selection of stories about a mariachi band uniting an Iowa town, a Black soldier whose heroic acts were never awarded with a Medal of Honor and a daughter losing her unvaccinated father to COVID. Crowder’s work keeps the reader hooked with rich detail, stellar reporting and cultural context.”
Second place: John-John Williams IV, The Baltimore Sun, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “All three of Williams’ entries were fascinating to read while spotlighting important topics: the injuries that impact drag queens, the “beautillion” rite of passage for Black students in Maryland and businesses’ renewed emphasis on a Black aesthetic. Williams’ use of quotes throughout the stories was particularly strong.”
Third place: Abby Mackey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Mackey is impressively versatile, covering a boudoir photographer who helps women find self-love, a chef and farmer bringing Filipino fruits and vegetables to Pittsburgh and an occupational therapy student’s experience with autism. Each story was beautifully written and brimming with detail.”
Honorable mention: Deborah Martin, San Antonio Express-News, Portfolio
INCLUSION AND REPRESENTATION IN FEATURES: The coverage of any lifestyle or culture topic that centers historically marginalized or under covered communities through revelatory storytelling.
First place: Ricardo Kaulessar, The Record, “How Indians in Jersey City fought back against the terror of ‘Dotbusters’ in the 1980s” Judge’s comments: “This article about the violence and horror suffered by Indians in the United States elucidates a history that is not often told and that is important for Americans to understand. Kaulessar’s storytelling is clear and plain and is a stark reminder that a diverse array of people have suffered the perils of ignorance and hate in America.”
Second place: Laura Malt Schneiderman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Pittsburgh’s unique (ASL) signs: Signing with a Pittsburgh accent” Judge’s comments: “This article about the uniqueness of sign language in the Pittsburgh region is an educational and lively window into the world of people who are hard of hearing. I learned from this story and I suspect many readers and viewers did, too. The videos accompanying this package brought the story alive and were a creative touch that added to the depth of the package.”
Third place: Mick Stinelli, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “An archive documents the partying and pain in Pittsburgh’s queer history” Judge’s comments: “The strength in this article about a slice of Pittsburgh’s queer culture lies in its honesty. The author pulls no punches acknowledging the partying, pain and even privilege that existed in the community. We learn through words, images and other materials about people and a world that many may not have known.”
Honorable mention: J.M. Banks, The Kansas City Star, “In the Kansas City coffee industry, these Black entrepreneurs are brewing change”
DIVISION 3 | Circulation 200,000 and up; digital-only organization
FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS: These awards recognize the three publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 21 categories.
First place: Los Angeles Times: First place awards in food feature, feature series or project, feature writing portfolio and arts and culture criticism; second place awards in general feature, food criticism and special section; third place awards in feature series or project and first-person narrative essay; and honorable mention awards in food criticism, food feature, narrative storytelling and sports.
Second place: Washington Post: First place in special section, consumer/service feature and inclusion and representation in features; second place awards in food feature, art & culture criticism and visual storytelling; and an honorable mention in feature series or project.
Third place: San Francisco Chronicle: First place award in food criticism; second place awards in short feature, food portfolio and feature writing portfolio; third place awards in arts & entertainment feature, feature beat writing and special section.
GENERAL FEATURE: Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic.
First place: Marisa Agha, Time, “Someone is Killing Wild Horses in Arizona. One Woman is Determined to Find Out Who” Judge’s comments: “From the beginning to end, this well-written story made every word count. It detailed Betty Nixon’s relentless journey to figure out the grim fate of wild horses even during her retirement. Betty’s story is inspiring and her efforts are highly commendable. This story made sure to show just that.”
Second place: Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, “How two L.A. COVID swindlers dodged the FBI and joined the European jet set” Judge’s comments: “This was a fine layout of how a swindling couple eluded the FBI in a European jet-setting escapade until their ultimate capture. This story covered them every step of their illegal plight.”
Third place: Alex Morris, Sean Woods, Noah Shachtman, Rolling Stone, “How ‘Baby Al Capone’ Pulled Off a $24 Million Crypto Heist” Judge’s comments: “Landing the first interview with Ellis Pinsky was a tremendous get. The next was having him open up about his story behind pulling off a multi-million-dollar crypto heist. This story set the stage and other media outlets soon followed.”
Honorable mention: Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, “How a homeless woman and her ‘emotional support duck’ survive on the streets of L.A.”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE: Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic.
First place: Joseph Lamour, Today.com, “Ayo Edebiri isn’t following anyone else’s recipe” Judge’s comments: “Beautifully written.”
Second place: Neal Justin, Star Tribune News, “Man of 10,000 stories” Judge’s comments: “Striking and profound.”
Third place:Lily Janiak, San Francisco Chronicle, “Bay Area theater leaders” Judge’s comments: “Powerful.”
Honorable mention: Amy Yee, Bloomberg, “Vancouver Pays Tribute to Chinese Canadian History Amid Spike in Anti-Asian Racism: One Chinatown museum has opened as part of Canada’s redress for past discrimination, while another fosters hope for the future.’”
SHORT FEATURE:Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words.
First place: Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, “Senior women find joy on the softball field: Meet the Colorado Peaches” Judge’s comments: “This is the kind of story you never forget, told with soul and brevity. The Colorado Peaches are a dream subject for a feature writer, and Sarah Matusek wastes no words in telling their story. Joyful, inspiring and a touch bittersweet. It’s all there in this great quote: ‘The more I ask of my body, the more it gives.’”
Second place: Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle, “When exactly was the golden age of San Francisco? We did the math” Judge’s comments: “A fabulous concept that could instill jealousy in any culture writer who seeks to capture their city. Smart and witty writing.”
Third place: Richard Chin, Star Tribune News, “You can buy moon dust from 1969’s Apollo 11 landing — eaten by cockroaches” Judge’s comments: “Wonderful and weird.”
Honorable mention: Kirby Adams, Courier Journal, “A Kentucky man posed as a dead body on TikTok for 321 days. Now he’s going to be on CSI”
FOOD FEATURE: A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary.
First place: Leila Miller, Los Angeles Times, “Are grasshoppers as delicious as ham? Mexico’s insect hunters would like you to find out” Judge’s comments: “A deeply reported, richly detailed and revealing feature. A joy to read.”
Second place: Alexis E. Barton, The Washington Post, “My family poured love and joy into entertaining. Now it’s my turn.” Judge’s comments: “The author elegantly uses her personal experience to reveal broader cultural practices. And the descriptions of the food are particularly evocative.”
Third place: Hanna Raskin, The Food Section, “It won’t be the same without Snack Bar” Judge’s comments: “The story reads like a vignette that illuminates larger trends in the history of dining in the South.”
Honorable mention: Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, “$10,000 for one Instagram post? How food influencers can make or break restaurants”
FOOD CRITICISM: A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry.
First place: Soleil Ho, San Francisco Chronicle, “The French Laundry remains so hot there’s a black market for reservations. Is it still worth the splurge?” Judge’s comments: “The mark of great food criticism is that even when the writer doesn’t give a restaurant high marks, their wit and commentary make you nonetheless want to share the meal with them. That was the case here.”
Second place: Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, “Where’s the snook whisperer? Making mariscos in a magical Inglewood backyard restaurant” Judge’s comments: “The writer does an excellent job of transporting you to this backyard restaurant. When you start looking at your calendar to see if you can fly to that city anytime soon, you know you’ve read a good piece.“
Third place:Jon Cheng, Star Tribune, “Review: Mara at the Four Seasons in Minneapolis reaches for the stars” Judge’s comments: “Really nice job of conveying the sense of place and taste without verging into flowery overstatement.”
Honorable mention: Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, “In a storied Hollywood pub, Horses becomes a new modern L.A. institution”
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT: Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
First place: Gale Holland, Christina House and Claire Hannah Collins, Los Angeles Times, “Hollywood’s Finest” Judge’s comments: “Three tenacious women navigate the world of homelessness in a gripping series engineered by three women journalists. At its root, this can be seen as a story of motherhood facing down the challenges of addiction, childhood trauma and the social-services bureaucracy — a flower blossoming in cracked concrete — told with empathetic but clear-eyed mastery.”
Second place: Julian Gill, Houston Chronicle, “A young dad clings to his only hope after a destructive COVID infection. It comes with a heavy price” Judge’s comments: “An extraordinary tale of one family’s Covid odyssey. Attention to medical detail is secondary to the human dimensions that bring these people to life on the page, thanks in large part to the work of photographer Godofredo Vásquez, who also served as translator. You root for this family every step of the way, and end with hope for their still-uncertain future — and a hunger to learn what might lie ahead.”
Third place: Jessica Roy, Los Angeles Times, “My wallet was stolen at a bar. Then my identity theft nightmare began” Judge’s comments: “Outstanding service journalism in the form of a first-person nightmare.”
Honorable mention: David Montgomery, The Washington Post, “Problems and Possibilities Facing American Democracy”
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING: A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme.
First place: Janelle Nanos, Boston Globe, “Kate Price remembers something terrible” Judge’s comments: “Ten years ago, reporter Janelle Nanos heard an expert in sex trafficking speak about her own abuse as a child. The woman, Kate Price, remembered being abused by her father at her home – and also taken to rest areas where she was violated by interstate travelers, whose encounters had been arranged by her dad. Nanos was intrigued and spent a decade reporting the story and even confronting the father. Kate Price had remembered something awful, and because of Nanos’s reporting, she eventually had proof that her memories were, indeed true. This is a Herculean effort, with gorgeous prose that illuminates a truly heinous crime. Journalism at its finest.”
Second place: Holly Yan, CNN, “A single mom’s 4 kids had to fend for themselves when tragedy struck. How a chance encounter years ago saved their future” Judge’s comments: “Heartbreaking, and hopeful, tale of a mom and her four kids who struggled to survive until a chance encounter with another woman changed their lives. Compellingly written, with cliffhangers at the end of each segment that make it impossible to put down. CNN.com continues to be a standout in the field of long-form journalism.”
Third place: Lane DeGregory, Tampa Bay Times, “In Gulfport, Ukrainian girls find sunshine — and refuge from war” Judge’s comments: “This is a beautifully told look at how the Russian invasion has affected one Ukranian family. Lane DeGregory offers insightful vignettes of a mother and her two girls who relocated to Florida while the husband remains in his homeland, waiting to fight. What sticks with you are the small details that play out in monthly chapters.”
Honorable mention: Kiera Feldman, Los Angeles Times, “He worked from home and died suddenly. Five days passed before his body was found”; St. John Barned Smith, Houston Chronicle, “After 40 years, a murdered Houston couple has finally been identified. Where is their missing baby?”
FEATURES BEAT WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
First place: Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, “San Francisco’s Chinatown is caught between past and future” Judge’s comments: “Christopher Reynold’s traveling writing vividly conveys not just the destination, but the context of each unique location. Not just what a visitor would see, but the why. The people, the history, the changing landscape all weave through these compelling stories that are so much more than travelogues.”
Second place: Michael Rietmulder, The Seattle Times, Music Beat Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Michael Rietmulder is a master of his beat. His stories out of Seattle’s music universe are written with energy and authority, a strong sense of place and the people who inhabit it. These stories sing.”
Third place: Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, Wine Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Esther Mobley’s enterprising stories out of California’s wine region illuminate the somewhat arcane industry in a way that makes for fascinating reading. They are deeply reported, yet easy to read. Dare I say, like a fine wine?”
FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
First place: Scott Vogel, Newsday, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Newsday writer Scott Vogel’s engaging entries were crisp and quick-witted with a light and funny approach. After all, who hasn’t been tempted to just outsource a reasonable semblance of Thanksgiving dinner to Wendy’s, KFC and Popeyes? His pieces on a pair of brothers who take Halal dining by storm in Deer Park with their ‘crazy kebab’ creation and ‘Calamity Janes’ who turn to clamming for solace, friendship and dinner show how far-ranging food is in our lives.”
Second place: Soleil Ho, San Francisco Chronicle, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Soleil Ho’s reviews at the San Francisco Chronicle offer vivid food descriptions that make you feel as if you are sitting in the restaurant, dining right there next to her. As a champion for the diner, she is not afraid to say the quiet part out loud when former storied restaurants become perhaps not worth the energy, time and expense it takes to get a reservation let alone eat there.”
Third place: Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “It didn’t take new Free Press restaurant reviewer Lyndsay C. Green long to figure out that her dining experience wasn’t typical in Detroit’s Motor City, which has been in the spotlight because of a revived dining scene: She and her husband were often the only Black diners in the restaurant, and that included front of the house staff. Her stories examining the dining world from the Black perspective offer fresh insight into the food scene of the largely Black city.”
Honorable mention: Hanna Raskin, The Food Section, Portfolio
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. Newsletters qualify here.
First place: Karim Shamsi-Basha, NJ Advance Media, “I am Muslim and I love Christmas. Don’t you? // 9/11 is a rough memory with jagged edges // The mystery and magic of my mother’s cooking” Judge’s comments: “Karim Shamsi-Basha’s personal writing will make you smile, laugh, tear up and think. Exceptional work.”
Second place: Eric Stinton, Honolulu Civil Beat, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Eric Stinton’s stories about education and students are spot on and his words peel back the many layers of these young people, who have been profoundly impacted by the pandemic. Well done storytelling.”
Third place:Leslie Gray Streeter, The Baltimore Banner, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Leslie Gray Streeter’s writing is spirited and serious, and these stories showcase a talented collection of must-read articles. Also, this headline is everything: “Nancy Pelosi might represent California but she’s always Baltimore’s Italian auntie to me.”
ARTS & CULTURE CRITICISM PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts, entertainment or culture topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials.
First place: Carolina Miranda, Los Angeles Times, Times, “Beyond the 6th Street Viaduct media alarmism. Lessons from a week on the new bridge.” Judge’s comments: “I especially enjoyed the journal format to the Beyond the 6th Street Viaduct media alarmism. Lessons from a week on the new bridge. It included other people’s experiences, and many people outside of the area may not know much about the bridge. A story like this can attract new readers to the website. I like the alternative format used. The other stories were well-written.”
Second place: Ashley Fetters Maloy, The Washington Post, Fashion criticism Judge’s comments: “I enjoyed the topic for the fashion used. You analyzed a different generation of fashion used in a film that was popular to many. I felt this is a great way to draw a lot of readers to your stories. You offered a lot of insight and relevant detail. Your stories were a joy to read.”
Third place: Brad A. Johnson, The Orange County Register, Restaurant criticism
Honorable mention:Jerald Pierce, The Seattle Times, Arts criticism
SPORTS FEATURE: Feature treatment of any sports topic.
First place: Kevin Armstrong, New Jersey Advance Media, “The Nomads of Summer” Judge’s comments: “This story about an independent minor league team that played all its games on the road is so well written, and the whimsical tone is just right. Terrific detail and great use of quotes. A pleasure to read and an eloquent argument for long-form sports journalism.”
Second place: Olivia Carville, Bloomberg, “What Happened at the Stables” Judge’s comments: “In this story examining sexual abuse in the sport of equestrian and the watchdog created in response, a tough subject is thoroughly examined. There’s detailed and balanced reporting, and the writing is artful, with moving individual accounts that help bring the larger issues into focus.”
Third place: Ryan Lenora Brown, Insider, “The not-quite-redemption of South Africa’s infamous ultra-marathon cheats” Judge’s comments: “In this tale of South African brothers who cheated in an ultra-marathon, the story justifies the length. Great reporting and well written, finding the right balance and tone. Terrific detail gives the reader a sense of the principals and locale.”
Honorable mention: David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, “Meet the Savannah Bananas, who’ve captivated fans and MLB. ‘We exist to make baseball fun’”
VISUAL STORYTELLING: The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length.
First place: Tui McLean, Valeria Perasso and Claire Williams, BBC World Service, “The Last of Albania’s Sworn Virgins” Judge’s comments: “Two stories in one! Love the juxtaposition of the aunt and nieces views. Well shot, produced and edited. A nice peak inside a tradition unknown to most in the world.”
Second place: Amber Ferguson, The Washington Post, “She wanted Black sperm donor. There were none” Judge’s comments: “Great production, the subject clearly felt comfortable sharing her journey. The multiple locations help.”
Third place: Monica Herndon, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Kalaya’s Chef Chutatip ‘Nok’ Suntaranon goes home to Thailand” Judge’s comments: “Both touching and informative. Great details about the subject’s background.”
Honorable mention: Blair Waltman-Alexin, Pete Ramirez, and Samantha Guzman, Decibel, Austin PBS, “Cooking Up The Dream”
BEST SPECIAL SECTION: The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
First place: Christina Barron, Alla Dreyvitser and Annaliese Nurnberg, The Washington Post, “Sea change: Ocean conservation successes offer hope and inspiration” Judge’s comments: “This section is the best comprehensive coverage of people making a difference, fixing human destruction of oceans and recruiting a new generation of saviors. Excellent visuals.”
Second place: Staff, Los Angeles Times, “How to Save a Life” Judge’s comments: “Valuable material for educating readers about the mental health crisis. A great mix of first-person essays, especially by Sandhya Kambhampati, and an informative piece by Erica Crompton about how to help people in psychosis.”
Third place: Staff, San Francisco Chronicle, “The ultimate Highway 1 road trip” Judge’s comments: “I couldn’t help but be jealous of Clara Mokri. Great photos. This could be a travel book.”
Honorable mention: Staff, Boston Globe, “Bostonian of the Year: Bill Russell”
BEST SPECIAL PRODUCT: The best examples of a special product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year.
First place: Staff, Newsday, Newsday’s “FeedMe” magazine Judge’s comments: “Meet me on Long Island, we have a lot of eating to do. The sense of place, variety of topics and innovative/useful storytelling from the Newsday food team is hard to beat. You get a real taste of this vibrant scene, from the dishes to the people behind them. And the guides and maps can fill your social calendar for months. I’m saving that gelato map to bring with me when I do the Italy tour of Long Island. Seriously, don’t read these sections while hungry.”
Second place: Sue Campbell, Star Tribune News, Star Tribune magazine Judge’s comments: “This was a close category. The Star Tribune’s quarterly magazine is jam-packed with stories and photos that will make readers want to get out of their homes, even in freezing temperatures. Smart themes, from travel to lake towns to dining, well executed, will make readers want to keep these issues around for reference for months to come. Shoutout to the stories edition that highlighted on people’s struggles along with their successes, and the spotlight on a new generation of Minnesota adventurers.”
Third place:Jody Schmal and Melissa Aguilar, Houston Chronicle, “HC Magazine” Judge’s comments: “Where to start – making a dent in the list of Houston’s top 100 restaurants or planning a Hill Country getaway using the Chronicle’s suggestion? Another delicious entry in this competitive category, the Chronicle’s magazine is a gorgeous window into living the good life in Texas’ biggest city.”
BEST CONSUMER/SERVICE FEATURES: Three stories focused on educating readers about topics that affect their everyday lives (e.g., health, retail prices, product availability) in an easy-to-digest, consumer-oriented, “news you can use” way.
First place: Richard Sima, The Washington Post, “Brain Matters” column Judge’s comments: “My ‘joy snack’ for today and likely for days to come was reading these timely columns that are so deceptively simple but so valuable and enjoyable coming from this trained and gifted neuroscientist/writer. Realizing the wondrous impact of joys that come in all sizes. The effect of gratitude on both giver and receiver, and why feeling tipsy can feel so good and so bad, too. Such a nice cross-section of work – OK, to crib from the writer: a joy. More than just a snack, too.”
Second place: Staff, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Service Desk Judge’s comments: “This is good service journalism and a poignant community portrait all at once: The entrants’ quest for ‘lasting, useful, meaningful, relevant, local resources’ has been met and exceeded – everyday issues in so many American communities are focused, well sourced and so much more than just a how-to list.”
Third place: Laura Coffey, Danielle Campoamor and Meghan Holohan, Today.com, “COVID’s ongoing impacts on kids under 5 — and their exhausted parents — in early 2022” Judge’s comments: “This was direct and sometimes tough to read, and a look, for many of us, at people who were facing the same fears through different situations: Will I get sick? Could my child die before I can get them vaccinated? Am I bringing a deadly virus home? COVID took so much from all of us, from how we lived to if we lived – and through the eyes of these parents and families, that anguish is palpable. As was pointed out so well, it’s hard enough being a parent. Toss in a pandemic and ‘all bets are off.’”
Honorable mention: Crystal Paul, Maya Miller and Jackie Varriano, Seattle Times, “Tipping Guide”
BEST FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE/ESSAYS: A single story written as an essay or in the first-person point of view that demonstrates a sense of proportion and perspective.
First place: Myra Sack, Boston Globe, “Holding Havi” Judge’s comments: “This is a powerful story of love and grief co-mingling as parents cope with their toddler daughter’s incurable disease. They celebrated her life every week with ‘Shabbirthdays’ (combining Friday Shabbat and weekly birthdays). In doing so, they forged their own nontraditional path, allowing their grief to spur them to live in the moment and cherish their child’s life.”
Second place: Rheana Murray, and Jared Crawford, Today.com, “Naming rights: Giving my mother back her name, 30 years after her death” Judge’s comments: “In this beautifully told essay, a son who lost his mother at age nine completes a quest to have her name added to her unmarked grave. Its broader themes are loss, hope and enduring love.”
Third place: Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, “California’s abandoned homesteads fascinated me as a kid. Then my childhood home became one.” Judge’s comments: “This piece is about the author’s childhood home, which her family abandoned when they couldn’t pay the mortgage, and then sat vacant for decades. The essay takes on unfair lending practices, squatting and gentrification, as well as describes the urge so many people feel later in life to visit their childhood homes. It is told with clarity, a sense of intrigue and nostalgia.”
Honorable mention: Janelle Harris Dixon, Shondaland, “Love Stories: Our Love Taught Me Anything Is Possible”
BEST FEATURE WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer that can be a combination of any beats.
First place: Georgina Gustin, “Inside Climate News, Food Shocks” Judge’s comments: “Georgina Gustin takes readers on a breathtaking journey to Africa, where she vividly reveals the deadly consequences of climate change on the people, animals and landscape. With her fluid writing she makes clear the complexities of science, policy and culture. Her stories are detailed yet not dense, intimate yet sweeping.”
Second place: Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Peter Hartlaub’s stories are simply great reading: interesting and memorable. He starts with good ideas — a Japanese family’s internment saga; a Chintown Boy Scout troop’s endurance; an archival re-creation of how the Transbay Tube was built. Each story unfolds in surprising ways, with context, strong characters and great use of dialogue.”
Third place: Jana Pruden, The Globe and Mail, Portfolio Judge’s comments: “Jana Pruden shows range with her deeply reported story of a woman imprisoned for killing her abusive husband, the scourge of wild boars and the revival of roller skating. These stories are a strong reflection of the region and the people.”
Honorable mention: John Carlisle, Detroit Free Press, Portfolio
INCLUSION AND REPRESENTATION IN FEATURES: The coverage of any lifestyle or culture topic that centers historically marginalized or under covered communities through revelatory storytelling.
First place: Alexis E. Barton, The Washington Post, “The Finer Things: My family poured love and joy into entertaining. Now it’s my turn.” Judge’s comments: “I love this piece for so many reasons! The way Alexis Barton conjures the memories of her grandmothers in glorious detail: I could just taste their bubbling peach cobblers and delicately creamy soups; detect the sweet scent of their Chanel No. 5 and Opium perfumes; and delight in their electric blue pedicures! This story brilliantly weaves themes of family, memory, Black joy and sorrow, and—put so beautifully by Ms. Barton—unapologetic celebration! This is a feature that reminds us to nurture our communities by telling the stories that might not seem as urgent or newsworthy, but are nonetheless a reminder of who we are and why we exist.”
Second place: Jessica Mendoza and Jingnan Peng, The Christian Science Monitor, “Say that Again?” Judge’s comments: “It’s clear that Jessica Mendoza and Jingnan Peng lead this project with the sense of curiosity and need for understanding that makes this series so compelling. This is feature writing at its best, only they have crafted *audio* narratives. No matter! Their solid writing and reporting comes through in each story — from the sources they interview to the questions each episode poses and aims to unpack. This series is full of honest questions and conversations, handled with the care and nuance these topics deserve.”
Third place: Amy Silverman, The Center for Public Integrity, “Million-dollar question: How to find safe homes for those with complex needs” Judge’s comments: “Amy Silverman tells Zainab’s story with empathy and honesty. Great reporters build a relationship of trust with sources, and this story is a testament to that. From Ms. Silverman’s thorough reporting, we all gain a deeper understanding of a difficult and complex topic. Bravo to her and CPI for hosting these important conversations about human dignity and society’s role in securing it for everyone.”
BEST PODCAST — NARRATIVE: An audio story, told in a narrative style, on lifestyle or culture coverage.
First place: Ian Urbina, Ryan Ffrench and Michael Ward, Los Angeles Times, “The Outlaw Ocean” Judge’s comments: This is a masterclass in chronicling one person’s obsession and turning it into a multi-episode narrative arc that that never wavers from being fascinating, shocking and enlightening. And unlike so many podcasts that rely on tired wit from cookie cutter hosts, this collection allows the journalist with the obsession to guide us through the stories that kept him up at night. After listening to this, I’m not sure how any of us can view the ocean in a simplistic way again. A final note, this isn’t just great podcasting, it’s great journalism and storytelling. More podcasts should take notes.
Second place: Staff, Bloomberg, “In Trust” Judge’s comments: “Wonderful composition to this podcast — both in form and ideation. It’s the rare podcast that examines a topic never touched, and how it unfolds challenges us intellectually in all the ways good cultural journalism should.”
Third place: Staff, Center for Public Integrity, “The Heist Season 2: The Wealth Vortex”Judge’s comments: “This topic, inequity in banking and lending, shouldn’t be this interesting. But the deft storytelling keeps us going through the stories of bias and innovation.”
Honorable mention: Hana Baba and Leila Day, Radiotopia and PRX, “The Stoop: Stories across the Black Diaspora”
BEST PODCAST — RECURRING SERIES: A regular, recurring podcast series that handles lifestyles or culture coverage.
First place: Staff, Bloomberg, “Foundering: The Amazon Story” Judge’s comments: “If someone wanted to know how to turn deep investigative profiles into a podcast, this can be the style standard. The set up for each profile, along with the music, help prepare the listener for the juicy stuff ahead. I appreciate the shorter episodes, each ending with great teases to the next episodes. The use of clips and interviews are highly effective.”
Second place: Hana Baba, Leila Day, Radiotopia and PRX, “The Stoop: Stories across the Black Diaspora” Judge’s comments: “Listening to this pod feels like you’re listening in on two friends talking through their feelings about how Black culture is understood, experienced or portrayed across the world. You learn as much about the hosts as about the topics themselves, from people who live it.”
Third place: Bob Sullivan and Julie Getz, AARP, “The Perfect Scam” Judge’s comments: “This show reveals all the insidious ways people can be scammed, and how it’s likely to happen to any of us. Really appreciate the cliffhangers at the end of each opening episode, the recreation of events and the interview subjects chosen.”
Honorable mention: Saya,Anisa Khalifa, and Paroma Chakravarty, “Dramas Over Flowers”
Left: Lane DeGregory (photo by Cherie Diez). Right: Eli Saslow (photo by Joanna Ceciliani)
By Laura T. Coffey
How would you define a feature story if you were judging the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing category?
Would you limit your definition to nonfiction narratives that maintain a measure of objectivity and rely on observation, scenes and dialogue? Or would you broaden it to include essays, columns, advocacy journalism and first-person pieces?
Based on a discussion between Eli Saslow, the 2023 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing, and Lane DeGregory, who helped judge the category, Pulitzer judges had their hands full this year. At a virtual Society for Features Journalism program on June 27, DeGregory and Saslow talked about the judges’ efforts to define, in a fundamental way, what a feature story even is.
“The idea of a feature story has changed,” said DeGregory, a longtime feature writer for the Tampa Bay Times in Florida and the winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing. “I also think that it changed in 2016 a lot when they opened it up to magazine writing. All of a sudden, newspaper writers are competing against The Atlantic and The New Yorker and all these things that we aspire to, but we don’t have the time and resources that a lot of those magazines do.”
Saslow, who joined The New York Times in February as a writer at large, described his approach to getting the four “traditional” nonfiction narratives included in his Pulitzer entry, which he wrote when he was still working at The Washington Post:
Anger and heartbreak on Bus No. 15: As American cities struggle to recover from the pandemic, Denver’s problems spill over onto its buses
An American education: Amid a historic U.S. teacher shortage, a ‘Most Outstanding Teacher’ from the Philippines tries to help save a struggling school in rural Arizona
The moral calculations of a billionaire: After the best year in history to be among the super-rich, one of America’s 745 billionaires wonders: ‘What’s enough? What’s the answer?’
Fixing the broken lovelies: As American cities deteriorate, a psychiatric nurse in Seattle reckons with the high price of compassion
“I’m often looking at: What are the big tension points in the country? What are the big fissures that matter in big ways? And how can I take these big issues and make them feel personal in ways that hopefully illuminate them in a new way?” Saslow said.
“For me, the reason that I’m often writing stories that unfold almost entirely in dialogue and scene is that I’m doing whatever I can, I hope, to create a very direct interaction between the reader and the person they’re reading about. … My presence is not felt.”
Saslow said he doesn’t feel comfortable inserting himself as a narrator or a tour guide in a story. Instead, he prefers to take readers up to “a clear pane of glass” so that they can watch the events of a story unfold on their own.
This way, he said, “it feels to the reader like they’ve seen something and understood something for themselves, and so the conclusions that they draw feel like their own, not like something that they’ve been told to think or told to surmise.”
History of a middle-aged category
The Pulitzer Prizes have been around since 1917, but the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing category is considerably newer: It’s been in existence for 44 years.
For much of that time, nonfiction narrative pieces like Saslow’s and DeGregory’s have been celebrated in the Feature Writing category, with some notable and deeply personal exceptions. They include Howell Raines’ account of his childhood friendship with his family’s Black housekeeper, which won in 1992, and George Lardner Jr.’s examination of his own daughter’s murder, which won in 1993.
In recent years — particularly since 2016 when magazines became eligible for Pulitzer Prizes in all journalism categories — more top prizes in Feature Writing have been going to writers who get much more involved in their stories and are unafraid to share their own points of view. For instance, consider these winning entry descriptions from Pulitzer judges:
In 2018, Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah, a freelance reporter for GQ, won “for an unforgettable portrait of murderer Dylann Roof, using a unique and powerful mix of reportage, first-person reflection and analysis of the historical and cultural forces behind his killing of nine people inside Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C.”
In 2021, Mitchell S. Jackson, a freelance contributor for Runner’s World, won “for a deeply affecting account of the killing of Ahmaud Arbery that combined vivid writing, thorough reporting and personal experience to shed light on systemic racism in America.”
In 2022, Jennifer Senior of The Atlantic won “for an unflinching portrait of a family’s reckoning with loss in the 20 years since 9/11, masterfully braiding the author’s personal connection to the story with sensitive reporting that reveals the long reach of grief.”
In like manner, both finalists for the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing were key players in the stories they covered:
Janelle Nanos of The Boston Globe was a finalist for the story Kate Price remembers something terrible, a 10-year-long investigation of a woman’s quest to confirm her childhood sexual abuse (with Nanos’ help).
Identifying ‘meaningful, memorable work’
When DeGregory asked Saslow how he felt about recent shifts in the kinds of coverage being celebrated, he said he has no problem widening the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing tent.
“What I care about as a journalist is big, ambitious, meaningful work,” Saslow said. “The last thing I would want to do would be to craft a definition of feature writing that excludes more things from the tent.”
He noted the distinctions between his stories and those written by this year’s finalists.
“They’re very different from what I do and, frankly, very different from what I’d be capable of doing,” Saslow said. “I think the death penalty work from The Atlantic — some of its power is that it comes from a very clear point of view. There’s real moral clarity in general in the way that she writes. … And The Boston Globe story, her role in the story was a very big part of actually what happened in the story, so it was necessarily first-person because she was the secondary character. …
“I think what a ‘feature story’ signals to a lot of people is: This is work that is big and meaningful and that I put a lot of time into. Those are the stories all of us came into journalism to do,” he added. “Having it be a little bit fluid between categories, to me, is good for all of us because basically it’s just saying, ‘We care about meaningful, memorable work.’ And that can be done in different ways. That’s the beauty of journalism.”
Watch the presentation and learn reporting tips
Here’s how to watch the entire SFJ presentation with Saslow and DeGregory (in two separate installments because of an internet hiccup!):
The first installment(18 minutes) includes an introduction followed by Saslow and DeGregory’s discussion about how to define a feature story.
The second installment(54 minutes) picks up in the middle of Saslow’s description of how he got his story about Suna Karabay, the driver of Bus No. 15 in Denver. From there, DeGregory and Saslow share their tricks and tips for building trust with sources and writing the kinds of stories they love to tackle, and they both answer questions from the audience.
To participate in more discussions like this one in the future, please join SFJ and hang out with us some more! Here’s how to join free of charge for the rest of this calendar year.
Laura T. Coffey is vice president of the Society for Features Journalism and a longtime editor and feature writer. She’s also the author of the bestselling nonfiction book “My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts.” Connect with Laura here.
Left: Lane DeGregory (photo by Cherie Diez). Right: Eli Saslow (photo by Joanna Ceciliani)
Please join SFJ for a virtual discussion with 2023 Pulitzer Prize feature winner Eli Saslow and judge Lane DeGregory on Tuesday, June 27 at 2 p.m. Eastern/1 p.m. Central/11 a.m. Pacific.
Saslow, now at The New York Times, won the 2023 Pulitzer for feature writing with his series of narratives about people’s lives and struggles three years into the pandemic. At the time, he was a writer at The Washington Post. The judges wrote: “For evocative individual narratives about people struggling with the pandemic, homelessness, addiction and inequality that collectively form a sharply-observed portrait of contemporary America.”
“An American education”: Desperate for teachers, one rural Arizona school hires teachers from the Philippines.
“Fixing the broken lovelies”: Profile of a Seattle psychiatric nurse and the challenges she and her staff face at a nonprofit emergency services center.
DEADLINE EXTENDED: The new deadline to enter is WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29. That’s a two-day extension. Get your submission in by midnight PDT.
The Society for Features Journalism is thrilled to announce that our 2023 Excellence-in-Features contest is now open for submissions!
Cost is $45 per entry. All entries must have been published in print or online between Jan. 1, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2022.
You can login in to the Better Newspaper Contest site here and scroll to find 2023 Society for Features Journalism Excellence-in-Features Awards.
There are three divisions based on print circulation. Stories published by digital-only organizations can be entered in Division 3. There are also combined division categories. First-place winners in each category will receive $300.
CATEGORIES BY DIVISION
DIVISION 1 | Circulation up to 90,000
DIVISION 2 | Circulation 90,000 to 199,999
DIVISION 3 | Circulation 200,000 and up; digital-only organizations
GENERAL FEATURE: Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE: Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic.
SHORT FEATURE:Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words.
FOOD FEATURE: A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personality profile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic.
FOOD CRITICISM: A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry.
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT: Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING: A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme.
FEATURES BEAT WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. Newsletters qualify here.
ARTS & CULTURE CRITICISM PORTFOLIO: A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts, entertainment or culture topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials.
SPORTS FEATURE: Feature treatment of any sports topic.
VISUAL STORYTELLING: The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length.
BEST SPECIAL SECTION: The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
BEST SPECIAL PRODUCT: The best examples of a special product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year.
BEST CONSUMER/SERVICE FEATURES: Three stories focused on educating readers about topics that affect their everyday lives (e.g., health, retail prices, product availability) in an easy-to-digest, consumer-oriented, “news you can use” way. Multiple bylines accepted. Please attach a 100-150 word letter explaining how the writer(s) knew this was information the community needed.
BEST FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVE/ESSAYS: A single story written as an essay or in the first-person point of view that demonstrates a sense of proportion and perspective.
BEST FEATURE WRITING PORTFOLIO: Three stories by the same writer that can be a combination of any beats.
INCLUSION AND REPRESENTATION IN FEATURES — The coverage of any lifestyle or culture topic that centers historically marginalized or undercovered communities through revelatory storytelling. Such community identities can be at (and is not limited to) any intersection of the following: race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs or other ideologies, or any identity with lesser power. An entry can be a single story, a series, multimedia package or any combination thereof. Multiple bylines accepted. An entry should check most of the following points:
The story is produced for a community, not about it.
There is a strong voice or point of view.
There are elements of intentionality, compassion and empathy.
There is a challenging of assumptions and biases.
There is a sense of celebration and/or sharing of our journalistic platform.
There is a sense of urgency.
There is a portrait of the human experience.
COMBINED DIVISION CATEGORIES
BEST PODCAST — NARRATIVE: An audio story, told in a narrative style, on lifestyle or culture coverage. While the entry can be a limited series, serial or reporting built into a recurring series, the entry should exhibit narrative techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme. The entry should also display the best qualities of this format — production, found sound, voiceover work, etc. — and will be judged by the content as well as its relevance to the moment and the communities it serves. Each entry must include a summary statement of the project of no more than 200 words. All entries consist of three episodes and, regardless of circulation category, compete in one group.
BEST PODCAST — RECURRING SERIES: A regular, recurring podcast series that handles lifestyles or culture coverage. The episodes do not have to be consecutive and do not have to feature the same host. Entries will be judged by quality of content, which includes how journalists are using the medium to advance how we cover news and our communities. All entries consist of three episodes and, regardless of circulation category, compete in one group.
Emily Spicer, SFJ President, shares the group’s plans for a bright 2023!
Happy New Year to all our SFJ members! I know at this point the world hesitates to think things like, “Yep, this is my year” – but this is going to be SFJ’s year.
After some time adrift in the COVID cloud, we are back with a refreshed identity and a more refined mission.
In this first President’s Letter of the year, there’s a lot to cover:
2023 SFJ Excellence-in-Features Contest
Membership, and what you get with it
How you can help
Our new board and committees
Here we go!
2023 SFJ Excellence-in-Features Contest
This year’s contest will go live Jan. 30 on this site. It will have new, refreshed categories, including:
Best Special Product
Best Consumer/Service Feature
Best First-Person Narrative/Essay
Best Feature Writing Portfolio
Also new this year is the deadline. Instead of a month of extensions, we will have one hard deadline. Really. End of day Monday, March 27 is the final deadline for entries.
Contest FAQs
Do I have to be a member to enter? Not this year, but with the cool stuff SFJ will be doing this year (read on below…) for free, why wouldn’t you be a member?
Can I enter as a freelancer? Yes!
Can student publications enter? Sorry, no.
Do I get money if I win? Yes! First-place winners receive $300!
Do I have to be at a newspaper and in the features department/section to enter? No! Features can come from all over the newsroom, from Metro and Business to Sports, or from a variety of publications, whether digital and/or print. It just has to be a feature.
Does the story have to have been in print or is digital-only OK? Bring on the digital-only entries from digital-only publications.
OK, SFJ always gives extensions, so the real deadline will after Tax Day, right? Nope. Really. March 27 will be it. But we will send a few reminders before the deadline.
Membership
This will be the last year that membership in SFJ is free. When COVID hit, we canceled our conferences and other in-person meetings. Like a lot of groups, that time allowed us to do some soul-searching and make some tough decisions about our future.
Maybe conferences will be back some day, but for now, for this group of volunteers, that feels overwhelming. We remain committed to supporting and promoting the craft of storytelling, and this is how we are going to do that:
Contest: Our contest will remain – and will get better with updated categories. It’s the only contest that recognizes the true, vast variety of features storytelling, and we keep hearing from members how important it is.
Website: The Digital Committee will oversee an SFJ website redesign, refreshing it to give better access to contest-winning entries and what’s new.
Learning the craft: The Programming Committee will hold quarterly virtual seminars about the craft of storytelling with award-winning writers and creators, so you can learn about how the story came together, and the decisions and choices they made.
Skill building: We will also hold at least one virtual salon where board members will host breakout groups devoted to a specific topic – pitching stories, how to translate journo skills for for other industries, how to craft better ledes, etc. – for a chance to really talk, ask questions and learn.
Membership is free this year, but you need to actually join at the link above so we can contact you about the great stuff we’re doing! (This is an annual thing, so even if you have joined in the past, please rejoin at the link above so we can ensure your information is up to date.)
Please encourage your colleagues to join, too. You don’t have to be a features writer to join – all journalists are welcome.
The initiatives above take a lot of work, and as stated previously, we are all volunteers, and there’s no staff. We want our board and committees to reflect the diversity of backgrounds and opinions at work in journalism today.
So please, become a member and then reach out to volunteer on one of the committees below, or inquire about joining the board. Board members do not have to be journalists, but they must be journalism supporters and enthusiasts, with some working newsroom experience.
Our new board
Who’s going to be leading the charge on these initiatives? Meet the board and the committees we oversee:
President: Emily Spicer, Sales Enablement Manager, Deloitte, (former Features & Food Editor, San Antonio Express-News), emilyspicer@mac.com
Immediate Past President: Sharon Chapman, Executive Features Editor, Austin American-Statesman, slctexas@gmail.com
Finance Committee: Chief Finance Officer: Alice Short, Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, aliceshort55@gmail.com Finance Board Member: Marge Myers, Managing Editor, Long Dash, Mmyers@longdash.co
Membership Committee: Chief Membership Officer: Robert Morast, Transformation Editor, San Francisco Chronicle, robert.morast@sfchronicle.com Membership Board Member: Christopher Wynn, Arts & Entertainment Editor, The Dallas Morning News, cwynn@dallasnews.com
Contest Committee: Chief Contest Officer: Mesfin Fekadu, Senior Music Editor, The Hollywood Reporter, mesfin.fekadu@gmail.com
Digital Committee: Chief Digital Officer: Kathy Lu, Founder, Audiencibility media consulting and Poynter adjunct (former features editor), kathy@audiencibility.com
Programming Committee: Chief Programming Officer: Sue Campbell, Assistant Managing Editor/Features, Minneapolis Star Tribune, sue.campbell@startribune.com Programming Board Member: Barbara Allen, Director of College Programming, Poynter, senatorallen@gmail.com
All of us on the board are so excited about 2023 (knocking on wood now)!
Thank you for reading. Thank you for being a member. I look forward to connecting with you in our virtual seminars. Cheers!
These awards recognize the three publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 22 categories.
First place: The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette
Twelve awards, including four firsts (Arts & Entertainment Feature, Video Storytelling, Best Special Section and Niche Product), four seconds (Best Section, Best Feature Digital Presence, Video Storytelling and Diversity in Digital Features, two thirds (Features Specialty Writing, Video Storytelling and Short Feature) and two honorable mentions (General Features and Food Feature).
Second place: The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier
Eight awards, including five firsts (General Feature, Feature Series or Project, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio, Food Writing Portfolio and Diversity in Digital Features), one second (Narrative Storytelling), one third (Food Features) and one honorable mention (Arts & Entertainment Commentary Portfolio).
Third place: Deseret News
Eight awards, including one first (Arts & Entertainment Commentary), four thirds (General Feature, Narrative Storytelling, Arts & Entertainment Commentary and Sports Features) and two honorable mentions (General Commentary Portfolio, Feature Series or Project and Sports Feature).
Fourth place: Austin (Texas) American-Statesman
Four awards, including two firsts (Best Section and Features Digital Presence) and two seconds (Arts & Entertainment Portfolio and Best Special Section)
BEST SECTION
The best regularly occurring printed features sections that focus on A&E, lifestyles or other features coverage.
First place: Austin (Texas) American-Statesman
Judge’s comments: “From music profiles to the ‘Deep Fried I-35’ to a quirky feature on the plywood ‘Couch Potatoes’ outside a North Austin furniture store, the Statesman’s Austin 360 is a brash, lively and fun read with great variety.”
Second place: The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette
Judge’s comments: “A strong sense of place infuses every beautifully photographed story in The Gazette’s features section. From a bracket challenge based on Colorado’s most picturesque peaks to a feature on a leather shop inside a working ranch, the features here offer a wonderful escape.”
BEST FEATURES DIGITAL PRESENCE
The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
First place: Austin360, Austin (Texas) American Statesman
Judge’s comments: “If you don’t know anything about Austin, Austin360 is the place to start. It gives the insider’s perspective without being pretentious (a la Matthew McConaughey). We love how it has used Instagram videos to really showcase the staff’s fun personalities and to grow followers – more than 104K as of this writing. Kudos to the staff for their energetic work through these hard times.”
Second place: OutThere Colorado, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette
Judge’s comments: “We appreciated the balance of useful guides (hot springs, ‘easiest’ fourteener) and newsy stories that OutThere Colorado provides. It’s also interesting that OutThere has a completely different approach to Instagram, where it doesn’t share stories but stunning photos of Colorado scenery taken mainly by photographers who live or work in the state. The photos are properly credited and accompany an inspirational quote. Altogether, this publication combines a celebration of the state’s beauty and what to know if you live there or want to visit.
Third place: Mickayla Miller, LNP | LancasterOnline, “Mickayla Miller trending/scene reporter”
Judge’s comments: “Though Mickayla Miller just started as the trending/scene reporter in August 2021, her stories show she has the pulse on what’s fun in Lancaster County, Penn. We appreciate how she uses her own tweets in posts. From festivals to free events to interviews to viral moments, Mickayla keeps her audience’s interests in mind.”
GENERAL FEATURE
Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic.
First place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston) Post and Courier, “I am Omar: A quest for the true identity of Omar ibn Said, a Muslim enslaved in the Carolinas”
Judge’s comments: “Incredibly ambitious and truly riveting. I was engrossed, entertained and I learned so much. By the end, I wanted to applaud Omar for his resiliency and efforts to send his message out and I wanted to applaud these journalists – and their editors! – for committing to such a project that has righted a historical myth and inspired a new generation of teachers.”
Second place: J. D. Gallop and Finch Walker, Florida Today, “Breaking the Barrier: Diverse Superheroes”
Judge’s comments: “Well researched, well-sourced and well-written feature with a diversity of voices on a topic off the news.”
Third place: Dennis Romboy, Deseret News, “Pulling U.S. troops from Afghanistan a complicated question for slain Utah soldiers’ families, veterans”
Judge’s comments: “Moving, well-explored topic with just enough facts and figures to ground the story and explain the context. We were legit drawn into reading graf after graf through to the end.”
Honorable mention: Stephanie Earls, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Community, family mourn homeless man who died on sidewalk next to busy Colorado Springs street”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE
Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic.
First place: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “In Colorado desert, 65-foot-tall tank offers otherworldly experience | Colorful Colorado”
Judge’s comments: “A fascinating exploration of a musical treasure unknown to most of America. That’s what good stories do: surprise and enlighten. But the writing elevates this with prose that helps us understand why the subject is so special. It’s patient but engaging writing.”
Second place: Stav Ziv, Forward, “After a house is destroyed in a fire, a Jewish artist finds a way to preserve its spirit”
Judge’s comments: “There’s poignancy in this piece, taking a very simple story about a simple practice and using it to relate the power of nostalgia in the sense of place, and a place where we come from.”
Third place: Tracey O’Shaughnessy and Bill O’Brien, (Waterbury, Conn.) Republican-American, “Memoir from Beyond the Grave”
Honorable mention: Todd Price, (Montgomery, Ala.) Advertiser, “An Alabama folk artist brings to life stories of honky-tonks, angels and evil spirits”
SHORT FEATURE
Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words.
First place: Doug MacCash, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com, “Softsoap brand body wash: The fragrance that will ‘cover a lot of sins’”
Judge’s comments: “Some might say that a “Mardi Gras” named Softsoap is an easy target – something that’s easy to make fun of. What’s hard… is to do it well. Doug MacCash does it beautifully. ‘Hearn would have certainly appreciated the translucent, purple, syrupy texture, the abundant, hard-to-pinpoint floral bouquet and the satisfying lather. As I do. It’s clear to me that the product is not meant to echo the olfactory outrages of Mardi Gras, it is meant to be their antidote! No one put it better than my wife, who, upon getting a whiff of the fragrance, said, ‘Well that should cover a lot of sins.’” No argument here!
Second place: Erin Negley, LNP | LancasterOnline, “This Strasburg Township family built a log cabin in their backyard; here’s how”
Judge’s comments: “The beauty of this story is its range – which is relatively narrow: a family reassembles an old log cabin on their property… with logs that were first assembled a very, very long time ago. There were no instructions; there were stops and starts. But the dedication of these family members to getting it right makes for a delightful reader’s journey.”
Third place: Karen Hendricks, TheBurg (Harrisburg, Penn.) “Signs of the Times: Marty Mummert creates hand-painted signs the old-fashioned way – one at a time”
Judge’s comments: “Stories about craftmanship can be challenging. A reader’s assumption might be: If they’re writing about it, it must be good, right? In this story, the joy is in the details of a man who knows the source of his joy.”
Honorable mention: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “The walk and emu that helped heal a Colorado Springs woman’s heartbreak | Glimpses”
FOOD FEATURE
A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personality profile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic.
First place: Laura Hayes and Michael Loria, Washington City Paper, “Life on the Line: D.C. Cooks Confront COVID-19 Risks, Lack of Job Security”
Judge’s comments: “Laura Hayes and Michael Loria’s well-reported, humanizing piece about the struggle of restaurant workers during the pandemic gives an unvarnished look at the risks the employees face and struggle of the business owners. Great details: ‘Picture wearing a mask on a regular day, but standing over a wok that’s 700 degrees.’… ‘There’s no social distancing in kitchens. Boxing seven people standing next to each other in a small space all day long trying to cook, clearly that’s a bad idea.’ … ‘We don’t have the luxury of being able to stay home.’”
Second place: Todd Price, The American South, “Black chefs stirred the pots for New Orleans’ cuisine. But today, they are hard to find”
Judge’s comments: “The piece explores why there are so few Black chefs in a predominantly black food town. Price does a deep dive into history and talks with those shaping the city’s restaurant scene today. The writing is vivid – ‘Now if all the Black executive chefs in New Orleans went out for dinner, they wouldn’t even count as a large party.’ – and ‘French, Spanish, Cajun, Italian – all these ethnic groups live in New Orleans, but they are not running the kitchens of the best restaurants in the city,’ he wrote. ‘The single, lasting characteristic of Creole cuisine is the Black element.’”
Third place: Hanna Raskin, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “Unpublished 1936 guide to Black life in Charleston reveals the city’s first restaurant critic”
Judge’s comments: “Hanna Raskin explores how the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Writers’ Project’s South Carolina Negro Writers’ Project provides a flawed, censored, but still fascinating look at life and Black restaurants in South Carolina. The guidebook, created to document the country and encourage citizens to tour it, is ‘only surviving record of most of the restaurants featured in it.’ She draws you in from the start with how lost history affects the way a community sees itself and how individuals see their families.”
Honorable mention: Ian McNulty, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate, “At Mosca’s, a false alarm, a timely reminder of what matters, a lot of garlic.”
Honorable mention: Ian McNulty, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate, “Saints and Red Beans.”
Honorable mention: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “In Colorado’s San Luis Valley, a mission behind ‘mountainous grub’ | Craving Colorado”
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
First place: Tony Bartelme and Lauren Petracca, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “The Greenland Connection”
Judge’s comments: “From hiking onto a melting ice sheet to flying with NASA scientists, Tony Bartelme and Lauren Petracca went above and beyond to tell a story we all need to read and see (the photos are breathtaking).”
Second place: Staff, The (Nashville) Tennessean, “Hallowed Sound”
Third place: Jennifer Tormo, Maggie Heyn Richardson and Benjamin Leger, 225 Magazine, “Pizza Party”
Honorable mention: Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News, “Vaccines and religion”
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING
A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme.
First place: Katya Cengel, Alta Journal, “Michaela’s Shadow”
Judge’s comments: “Beautifully structured, heartbreakingly sourced with everyone you hoped you’d hear from … except the one person this story was about.”
Second place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “The journey of one pregnant woman who almost died of COVID-19”
Judge’s comments: “Fantastic structure that kept us guessing what was going to happen without being dramatic or cloying, only hopeful. Pacing was excellent and this was a very narrow miss at first place. Keep up the amazing work!”
Third place: Chad Nielsen, Deseret News, “The dreams he carried”
Judge’s comments: What a heartbreaking and beautifully told story. So much deep research and sourcing really made the star of this story come alive.”
Honorable mention: Geoff Ziezulewicz, Military Times, “How a military jail failed to protect a suicidal sailor from himself”
FEATURE SPECIALTY WRITING PORTFOLIO
Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
First place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “Jennifer Berry Hawes portfolio of stories”
Judge’s comments: “Two stories and a major project that work to correct and fill in missing parts of a troubled history, told with grace, care and strong narrative writing. We didn’t want these stories to end, and we want regular updates on the people we feel like we got to know a little bit. I appreciate the visuals used as part of the storytelling, particularly the videos and the map that explained part of the history in the story of Omar ibn Said.”
Second place: Matthew Leimkuehler, The (Nashville) Tennessean, “Matthew Leimkuehler feature writing portfolio”
Judge’s comments: “Every part of these stories will draw readers in, from the detailed and compelling narratives to the video and other visuals. The richness and strength of the Nashville music community and history is baked in, and the writer knows when to let his subject’s voices have the mic.”
Third place: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Seth Boster Portfolio”
Judge’s comments: “We’re never going to race across a frozen lake or scramble up a mountain before dawn, but we enjoyed meeting some people who do. And it was lovely to go behind the scenes of a big-time athlete to meet the woman providing very critical support. Lively writing and focused narrative in all three entries.”
Honorable mention: Andrew Silverstein, The Forward, “Andrew Silverstein Portfolio”
FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO
Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
First place: Hanna Raskin, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “With Charleston Wine + Food Festival on hiatus…; With Charleston hospitality staffing app mixing up labor market, our critic worked a shift; Unpublished 1936 guide to Black life in Charleston reveals the city’s first restaurant critic”
Judge’s comments: This trio of entries embodies the best of what food writing can be. All of the stories are incredibly well sourced and highly detail oriented, while remaining utterly engaging to the reader. The above-and-beyond effort of pulling a shift as a restaurant server to explain the way a gig economy works was particularly bold and compelling.
Second place: Laura Hayes, Washington City Paper, “Washington City Paper Food Editor Laura Hayes’ Impactful Submissions”
Judge’s comments: “This submission demonstrated the author’s wide range of talent. Whether it was a meaty enterprise piece, a colorful profile or a highly detailed roundup, each was expertly executed.”
Third place: Suzy Fleming Leonard, Florida Today, “Restaurant owner takes vaccine advice from God; Florida craft breweries law; COVID fatigue is real”
Judge’s comments: “These well-written entries provided an excellent snapshot of the pandemic’s impact on a community. The writer’s deep dive into Florida’s Byzantine beer distribution laws provided impressive clarity to a complex subject.”
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO
A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials.
First place: Mike Hirsch, The (Allentown, Penn.) Morning Call, “The unexpected peace in knowing how you will die; Could vortexes in Sedona save my life; Reimagining fall as a season of life.”
Judge’s comments: “In his beautifully written “Your Call” columns in The Morning Call, Mike Hirsch chronicles his own ALS diagnosis with honesty, humor and so much grace. His deep gratitude and love for his family, friends and high-energy dog shine through in these columns, as does his appreciation for everyday moments and encounters with strangers who become fast friends. At every turn, Hirsch’s writing is so lovely. His descriptions of the “natural cathedral” of the autumn woods in the Adirondacks took our breath away. So did the contents of his prayers.”
Second place: Keith Spera, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate, “Columns by Keith Spera”
Judge’s comments: “As we read Keith Spera’s tributes on NOLA.com to the Rolling Stones’ Charlie Watts, the Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees and the long-running show “NCIS: New Orleans,” we kept thinking about how much New Orleans readers not only deserved these pieces but also NEEDED them. With great style, use of telling details and a clear sense of place, Spera crafted end-of-an-era pieces that conveyed the grief and gratitude of generations of New Orleans residents. Bravo!”
Third place: Tracey O’Shaughnessy, (Waterbury, Conn.) Republican-American, “Sunday Reflections”
Judge’s comments: “At a time when divisiveness is rampant across the country, Tracey O’Shaughnessy’s nuanced and thoughtful “Sunday Reflections” columns bring people together by making them smarter. While taking on topics like the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan and religion’s role in politics, O’Shaughnessy manages to strike a balanced tone that helps readers of all persuasions think hard and consider new perspectives. Her offhand references to Greek mythology, medieval poetry and the “Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature” also are downright fun!”
Honorable mention: Jennifer Graham, Deseret News, “Jennifer Graham columns”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO
A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials.
First place: Lottie Elizabeth Johnson, Deseret News, “Lottie E. Johnson criticism”
Judge’s comments: Lottie E. Johnson writes on a variety of music and keeps us fascinated. We especially enjoyed her second piece on ‘Summer of Soul.’ It makes us really want to watch this music documentary.”
Second place: Eric Webb, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, “Eric Webb portfolio”
Judge’s comments: “Eric Webb makes us feel as if we were actually in attendance at these concerts. He has a love of live music and it shines through his writing.”
Third place: Herb Scribner, Deseret News, “Herb Scribner commentary portfolio”
Judge’s comments: From movies to video games to music, Herb Scribner knows his topics. We especially enjoyed his piece on Brandon Flowers.”
Honorable mention: Maura Hogan, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “Three columns by arts critic Maura Hogan”
SPORTS FEATURE
Feature treatment of any sports topic.
First place: Jason Wolf, The Buffalo (N.Y.) News, “He had no memory of it whatsoever: How Chuck Crist’s family discovered he had CTE”
Judge’s comments: “The great stories, the ones that rise above news, require access. Jason Wolf clearly brings not just journalistic skills, but his ability to get people to talk with him, in this piece. A great opening that hooks the readers. He trusts his reporting, structure and writing to tell the story. Not overwritten, slowly letting readers ‘feel’ this story.”
Second place: Jason Wolf, The Buffalo (N.Y.) News, “A hockey whodunit: Is this $10,000 puck the first goal in Sabres’ history?”
Judge’s comments: “A fascinating story well told. Jason Wolf takes first and second place in his category. Great for him. But even better for the readers of the Buffalo News who get to read his work.”
Third place: Ethan Bauer, Deseret News, “Lineage on the line.”
Judge’s comments: “Taking us behind the scenes of a person we believe we know simply because they put on a uniform. A reminder of the person behind that uniform.”
Honorable mention: Dick Harmon, Deseret News, “In autumn of life, Roger Reid feels blessed caring for wife who has Alzheimer’s”
VIDEO STORYTELLING
The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length.
First place: Skyler Ballard, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, HIGH AND DRY | Colorado in Drought: Part 2, The Present.”
Judge’s comments: “This beautifully filmed and profoundly moving video focuses on Gary Paul, a self-described ‘at least’ fifth-generation rancher in Yoder, Colorado, as he details the effects of an ongoing drought on his land, livestock, and livelihood. Paul remains stoic for most of the roughly five-minute runtime, making his breakdown after the two-minute mark all the more striking. ‘Sometimes it makes me feel like a failure,’ he says, his voice cracking with emotion. Interspersing clips of Paul performing ranch duties with bird’s-eye shots of his barren surroundings, producer, cinematographer, and editor Skyler Ballard captures the scale of the crisis, highlighting the human impact of natural disasters that are only set to become more frequent and severe as climate change advances.”
Second place: Katie Klann, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “LIFE: The Pie Queen.”
Judge’s comments: “This video highlights pastry chef and drag queen Martin Howard, who managed to parlay his two passions into a successful business at the height of the pandemic. As his alter ego, Chocolatina Q. Dessert, Howard delivers homemade pies to customers in Denver, Colorado, capping his house calls with a song performance. With her blond beehive, dramatic eyeliner, and endlessly quotable turns of phrase, Chocolatina Q. Dessert is a riveting protagonist. Splicing together footage of Howard rolling dough, doing his makeup, and breaking into a Barry Manilow number before a birthday boy, cinematographer and editor Katie Klann crafts a character-driven narrative that tells a heartwarming story about finding joy when and where you least expect it.
Third place: Skyler Ballard, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “LIFE: A museum of whimsy and wonder”
Judge’s comments: “In this video, artist and photographer Karin Winter describes her passion for collecting knickknacks. ‘The inspiration … is really growing up in Europe,’ she says. ‘I’m Dutch, and I moved to the United States when I was 21 years old.’ During the pandemic, Winter began building her collection in earnest and has since dubbed it the Museum of Whimsy and Wonder. Cinematographer and editor Skyler Ballard’s camera lens lingers on walls overrun with paintings, shelves cluttered with Japanese lusterware, and display cases filled with taxidermied animals. Eccentrically decorated as it is, Winter’s house makes for a visually interesting subject.”
Honorable mention: Rob Landers, Andrew Atkins and Suzy Fleming Leonard, Florida Today, “5 James Beard-nominated chefs at Disney Springs”
DIVERSITY IN DIGITAL FEATURES
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience.
First place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “I am Omar: A quest for the true identity of Omar ibn Said, a Muslim man enslaved in the Carolinas”
Judge’s comments: “This is a remarkable piece that keeps the reader enrapt as the narrative moves across continents and throughout history. Jennifer Berry Hawes skillfully and patiently unfolds this awesome tale with the precision and detail of a historian. She assembles Omar’s story by conjuring all five senses, weaving scenes from Dakar past and present, pre-Civil War America, and even from the hull of one of the last slave ships to cross the Atlantic and land on Charleston’s shores. It’s a riveting and painful examination of our shared history. It’s also a reminder of the power of journalism to unearth these oft-forgotten histories, while also connecting them to the stories we need to hear today.”
Second place: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Once a place of ruin and hard memories, Colorado Springs native restoring childhood landmark”
Judge’s comments: “By making space for stories like this one, The Gazette plays a crucial role in helping residents reclaim their families’ histories. And Seth Boster so artfully tells this family’s through the lens of redemption and redevelopment. Boster is a natural storyteller who honors his subject’s memories with empathy and understanding. This story is rich with detail but it keeps its momentum till the final line.”
Third place: Car Shapiro and Ilhy Gomez Del Campo Rojas, Jerk magazine (Syracuse University), “Exposed and Empowered”
Judge’s comments: “This personal essay is a wonderful reminder to write about what gives us fear and makes us vulnerable. Car Shapiro’s examination is unflinching and honest. It’s also a celebration of the uncomfortable moments that are uniquely human—a perfect subject for a writer to connect with their audience!”
BEST SPECIAL SECTION
The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
First place: Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Exposure”
Judge’s comments: “We felt like an armchair traveler while reviewing this entry of gorgeous photographs that we suspect will, or already have, win honors on their own. Bravo!”
Second place: Mathew Odam, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, “Matthew Odam Austin360 Dining Guide”
Judge’s comments: A true dining guide with plenty of background on the culinarians who make Austin Austin. Matthew Odam has mastered his beat and uses original, thoughtful language to describe their work.”
Third place: Kelli Bozeman, Hoa Vu and Melinda Gonzalez, InRegister Magazine (Baton Rouge, La.), “InRegister Weddings”
Judge’s comments: “The enchantment of weddings is captured in this guide. We especially liked the wedding shorts in the back of the book.”
BEST NICHE PRODUCT
The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year.
First place: Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “OutThere Colorado Winter Guide”
Judge’s comments: “This seasonal winter guide, with a focus on outdoor activity such as camping and skiing, goes beyond listings to include an impressive lineup of news, feature and travel writing.”
Second place: Karen Taylor Gist and Andrea Daniel, Times Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate, “InsideOut New Orleans Home and Garden tab”Judge’s comments: “This solidly written, well-designed home and garden section shows off New Orleans’ amazing range of historic, renovated and contemporary homes.”
DIVISION 2 | Circulation 90,000 to 199,999
FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS
These awards recognize the three publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 20 categories.
First place: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Eighteen awards, including five firsts (Best Features Digital Presence, Feature Series or Project, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio, Arts & Entertainment Commentary Portfolio and Integrated Storytelling), five seconds (Best Feature Digital Presence, Narrative Storytelling, General Commentary Portfolio, Video Storytelling and Best Niche Product), four thirds (Food Feature, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio, Food Writing Portfolio and Integrated Storytelling) and four honorable mentions (Best Features Digital Presence, General Features, Diversity in Digital Features and Niche Product).
Second place: Chicago Sun-Times
Second place: Chicago Sun-Times
Twelve awards, including four firsts (General Commentary Portfolio, Sports Features, Best Special Section and Headline Writing Portfolio), three seconds (General Feature, Sports Feature and Best Special Section), three thirds (Feature Series or Project, General Commentary Portfolio and Digital Innovation) and two honorable mentions (Arts & Entertainment Feature and Short Feature).
Third place: San Antonio Express-News
Eight awards, including one first (Food Criticism), four seconds (Best Section, Food Criticism, Feature Series or Project and Headline Writing Portfolio), two thirds (Best Feature Digital Presence and General Features) and one honorable mention (Food Feature).
Fourth place: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Nine awards, including one first (Narrative Storytelling) two seconds (Arts & Entertainment Commentary Portfolio and Video Storytelling), three thirds (Food Criticism, Sports Feature and Diversity in Digital Features) and three honorable mentions (Narrative Storytelling, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio and Sports Feature)
BEST SECTION
The best regularly occurring printed features sections that focus on A&E, lifestyles or other features coverage.
First place: Arts Staff, The San Diego Union-Tribune, Arts + Culture section
Judge’s comments: “Bold, graphic and well-designed, the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Arts + Culture Sunday section is loaded with style, but the stories also have substance, including features on how local artists are grappling with the pandemic and social justice issues.”
Second place: Emily Spicer, San Antonio Express-News, S. A. Life
Judge’s comments: “S.A. Life has a clean, crisp design and engaging photography that pulls you into a fun and surprising mix of stories, ranging from “must hug” toys (Squishmallows) to edgy cuts and color at the Toxic Salon.”
Second place: Amy Bertrand and Gabe Hartwig, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Judge’s comments: “The St. Louis Post-Dispatch got our attention with a full-page, towering Zombie cocktail and then closed the deal with its illustrated guide to “King Lear” — a fun and creative approach to an arts journalism story.”
BEST FEATURES DIGITAL PRESENCE
The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
First place: Staff, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “The Block Project”
Judge’s comments: “This entry will prove to be a great time capsule of life one year into the pandemic. The design is user-friendly on a computer, the photos and videos capture the spirit of the neighborhoods and hearing from the people of the community was necessary. Our only wish was for more! We hope the newsroom follows these neighborhoods and continues to build out the maps for a more expansive picture.”
Second place: Polly Higgins, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Eat Pittsburgh”
Judge’s comments: “A wonderful design that really does provide a culinary tour of some of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods. We appreciate the use of maps, the beautiful (and tempting) photos and the guide to costs. I hope this project continues to grow to include even more places.”
Third place: Emily Spicer, San Antonio Express-News, Taste
Judge’s comments: “Vibrant food coverage of San Antonio’s food scene that has thousands of followers across various social media platforms.We appreciate how the Instagram account has a distinct personality.”
Honorable mention: Laura Schneiderman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Passenger revolt over Shanksville”
GENERAL FEATURE
Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic.
First place: Joanne Kimberlin, The Virginian-Pilot, “Looking for Leroy”
Judge’s comments: “This inspiring and insightful narrative is about an unhoused man who was a regular neighborhood presence, then went missing. A neighborhood chat group pieced together bits of information, revealed throughout the story. It becomes a community tale, ending on a hopeful note. Lovely craftsmanship.”
Second place: Patrick Finley, Chicago Sun-Times, “Back from the brink”
Judge’s comments: “Written with muscle and verve, Patrick Finley’s story tracks a former football phenom who suffers from depression but, with help from his friends, comes back from the brink. Great use of dialogue and quotes throughout.”
Third Place, Rene Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, “The Chancla has become a venerated symbol of Mexican American culture and here’s why and how”
Judge’s comments: “Originality and humor vaulted this story to the top. The author explains how flip-flop sandals mean something special, and a bit scary, to Mexican Americans, and uses pop culture as a jumping off point. Well-told.”
Honorable Mention: Laura Malt Schneiderman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Paralyzed: The last massive vaccine rollout — for polio — started in Pittsburgh”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE
Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic.
First place: Douglas Perry, The (Portland, Ore.) Oregonian, “Marv and Rindy Ross scored pop stardom with Quarterflash, flamed out, then found their true musical path”
Second place: Mary Carole McCauley, The Baltimore Sun, “A new family, a school and a tuba: how Richard Antoine White went from being homeless in Sandtown to the New Mexico Philharmonic”
Third place: Ben Crandell, South Florida Sun Sentinel, “South Florida tribute bands”
Honorable mention: Stefano Esposito, Chicago Sun-Times, “Rock and roll survivor”
Competition Comment: “Really strong category, showing the range of tightly focused local interest pieces that reveal truths of the past to expansive examinations of pop culture moments. In the end, the feature on pop act Quarterflash, by the Oregonian, stands out the most. It felt like a surprising history of a song/band we all are familiar with, but know virtually nothing about, and told in a way that kept us wanting to get to the next sentence.”
SHORT FEATURE
Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words.
First place: Carlos Frias, The Miami Herald, “‘The original Twitter.’ Meet the Hialeah liquor store owner whose signs amuse and offend”
Judge’s comments: Carlos Frias is the master of many things, and the short feature is one of them. The subject –a liquor store marquee–might seem a little … quiet. But the store owner and his sign turned out to be a gold mine. Robert Gewanter has turned the marquee into a place “to comment on all manner of political and pop culture zaniness.” Who knew a liquor store might also be a comedy club? This is a light and bright feature in the best possible way.”
Second place: Tom Hallman Jr., The Oregonian, “Goodbye, goodbye”
Judge’s comments: “How best to remember the guy who ran a sundries shop? Tom Hallman knows how– by reminding us that the people we interact with on a regular basis become part of our community whether we realize it or not. “Choo was part of a community, that nebulous thing that has nothing to do with our families, friends, co-workers and neighbors. Instead, it’s made up of strangers who slowly and unexpectedly become part of our daily life.”
Third place: Mark Gauert, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, “When you wish upon a seashell”
Judge’s comments: Is a day at the beach remarkable in South Florida? It is, if you and your community and your town and your state are trying to emerge from pandemic lockdown. Mark Gauert reminds us that beauty is not to be taken for granted.”
Honorable mention: Neil Steinberg, Chicago Sun-Times, “The cat that broke things”
FOOD FEATURE
A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personality profile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic.
First place: Carlos Frias, The Miami Herald, “’Cuban’ beer is being sold in Miami. Is it a communist invasion or clever capitalismo?”
Judge’s comments: Carlos Frias explores the history of knockoff Cuban beer in South Florida and the ongoing struggle between competing companies to capitalize on the nostalgia and pride of Cuban exile beer-drinkers. A fascinating, briskly paced tale of food memories, the lingering Cuban political divide and aggressive marketing.”
Second Place: Christina Tkacik, The Baltimore Sun, “Inside Ekiben’s six-hour trip to make a special dish for customer dying of cancer”
Judge’s comments: “Christina Tkacik’s story goes straight to the heart of the way that food connects people, making them feel loved and nurtured. Beautiful writing about beautiful people and much more than a restaurant story.”
Third place: Gretchen McKay, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “701 pierogies in 7 hours: For this Polish family, it’s tradition”
Judge’s comments: “The heartwarming tale of a family cooking project that is really a tribute to their immigrant heritage. Gretchen McKay tells this story in a witty and loving way while in the process offering up a primer on pierogies, Polish immigrants and family.”
Honorable mention: Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, “Instagram a crucial tool for San Antonio chefs, restaurants, affecting menu choices, plating and even chefs’ hygiene”
FOOD CRITICISM
A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry.
First place: Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, “Review: At Pinkerton’s Barbecue in downtown San Antonio, the honeymoon’s over”
Judge’s comments: “An ideal example of a restaurant review. Deeply informed. Brisk writing with moments of clever wordplay. And a clear vision all the way to the kicker.”
Second place: Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, “Review: Mixtli is still good after Southtown move, but it’s no longer San Antonio’s best restaurant”
Judge’s comments: “With aplomb, Sutter tackles the difficult subject of describing a restaurant that has changed and while still good was better before. Making the balanced opinion clear to the reader required great skill.
Third place: Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “At Milwaukee’s Tavolino, a successful Italian restaurant rises from the pandemic”
Judge’s comments: “A smart and focused review.”
Honorable mention: Ian Froeb, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Dixon’s BBQ delights with brisket, burnt ends and irresistible ribs”
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
First place: Staff, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “20 Years Later: Pittsburgh stories”
Judge’s comments: “Talk about ambitious! The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s coverage of the 20-year anniversary of 9/11 — with a chilling review of what happened aboard United Airlines Flight 93 before it crashed in a field in southwestern Pennsylvania — was both smart and powerful. The 18 separate submissions with this entry were all so different and so thoughtfully executed, down to the very last photo caption. Particularly compelling were the exploration of Tom Ridge’s legacy, the look back at 9/11 through local journalists’ eyes, the long-term impacts of 9/11 on Pittsburgh International Airport, and the tick-tock of the final moments aboard Flight 93.”
Second place: Mike Sutter and Chuck Blount, San Antonio Express-News, “52 Weeks of Food Trucks”
Judge’s comments: “This 52-part celebration of food truck fare in San Antonio is both ambitious AND delicious! I want to eat the lobster rolls, the brisket grilled cheese sandwich, the fish and chips — all of it! It’s easy to understand why this yearlong series would be such a hit with readers, and it’s wonderful to see the incredible diversity of the food truck operators. Mike Sutter’s and Chuck Blount’s engaging and conversational writing styles — in concert with their strong photography skills — make the whole package sing. Here’s to eating, drinking and being merry!”
Third place: Stephanie Zimmermann and Tom Schuba, Chicago Sun-Times, “What’s in your weed?”
Judge’s comments: “This Chicago Sun-Times investigation by Stephanie Zimmermann and Tom Schuba — tackled nearly two years after recreational marijuana was legalized in Illinois — looked like SO MUCH WORK, and boy, did that work pay off. The result is a fun-to-read, data-driven deep dive into the world of the new, legal cannabis industry. The investigation revealed that many joints sold in Illinois are contaminated with mold and yeast, and that consumers cannot be sure they’re getting cannabis that is as potent as the label claims.”
Honorable mention: Douglas Perry, The Oregonian, “The Obsession”
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING
A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme.
First place: Mark Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “New Milwaukee doctors fight pandemic while facing their own fears”
Judge’s comments: “What a piece of service journalism. Deeply sourced, chronologically told (which was the right choice) and full of reflections from a population we don’t hear from enough, especially in this vulnerable way. An easy pick for first place because of the subject, a winner for the crisp, compelling writing.
Second place: Steve Mellon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “On a damp day, painful memories at the Flight 93 Memorial”
Judge’s comments: “A great idea beautifully executed. This well-written piece demonstrates perfectly how good journalists work to find the stories that are around us every day.”
Third place: Theoden Janes, The (N.C.) Charlotte Observer, “He spent 40 years not knowing who rescued him from that plane crash. Then, on Christmas…”
Judge’s comments: “Compelling, exciting, connective story about humanity that checks all our boxes: moving, well-written and a bonus “happy” ending.”
Honorable mention: Mark Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “A Wisconsin mom gave birth in a COVID-19 coma before slipping to the brink of death”
FEATURE SPECIALTY WRITING PORTFOLIO
Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
First place: Anya Sostek, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Anya Sostek | Health”
Judge’s comments: “All three of Anya’s stories are gripping tales with fascinating detail. She conveys complex medical information in a clear and easy-to-understand way. And each feature is perfectly paced — satisfying as both a narrative and a medical story.”
Second place: John-John Williams IV, The Baltimore Sun, “John-John Williams IV Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio”
Judge’s comments: “This entry had three smart feature stories that tapped into often-underserved communities. The Black Thanksgiving story was particularly rich with sources and detail.”
Third place: Jeremy Reynolds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jeremy Reynolds | Classical Music Beat”
Judge’s comments: “This portfolio shows versatility, great ideas and good writing.We especially enjoyed the dissection of what makes an earworm and the behind-the-scenes look at the audition process for the symphony.”
Honorable mention: James E. Causey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “I got vaccinated, but my wife may not; My wife was skeptical of the COVID-19 vaccination; A silent byproduct of the COVID-19 pandemic”
FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO
Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
First place: Carlos Frias, The Miami Herald, “Carlos Frias: a Miami food-writing portfolio”
Judge’s comments: “Carlos Frias’ work is informative and well informed, offering deep insights into one of America’s most complex culinary cultures.”
Second place: Phillip Valys, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, “Phillip Valys Food Portfolio Trends Commentary”
Judge’s comments: “Phillip Valys’ writing takes in the culture and economics of food while also providing the service element of a good reviewer.”
Judge’s comments: “A winning mix of curiosity and culture brought this entry to life.”
Honorable mention: Daniel Neman, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Daniel Neman columns”
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO
A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials.
First place: Ismael Pérez, Chicago Sun-Times, “A selection of 3 columns”
Judge’s comments: “In these powerful columns for the Chicago Sun-Times, Ismael Pérez shares his personal experiences as an “anchor baby,” a “mestizo,” a gay Latino man and a son of an addict. He writes with so much candor and courage, and he never simply writes about himself. Instead, he deftly weaves his own experiences into the larger tapestry of life in America right now — and he does so in such a likeable and open way that he’s bound to make readers of every walk of life and political persuasion think differently about the world around them.”
Second place: Gene Collier, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Gene Collier | In a sea of heartache, an obit with an edge, GOP talking point of the week? Tough one, Pain from 0-to-10 pain question exceeds the actual pain”
Judge’s comments: “With his beautiful writing style, keen sense of humor and eye for telling details, columnist Gene Collier has a knack for making his readers feel like long-lost friends. His range is amazing; in the columns submitted for this contest entry, he shared a moving tribute to a woman who died unnecessarily from COVID-19, skewered the GOP’s bizarre talking points with comedy and clarity, and crafted a funny (yes, funny!) piece about the pain levels he’s been enduring after an injury. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette readers are fortunate to have a columnist and pal like Collier in their corner.”
Third place: Mark Brown, Chicago Sun-Times, “A selection of 3 columns”
Judge’s comments: “Mark Brown writes that he’s ‘not exactly known for being warm and friendly’ — but his columns betray him as a big-hearted observer with an enormous amount of empathy for his story subjects. It’s almost impossible not to feel a lump rising in the ol’ throat while reading about the life lessons he learned from grieving family members who lost loved ones to COVID-19. His “Lost Time List” about all the things he’s dreaming of doing again after being cooped up during the pandemic is a thing of beauty, and his piece about the Chicago man who jumped into Lake Michigan every single day for a year is a masterpiece.”
Honorable mention: Aisha Sultan, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Columns by Aisha Sultan”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO
A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials.
First place: Jeremy Reynolds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Jeremy Reynolds | Classical Music Beat”
Judge’s comments: “This razor-sharp writer clearly understands the power and scope of a review. Reynolds doesn’t just assess a performance: he relates its history and backstory; asks insightful questions of performers and audiences alike and explains his critiques. His ledes are arresting. His commentaries include truly memorable lines. And he has the rare gift of being able to make a subject like opera — which many might find intimidating or boring — entertaining, informative and accessible.”
Second place: James E. Causey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Truth in what the ESPN crew said about Milwaukee; During Pride Month, celebrate common ground; Milwaukee’s Kwanzaa celebration”
Judge’s comments: “James. E. Causey seems to have the talent and the guts to take on tough topics, including intraracial gender bias and racial equity in his own hometown. His spirited writing, strong reporting, excellent sourcing and smart arguments make him a must-read.”
Third place: Mal Vincent, The Virginian-Pilot, “Mal Vincent portfolio”
Judge’s comments: “What a confident voice, what incisive observations, a breadth of experience Mal Vincent brings to his commentaries. His writing is inviting, thoughtful and very enjoyable to read. He makes excellent use of the first person to share a sliver of the knowledge he’s gained and the experiences he’s had in what must have been a long and successful career.”
Honorable mention: Theoden Janes, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, “Collection of articles: Theoden Janes”
SPORTS FEATURE
Feature treatment of any sports topic.
First place: Patrick Finley, Chicago Sun-Times, “Patrick Finley, ‘Back from the brink’”
Judge’s comments: “An amazing story that starts with trust. This reporter had to get access to tell this story. That gets to credibility. And then given that trust and access, Patrick Finley crafts a gripping story that is full of humanity.”
Second place: Rick Telander, Chicago Sun-Times, “Rick Telander, ‘Maris, Mantle, Martin and me’”
Judge’s comments: “Only a great writer can take what is a moment and turn it into something grand: Personal, a story full of characters and history, and allow the reader to come along for the ride.”
Third place: Lori Nickel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “It took a hustler, a native son, a priest’s blessing and a city hungry for sports to bring the Bucks to Milwaukee”
Judge’s comments: “Wonderful idea that began with a simple question: How? The story answers the question that most readers had not thought to ask. But once done with this story, a reader gets a sense of history and community.”
Honorable mention: Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “What happened to the coin that determined the fate of the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns in 1969?”
VIDEO STORYTELLING
The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length.
First place: Vickie Connor, The (Portland, Ore.) Oregonian, “The Venderia”
Judge’s comments: “Well-produced, intimate, and charming. A nice, tight example of lifestyle feature journalism on video.”
Second place: Alexandra Wimley, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “In Focus: Pittsburgh Rhinos Blind Ice Hockey”
Judge’s comments: “Heartfelt, powerful, and well-produced, this video engages the viewer and shines light on the community. Audio transitions could be smoother, and soundbites from parents and coaches will round out the story.”
Third place: Samantha Swindler, The (Portland, Ore.) Oregonian, “Smallest Park”
Judge’s comments: “This is a big, well-produced and deeply reported piece on something so small. The play of scale and size is very compelling here. The story runs a bit long but is engaging.”
Honorable mention: Staff, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, “Let’s Go, South Florida: This delicacy costs $500 an ounce and is illegal to import. We take you to the one spot where you can get it”
INTEGRATED STORYTELLING
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, online, social media, video and any other platform.
First place: Laura Malt Schneiderman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Passenger revolt over Shanksville”
Judge’s comments: “Clearly-presented and compelling treatment of history. Although the project mined events whose details are already well-known, this presentation gave us those details in gripping and creative ways, from the use of historical photos to audio to transcripts from the victims and terrorists’ own last moments. The information was brutal to read and hear, but was moving and compelling all the same.”
Second place: Staff, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Abuse of Trust”
Judge’s comments: “The staff did a great job taking a difficult, complicated issue and breaking it down clearly with excellent use of timelines, cast of character lists and a very creative presentation of the players’ connections to each other (it’s great that even on mobile view, the graphics showing all the various players’ connections to each other still works. Great job there). It was a great example of breaking down a complicated scandal into understandable and digest-able pieces.”
Third place: Lauren Rosenblatt, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “COVID unemployment interactive: Those out of work during the pandemic faced hard quest for state jobless aid”
Judge’s comments: “Clean and clear presentation that managed to distill a global crisis into personal terms that brought the COVID epidemic home to readers. Great use of video and interactives to tell the personal stories of some of those most affected by pandemic-driven unemployment. Hope the reporters have a chance to follow up with some of these sources a year or two later; We would bet readers would love to know how they’re doing.”
Honorable mention: Samantha Swindler, The (Portland, Ore.) Oregonian, “Mr. Gresham”
DIVERSITY IN DIGITAL FEATURES
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience.
First place: Denise Watson, Saleen Martin and Lisa Vernon Sparks, The Virginian-Pilot/Daily Press, “Confederate monuments in Hampton Roads”
Judge’s comments: “This series reveals the tensions, emotions and complications that arise when a community truthfully reckons with its racist roots. The reporters and photojournalists—community members themselves—exquisitely and unflinchingly capture the tenacity of those who hope to build a more hopeful future.”
Second place: Aisha Sultan, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Aisha Sultan stories”
Judge’s comments: “It’s clear from these dispatches that Sultan is trusted as a community narrator. She has brought to life so artfully the anxieties and fears, and also the joys and new beginnings that 2021 has meant to folks in St. Louis.”
Third place: Tom Daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “He invests in residential rental properties in Milwaukee — from Stanley Correctional Institution”
Judge’s comments: “This is the kind of uncommon story that makes local reporting so vital to our communities. At its core, Daykin’s report is about a man who, like many of us, has found meaning and purpose in his work—only while currently serving a long prison sentence. This story comes to life with honesty and empathy. It’s also just plain interesting to learn about this man’s journey and to be inspired by it!”
Honorable mention: Tony Norman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “How an MLK meme split the Thomas Merton Center and co-founder Molly Rush”
BEST SPECIAL SECTION
The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
First place: Staff, Chicago Sun-Times, “’Rising from the ashes’ — marking the 150th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire”
Judge’s comments: “A superlative section, anchored by a masterful account of the Great Chicago Fire. Truly authoritative, it contains a well-rounded selection of stories, with terrific design that delivers impact. Well-conceived and executed — a knockout!”
Second place: Robert Herguth and Bryan Barker, Chicago Sun-Times, “Chicago’s murals and mosaics”
Judge’s comments: “A spectacular print payoff to an excellent idea. Over two years, the Sun-Times documented public murals and mosaics in neighborhoods across Chicago through a weekly feature that invited reader submissions. Then it pulled the best of it together in this well-designed and thematically organized full-color, 52-page section. Just … wow!”
Third place: Ian Froeb and Gabe Hartwig, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The STL 100”
Judge’s comments: “A lively, inviting and useful section.”
BEST NICHE PRODUCT
The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year.
First place: Mark Gauert, Cassie Armstrong and Anderson Greene, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, “Explore Florida and the Caribbean”
Judge’s comments: “Excellent magazine about travel with a good mix of general travel features and news you can use (calendars, recipes). Strong design, headlines and photography. Good variety of bylines, including a few by the editor, who obviously knows this territory very well.”
Second place: Staff, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Goodness: “February 21 & December 5, 2021”
Judge’s comments: Good variety of features, short pieces and letters from readers in this uplifting section. “We bet readers really look forward to this coming out (and a few said so in their letters). Nice job!”
Third place: Mark Gauert and Anderson Greene, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, “City & Shore PRIME Magazine”
Judge’s comments: “Another strong niche product from this publication, with a nice focus on women in one of the issues reviewed here. Strong design and content.”
Honorable mention: Staff, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Business of Pittsburgh: January 10 & July 4, 2021”
DIVISION 3 | Circulation 200,000 and up
FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS
These awards recognize the three publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 22 categories.
First place: Los Angeles Times
Eighteen awards, including six firsts (Best Section, Arts & Entertainment, Short Feature, Food Criticism, Food Writing Portfolio and Video Storytelling), four seconds (Arts & Entertainment Feature, Arts & Entertainment Commentary Portfolio, Sports Feature and Best Special Section), six thirds (Podcast, General Feature, Food Feature, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio, General Commentary Portfolio and Sports Feature) and two honorable mentions (Narrative Storytelling and Best Special Section)
Second place: NJ Advance Media
Eight awards, including two firsts (General Feature and Best Section), three seconds (General Feature, Integrated Storytelling and Diversity in Digital Features), one third (Video Storytelling) and two honorable mentions (General Feature and Food Writing Portfolio)
Third place: Boston Globe
Six awards, including three firsts (Feature Series or Project, Narrative Storytelling and Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio), one second (Best Section), one third (Integrated Storytelling) and one honorable mention (Food Feature).
Fourth place: San Francisco Chronicle
Seven awards, including one first (Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio), two seconds (Food Feature and Digital Innovation) two thirds (Narrative Storytelling and Food Writing Portfolio) and one honorable mention (Narrative Storytelling)
BEST SECTION
The best regularly occurring printed features sections that focus on A&E, lifestyles or other features coverage.
First place: Staff, Los Angeles Times, “Faking It”
Judge’s comments: “Stellar work, from the inventive story ideas to the excellent execution. The Oscars preview is always a must-read section, and the Latino Culture Gap section is revealing. Loved the Food section, with its creative illustrations and exemplary writing.”
Second place: Staff, Boston Globe, “Boston Globe Arts”
Judge’s comments: These sections shine in writing, photography and design. What a treat for Globe readers to get such incisive and entertaining work on a daily basis.
Third place: Features Section, Seattle Times, “The Mix best sections 2021”
Judge’s comments: “These sections feature solid and creative coverage, with clean design, good writing and excellent story selection.”
Honorable mention: Melissa Aguilar and Staff, Houston Chronicle, “Houston Chronicle Features Sections”
BEST FEATURES DIGITAL PRESENCE
The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
First place: Staff, Newsday, “Newsday’s FeedMe restaurants coverage”
Judge’s comments: “It’s clear from the quality and variety of the coverage as well as the tenor of the conversation among writers and readers that FeedMe is indispensable to its community. The staff have reflected the history of Long Island’s foodways and abundance of flavors in ways that are approachable and joyful.”
Second place: Staff, Upstate Unearthed, upstateunearthed.com
Judge’s comments: The deep and nuanced exploration of this well-known topic—the great outdoors!—through the lens of our modern lives is superbly expressed in Upstate Unearthed. The writers, editors, photographers, designers and social media editors should be very proud!”
GENERAL FEATURE
Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic.
First place: Brittney Davies, Joe Atmonavage and Matthew Stanmyre, NJ Advance Media, “The great boat lift of 9/11”
Judge’s comments: “Wow, what a tale. A 9/11 story I knew so little about. Incredibly researched and sourced. Beautifully organized, thoughtfully told and riveting from the start.”
Second place: Keith Sargeant, NJ Advance Media, “My father was a war hero who saved lives and I never knew”
Judge’s comments: “Wow. What an emotional ride. Personal, investigative journalism to uncover the truth about one’s dad. Honest, raw and gracefully done.”
Third place: Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, “She was dying of COVID-19. Her last hope would save her or kill her”
Judge’s comments: “So moving and well written. Incredibly dramatic, action-packed. Explains not just the immediate impact of the patient, but what her illness meant to her family — emotionally and financially — as well as to her doctors and nurse.”
Honorable mention: Adam Clark, NJ Advance Media, “The $1 million gamble”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE
Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic.
First place: Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, “The lowrider is back”
Judge’s comments: “This feature brings readers into L.A.’s contemporary cruising scene, which enjoyed a resurgence during the pandemic — it was a safe escape. It also details that scene’s rich history and includes many distinctive voices. The photos accompanying the story are great, too.”
Second place: Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, “How a Compton artist’s lost prison painting found its way to the Hammer Museum”
Judge’s comments: “Renowned prison artist Wash’s story has been told before. By focusing on single painting, and the artist’s attempt to track down the original and create a new version, this feature reveals new details about the artist’s life inside and out of prison.”
Third place: Rebecca Alter, Vulture, “Boys, Interrupting”
Judge’s comments: “This short, engaging profile introduced the comedy trio before they broke through to the mainstream on Saturday Night Live. It’s smart about comedy and social media and accessible to readers who may not be well-versed on one or the other.”
Honorable mention: David Chiu, The New York Times, “Overlooked No More: Jobriath, Openly Gay Glam Rocker in the ’70s”
SHORT FEATURE
Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words.
First place: Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, “L.A. mystery: The mourning doves stopped singing. What happened to them?”
Judge’s comments: “A beautifully written lament for the mourning dove is both a nostalgic personal reflection and a warning about climate change. Daniel Miller grapples with the absence of the dove’s call, and shows how he comes to understand it foretells greater environmental perils.”
Second place: Kristen Hare, Tampa Bay (Florida) Times, “This queen fostered a new generation of drag in Orlando”
Judge’s comments: “This sensitive obit — written with warmth and compassion — opens cinematically to reveal layer by layer the life and death of a drag queen who is so much more than her stage presence.”
Third place: Lane DeGregory, Tampa Bay (Florida) Times, “’How are you?’ A phone call lets seniors know someone cares”
Judge’s comments: “Dialogue, most of it one-sided, propels this slice of life inside a senior center, where a cheerful volunteer calls to check in on fragile and lonely elderly people.”
Honorable mention: Thomas Floyd, The Washington Post, “A 9/11 survivor wanted nothing to do with ‘Come From Away.’ Now she’s seen it a dozen times.”
FOOD FEATURE
A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personality profile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic.
First place: Lea Konczal, Texas Monthly, “The Pig’s Last Stand: America’s First Drive-in Celebrates One Hundred Years”
Judge’s comments: “By the end of Lea Konczal’s affecting, melancholy story about the Pig Stand and its longtime owner and champion, Mary Ann Hill, the reader may be close to tears. For Mary Ann, her customers and employees, this place is like a family. Bravo for this grave and eloquent profile that captures the Pig Stand and the people who aren’t sure what they’ll do when it’s gone.”
Second place: Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, “San Francisco Chronicle: The Prisoner”
Judge’s comments: “We couldn’t stop reading Esther Mobley’s story about the red wine blend with the prison-themed marketing strategy. It’s a great angle that illuminates the history of blended wines, the trap that companies find themselves in when social movements collide with their outdated and troublesome branding, and the national conversation around race and incarceration. Beautifully done and very thought-provoking.”
Third place: Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, “Take a peek inside the Sugar Lab, L.A.’s 3-D-printing candy shop”
Judge’s comments: “Stephanie Breijo takes us on a brisk and fascinating tour of a candy factory that uses 3-D printing tech to mold unique treats. The process and its history are all clearly explained in detail, yet the story never loses the whimsical charm that’s appropriate for a story about candy. Sweeeet!”
Honorable mention: Devra First, Boston Globe, “Slade’s Bar & Grill: a real Boston story”
FOOD CRITICISM
A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry.
First place: Lucas Kwan Peterson, Los Angeles Times, “We should pay more to eat in restaurants”
Judge’s comments: “Strong opinion, deep reporting, a thorough examination of the restaurant industry in the fog after COVID’s darkest days. Lucas Kwan Peterson covers so much ground in this piece, but leaves nothing behind. 2021 was the year of asking existential questions about the industry, both as an owner and as a customer. This article is the framework on which those answers might be built for a more sustainable future. Should we pay more as customers? Yes. Should we cover the industry more thoughtfully as writers? Your answer is right here.”
Second place: Hanna Raskin, The Food Section, “Into the Awards Void”
Judge’s comments: “You could argue that Hanna Raskin’s piece exploring the relevance of the James Beard Awards is an insider exercise. Outside the industry — the owners, the chefs, the writers — who follows the Beards? (More than we think.) But this piece goes much deeper, exploring how culture and social movements shape who gets awards and why, and how efforts to reform the awards create problems of their own. The point about how even modest restaurant progressivism in conservative areas carries disproportionate risks rang bells in my head, it was so clear. This is how you draw widening circles around smaller points, with sound logic, clearly articulated.”
Third place: Erica Marcus, Newsday, “Long Island’s best pizza”
Judge’s comments: “We value food writing that asks the big philosophical questions. I’d argue that in Newsday’s circulation area, the questions don’t get much bigger than, “Where can I get a good slice around here?” Erica Marcus answers that question with authority, a story told in 12 parts that accomplish the impossibly simultaneous tasks of depth and brevity. Every capsule tells a story: part history, part travelogue, part pizza education. The reader service piece is not dead! And coming out of the pandemic, it might be one of the strongest ways to reconnect readers with the restaurants they love and the connections they need.”
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
First place: Penelope Overton, Jenna Russell and David Abel, Boston Globe, “The Lobster Trap”
Judge’s comments: “Where have all the lobsters gone? This project chronicles the highs and lows of New England lobstering through the compelling lens of the families whose livelihoods depend on the critters. The Globe team brought the drama to what could have been a dry story about climate change, leaning into the human storylines that are illustrated with strong visuals and enhanced with digital map-graphics that make the science as easy-to-digest as the prized crustaceans.”
Second place: Staff, Honolulu Civil Beat, “Hawaii Grown”
Judge’s comments: “Hawaii’s sky-high cost of living took new prominence during the pandemic, when the state (which imports 80% of its food) struggled to feed its own population. What can be done to change? The Honolulu Civil Beat’s year-long project breaks down the causes-effects and showcases solutions through stories about grassroots farming efforts, experiments and failures. It was an ambitious undertaking complemented with Facebook Live panel discussions, calls-to-action and fun elements “including a reader recipe contest featuring home-grown ingredients. It’s all organized in a lively digital section front.”
Third place: Lane DeGregory, Tampa Bay (Florida) Times, “Who wants to be a cop?”
Judge’s comments: “Who WANTS to be a cop these days? That’s the headline that grabs the reader and doesn’t let go through the Tampa Bay Times’ eight-part series that chronicles a class of new police recruits making their way through the academy. Lane DeGregory’s effortless storytelling commands the reader’s attention, from the mandatory pepper spray to the eyes through the self-doubt that comes with botching knock-and-enter drills. A fresh POV on a topic that has enduring national significance.”
Honorable mention: Staff, Philadelphia Inquirer, “Wildest Dreams: An Anthology of Black Inheritance.”
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING
A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme.
First place: Evan Allen, Boston Globe, “Under the Wheel”
Judge’s comments: “Writer Evan Allen, a new mom fearful that she will pass her family’s history of violence onto her daughter, sets out to answer an ambitious question: Is violence inherited like other traits? She focuses on Anthony Pledger, a federal inmate who began committing crimes at age 7, and she weaves his story with hers. It’s an incredible feat of reporting: The “interviews” amounted to more than 2,000 pages of correspondence between the reporter and the inmate, and the resulting story is compelling, eye-opening, tragic and forceful. It’s also gorgeously written with an ending that is both resigned a nd hopeful.”
Second place: Lane DeGregory, Tampa Bay (Florida) Times, “Twelve Hours in a Florida COVID-19 ICU”
Judge’s comments: “Masterfully told by one of the best narrative writers in the business, this story follows a trauma nurse named Jen on a harrowing day as the delta variant floods her hospital with ICU patients. We see Jen do the impossible – try to offer care for those who are too far gone. We hear telling dialogue that moves the story along, and handpicked details which convey Jen’s inner struggle about whether she should leave her position. The ending is both quiet in tone and loud in emotion. It’s a heart-wrenching story told matter-of-factly, and that gives it even more power.”
Third place: Matthias Gafni, San Francisco Chronicle, “One hiker’s peak of desperation”
Judge’s comments: “A 57-year-old man sets out to scale Boundary Peak in Nevada, a 13,000-foot mountain that can be conquered in one day. Then he slips and falls off the trail, and we are thrust into a nail-biting adventure as he tries to find his way out. On the fifth day, the man is near delirious when he sees three of his closest friends about to rescue him. Or are they a hallucination? Reporter Matthias Gafni gives us a wild narrative that readers simply can’t put down.”
Honorable Mention: Tyrone Beason, Los Angeles Times, “A Black Reporter’s Road Trip to the Inauguration, and a Search for America’s Soul”
Honorable mention: Jason Fagone, San Francisco Chronicle, “The Jessica Simulation”
FEATURE SPECIALTY WRITING PORTFOLIO
Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
First place: Dugan Arnett, Boston Globe, “Stories examining the human conflict boiling deep within law enforcement amid a nationwide reckoning over police abuse”
Judge’s comments: “Richly reported and nuanced stories off the police beat at a time when policing in America was under heightened scrutiny. A respected police chief reveals his conflicted past in a harrowing narrative that reads like a thriller. A story with a simple premise — Who would want to be a police officer today? — is remarkably complex. And a Black suburban police chief tries to be a beacon for reform. Dugan Arnett excels at painting intimate portrayals of large and urgent issues.”
Second place: Adam Bernstein, The Washington Post, “Three obituaries: Fanne Foxe, Cloris Leachman, Cicely Tyson”
Judge’s comments: “The art of the obit at its finest: Detailed reporting, cultural context and just enough reverence for the subject. The death of Fanne Foxe — the stripper who brought down Wilbur Mills — likely would have gone unnoticed but for Adam Bernstein’s advance reporting. The result captures in glorious detail the classic D.C. scandal. Cloris Leachman and Cicely Tyson are vividly remembered.”
Third place: Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, “Starving cows. Fallow farms. The Arizona drought is among the worst in the country”
Judge’s comments: “A sense of place is strong in this portfolio of consequential stories: Drought in Arizona; troubling signs at Lake Mead; an iconoclastic rancher trying to breed more efficient cattle. Together they reveal the real issues of climate crisis through the people who work the land and the water.”
FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO
Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
First place: Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, “The next time you order takeout, call the restaurant”
Judge’s comments: “All three are well-told, informative with straightforward, clear writing. Delivery app story lays out the issues in a concise way. The cacio e pepe features delightfully spare writing peppered with lively, fun quotes. Love this lede: “Las Vegas — Two halves of a split lobster tail intertwine like lovers. Both sides arch upward, balancing atop a mound of noodles tangled around bean sprouts and shards of green onion.” Captures the joyful, over-the-top reason these chefs love LV.”
Second place: Brad A. Johnson, The Orange County (California) Register, “Saucedo, Blu Skybar and 50 Best Places to Eat Tacos”
Judge’s comments: “50! That’s a lot of tacos. Fun ledes that draw you in and then comprehensive, solid reviews that tell diners what they need to know. Great descriptions that capture the mood and style of the place. Love this lede: A brass ensemble with a remarkably nimble tuba player honks from the jukebox at Saucedo in Garden Grove while a rhythmic, percussive “thwack thwack thwack thwack” emanates from the kitchen. The latter, we can tell by peering through the pass, is the restaurant’s lone chef, chopping carne asada with a large cleaver as orders for more tacos stream in.”
Third place: Soleil Ho, San Francisco Chronicle, “San Francisco Chronicle: Soleil Ho”
Judge’s comments: “Takes chances with her writing. The stories have lots of detail and color that put you in the place and allows you to truly imagine how the food tastes. Vivid.”
Honorable mention: Jeremy Schneider, NJ Advance Media
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO
A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials.
First place: Michelle Singletary, The Washington Post, “When Personal Finance is Personal”
Judge’s comments: “Singletary’s pieces carry commonly relatable themes as they also focus on the minority experience. Many can relate to being a caregiver for a loved one or sending a child off on their first real job interview, but Singletary combines these experiences with her unique perspective, telling stories that are filled with emotion and facts. Each piece is enjoyable on its own, but we’re guessing Singletary’s readers look forward to the next installment.”
Second place: Laura Yuen, (Minneapolis, Minn.) Star Tribune, “Features columnist Laura Yuen”
Judge’s comments: “You feel Yuen’s pain as she’s taunted by a woodpecker amid the pandemic. And her discussion of the Chinese experience in the U.S. sheds light on a topic not often discussed. Yuen’s pieces pull at heartstrings while sharing diverse perspectives.”
Third place: Erika D. Smith, Los Angeles Times, “A solution for gentrification in South L.A.? ‘Don’t sell your damn house!’”
Judge’s comments: “Whether she’s talking about her own frustration with the Black community’s reluctance to get vaccinated or sharing another’s story about gentrification, Smith’s pieces are filled with emotions, and she does an excellent job of using real-life scenarios to explain complicated subjects.”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO
A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials.
First place: Simi Horwitz, The Forward, “Three film reviews”
Second place: Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, ‘The Disciple’ is already one of the year’s best movies. Does Netflix know — or care?”
Third place: Laurie Hertzel, (Minneapolis, Minn.) Star Tribune, “Books: Laurie Hertzel”
Honorable mention: Joey Guerra, Houston Chronicle, “Joey Guerra, arts commentary”
SPORTS FEATURE
Feature treatment of any sports topic.
First place: Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, “Game Changers/Breaking Grass Ceilings: Why more women are coaching in men’s professional sports”
Judge’s comments: “A well-researched and well-told all-encompassing look at women in coaching. It hooks you from the beginning and keeps you until the thoughtful ending.”
Second place: Nathan Fenno, Los Angeles Times, “What makes Katie Ledecky the most dominant Olympic swimmer?”
Judge’s comments: “A perfect example of an athlete profile. By the end you know her and admire her accomplishments.”
Third place: David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, “Beneath the bling: Lakers championship rings feature many special surprises”
Judge’s comments: “It’s a profile of a jeweler and a basketball team told through a simple ring. Well, not so simple. So well told and described you almost didn’t need the graphics, but they were wonderful as well.”
Honorable mention: James Causey, Slate, “The Great Migration of Henry Aaron”
VIDEO STORYTELLING
The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length.
First place: Staff, Los Angeles Times, “How my mental illness became my superpower”
Judge’s comments: “Seamless integration of form and content. Production is expertly handled and story is sensitively told. There is news value to this. Would be good to weave broader public health data and trends into this narrative. Why does this type of mental health model matter? How does it alleviate shortage and inaccessibility in Los Angeles?”
Second place: Scott Vogel, Chris Ware and Susan Yale, Newsday, “The story behind Shuga Pie in Babylon”
Judge’s comments: “Vibrant and well-produced lifestyle segment that captures the fun parts of the community. Would be more engaging and powerful to focus more on the founder’s story rather than just the food.”
Third place: Andre Malok, NJ Advanced Media, “N.J. community embraces young man with autism who lost both of his parents”
Judge’s comments: “Nice tribute to a community fixture. It was important to hear from E.J. himself, which we thought this piece did well.”
Honorable mention: Annie Boos, The (Syracuse University) Newshouse, “The Comeback Year”
INTEGRATED STORYTELLING
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, online, social media, video and any other platform.
First place: Jackie Varriano, Jade Yamazaki Stewart and Taylor Blatchford, The Seattle Times, “The Seattle Times Great Pie Package”
Judge’s comments: “Beautiful photos and videos with this yummy package about apple pies. Great team effort and research to bring Seattle Times readers everything they need to know about baking, buying or eating a pie for Thanksgiving, including how-to instructions for three different skill levels for bakers. I finished this package thinking even I could bake (or buy) a great pie and appreciate all the attention to detail that goes into the best. Nicely done. Bookmarked!”
Second place: Staff, NJ Advance Media, “A pickle(ball) in paradise”
Judge’s comments: “Great use of audio, photos and graphics to tell the story of the pickleball conundrum. Terrific story!”
Third place: Jeneé Osterheldt, Boston Globe, “A Beautiful Resistance”
Judge’s comments: “Terrific series with nice audio interviews. We enjoyed the nice variety of sources and the many different ways they told their stories about being part of the fabric of Boston.”
Honorable mention: Meghan Giannotta and Rachel Weiss, Newsday, “Working Dogs of Long Island”
DIVERSITY IN DIGITAL FEATURES
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience.
First place: Salma Abdelnour, Pam Kaufman, Everyday Health, “Too Many Doctors Are Misdiagnosing Disease on Skin of Color”
Judge’s comments: “A wonderfully written and researched read on how racism in dermatology is compromising the care that Black patients get for diseases and conditions that affect the skin.”
Second place: Amy Kuperinsky, NJ Advance Media, “I’m tired of being afraid”
Third place: Kamal Morgan, Upstate Unearthed, “BLK in the ADK”
Honorable mention: Nhari Djan, The Newshouse (Syracuse University), “Social Media Support”
BEST SPECIAL SECTION
The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
First place: Staff, NJ Advance Media, “The long shadow of John List”
Judge’s comments: “A fascinating look at one of our country’s most notorious crimes on its 50th anniversary. The reporting and writing are first rate. And though it’s not a whodunit, it’s gripping from beginning to end.”
Second place: Staff, Los Angeles Times, “101 Best Restaurants”
Judge’s comments: “Chock full of fantastic mini-reviews, features and photography, this is the ultimate guide to eating out in Los Angeles. A must-have section for any tourist or resident.”
Third place: Melissa Aguilar and Nadya Shakoor, Houston Chronicle, “Houston Gives”
Judge’s comments: “A beautifully designed publication showcasing Houston’s philanthropic community. The features are well written, and there is a LOT of content, all displayed with wonderful artwork and photography.”
Honorable mention: Staff, Los Angeles Times, “Unshaken”
BEST NICHE PRODUCT
The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year.
First place: Sue Campbell, Star Tribune, StarTribune Magazine
Judge’s comments: “Amazing photography, great covers and nice variety of story topics. Especially strong profile stories and regional travel content. Smart design.”
Second place: Melissa Aguilar, Jody Schmal and Nadya Shakoor, Houston Chronicle, Page Magazine
Judge’s comments: “Strong themed section about food and impressive travel content. Nice photography.”
Third place: Newsday Staff, Newsday, FeedMe Magazine
Judge’s comments: “Attractive design and nice mix of food stories. The fold-out guides on burgers and cocktails were great news we could use– something we’d want to have on hand if we were in the area.”
COMBINED DIVISIONS
HEADLINE WRITING PORTFOLIO
A collection of three headlines and accompanying decks by the same writer for feature stories or columns.
First place: Darel Jevens, Chicago Sun-Times
Judge’s comments: “Headline writers wear many hats on their … heds? Darel’s equally comfortable working a deep profile (‘Sesame’ seeds), an old-school Dear Abby (Upstairs neighbor springs a leak, then blows a gasket) and a TV review (What to suspect when you’re expecting). The first engages wordplay to pull us into the Sesame Street backstory. The second brings just the right amount of salty razzmatazz for Dear Abby’s target audience. And the third? It’s just one of those moments when a pop-culture touchstone can be retooled to fit a story with the wicked tweaking of just. one. word.”
Second place: Greg Anglin, San Antonio Express-News
Judge’s comments: “”Headline” is the right word to describe the banners for Sports columnists. You have to get into their heads, live in their worlds just long enough to draw out the deeper meanings behind the sports news they’re reacting to. And then you have to make those headlines entertaining, and then you have to make them fit. Greg is equal parts mind-reader, performer and broadsheet navigator on this set of heds. The turnaround wordplay on “fancy passing/passing fancy” feels like a wicked on-court juke. The “double bubble” hed melds the drama of COVID with the procedural realities players face because of it. And the CWS vaccine hed tells the full story in an 8-word main and a 9-word deck. It’s smart, concise and blunt, and it conveys the emotion of the column.”
Third place: Thomas Floyd, The Washington Post
Judge’s comments: “In the days of multitasking-by-necessity, it’s not always a given that a headline writer understands the subject as well as this. Each of the three heds shows a craftsperson with an understanding of Sports writing, Sports readers, and Sports headlines. The mullet head is as form-follows-function as the haircut it describes: business in front, party in the back. And the hed on the story about the football kicker shows how a good headline writer pulls the essence of the story to the top even when the heart of the story’s buried on the jump.”
DIGITAL INNOVATION
New or improved online ventures, including websites, apps, social-media experiments or other ways to share information in the digital world.
First place: Staff, The Newshouse (Syracuse University)
Judge’s comments: “This was an amazingly competitive category! The best of these entries are sophisticated and nuanced. Some of them are fun; all of them are visually striking. In the end, the weight of history represented in “Visualizing 81” carried the day. It is a remarkable work, a history that, I suspect, many in Syracuse are unfamiliar with. It is a history that we should all learn, and it’s an inspiration for other publications that want to present readers with an unvarnished version of community history. This mixed-media event should be studied across the country.”
Second place: Food & Wine Staff, Alex Fong and Paula Friedrich, San Francisco Chronicle, “Best Day Ever”
Judge’s comments: “I dare you to resist the charms of “The Best Day Ever in Chinatown.” The photos, the curation (morning/afternoon/night/late night), the multiple options and the bright graphics will lure any reader into this series. If your publication is dedicated to dining out, we’d suggest you steal this concept!”
Third place: Jesse Howe, Chicago Sun-Times, “Through the flames”
Judge’s comments: “The art of map making (and map-reading) may be fading with the rise of the digital age. “Through the flames,” however, mixes the best of the old and the new worlds, taking readers on a rather breathtaking journey through a city that was devastated by fire. The Great Chicago Fire has a place in American history and mythology. This work brings the facts and the sadness very much into the 21st century.”
Honorable mention: Jonathan Harris and Hanna Martin, Upstate Unearthed (Syracuse University), “Live Oaks and Dead Folks: Exploring Oakwood Cemetery and its Loyal Caretakers”
BEST PODCAST
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through a podcast.
First place: Soleil Ho, Justin Phillips, Erika Carlos, Téa Price, San Francisco Chronicle, “Extra Spicy”
Judge’s comments: “While food is the throughline for this podcast, we appreciate how the hosts go beyond that by covering — among other things — the minimum wage debate, Chinatown’s identity, and their own perspectives of the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans. It’s not just a pod about food; it’s also about our current culture and states of mind.”
Second place: Jamila Paksima, Yvonne Latty and Jordan Gass-Poore’, Southern Poverty Law Center, “Sounds Like Hate: Collateral Damage Part I and II”
Judge’s comments: “What makes this podcast so powerful are the stories of the people featured and how they fit into the ways our system disenfranchises voters. It’s an important and undercovered topic.”
Third place: Staff, Los Angeles Times, “The Trials of Frank Carson: first 3 episodes”
Judge’s comments: “We appreciate this deep narrative dive into a controversial local personality. There’s a lot to cover and the podcast did its best to lay it all out.”
The 34th annual Society for Features Journalism Excellence-in-Features contest, which honors the craft of feature storytelling and the people who do it for a living, is taking entries for 2022.
All entries – other than those in the Best Features Digital Presence category – must have been published in print or online between Jan. 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2021.
The writing contest is open to journalists working for legacy and new media (including nonprofit), whether you’re a freelancer or full-time employee.
First-place winners in each category will receive $300. Winners will be announced in June. We are not having an in-person conference in 2022.
The cost of each entry is $45 for all professional writing, online and video entries, and $60 in the Niche Product, Features Digital Presence and Best Section categories.
Deadline to submit is through Friday, March 25March 11, 2022. If you have any questions, please email sfjcontest4@gmail.com.
001 General Feature
Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic. Entries can be a single trend story, profile, interview, news feature or general feature of 1,000 words or more. Sidebars accepted. Each entry consists of one story. Multiple bylines accepted.
002 Arts & Entertainment Feature
Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic – such as architecture, art, books, dance, movies, music, opera, television or theater.
NOTE: Food stories should be entered in one of the food categories. Entries can be a single trend story, interview or feature story. Each entry consists of one story.
003 Short Feature
Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words. A word count is required with each entry; entries exceeding the limit will be disqualified. Enter the word count in the “Comments, Credits & Other Info” field on the entry form. Each entry consists of one story.
004 Food Feature
A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personality profile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic. Each entry consists of one story.
005 Food Criticism
A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry. Each entry consists of one story.
006 Feature Series or Project
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts. Sidebars accepted. Can include a written explanation of not more than 250 words on how the story was reported. Each entry consists of the stories that comprise the series or project. Multiple bylines accepted.
007 Narrative Storytelling
A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme. Each entry consists of one story.
008 Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio
Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, health, religion, technology or travel. NOTE: Food writing entries should be entered in the Food Writing Portfolio category.
Entries can be trend stories, profiles, interviews, news features, general features or narratives covering the same topic. Columns and commentary are excluded. Each entry consists of three stories from the same writer.
009 Food Writing Portfolio
Three stories by the same writer on any food topic. Entries can be stories, columns or reviews. Each entry consists of three stories from the same writer.
010 General Commentary Portfolio
A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. NOTE: Food writing entries should be entered in the Food Writing Portfolio category.
Each entry consists of three examples of the writer’s work, showing a range of reporting styles.
011 Arts & Entertainment Commentary Portfolio
A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, excluding editorials. NOTE: Food writing entries should be entered in the Food Writing Portfolio category.
Each entry consists of three examples of the writer’s work.
012 Sports Feature
Feature treatment of any sports topic. Entries can be a trend story, interview or feature story. Each entry consists of one story.
013 Headline Writing Portfolio
A collection of three headlines and accompanying decks by the same writer for feature stories or columns. Headlines must be attached to the stories or columns and can be accompanied by related visuals. Entries will be judged on clarity, accuracy and creativity. One entry consists of three headlines and accompanying decks and stories. NOTE: All entries, regardless of circulation group, compete in one group.
014 Video Storytelling
The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length. One entry consists of one video.
015 Integrated Storytelling
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, digital, social media, video and any other platform. One entry consists of the package of stories and other elements used to cover the topic.
016 Podcast
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through a podcast. One entry consists of links to three podcasts by the same person or persons. NOTE: All entries, regardless of circulation group, compete in one group.
017 Diversity in Digital Features
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience. Diversity can include race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs or other ideologies. One entry consists of a story or a series of stories on the same diversity topic. Multiple bylines accepted.
018 Digital Innovation
New or improved digital ventures, which can include new or upgraded websites, apps, social media experiments or other ways to share information in the digital world. Entries will be judged on creativity and impact. Must include a description of no more than 250 words on how the innovation came about, its goals and its success. Submit explanation as a Word document attachment or enter explanation in the “Comments, Credits & Other Info” field on the entry form. One entry consists of one innovation, such as an app or a website.
NOTE: All entries, regardless of circulation group, compete in one group.
019 Special Section
A special section published in 2021 either in print and/or online once a year. (For sections published two or more times, enter Niche Product.)
Submit one hard copy or PDFs of the entire or provide the URL (if it’s an online-only entry) in the comments section on the entry. Each entry must also include a PDF of the cover or homepage of the section. On the back of each hard-copy issue, attach a printed entry label, which automatically appears after each entry is submitted.
Mail entries to Terry Bertling, 15042 Preston Hollow, San Antonio, TX 78247.
020 Niche Product
The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year. Submit two hard copies of each niche product or PDFs of the entire product of the same niche product. Each entry must also include PDFs of the covers from both of the submitted entries.
One entry consists of one copy of each of the two issues and the two PDFs. On the back of each hard-copy issue, attach a printed entry label, which automatically appears after each entry is submitted.
Mail entries to Terry Bertling, 15042 Preston Hollow, San Antonio, TX 78247.
021 Features Digital Presence
The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. Submit links to a website; features channel; app; and/or social-media page such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter. Entries are judged on content, which includes timeliness, depth of coverage, voice and style. One entry consists of links to a website, features channel, social-media pages or app.
022 Best Section
The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. Submit five sections, either hard copies or PDFs of the entire sections, from the 2021 calendar year. One must be an arts-and-entertainment-themed section, and one must be a Sunday section. (If your publication doesn’t print on Sunday, submit one section from Saturday or from your premiere weekly section and add a note of explanation).
The other three are the editor’s choice from regularly appearing features sections. Entries are judged on content, which includes the range of topics, depth, voice and style; service, which includes the inclusion of everyday people, useful information and the level of reader interaction; and design, which includes the use of photos and illustrations, headlines, navigational tools and the “wow” factor.
One hard copy of each section or PDFs of the entire section is required. One entry consists of one copy or PDFs of each of the five sections and PDFs of three of the submitted section fronts (PDFs of the section fronts only). On the back of each section, attached a printed version of the entry label, which automatically appears after each entry is submitted.
Mail entries to Terry Bertling, 15042 Preston Hollow, San Antonio, TX 78247.
FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS These awards recognize the three publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 20 categories.
First place: The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier Ten awards, including six firsts (Arts & Entertainment Feature, Food Feature, Features Series or Project, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio, Integrated Storytelling and Diversity in Digital Features), two seconds (Food Criticism and Food Writing Portfolio) and two honorable mentions (General Feature and Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio)
Second place: The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette Nine awards, including three firsts (Best Section, Sports Feature and Best Special Section), three seconds (Best Features Digital Presence, Food Feature and Video Storytelling), two thirds (General Commentary Portfolio and Diversity in Digital Features) and one honorable mention (Video Storytelling)
Third place: Austin (Texas) American-Statesman Eight awards, including four firsts (Best Features Digital Presence, Short Feature, Food Criticism and Arts & Entertainment Commentary Portfolio), three seconds (Best Section, Diversity in Digital Features and Best Special Section) and one honorable mention (Features Series or Project)
Fourth place: The (Louisville, Ky.) Courier-Journal Four awards, including one first (Food Writing Portfolio), one second (General Commentary Portfolio), one third (General Feature) and one honorable mention (Sports Feature)
BEST SECTION The best regularly occurring printed features sections that focus on A&E, lifestyles or other features coverage.
First place: The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette Judge’s comments: These sections feature a number of fresh, local packages that showcase great writing and compelling imagery. The design and photography are outstanding. The layout for Weekend Six Pack, the photo of the artist C.H. Rockey and the food photography are magazine-quality. Likewise, the photo essay on the Colorado Rockies captures a range of destinations in images and pithy captions. The profile of photographer John Fielder is a well-written, behind-the-scenes take on a local beloved figure. The Life in 2020 thought piece by Amanda Hancock is a lovely meditation on boredom.
Second place: Austin (Texas) American-Statesman Judge’s comments: This publication excelled in its coverage of the twin challenges of 2020 – the pandemic and the reckoning after George Floyd’s killing. Though these topics can be tough fare for an arts and entertainment section, Austin360 rose to the occasion with well-reported packages on the experience of being a Black musician in Austin and a deeply reported piece on the struggles restaurateurs and club owners faced after the lockdown. The annual Austin Food Guide was another standout, focusing on grocery stores and how we procured food in 2020, with special attention to the city’s signature and lesser-known food products. The “Are You Happy” feature was a clever person-on-the-street piece in the vein of the Humans of New York photoblog. Overall, this was an engaging and inventive collection of features in a challenging year for feature writers.
Third place: (Greensboro, N.C.) News & Record Judge’s comments: These sections demonstrated admirable creativity and adaptability during the pandemic. The “Nutcracker” story shows how local companies worked to take the holiday classic online. Other sections feature online activities to weather the pandemic and profiles of local musicians in the “Meet a Musician” feature. The highlight is the story about a pick-your-own strawberry farm that reinvented its business and partnered with a shelter to sell $30,000 worth of fruit that would have died on the vine because pickers fell ill with COVID-19. “Farmers are an adaptable bunch because it’s always something,” the story notes. The same might be said of newspapers.
BEST FEATURES DIGITAL PRESENCE The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
First place: “Austin360,” Sharon Chapman, Eric Webb and Amanda O’Donnell, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman Judge’s comments: Whether you’re going out on the town – in one of America’s most vibrant cities – or staying home, Austin360 is the perfect guide. The website is easy to navigate, and it, the Facebook page and Twitter feed are filled with entertaining and information info. The Food & Drink section is particularly engaging. If you want to have a good time in Austin, this is your ticket.
Second place: “OutThere Colorado,” Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette Judge’s comments: This was a close second. The site is gorgeous and a joy to spend time with. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast in Colorado, we can’t imagine a better place to get all the information you need. We loved the feature on the road trip that teaches you about the state’s history. You’ll find features, breaking news, a detailed calendar, an informative podcast and even a store (and, yes, we’d love to have the “Campfires, Coffee & Colorado” long-sleeved T-shirt).
GENERAL FEATURE Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic.
First place: April Capochino Myers, Benjamin Leger and Jennifer Tormo, 225 Magazine, “In the Gray Area” Judge’s comments: Unexpected. Unprecedented. Those words describe both the subject matter and the writing of this quietly compelling story about an organization in Baton Rouge, La., that helps juvenile offenders return to society. Organization stories – no matter how noble – are rarely this forceful. But this surprising feature manages to question the universal tenets of forgiveness and grace.
Second place: Joseph Capozzi, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, “Hit by a Boat in the Ocean, He Watched His Arm Fall Off. Now Carter Viss Tells His Tale of Survival.” Judge’s comments: This is the kind of story that sticks with you – for weeks, if not months. Extremely well-reported, it tells the tale of a life-threatening accident from many points of view. While tragic, the piece doesn’t take the all-too-easy route of a tearjerker. The clean but compassionate writing states the facts and points no fingers while celebrating a physical and spiritual redemption and its lasting ripple effects.
Third place: Tessa Duvall, The (Louisville, Ky.) Courier-Journal, “Breonna Taylor’s MotherEndures National Spotlight To Make Sure Black Women’s Lives Matter” Judge’s comments: This gut-wrencher captures the voice of a bereft mother’s relentless campaign to clear her daughter’s name. Almost against her own will, the mother is driven to become a leader in the fight for racial equality. Wisely, the writing is quiet but compelling, allowing a powerful woman’s voice to be heard.
Honorable mention: Tony Bartelme, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “Ghost Bird: Few Will Ever See S.C.’s Elusive Black Rail. Will Climate Change Make It Vanish Forever?”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic.
First place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “No Plays. No Prom. No In-Person Classes. From a Pandemic Come New Ways To Live Senior Year.” Judge’s comments: This story never loses sight of the interiority of the teenagers trying to get through the last months of their senior year at a public magnet school in South Carolina. The perspective rarely shifts away from the teens, who have to navigate what already would have been an emotional time for them but now must do so during a pandemic. The details are rich, even when the students in the story feel stagnant. The pangs of disappointment – canceled performances, canceled prom – land harder because of the writing. And, in the absence of an in-person crowd, a poetry reading over Zoom becomes an intense moment, even for readers.
Second place: Rachel Gallaher, Gray, “Boundless Possibility” Judge’s comments: A thoroughly enjoyable read about an architect who imagines spaces that strengthen the communities that occupy them. It’s the type of story that, we imagine, would compel readers to think more critically about the spaces they live and work in as well. And the selected quotes from the architect tend to linger after you’ve finished the story.
Third place: Kiran Misra, Zora, “South Asian Girls Are the Stars – Not the Sidekicks – in Desi Chick Lit” Judge’s comments: This is a story about an emerging genre, “Desi chick lit,” and its impact on South Asian girls and women. Those tales are interwoven with the writer’s personal experience. More broadly, it’s a story that expands and complicates the conversations around representation.
Honorable mention: Erin Negley, (Lancaster, Pa.) LNP | LancasterOnline, “Visuals Made Verbal: Audio Describers Use Words To Explain Art for a Blind Audience”
SHORT FEATURE Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words.
First place: Bronte Wittpenn, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, “ ‘Just Ask for the Magic Man’: Jessie Thibideaux Shines Shoes on Congress Avenue” Judge’s comments: A beautiful example of bright and tight writing. In only 600 words, Bronte creates a wonderful profile of a man often ignored – the shoeshine guy. The key to her story is the judicious use of details and quotes. Our favorite? “I would compare shoe shining to an artist painting a painting,” Jessie Thibideaux says. “He’s taking his time, he’s making sure the colors are right, the patterns are right, the balance is right. I see an empty canvas I’m about to turn into a masterpiece.”
Second place: Kate Stevens, inRegister, “Hang Time: LSU Architecture Grad Elyse Marks Scales Manhattan’s Tallest Buildings” Judge’s comments: If you’re afraid of heights, this piece might not be for you. Kate takes readers to the top of New York’s tallest buildings, exploring what would compel a young woman to hang off the side of them. The descriptions are spot-on and, in just a few words, tell an irresistible story about someone with an unusual occupation.
Third place: Ryan Lenora Brown, The Christian Science Monitor, “The National Archives Built From a Crumpled Napkin” Judge’s comments: Ryan takes us to Africa for a feature about the national archives of Somaliland. The writer tells a story that almost didn’t happen – the seeds of the museum could have as easily been thrown away as used as the basis for the archives and library.
Honorable mention: Emma Schkloven, Houstonia, “Bug-Eye Beauty: The Tricky Craft of Insect Taxidermy”
FOOD FEATURE A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personality profile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic.
First place: Hanna Raskin, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “SC Victims of COVID Won’t Be Here To Make Favorite Holiday Dishes, But Left Recipes Behind” Judge’s comments: Everyone has that dish, made by that person. Hanna stoically memorializes victims of COVID-19 through stories about their signature recipes. It’s a powerful feature because of its quiet starkness, made all the more immortal with the accompanying original recipe cards, often in the person’s own careful handwriting.
Second place: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “‘We’re Not Gonna Let You Shut Down’: On the Plains East of Colorado Springs, Signs of Hope and Resilience” Judge’s comments: Seth brings unthinkable moments to life in his feature about what happens when a guy named Rush lands in a small town called Rush and sets up a cafe that’s soon serving as a literal lifeline for food and supplies during the pandemic.
Third place: Laura Hayes, Washington City Paper, “Delivering Food in D.C. Has Always Been a Tough Job. Then Came a Pandemic.” Judge’s comments: Laura tells the story of pandemic-weary food-service-delivery drivers in a halting series of anecdotes that both entertain and enrage.
Honorable mention: Kim O’Donnel, (Lancaster, Pa.) LNP | LancasterOnline, “Pickle Primer: Water Bath Canning a Great Way To Try Pickling Cucumbers, Green Beans, Peppers”
FOOD CRITICISM A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry.
First place: Matthew Odam, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, “Surf and Mirth: Deckhand Oyster Bar Swims to its Own Beat” Judge’s comments: The characters resonate as memorably as the food in Matthew’s vivid take on this restaurant. The review is filled with sharp observations and descriptions, which are detailed enough to paint a picture – surely readers who venture to this restaurant will take note of whether the owner is donning those “loudly checkered golf pants.”
Second place: Hanna Raskin, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “Our Critic Dined in a Downtown Charleston Restaurant To See If It’s Worth It for the Wary” Judge’s comments: To review a restaurant is one thing, to review yourself – awkwardly, tepidly dining at a restaurant amid the pandemic – is quite another. But Hanna deftly balances both, and the work shines. A favorite moment from her review: “Steamed clams and sweet corn, served over brawny strands of spaghetti, bulged with the same vibrant energy that was animating the happy-to-be-back staff.”
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
First place: Tony Bartelme, Chloe Johnson and Glenn Smith, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “Rising Waters” Judge’s comments: We learned so much reading this stellar series, and we’re sure readers felt the same way. The insurance story is enlightening, and the installments are readable. The extras, especially the video and the comic book, are exceptional. It’s an exquisite piece of service journalism told in an entertaining and arresting manner.
Second place: Staff, The (Syracuse University) NewsHouse, “COVID on Campus” Judge’s comments: Even though this series was inspired by a New York Times feature, it’s still an extremely innovative piece of journalism. The stories offer a sense of community, and the vignettes are perfect, allowing strong voices to shine. The subjects are diverse and have interesting tales to tell. And we love, love, love the illustrations by Samantha Currier. This series will help students remember what they – and all of us – lived through in 2020.
Third place: Sara Israelsen-Hartley, Deseret News, “Radon: The Radioactive Killer” Judge’s comments: The numbers in this exceptional series are staggering: One in three Utah homes has dangerous levels of radon, and the state’s leading kind of cancer is lung cancer, even though 90 percent of Utahns don’t smoke. The stories are well-researched, informative, easy to understand – and so important to the people of the state. The series was produced with the University of Southern California Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s National Fellowship, and the partnership paid off. The accompanying extras are first-rate. Our favorite is the staffers writing about getting the results of their home radon tests. Ending the project with what homeowners and residents can do is a great example of service journalism.
Honorable mention: Staff, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, “COVID-19 Hits the Austin Music Scene”
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme.
First place: Evan F. Moore, Chicago Reader, “This Land Is My Land” Judge’s comments: This story is an impressive and moving account of one man’s journey to reclaim a part of his family’s land and history. Though told as a personal narrative, the scope of the story is wide – Evan deftly uncovers America’s forgotten and ugly history in the Tulsa Massacre and violence against Black Americans, while simultaneously celebrating Black communities and entrepreneurship. A moving narrative arc paired with one of the most impactful issues of our time make this feature a winner.
Second place: Devon Heinen, New Statesman America, “Nobody To Call: The Plight of Indigenous Suicide in Alaska” Judge’s comments: This feature explores a tough topic with sensitivity and care. The family at the center of the story immediately draws readers in, and Devon keeps them invested through deft character development and scene building. The personal stories are balanced with clear information about the availability of mental health professionals in Alaska as the high rates of suicide trend. The article highlights an issue that’s pressing without trying to find easy answers.
Third place: Joseph Capozzi, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, “Hit by a Boat in the Ocean, He Watched His Arm Fall Off. Now Carter Viss Tells His Tale of Survival” Judge’s comments: This feature is well-written, the quotes are well-chosen, and strength of the storytelling makes the piece feel short even though it is long. Joseph takes what could be a small accident and makes it feel big by following the people whose lives it changed. The sense of place, scene building and narrative arc are excellent and turn this story into a cinematic-like experience.
Honorable mention: Maggie Galehouse, TMC News, “Making Muscles with the Most Expensive Drug in the World”
FEATURE SPECIALTY WRITING PORTFOLIO Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
First place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier Judge’s comments: These are powerful stories of people, masterfully told. Even when writing about personalities who lived centuries ago – as she did in a deeply reported, deftly constructed project about long-neglected Black landmarks – Jennifer manages to summon their humanity. As finely crafted as that ambitious piece is, the two contemporary tales are even better – one about a sheriff’s fall from grace after a traumatic sniper incident and the other about the healing process that drew people and a dog together after a bicyclist’s fatal accident. In each case, Jennifer works the story tirelessly, winning the trust of her subjects and staying with the tale through its natural denouement. This is superb work that subtly commands the reader’s empathy without any false notes of sentimentality or lazy writing.
Second place: Lois M. Collins, Deseret News Judge’s comments: Covering the most important health story of a generation, Lois goes deep into one family’s trials and finds surprising angles in stories about how contact tracing works and the importance of human touch. These stories are smart and skillfully done.
Third place: Matthew Leimkuehler, The (Nashville) Tennessean Judge’s comments: There are – and we’re estimating here – about 8 million stories in the fabled “Music City” of Nashville, but Matthew goes beneath the surface and reaches deeper to plumb the human dimension in these nicely rounded tales.
Honorable mention: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier
FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
First place: Dahlia Ghabour, The (Louisville, Ky.) Courier-Journal Judge’s comments: These stories display top-shelf writing and deep reporting. The story on Black barbecue and Black restaurant culture is a reminder that you can find great things in neighborhood joints that often are overlooked. The story on haunted bars and restaurants is exceptionally well done. That story is, we’re sure, a big hit with readers. (That said, non-alcoholic bourbon is an affront to mankind and a sign of a civilization in decline, but nevertheless the story is excellent.)
Second place: Hanna Raskin, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier Judge’s comments: This is a solid package of food-related COVID-19 stories, but the feature about comfort-food recipes left behind by virus victims stands out. It’s a brilliant way to tell a difficult story. It’s not easy to find unique feature angles for COVID coverage, and this is a triumph in that regard.
Third place: Ian McNulty, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com Judge’s comments: Ian’s writing takes us to various eating spots and does so without wasting words. He does a stellar job of humanizing the COVID crisis. These stories make us want to plan a New Orleans trip, and we’re sure local readers saw familiar names and faces in the coverage.
Honorable mention: Sierra McClain, (Salem, Ore.) Capital Press
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials.
First place: Tracey O’Shaughnessy, (Waterbury, Conn.) Republican-American Judge’s comments: We all know what’s been going on the past 18 months. We’ve read about the pandemic, about hospital beds, about death. In the meantime, we continue to think and write about many of the rituals of daily life: family discords, rituals turned upside down. And it is often difficult to tell these stories in a way that doesn’t seem like something you’ve written or read dozens of times before. Enter Tracey O’Shaughnessy, who has an amazing ability to draw us into stories we thought we knew and a gift to write about the everyday and make it sound beautiful. Here is some of what she has to say about “virtual” grieving: “Now even grief is delivered virtually. Death, always gussied up and prettified, now seems less real than ever. It is delivered on the same platter that amuses, entertains and distracts us. ‘I still can’t believe it,’ we say, only this time, doubt seems more justified than ever.” In a column about someone who is ill but does not die, she notes: “For me, miracles are less external than internal, less someone else’s life spared and more your own reset.” And there’s this, in a piece about our great pandemic failure: “… we blew it. We blew it because our restlessness exceeded our rationality. The feverish need to exit from the pandemic as if it were a too long ride on the Tilt-A-Whirl sent us spinning out of control.” These are, now, common situations, but Tracey writes about them with language that draws us in and with ideas that make us stop to examine our own frame of thought. And that’s amazing.
Second place: Maggie Menderski, The (Louisville, Ky.) Courier-Journal Judge’s comments: Maggie’s work allows us to accompany her on her journeys – looking for wild horses, searching for a town called Love, spending time at the First Unitarian Church in Louisville, Ky., which had opened its doors as a “resting place for protesters” after it was announced that no charges would be filed in the killing of Breonna Taylor. Maggie’s work lets us follow her planning, her expectations and, sometimes, the details of how she goes about her job. But at no point does she make the story merely about herself. She is our guide through poignant, dramatic moments, and her storytelling makes us equal partners in the process. That’s a gift.
Third place: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette Judge’s comments: Anyone who can compel us to take a great interest in, well, miller moths is a writer who has something going on – something good. Seth writes about everyday moments that might make assignment editors ask, “Are you sure that is column fare?” But Seth knows better. He knows that there is poetry in small moments of life – like killing miller moths. “I have killed by backhand,” he writes. “I have killed by shoe. By unimportant mail. Many magazines have been sacrificed.” Seth, you speak for us all, and we thank you.
Honorable mention: Doug MacCash, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials.
First place: Eric Webb, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman Judge’s comments: Eric, you had us at “feminine power.” Or maybe it was “Georgia O’Keefe.” (In truth, it was the word “gynecological,” but we were raised in a Victorian household, and we find there are some words we still cannot say out loud.) We loved the piece on “Saint Cloud” for a jillion reasons. It’s a review. It’s a (brief) chronicle of the plague year(s). It has some great sentences: “We had to cut spring off at the stem and stick it in a vase, and then summer came and dried the petals all up, so now we’re sitting in the dying days of a Texas summer waiting to see how fall and winter will express their own distinct stillness and sorrow.” We wish we could write like that. We wish we could think like that. For now, we will have to rely on you, Eric. Keep it coming.
Second place: Tracey O’Shaughnessy, (Waterbury, Conn.) Republican-American Judge’s comments: Somewhere deep down inside of us, we harbor a certain snobbery about urban areas that are not: 1) Los Angeles, 2) New York, 3) San Francisco, 4) Chicago, or 5) Washington, D.C. Is there art anywhere else? Are there critics anywhere else? Do we need to go to re-education camp to rid ourselves of these absurdist notions? Um, yeah. Tracey, after reading about the “Victorian Radicals,” we wanted to jump into a time machine to see this exhibition – with you as our guide. (At least we have your words to cling to.) Consider this line: “What Rossetti and his besotted band of backward-looking aesthetes loathed was the thrum of industry that blackened the land, de-fenestrated craftsmen and turned art into consumerist kitsch.” True for that era and true of this moment in time.
Third place: Keith Spera, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com Judge’s comments: We’re showing our age, and we don’t care. Eddie Van Halen was a guitar god. Forget his lifestyle or his politics (did he have any politics?), he has a place in the pantheon of insane shredders. And then there’s this: “For all his pyrotechnic talent, Eddie respected the first rule of rock star guitar: Solos should be subservient to the song. The whole was what mattered. Guitar riffs and solos were critical, but melody was just as important.” Keith, you have mastered the art of the tribute.
Honorable mention: Herb Scribner, Deseret News
SPORTS FEATURE Feature treatment of any sports topic.
First place: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “The Mighty Penguins: In Dead of Winter, Hockey Club Awakens Sleepy Town West of Colorado Springs” Judge’s comments: Seth tackles an interesting topic with masterful writing. The piece also features beautiful photography and design.
Second place: Madeleine Davison, The (Syracuse University) 61% Project, “Faces: How Sports Culture Undermines Athletes Long After They Graduate” Judge’s comments: This story showcases solid reporting, clean writing and great design.
Third place: Jerry DiPaola, Trib Total Media, “Surrounded by Family, Clint Hurdle Goes Back to School While Embracing New Life” Judge’s comments: This piece about Clint Hurdle, a former major league baseball player and manager, features fine, confident writing.
Honorable mention: Hayes Gardner, The (Louisville, Ky.) Courier-Journal, “Reclaimed Worth: A Standout Baseball Player’s Journey from Desperation to Recovery”
VIDEO STORYTELLING The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length.
First place: Sean Stipp and Chris Benson, Trib Total Media, “The Riverkeeper” Judge’s comments: This is an excellent video, with the main subject, a public servant, breaking the fourth wall and connecting directly with the public he serves. The B-roll is beautifully shot, and the interview is well-framed. This is an excellent way to introduce readers to the public servants who make their communities better.
Second place: Skyler Ballard and Katie Klann, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Love Land: Elevation, 12,050 Feet” Judge’s comments: This is a fun, charming and whimsical video full of character, action, compelling B-roll footage and human emotion. A piece like this demonstrates that the subject matter need not be heavy nor melodramatic to engross the audience.
Third place: Sean Stipp and Chris Benson, Trib Total Media, “The Return of the Clark Bar” Judge’s comments: This is a compelling and well-reported example of community history told through video and animation. Most impressive is the deft use of motion graphics and the retouching of old photographs. The documentary style is well-executed and helps connect viewers with the history of their community.
Honorable mention: Skyler Ballard and Katie Klann, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “The Violin Maker”
INTEGRATED STORYTELLING The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, online, social media, video and any other platform.
First place: Tony Bartelme, Chloe Johnson and Stephen Hobbs, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “Rising Waters” Judge’s comments: These journalists took a big topic – climate change – and made it not only extremely local but also extremely understandable. For example, what’s more understandable than a comic book? Through the use of excellent reporting, graphics, video and photos, we get a picture of the struggles that Charleston, S.C., is facing. This package is everything integrated storytelling should be and a service to readers.
Second place: Staff, (Lehigh Valley, Pa.) LehighValleyLive.com, “Blue to Red in 30 Miles: What 1 Pa. County Road Tells Us About the American Electorate” Judge’s comments: This package has it all – stellar photos, engaging videos, solid reporting, good storytelling and informative graphics that get to the heart of what’s going on.
Third place: Staff, The (Syracuse University) NewsHouse, “High Stakes: The Risks and Rewards of Legalizing Marijuana” Judge’s comments: The reporting encapsulates the topic as a whole, and the social-media elements are especially fascinating. So much so that we bet many readers found the stories through social media. This is an all-around success.
DIVERSITY IN DIGITAL FEATURES The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience.
First place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “Forsaken History: In Charleston’s 350th Year, Key Places and Stories in City’s Racial Past Long Neglected” Judge’s comments: These discovery-of-forgotten-history stories not only feature rich, detailed, descriptive writing but also are the result of painstaking and sometimes painful research. The presentation, timelines, photos and maps are all superb, and the addition of newsletters is a great way to engage the community and keep the conversation going.
Second place: Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, “Monday Music Mashup” Judge’s comments: This is a cool idea and a great way to encourage important conversations during the pandemic. The discussions, sometimes frank and brutal, are a refreshing change from what we normally expect from newspapers.
Third place: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “A Colorado Transgender Man’s Journey to Father’s Day: Lessons of Silas” Judge’s comments: A terrific piece that provides a touching and human insight into the rarely seen world of a transgender family. After reading this, there is no doubt that Silas is anything but a man, father and husband and is so deserving of an extremely cool Father’s Day gift.
Honorable mention: Olivia Zimmerman, The (Syracuse University) 61% Project, “My Dorm Room Was a Place That Gave Me Anxiety”
BEST SPECIAL SECTION The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
First place: “OutThere Colorado Winter Guide,” Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette Judge’s comments: This user-friendly – and fun to read – guide to winter recreation in Colorado meets the pandemic head-on, with tips on how to stay safe and ideas on what to do when the temperatures are dipping, the flakes are falling and the virus is threatening. The beautiful design makes it a pleasure to look at, too.
Second place: “Austin Food Guide: A Look at Where We Get Our Groceries These Days,” Addie Broyles, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman Judge’s comments: News publications do a great job of providing guides to local restaurants, but what do we do when the eateries are shut down? The American-Statesman has a creative answer: a look at where we get our food, from local markets to farmers markets. The idea is brilliant, and we’re hoping it catches on – even after restaurants are up and running again.
Third place: “The Stay-Put Cookbook,” Kim O’Donnel, Chris Emlet and Jenelle Janci, LNP | LancasterOnline Judge’s comments: Readers stuck in their homes must have loved this cookbook, with recipes for simple dishes like beans and pizza dough and instructions for more fancy fare like spatchcock chicken. The gorgeous photos are mouth-watering. And we loved the pro tips, especially this one for a galette: “Let the dough know who’s boss.”
BEST NICHE PRODUCT The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year.
First place: “InsideOut,” Karen Taylor and Andrea Daniel, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com Judge’s comments: This is a well-done section featuring tips on home decor and gardening. Love the Cool Stuff page, with its spotlight on locally found home-accent items. And the Real Estate transfers – which list recent home sales, including the price – are surely a hit with readers. In a year when we were all quarantining in our homes, this section gives ideas on how to make your spaces – both interior and exterior – brighter.
DIVISION 2 | Circulation 90,000 to 199,999
FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS These awards recognize the three publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 20 categories.
First place: NJ Advance Media Fourteen awards, including four firsts (Features Series or Project, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio, Sports Feature and Best Special Section), seven seconds (Arts & Entertainment Feature, Narrative Storytelling, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio, Arts & Entertainment Commentary Portfolio, Integrated Storytelling, Diversity in Digital Features and Best Special Section), one third (Integrated Storytelling) and two honorable mentions (Narrative Storytelling and Digital Innovation)
Second place: The Virginian-Pilot Eleven awards, including four firsts (Arts & Entertainment Feature, Food Feature, Diversity in Digital Features and Best Niche Product), two seconds (Best Section and Food Feature), four thirds (Food Criticism, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio, Diversity in Digital Features and Headline Writing Portfolio) and one honorable mention (Food Writing Portfolio)
Third place: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Ten awards, including two firsts (Best Features Digital Presence and General Commentary Portfolio), two seconds (Sports Feature and Video Storytelling), four thirds (Arts & Entertainment Feature, Features Series or Project, Best Special Section and Best Niche Product) and two honorable mentions (Best Section and Diversity in Digital Features)
Fourth place: South Florida Sun Sentinel Six awards, including four seconds (Short Feature, Food Feature, Food Writing Portfolio and Best Niche Product), one third (General Commentary Portfolio) and one honorable mention (Best Niche Product)
BEST SECTION The best regularly occurring printed features sections that focus on A&E, lifestyles or other features coverage.
First place: The San Diego Union-Tribune Judge’s comments: The “Faces of the Arts Shutdown” series shows what it means when the local paper has your back. This ambitious project is a case study in how human-centered storytelling, intimate and vibrant portraiture, and dynamic and intentional design work together to capture the heart of a community living and leaning on one another during extraordinary times. Each of the staff members who contributed to this monthslong survey lives up to the promise of what it means to be a hometown features journalist.
Second place: The Virginian-Pilot Judge’s comments: The breadth and depth of the stories covered on these pages are a testament to The Pilot’s commitment to its community – its history, its culture and its identity. The features staff members push themselves and their readers with stories that examine past sins (an 18th-century church’s participation in the slave trade) and that give voice to a new generation of activists. They also delight us with the sounds and colors and tastes of their community in their arts and food coverage. These writers and editors skillfully build upon a legacy of journalism excellence we’ve come to know from this southeast Virginia paper.
Third place: St. Louis Post-Dispatch Judge’s comments: The Post-Dispatch capitalizes on a key feature that distinguishes it from any other media in town or nationally – the voice of its journalists. The features staff members are clear and present on its pages, and they have cultivated a dynamic conversation with readers. It’s apparent everywhere: from the inside of the entertainment tabloid, where staffers get to be their authentic selves, to the cover stories they curate, which showcase the diversity of creativity alive in their community. It’s a special bond that’s strengthened through this work.
Honorable mention: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
BEST FEATURES DIGITAL PRESENCE The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
First place: Staff, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Judge’s comments: This is a lovely presentation, with a great use of still photos and videos, and the writing is tight.
GENERAL FEATURE Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic.
First place: Tom Hallman Jr., The (Portland) Oregonian | OregonLive, “Redemption, Love and Acceptance Come 45 Years After Two Brothers Graduate From High School” Judge’s comments: This story of two brothers from the wrong side of the tracks who were picked on in high school manages to have both a happy and a sad ending. Packing emotional punch, the piece shows how bullying works, how humans redeem themselves and how kindness eventually might overcome meanness.
Second place: Maureen O’Donnell, Chicago Sun-Times, “‘A Faithful Caretaker of the ‘Faithful Departed’” Judge’s comments: This entry tells why Sandra Bartusiak has become a caretaker of graves, branching out from her husband’s and her family’s resting places to those of near-strangers. It takes what could be creepy subject matter and, by showing her motivation, instead makes what she does understandable and even relatable.
Third place: Richard Marini, San Antonio Express-News, “Thanks to Social Media and Good Samaritans, Reba the Costco Hen Went From Instacart Stowaway To Facebook Celebrity” Judge’s comments: This brite exemplifies the best of quick-hit feature writing. It’s a rollicking yarn with a happy, feel-good ending. This kind of story looks simple to execute but takes a certain skill. Bonus points for integrating video into the story.
Honorable mention: Aisha Sultan, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “How Did Mary Engelbreit Get So Woke? St. Louis Artist Known for Cute Drawings Isn’t Holding Back”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic.
First place: Denise Watson, The Virginian-Pilot, “Moving a Masterpiece: How Museums Move Rare, Large, Fragile Art from One Museum to the Next” Judge’s comments: A simple thing, like moving art around the world, is brought to life in this extremely well-written, highly engaging piece. A great read for all audiences.
Second place: Bobby Olivier and Aristide Economopoulos, NJ Advance Media, “Silent Stages: After Seven Months, New Jersey’s Most Iconic Venues Are Still Closed and Fighting for Their Lives. See Inside the Devastation.” Judge’s comments: This feature captures the mood and essence of 2020 – through the lens of music venues and their struggle to stay in business. The photos bring the words to new heights.
Third place: Scott Mervis, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “ ‘Four Dead in Ohio’: How the Kent State Shooting Changed Music History” Judge’s comments: This is a wonderfully crafted piece that connects the dots of top musical acts and the tragic 1970 Kent State shooting.
SHORT FEATURE Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words.
First place: Maureen O’Donnell, Chicago Sun-Times, “Pound Cake Another Pandemic Loss, Long the Queen Dessert at Many Funeral Repasts” Judge’s comments: With many funeral services on hold during the pandemic, a Chicago funeral home operator craved his favorite dessert. The resulting story is funny and sweet. Maureen’s descriptions of the repast food are mouth-watering, the gentle humor is much-needed, and the care that these community members show one another is touching.
Second place: Phillip Valys, South Florida Sun Sentinel, “Gator Bites and Bikinis: Jay’s Sandbar BBQ Feeds Hungry Boaters Aboard Fort Lauderdale’s Only Floating Restaurant” Judge’s comments: What a charming story about an offbeat family that peddles food on the water from a boat. The piece seems to embody the freedom we all long for, especially during the pandemic, and features great quotes and color.
Third place: Ken Goe, The (Portland, Ore.) Oregonian | OregonLive, “Coronavirus Rules Don’t Keep Woman From Dying Wish to Stand on Oregon Beach” Judge’s comments: A mysterious dying woman has a last wish: to see the ocean. The story is a sad, lovely, elegantly told tale of kindness and the meaning of life.
Honorable mention: Stefano Esposito, Chicago Sun-Times, “Failure to Launch”
FOOD FEATURE A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personality profile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic.
First place: Matthew Korfhage, The Virginian-Pilot, “The Cutty Sark, Maybe the Last Great Ocean View Waterfront Dive, Closes This Week After 60 Years” Judge’s comments: This engaging writing is full of great details – a gray horseshoe mustache, mysteriously wet shoes – that pull readers along. Matthew wisely lets the bar’s fans and owners tell this story in their own words. It’s tightly written and well-structured, and the piece puts us inside the bar.
Second place (tie): Matthew Korfhage, The Virginian-Pilot, “How a Child of Virginia Slaves Became the Oyster King of New York and a Favorite of the Queen of England” Judge’s comments: This tightly told tale packs a ton of history into the story of one man’s double life, which led him to earn his fortune in one world and to live in another. The feature is fascinating and well-structured.
Second place (tie): Phillip Valys, South Florida Sun Sentinel, “In Quarantine, a Fort Lauderdale Mother and Son Find Solace and Instagram Success in Dumplings” Judge’s comments: Ostensibly about a viral social media account, this story is actually about family in all of its complicated glory. The piece features tragic surprises and also a bit of humor.
Third place: Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, “Waste Not, Want Not” Judge’s comments: The details in this story make it a winner. The writing is spare, and there’s a fascinating explanation of how the chef turns what would go to waste into, of all things, ice cream.
FOOD CRITICISM A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry.
First place: Ian Froeb, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Fear, Grace and Vegan Poutine: Notes on the End of the Restaurant Beat as I Know It” Judge’s comments: This is an elegant meditation about the strangeness at the start of the pandemic and the importance of restaurants in our lives.
Second place: Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, “In Shutting Down Restaurants, Coronavirus Stole from San Antonians Our Rituals, Our Comfort Zones” Judge’s comments: This is criticism of the highest order and reminds us of the cultural importance of restaurants.
Third place: Matthew Korfhage, The Virginian-Pilot, “Richmond’s Adarra, Named Among the Best New Restaurants in America, Can Briefly Make You Forget the Pandemic” Judge’s comments: This review vividly paints a vivid portrait of a restaurant and the weirdness of life during COVID.
Honorable mention: Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, “Review: The Magpie Restaurant Aims Small, Scores Big with Korean-Inspired Food on San Antonio’s East Side”
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
First place: Staff, NJ Advance Media, “24 Hours in Crisis: The Battle Against the Coronavirus Is Testing New Jersey in Every Imaginable Way” Judge’s comments: There was a point in the pandemic when all the days began to glaze together. This is a show-stopping staff effort to create a time capsule of a single day – April 21, 2020 – as told through dozens of well-reported vignettes, which are both poignant and arresting. Drone footage, powerful portraits and an evocative digital presentation unite to deliver an immersive experience. This is how history should be documented.
Second place: Josh Dulaney, Paige Dillard and Nate Billings, The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman, “Life After Death” Judge’s comments: Lest we forget there are people left behind after a loved one’s sudden death, this series brings their experience to the front, as told sometimes decades after the fact. This is engaging storytelling, and each chapter in the series has companion video and audio elements that elevate the project.
Third place: Steve Mellon and Nate Guidry, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Jazz in the Age of COVID-19” Judge’s comments: This lively series captures the reality of the shutdown for jazz musicians who are missing their craft. Candid interviews mesh with have-to-hear-it-yourself videos in a project that is a virtual performance.
Honorable mention: Chuck Blount and Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, “52 Weeks of Pizza”
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme.
First place: Mark Patinkin, The Providence (R.I.) Journal, “On Ventilators in NYC, Their Odds Bleak, Two Patients Saved by an R.I. Doctor and Nurse” Judge’s comments: Mark artfully pulls off a difficult storytelling trick – juggling two narratives at once. Thanks to expert use of dialogue, description and pacing, we become invested in the characters and cheer the rare triumphs. More than a few moments induce tears.
Second place: Matthew Stanmyre, NJ Advance Media, “My Friend Jay. He Went From Class President to Drug Dealer – Then Dead at 16. My Desperate, Personal Search for Answers.” Judge’s comments: This is a heartfelt and thoughtful exploration of race, identity and friendship. It could have been just a collection of memories, but Matthew offers up a thoroughly reported and deeply moving piece.
Third place: Lauren Caruba, San Antonio Express-News, “Night Shift on the COVID Unit” Judge’s comments: Lauren skillfully uses dialogue again and again to plunge us into scenes. She also captures key details, like a wife saying goodbye to her dying husband: “His wife placed one hand, then the other, on the glass. She put her head against her hands and sobbed.”
Honorable mention: Spencer Kent, NJ Advance Media, “Crossroads of a Pandemic: The Worst Pandemic in a Century Has Ravaged Newark and its Black Community. It Was a Tragedy Decades in the Making.”
FEATURE SPECIALTY WRITING PORTFOLIO Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
First place: Spencer Kent, NJ Advance Media Judge’s comments: This outstanding portfolio contains three gripping narratives about the early stages of the pandemic, and the stories provide an in-depth look at the unfolding tragedy. The dialogue and scene setting are strong. The first focuses on a single patient and the long struggle to keep him alive; the second tells of the mental-health effect on nurses, doctors and other health-care providers; and the third chronicles a woman trapped in Wuhan, China, and her eventual journey back to the United States.
Second place: Adam Clark, NJ Advance Media Judge’s comments: In-depth reporting gives insights into both the struggle of students during remote learning and the suicide epidemic among young people during the pandemic.
Third place: Denise Watson, The Virginian-Pilot Judge’s comments: These are fascinating slices of history tied to today’s racial justice movement. One story we found unforgettable was the search for relatives of enslaved people based on the original bill of sale.
FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
First place: Carlos Frias, The Miami Herald Judge’s comments: These stories highlight the range of Miami’s food culture. Carlos demonstrates extensive reporting and a keen eye for the details that immerse readers in a story. You can smell the coffee; you can feel the mosquitos biting your skin. Each piece is a lovely read.
Second place: Phillip Valys, South Florida Sun Sentinel Judge’s comments: Finding something new to report during the pandemic – especially on the food scene – was sometimes difficult. These stories shine because they go beyond the obvious and reveal people you might not have known about. And, in a welcome change from so much of what we saw this past year, Phillip is even able to have some fun.
Third place: John-John Williams IV, The Baltimore Sun Judge’s comments: This is strong mix of news and features about the intersection of food and the city’s Black community.
Honorable mention: Matthew Korfhage, The Virginian-Pilot
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials.
First place: Tony Norman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Judge’s comments: The thing we love most about these columns is that they’re built from passion but informed by reporting. And while the reporting is essential, it’s never really noticeable – in a good way. The details are sprinkled into the stories at the right moments, never sacrificing the personality or the emotion that makes these pieces so readable. And there’s purpose here, not only in relating to topical matters but also in trying to help us all better understand the world.
Second place: Mark Patinkin, The Providence (R.I.) Journal Judge’s comments: There’s mastery in this work. The writing is stark but powerful – it transports us to places we’ve only wondered about. The reporting that goes into these pieces isn’t easy, but it never reads as though it was an effort. There’s a wonderful flow and pace to the writing, but the hallmark is that it takes us somewhere we haven’t been and leaves us feeling as though we’ve been there. (Note to the writer: The margin between first and second place was razor-thin.)
Third place: Mark Gauert, South Florida Sun Sentinel Judge’s comments: In the time of COVID and social protest, there’s comfort in reading these pieces about mundane things. Mark gives us columns that are pleasant. But beyond that, he understands how to bring us into something simple and to skillfully show us the magic in these everyday moments.
Honorable mention: Aisha Sultan, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials.
First place: Théoden Janes, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer Judge’s comments: These are smartly observed, self-aware stories with the perfect balance of context and narrative. Théoden knows his community as well as he knows the acts that come to perform for it. He also has proven willing to tangle honestly and critically with last year’s efforts at live music – both its reliefs and its foibles.
Second place: Bobby Olivier, NJ Advance Media Judge’s comments: This is evocative, well-informed criticism. Bobby’s knowledge and entertaining style make these pieces a joy to read.
SPORTS FEATURE Feature treatment of any sports topic.
First place: Adam Clark, NJ Advance Media, “The Hero We Deserve: How Gritty Emerged From Darkness To Show Us The Way” Judge’s comments: We thought Gritty, the beloved mascot for the Philadelphia Flyers ice hockey team, was a passing fad – a social media moment – but we devoured every word of this story and are now a convert. We love the cheeky tone; we love the presentation – those eyes will haunt us forever.
Second place: Jason Mackey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Why Pittsburgh Is Remembered as the ‘Mecca of Negro League Baseball’” Judge’s comments: This story does a great job of taking the news of the day and turning it into a thoughtful feature that explains the historical importance to the community.
Third place: Joe Freeman, The (Portland, Ore.) Oregonian | OregonLive, “‘We Can’: How Mitch Canham Has Quickly Brought Oregon State Baseball ‘Family’ Closer Together” Judge’s comments: We love how this feel-good feature unabashedly shows the emotional side of the players and coaches and how they were able to come together by being willing to be vulnerable.
Honorable mention: Théoden Janes, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, “Can He Be the Hornets’ Head Coach and the Dad He Always Wanted To Be – at the Same Time?”
VIDEO STORYTELLING The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length.
First place: Brooke Herbert, The (Portland) , Ore.) | OregonLivelcom, “A Parking Lot Prom and Backyard Graduation: Tigard Senior Reimagines Milestones During a Pandemic” Judge’s comments: It is clear from this entry and others in this category that The Oregonian is truly embedded in its community. It’s a testament to the role of local features reporting. In this video, Brooke stuns with a touching portrait of a young woman on the precipice of her independent life. Brooke flexes her artistry in the way she marries gorgeous angles and cinematography with solid narrative architecture. She allows her subjects to shine in all their prom-dress and school-spirit glory. She reminds us that even the simplest stories – such as one revolving around a singular moment in a young person’s life – can be powerful and should be told.
Second place: Andrew Rush, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Kids Talk About 2020” Judge’s comments: This is a smart, well-executed video. This diverse cross-section of young voices was able to translate a brutal year with the honesty and utter lack of bullshit that can come only from a kid. The journalists behind this video and the kids and their parents should be proud.
Third place: Samantha Swindler, The (Portland, Ore.) Oregonian | OregonLive.com, “Out-of-Work Strippers Are Delivering Food Through Boober Eats” Judge’s comments: This video stands out for capturing such a bawdy topic with both sincerity and compassion – the business owner, staff and adult dancers-turned-food delivery babes deserve nothing less.
Honorable mention: Samantha Swindler, The (Portland, Ore.) Oregonian | OregonLive.com, “The Searchers: Idaho Couple Finds Drowning Victims for Families in Oregon”
INTEGRATED STORYTELLING The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, online, social media, video and any other platform.
First place: Staff, The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Holding On: How the Pandemic Hit Home” Judge’s comments: Bravo to The Cincinnati Enquirer for crafting such an enduring and unforgettable record of 2020. This ambitious effort to chronicle the unsettling year includes beautifully written profiles of ordinary people and a masterfully produced 50-minute documentary film. The package resonates far beyond the state of Ohio and speaks to Americans everywhere.
Second place: Staff, NJ Advance Media, “24 Hours in Crisis: The Battle Against the Coronavirus Is Testing New Jersey in Every Imaginable Way” Judge’s comments: Talk about ambitious! This collaboration by more than three dozen journalists chronicles a “typical” Tuesday in New Jersey in April 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 crisis. The breadth of reporting captured on this single day is both intimate and expansive, and the fact that this multifaceted special report was published just a week later is awe-inspiring.
Third place: Adam Clark, NJ Advance Media, “The Hero We Deserve: How Gritty Emerged From Darkness To Show Us The Way” Judge’s comments: This deep-dive profile about Gritty, the enigmatic mascot for the Philadelphia Flyers ice hockey team, is masterful. Adam packs in comedy and nuance at every turn, and the end result is perfection. Every aspect of the story’s design is perfect as well, including the huge, unblinking eyes at the outset, the black background, the orange subheads and flourishes, the flawless photo and tweet choices – and the hilarious photo captions.
DIVERSITY IN DIGITAL FEATURES The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience.
First place: Joanne Kimberlin, The Virginian-Pilot, “Afghan Activist in Newport News Caught Between Heart and Homeland as Peace Talks Begin With Taliban” Judge’s comments: This is a superbly constructed story about Sarina Faizy, an Afghan activist living in Virginia. We were hooked from the opening sentences: “From a house in Newport News, Sarina Faizy watches events on the other side of the globe. A foot in both worlds. A knot in her stomach.” In the piece, Joanne paints a picture of Faizy in her American home (yes, sometimes she breaks taboo and goes swimming!) and interweaves her current life with her role as a teenage, female member of Kandahar’s provincial council. The tone is upbeat but honest about the brutalities that await women such as Faizy if the Taliban regain power.
Second place: Robin Wilson-Glover and Tennyson Donyea, NJ Advance Media, “Making Black Lives Matter” Judge’s comments: Amid historic protests calling for racial justice across the nation, these two NJ Advance Media staffers talked to 50 New Jerseyans and asked them what should be done about systemic racism in police forces. The resulting answers are hopeful and as diverse as the people giving them.
Third place: Denise Watson, The Virginian-Pilot, “‘I Guess That Was Our Little Protest’: Hampton Roads Natives and Residents Remember the 1960 Sit-Movement.” Judge’s comments: These are engaging first-person accounts by activists who took part in the 1960 sit-in movement across the South to protest racial injustice.
Honorable mention: Steve Mellon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “How Come No One Remembers 46 Black People Kidnapped in 1933?”
BEST SPECIAL SECTION The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
First place (tie): “Another Day in Crisis,” Staff, NJ Advance Media Judge’s comments: Our two first-place winners take different approaches, but each is equally powerful. For this section, NJ Advance Media sent out more than 35 journalists to document one historic day during a historic pandemic. The photos and stories are riveting, and the breadth of the subjects is impressive. There is strong writing throughout – how can you stop reading with a lede like this? “The dead man’s skull is visible through the open door of the crematorium furnace. And that, somehow, is not the most jarring part of this scene.” Then there’s this: “The burnt orange light sneaks over the horizon. Normally, this would be another splendid sunrise at the Jersey Shore, a Springsteen song yet to be written. But today, barely anyone has come to greet it.” With this section, the staff created a compassionate record of the painful, confusing and strange time that still hasn’t ended.
First place (tie): “My Friend Jay. He Went From Class President to Drug Dealer – Then Dead at 16. My Desperate, Personal Search for Answers,” Matthew Stanmyre and Staff, NJ Advance Media Judge’s comments: Matthew goes back to his childhood to tell a personal story of a best friend who died. In the most recent chapters, he still is trying to make sense of the death and checks in to see how his friend’s family is doing. It’s compelling writing that is both personal and relatable. Here is how he describes their friendship: “How do you explain why two grade school boys become best friends, other than a mysterious combination of personality, temperament and ridiculous good fortune? For Jay and me, we just clicked. We were similar, easygoing kids who liked sports; we both had mom and dad at home; and we both toed a line of being mostly well-behaved, but with enough mischievousness to keep life interesting.”
Second place: “25 Women to Watch 2020,” Staff, The Baltimore Sun Judge’s comments: This section is engaging, both in print and online. The women are, of course, talented and compelling. The profiles are short but packed with tons of detail, and the photography pulls readers in. It’s refreshing to see a group that is not divided by age or other criteria. The accompanying stories – about topics such as how the pandemic has affected women disproportionately, day care and turning pain into protest – provide a wider look at the world women navigate.
Third place: “Top Workplaces: Stranger Things. Much Stranger. Working in the Upside Down,” Staff, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Judge’s comments: How do you rank top workplaces when a lot of people are suddenly working from home – and all of this happens right in the middle of the survey that will be used to create this annual list? The Post-Gazette used a “Stranger Things” theme and composed stories about what was happening as the pandemic erupted. The pieces capture a strange moment in time and manage to also look forward.
BEST NICHE PRODUCT The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year.
First place: “Distinction,” Staff, The Virginian-Pilot Judge’s comments: This perennial powerhouse shines again. We love the sense of place and the variety of stories, which cover topics such as dining, furniture making, river snorkeling and how to lower the temperature in conversations during these high-adrenaline times. But there’s more: hog farming, pinot noir makers, folk art and kayaking. There is much going on in Virginia, and it’s told in these pages in engaging stories, lovely photographs and beautiful design.
Second place: “Explore Florida & The Caribbean,” Mark Gauert, Anderson Greene and Cassie Armstrong, South Florida Sun Sentinel Judge’s comments: These sections are beautiful and filled with great information. You’ll find lively writing and – did we mention? – gorgeous photography. The magazine addresses the pandemic head-on, and the result is a publication that is great for both armchair travel and thoughtful planning. Just one question: When can we go?
Third place: “The Business of Pittsburgh,” The Business Department, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Judge’s comments: A monthly report on the business of a city is a smart way to cover a scene. The Post-Gazette’s staff finds plenty of personal stories and trend pieces about the entertainment economy and investing during a time when most businesses are shut down and no one knows what will happen next. The news often was not good, but this publication also offered stories of innovation and hope.
Honorable mention: “City & Shore Prime,” Mark Gauert and Anderson Greene, South Florida Sun Sentinel
DIVISION 3 | Circulation 200,000 and up
FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS These awards recognize the three publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 20 categories.
First place: Los Angeles Times Fifteen awards, including two firsts (Best Section and Features Series or Project), six seconds (General Feature, Arts & Entertainment Feature, Food Feature, General Commentary Portfolio, Sports Feature and Best Special Section), four thirds (General Feature, Food Criticism, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio and Best Special Section) and three honorable mentions (General Feature, Video Storytelling, Best Podcast)
Second place: Boston Globe Eleven awards, including five firsts (General Feature, Narrative Storytelling, General Commentary Portfolio, Diversity in Digital Features and Best Special Section), three seconds (Food Criticism, Narrative Storytelling and Food Writing Portfolio), one third (Arts & Entertainment Commentary Portfolio) and two honorable mentions (Arts & Entertainment Commentary Portfolio and Integrated Storytelling)
Third place: San Francisco Chronicle Six awards, including two firsts (Best Features Digital Presence and Integrated Storytelling) and four seconds (Best Section, Features Series or Project, Arts & Entertainment Portfolio and Digital Innovation)
Fourth place: Star Tribune News Six awards, including three firsts (Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio, Best Niche Product and Digital Innovation) and three honorable mentions (Best Section, Short Feature and Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio)
BEST SECTION The best regularly occurring printed features sections that focus on A&E, lifestyles or other features coverage.
First place: Los Angeles Times Judge’s comments: Attention-grabbing illustrations, classy color palettes, fine photography and pristine design abound in these sections. The feature department treats readers to smart writing, insightful commentary and timely glimpses into the lives of everyday Angelinos. One section highlights 42 Black-owned businesses and contains a compelling essay about being Black in LA and a well-crafted profile of a Black father and son who own a plant nursery. The stories in the Food section – including a fantastic and easy crepe recipe – are delicious. The Image section features a well-done portrait of the founders of the clothing brand Kids of Immigrants. And, this being LA, the Calendar section offers up sharp movie-related features.
Second place: San Francisco Chronicle Judge’s comments: These feature sections are visually stunning and full of content to help readers better navigate the city. An excellent dining guide offers advice on how to eat “ethically, safely, deliciously” during the pandemic. A compelling section called The Throughline offers perspectives on the city’s post-pandemic future – transportation, urban design and sustainability. Smart book and film reviews accompany a calendar of artistic events for readers in the Datebook section.
Third place: Houston Chronicle Judge’s comments: It is fitting that this newspaper, which serves perhaps the most diverse big city in the nation, does a fine job of highlighting diverse voices throughout its feature sections. There is a compelling mix of story forms: reviews, commentary, Q&As and profiles, in addition to fantastic photography. We love the Zest section, which offers portraits of Houstonians working to maintain a sense of normalcy while hunkering down during COVID-19, and the Renew section, which provides readers with tips on how to reduce stress amid the pandemic.
Honorable mention: (Minneapolis, Minn.) Star Tribune News
BEST FEATURES DIGITAL PRESENCE The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
First place: Michael Gray, San Francisco Chronicle Judge’s comments: It’s easy to get overwhelmed by media sites these days. These digital offerings are different – they’re easy to navigate, with gorgeous photography, and smart and useful content. We hope the city of San Francisco points visitors to the offerings on this website and the publication’s Instagram accounts. There’s so much information that you could plan five trips and still have more to do – and eat.
Second place: Staff, Newsday, “FeedMe” Judge’s comments: The only problem with these offerings – and it’s not a bad problem at all – is how hungry you’ll be after consuming both the website “FeedMe” and the accompanying Instagram account. Smart, necessary pivots caused by the pandemic make for a beautiful and useful guide filled with expert information.
GENERAL FEATURE Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic.
First place: Evan Allen, Bob Hohler and Neil Swidey, Boston Globe, “The Virus’s Tale” Judge’s comments: When future generations try to figure out how we let the pandemic get so out of control, they need look no further than this outstanding piece that chronicles the beginnings of the COVID-19 spread in Massachusetts. The story is a tour de force in terms of both reporting and writing. It’s a tragic tale of health-care officials who were initially stymied by inaction and a lack of testing and then, despite their best intentions, were forced to play catch-up with a virus that already was raging by the time they figured out that it was here. The story covers the mess from all angles – health providers, politicians, patients and the clergy. The stellar writing is tight. We especially loved this passage that describes how Dr. Clarisse Kilayko began to see similarities in the symptoms many of her patients were experiencing: “Kilayko had been thinking of each of her patients as unconnected, stars scattered across the sky. Suddenly, she saw the constellation.” As we read the story and as the constellation became clear, we were shocked, angry, saddened, horrified – and proud that such outstanding journalism is still being done.
Second place: Maria La Ganga, Los Angeles Times, “A Family Wonders If They Should Hope a Loved One With COVID-19 Lives or Help Him Die” Judge’s comments: While the first-place story takes the coronavirus pandemic and looks at it in a big way, this feature does the opposite. It focuses on the members of one family in the Mission Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles that is trying to make a decision that is being played out over and over across the country: Do they hope the patriarch lives or do they help him die? We get to know the health providers who are trying to comfort the man and the family that ultimately must decide his fate. The piece is filled with humor and sadness, and the beautifully paced ending made us weep.
Third place (tie): Claire McNeill, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, “Life While Black, As Told by One St. Petersburg Couple” Judge’s comments: Much of what makes this story a winner happened long before the writer began putting words to paper: The brilliance stems from the idea to focus on one Black couple and have them detail some of the racist incidents they’ve experienced over a lifetime. We get to know Tori and Khyre Edwards, a St. Petersburg, Fla., couple, and we get to know some of the injustices they’ve faced. The structure is simple: We see Khyre at age 7, when on the playground he’s castigated and told: “This is the stuff you guys always do.” We see Tori at age 8, when she learned that her last name meant “white hair” and then realized that the name probably belonged to the white slave masters who’d owned her family. We continue to see the couple at different ages, faced with more racist acts, and it’s this cumulative effect that gives the piece its power.
Third place (tie): Talya Zax, The Forward, “Philip Roth Doesn’t Live Here Anymore: A Writer, a Stonemason, an American Friendship” Judge’s comments: This story is intimate – the unusual friendship between Philip Roth, the liberal Jewish author, and the caretaker of his New England house, Russ Murdock, a conservative Christian stonemason. Russ is left to dispose of Roth’s home and contents after the writer’s death. The details are chosen carefully, and each illuminates one of the story’s two main characters. We see Roth’s brown clogs still resting by the door weeks after his death; Russ doesn’t have the heart to move them. When Russ realizes that no one sees the value in the author’s shoes, he takes them home. The story also is universal – we all have experienced the death of someone close and had to watch the gradually fading away of that person’s earthly possessions.
Honorable mention: Molly Hennessy-Fisk, Los Angeles Times, “ ‘So Many Bodies … I Lost Count’: The Grim Business Moving Latino Coronavirus Victims as Death Toll Spikes” Honorable mention: Ben Fox Rubin, Suruchi Kapur-Gomes and James Martin, CNET, “In India, an Indestructible Toilet May Be the Key to Saving Lives”
Honorable mention: Christopher Spata, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, “What Does a Raised Fist Mean in 2020?”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic.
First place: Krithika Varagur, 1843, “The Fight to Save A 44,000-Year-Old Painting” Judge’s comments: This standout piece features an awe-inspiring subject (the earliest known figurative paintings), immersive reporting (we would not have climbed that ladder) and a deep knowledge of the subject. And it’s all presented in an approachable style.
Second place: Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, “40 Black Playwrights on the Theater Industry’s Insidious Racism” Judge’s comments: We can’t stop thinking about this story. The feature is a feat of reporting, although the writer’s voice is almost absent. Five – or even 10 – black playwrights talking about their experience with racism in the theater world would have made a powerful story. Forty is something else. Which leads to an inescapable conclusion: This has happened to everyone.
Third place: Jay Cridlin, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, “‘Believe in the Pencil’: At the Florida Orchestra, the Music’s in the Margins’” Judge’s comments: Well-sourced and fascinating, this feature reveals something that is invisible to classical music audiences but crucial to the players onstage.
Honorable mention: Verne Gay, Newsday, “Lending Her Voice: Radio’s Ana Maria Caraballo Has Become a Lifeline for LI’s Latinos During Pandemic”
SHORT FEATURE Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words.
First place: Lane DeGregory, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, “When Vivian Was 6, She Met a Cute Boy Named Ray. 86 Years Later, This Is Their Story.” Judge’s comments: Great storytelling is not dependent on having unlimited space, even in this online world. This writer, a well-known master of long-form journalism, shines here in the short form. Why? The structure. Lane’s choice to focus on specific years allows her to efficiently tell this story and to do so with emotion. She picks out key moments and key voices to let the reader feel the journey. Could she have made this a 3,000-word story? Of course. Would it have made it any better? No. Great job.
Second place: Thomas Floyd, The Washington Post, “A Retired Engineer’s Latest Sculpture Is a Bicycle, Back-Scratcher and Cookie Dispenser – All in One” Judge’s comments: In this world of enterprise, data-driven stories and investigative series, we sometimes need to be reminded that readers also want to be surprised. This tale does just that. Anyone reading this story will tell someone else “you gotta read this” because it’s an unexpected tale in a sea of hard news. Thomas perfectly captures his subject and his project.
Third place: Rheana Murray, Today.com, “Changing the Narrative of Black Fatherhood” Judge’s comments: Why does this story linger in our soul? It’s a story about photographs and the photos themselves. And it stays with us because it’s thoughtful without going over the top.
Honorable mention: Jenna Ross, (Minneapolis, Minn.) Star Tribune News, “Shall We Dance? A Minnesota Arts Center Finds Ways To Gather People in the Pandemic — With Drive-Ins, Boat-Ins and ‘Polka Pods.’”
FOOD FEATURE A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personality profile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic.
First place: Lisa Gray, Houston Chronicle, “What’s Eating Monica Pope” Judge’s comments: This is an incredibly detailed and compassionate profile that beautifully illustrates the complexities of life on the other side of the plate.
Second place: Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, “The Hottest Free Agent in L.A. is a 69-Year-Old Waitress From Now-Closed Nate ’n Al’s” Judge’s comments: This well-sourced, tightly written profile is a perfect example of a feature story created during the pandemic that remains touching, personal and engaging without becoming a hard news piece driven by news of the coronavirus.
Third place: Jackie Varriano, The Seattle Times, “Meet the Mystery Woman Who Co-Founded Krusteaz in Seattle … and Whose Story Has Been Lost to History” Judge’s comments: This deeply researched read shines a bright and overdue spotlight on an unsung innovator and her contributions to a historic American brand.
Honorable mention: Marc Ramirez, The Dallas Morning News, “In DFW, the Improbable Rise of Malort, the Liqueur People Love to Loathe”
FOOD CRITICISM A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry.
First place: Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register, “OC’s Best Places to Eat 2020: And the Restaurant of the Year Is … Thai Avenue” Judge’s comments: We love the straightforward, conversational tone of this piece by one of the best food writers in the business. Brad doesn’t overwrite. Reading one of his reviews is like talking to a friend. We especially love this sentence: “Thai Avenue is every family-run restaurant in 2020. Their story and struggles are interchangeable with countless others.”
Second place: Devra First, Boston Globe, “Once We Ate Together in Restaurants. That Feels Like Another Era.” Judge’s comments: This is a heart-breaking, poignant time capsule of the restaurant world in 2020. Devra puts into words the feelings many of us have about our favorite places: “They provide joy and nourishment. They bring us together. They give us spaces to celebrate the happy occasions, and when we are lonely, they are oases, offering companionship and a little bit of care.”
Third place: Lucas Kwan Peterson, Los Angeles Times, “When It Comes to Restaurants, Whose Dish Is It Anyway?” Judge’s comments: This is a fascinating topic explained in a compelling way. Honorable mention: Tan Vinh and Bethany Clement, The Seattle Times, “Love Wings or Hate Wings? Our Two Restaurant Critics Debate While Taste-Testing Some of Seattle’s Best”
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts.
First place: Staff, Los Angeles Times, “The Chicano Moratorium: 50 Years Later” Judge’s comments: This is an exceptionally well-done and eye-opening series about the 1970 protest against the Vietnam War, and the presentation is gorgeous. The writing, especially the “Loss of Innocence” story by Daniel Hernandez, is evocative and clear.
Second place: Robert Morast, Sarah Feldberg and Alex Fong, San Francisco Chronicle, “The Throughline” Judge’s comments: This is an incredibly ambitious project that asks: What kind of world do we want to live in? It includes an interesting assortment of topics and suggestions, as well as a great presentation in print.
Third place: Matthew Sedacca, New York Magazine, “Biography of a Building” Judge’s comments: This project is informative, deliciously gossipy and a delightful read. It’s a fun way to tell the history of New York – by uncovering the stories of the city’s buildings. And the photos are gorgeous.
Honorable mention: Staff, Bloomberg Businessweek, “Cruising, Covid-19 and Catastrophe”
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme.
First place: Evan Allen, Bob Hohler and Neil Swidey, Boston Globe, “The Virus’s Tale” Judge’s comments: This story is a remarkable accomplishment for a newsroom. Reporters convinced the story’s most critical characters to cooperate, understood the context of a pandemic still unfolding and crafted a skilled narrative under time pressure. The resulting piece provides readers with an important broader view of what happened when COVID-19 arrived in Massachusetts and how officials failed to curb the spread.
Second place: Neil Swidey, Boston Globe, “‘You Don’t Understand, Captain. He Has a Gun’: The Hijacking of Flight 1320” Judge’s comments: Highly skilled use of detail, foreshadowing and pacing put readers into the cockpit for this re-creation of a 1970 hijacking that changed how we experience flight security. Be sure to read to the end.
Third place: Joshua Sharpe, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “The Imperfect Alibi: The Forgotten Suspect, the DNA and the Church Murders That Haunted a Detective” Judge’s comments: Much true-crime reporting is out there, but rarely does the reporter play such an important role as in this piece. This investigation into the 35-year-old killing of two Black worshippers in their church leads police to a suspect they’d long overlooked.
FEATURE SPECIALTY WRITING PORTFOLIO Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel.
First place: Jenna Ross, (Minneapolis, Minn.) Star Tribune News Judge’s comments: Wow – these stories are packed with emotion. Jenna has a wonderful way of capturing her subjects’ personalities and passions.
Second place: Margo Vansynghel, Crosscut Judge’s comments: These are well-written, engaging and fascinating projects, from a piece on drive-by dances to one on selfie walls. This is a skillful look at how to cover the arts outside of traditional institutions.
Third place: Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times Judge’s comments: Brittny gives us good, interesting reads with loads of humanity and empathy. The look at postal workers and grocery clerks was refreshingly different COVID coverage.
Honorable mention: Laurie Hertzel, (Minneapolis, Minn.) Star Tribune News
FOOD WRITING PORTFOLIO Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic.
First place: Tan Vinh, The Seattle Times Judge’s comments: This is exactly what a portfolio winner should demonstrate: a broad, skilled and engaging command of the subject. The bánh mi deep dive shows an appreciation and knowledge of the subject and finds a broad vocabulary to describe it. We love the line “I bleed Team Seattle Deli.” The sardine piece shows a well-rounded food writer who’s comfortable making something unusual seem relatable. The pandemic reopening is an example of on-the-ground reporting that unearths details and personalities you could never get by simply calling around.
Second place: Kara Baskin, Boston Globe Judge’s comments: These stories examine the real-world engines of restaurant life in America, including a simple, family-run eatery in the mill city of Lowell, Mass., that thrives thanks to exceptional customer service; the pandemic’s toll on the mental health of vulnerable restaurant workers who often cannot access therapy or medication; and the shame and stigma that often stops guests from visiting food pantries – and the people who are trying to change that.
Third place: Len Berk, The Forward Judge’s comments: Len is the Anthony Bourdain of lox – a keen observer of humanity, a shrewd insider and a compassionate storyteller. This is hardly conventional food writing, but it connects, informs and entertains.
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials.
First place: Jeneé Osterheldt, Boston Globe Judge’s comments: If there were a 2020 time capsule, we would add these three columns to help people in the future understand what was happening in our country that year. Through her columns about an America burning after George Floyd was murdered and her own mother’s words, Jeneé helps us understand how our country has barely come to terms with its racist ways. In the column about the best friends who find time to be together in the middle of a pandemic, we see hope and resilience – when death could be just a virus away. Emotional, raw and honest, Jeneé hits all the right notes.
Second place: Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times Judge’s comments: Through Gustavo’s columns, we learn about varied Latino perspectives. We learn about responsibility. We learn about celebrating family. These columns are insightful and wonderful reads.
Third place: Joy Sewing, Houston Chronicle Judge’s comments: These are touching works about humanity – the ode to The Third Ward is lovely, and the column about fostering and adopting children is revealing and honest.
Honorable mention: Stephanie Hayes, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials.
First place: Sophie Haigney, The New Yorker and The Nation Judge’s comments: Sophie’s portfolio demonstrates a command of language and ideas, and her work feels at once scholarly and accessible – and that’s not easy to pull off. Her essay on the landline as it is depicted in works of fiction is the best kind of cultural analysis; it takes the prosaic and elevates it to something spiritual.
Second place: Lily Janiak, San Francisco Chronicle Judge’s comments: Lily’s love of her local theater arts community pulses through the pieces in this portfolio. Descriptive and funny, her reviews are stellar examples of writing that encourages readers to seek out the art in question. Special recognition goes to her piece about the “nicest guy in SF theater” – a vulnerable piece of work deployed to celebrate an everyday member of the community and interrogate the author’s very work. These pieces are void of ego and full of heart.
Third place: Ty Burr, Boston Globe Judge’s comments: Ty’s portfolio of film criticism is a joy to read, both fun and thoughtful. The final line of his “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” review is phenomenal and sticks with readers. Each piece demonstrates a deep expertise in and passion for the world of film.
Honorable mention: Jeneé Osterheldt, Boston Globe
SPORTS FEATURE Feature treatment of any sports topic.
First place: David Gambacorta and Mike Sielski, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “The Sensei and the Lawsuit” Judge’s comments: An unflaggingly direct and emotional read powered by a history- and detail-rich path that shows us former Phillie Gus Hoefling from childhood to cancer treatments. Cutting this story by even one line would have seemed almost impossible – it’s such superb storytelling. As a bonus, the piece illuminates and hammers home such a startling, maddening reality: that if a man so into pushing the limits of mind and body can fall victim to the insidious and continued lure of tobacco products and advertising, anyone can.
Second place: David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, “At Age 60 and Paralyzed, She Tried To Row Across The Pacific” Judge’s comments: How sadly appropriate, reading and judging this tragic yet beautiful story during an Olympics summer. We get a complete yet succinct look at Angela Madsen’s life story. It’s one of incredible strength, as she powers through the worst of times to gain fame and find love – all making the details of her death on this ill-fated journey even more bittersweet. The piece paints a hard-to-look-at but impossible-to-put-down portrait of a woman whose grit and goals drove her until the end..
Third place: Ileana Najarro, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, “In Tampa, the Pigeon Men Flock to a Beloved Sport” Judge’s comments: It’s a good day for readers when they learn something they didn’t know about another culture, and this story delivers a colorful, heartfelt education about “the pigeon men” and los palomas ladronas. As detailed so beautifully here, there are layers of history, family and cultural pride with every flight, and the nod to simpler days strikes a chord in troubled times. How could you not want to dig in after this graf: “They are the palomeros of Tampa, the pigeon men. Their birds – las palomas ladronas (the thieving pigeons) – steal the hearts of impressionable birds and capture the love of the men who raise them.” Honorable mention: Lindsay Dodgson, Insider, “Female College Athletes From Across the US Say They’ve Been Bullied, Manipulated, and Psychologically Abused by Their Coaches”
VIDEO STORYTELLING The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length.
First place: Drea Cornejo, The Washington Post, “After Years of Living in Motels, a Family Finally Got Their Own RV. Then COVID-19 Came.” Judge’s comments: This is a well-done story that looks at an Orlando, Fla., family who lost its RV amid the coronavirus economic shutdown and was forced to live in hotels and, at times, its car. Listening to the mom will break your heart; hearing from the two kids will make you break down.
Second place: Hannah Tran, Colorado Voices: Rocky Mountain PBS, “A Dream Deferred” Judge’s comments: This is an emotional piece about Mija Peak, a Korean immigrant who reconnects with her youthful passion of performing a traditional Korean dance. It’s been more than 45 years since she last danced, and her performance on stage is both beautiful and heartwarming.
Third place: Izabela Cardoso, Fernando Teixeira and Meg Teckman-Fullard, Insider, “An 86-Year-Old Is One of the Last Greek Bakers Who Makes Phyllo Dough by Hand. He Turned His Kitchen into a Tourist Attraction.” Judge’s comments: A fascinating look at one of the few people in Greece who still makes his own phyllo dough by hand. The most amazing part: The dough is rolled and pulled until it is wafer thin – in fact, you can read words on a piece of paper lying beneath it.
Honorable mention: Claire Collins, Makada Easter and Erik Himmeslbach-Weinstein, Los Angeles Times, “How Black Culture Made Roller Skating Popular”
INTEGRATED STORYTELLING The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, online, social media, video and any other platform.
First place: Robert Morast, Sarah Feldberg and Alex Fong, San Francisco Chronicle, “The Throughline” Judge’s comments: This wildly ambitious project looks at how the coronavirus and the Black Lives Matter movement will influence San Francisco’s future – its bike paths and city layout, its artists and artists, its education, its search for racial justice. Using print and online resources, the result is a vibrant, thought-provoking and entertaining piece of stellar work that looks at what the city could be. We often say that journalists write the first draft of history; with this glorious project, The Chronicle is writing the first draft of the future.
Second place: Project Team, Center for Public Integrity, Grist and The World, “Growing Food, Sowing Trouble” Judge’s comments: Farmers have made amazing gains in production with the use of fertilizers, but this series looks at the toll that takes on humanity and the environment. The writing is stellar, and the photography is engaging. The project is exquisitely done, with thoughtful stories, radio segments and a video. And what a video! If you think this topic sounds dry, we challenge you to watch the video and not laugh – at least once – while you’re also worrying about what we’re doing to our world. This is public service journalism of the highest order.
Third place: Joshua Barajas, Courtney Vinopal and Molly Finnegan, PBS NewsHour, “Mementos: The Things That Helped Us Survive 2020” Judge’s comments: An antique brass menorah, Legos, empty toothpaste tubes. What do those things have in common? They – and many other interesting items – were all part of an innovative project to mark the craziness that was 2020. PBS NewsHour asked artists and writers to share a memento that encapsulated the time, and the result is an online time capsule that is inspiring, funny and touching. In videos, some folks shared their time-capsule memento, and we especially loved seeing Gloria Estefan laughingly talk about buying a Hazmat suit so she could hug her grandson on his birthday.
Honorable mention: Jeneé Osterheldt, Boston Globe, “A Beautiful Resistance”
Honorable mention: Staff, Newsday, “Pandemic Self-Care – At Home”
DIVERSITY IN DIGITAL FEATURES The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience.
First place: Jeneé Osterheldt, Boston Globe, “A Beautiful Resistance” Judge’s comments: A beautiful online presentation of this series accompanies lovely, evocative essays, videos and photography on Black culture and history in the United States. The project is well-packaged and easy to navigate. While so much of the media’s coverage has focused – and rightly so – on the longstanding historical injustices visited upon Black Americans, this project explores a little-addressed corner of what it means to be Black in America: The joy, resilience and history as told by the Black Americans living it.
Second place: Molly Solomon and Erin Baldassari, KQED, “Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America” Judge’s comments: These reporters take a current issue – the U.S housing crisis – and place it in the context of the history of housing, homeownership and inequality. The result is a fascinating, eye-opening look at the history of single-family zoning. We, as a country, know too little of the story of racism in public policy regarding home ownership, and this project does an excellent job of providing context in a format that is easily and widely accessible.
Third place: Michael Cavna and David Betancourt, The Washington Post, “Creative Trailblazers in a Year of Reckoning” Judge’s comments: These essays do an excellent job of highlighting the creativity and passion behind Black creators in comics – especially during a year that saw the losses of both Rep. John Lewis and actor Chadwick Boseman. Comics and graphic novels may be growing in popularity and as legitimate storytelling media, but these essays make it clear they would not have gotten to that point without the input, dogged determination and vision of Black creative types who were trailblazers in that aspect of pop culture.
Honorable mention: Staff, The Hechinger Report, The Washington Post and NBC News, “Gifted Education’s Race Problem”
BEST SPECIAL SECTION The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage.
First place: “Dispatches from the Edge,” Globe Magazine Staff, Boston Globe Judge’s comments: If the date of publication wasn’t on this section, you might guess that it was produced several months into the pandemic. Nope. The staff at the Boston Globe quickly identified some of the major themes from these strange times – that would end up lasting for months – and produced a smart, well-reported special section in a week, all while dealing with the personal effects of the virus and lockdown.
Second place (tie): “Let’s Eat, Philly!” Staff, The Philadelphia Inquirer Judge’s comments: This was such a strong category. You expect a beautiful, mouth-watering dining guide when you look to the Los Angeles Times and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Both deliver that. They also both capture, chronicle and celebrate the struggles and resilience of the people and restaurants in their city’s storied food scenes. It’s incredible work by both staffs.
Second place (tie): “101 Restaurants, Dishes, People and Ideas 2020,” Bill Addison, Patricia Escárcega and Martina Ibañez-Baldor, Los Angeles Times Judge’s comments: This was such a strong category. You expect a beautiful, mouth-watering dining guide when you look to the Los Angeles Times and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Both deliver that. They also both capture, chronicle and celebrate the struggles and resilience of the people and restaurants in their city’s storied food scenes. It’s incredible work by both staffs.
Third place: “Women in Sports: Game Changers,” Alice Short and Sammy Jo Hester, Los Angeles Times Judge’s comments: What an inspiring section! We loved the breadth of the women profiled – from trailblazers to the next generation. This section features compelling writing, gorgeous photography and beautiful design. We love that the idea started with sports photo editor Sammy Jo Hester, an athlete, along with many from the Times staff who produced the section. What a way to celebrate International Women’s Day – this section is one to revisit year-round. Honorable mention: “The Page,” Staff, Houston Chronicle
BEST NICHE PRODUCT The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year.
First place: Star Tribune Magazine, Sue Campbell, (Minneapolis, Minn.) Star Tribune News Judge’s comments: Compelling themes and local stories, both serious and light-hearted, grace each issue. You get a sense of place with these magazines, which are beautifully designed and feel good to hold, thanks to plenty of heft. We enjoyed the mix of looking forward, looking back and being of the moment, all at the same time.
Second place: FeedMe, Staff, Newsday Judge’s comments: What a treat for Long Island food lovers – the magazine is packed with gorgeous photography and well-written and curated stories. We would keep this in our car and use it to eat our way through the area, starting with those 26 pizza places and maybe alternating with the seafood shacks – but, of course, leaving enough room for the ice cream sandwiches. The foldouts in each issue are a surprising and satisfying addition.
Third place: Inspired, Staff, The Dallas Morning News Judge’s comments: Launching a section dedicated to feel-good stories in March 2020 is either the worst or the best timing ever – but we’re going to say that it’s both. We always hear that readers want good or uplifting stories, and this section delivers, without ignoring what else was happening during those strange times. Many of the stories, as you might expect, have a pandemic tie-in. The sections feature a nice variety of people and efforts in the community, both in stories about people helping others and in pieces about those processing a tough year.
COMBINED DIVISIONS
HEADLINE WRITING PORTFOLIO A collection of three headlines and accompanying decks by the same writer for feature stories or columns.
First place: Felicia Murray, The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman Judge’s comments: These headlines speak for themselves: “Reassigned Seats: Bethany Church Raises Funds Through Former Sanctuary Chairs Transformed into Art,” “Dad Spares No Effort: Oklahoma Man Builds Backyard Bowling Alley So Son Can Practice” and “Soothing Slideshow: OKC’s Trombone Man Brings Joy with Strolling Concerts.” They’re clever while working on more than one level. All three marry with the visuals and make us want to devour the stories.
Second place: Robert Fouch, Newsday Judge’s comments: These headlines are a close second: “Firm Commitment: 5 Reasons Why Some LIers Have Shed Pounds During Quarantine,” “Creepy, Kooky and Cool: Long Island Halloween Houses Decorated for a Drive-by” and “In Our Time of Knead: LIers Share Their Daily Bread as Homemade Loaves Trend.” The heads on the two stories related to the pandemic are particularly strong – clever and appealing.
Third place: Nadia Hussein and Anisa Rawhani, The Virginian-Pilot Judge’s comments: These headlines work well both with the art and in tight spaces: “DaBaby Not So Lil’: He’s One of the Few ‘Baby’ Rappers Proving to be More than a Radar Blip,” “These Milkshakes Will Bring You to the Yard” and “A Nutty Idea: A Suffolk Farmer Has Invented a New Kind of Coffee Made from Peanuts, and We Tasted It.”
DIGITAL INNOVATION New or improved online ventures, including websites, apps, social-media experiments or other ways to share information in the digital world.
First place: Sue Campbell, Tim Campbell and Connie Nelson, Star Tribune News, “Virtual State Fair” Judge’s comments: So what do you do when the pandemic closes down your state fair? The Star Tribune News decided to stage their own fair online, and it’s brilliant and it’s a blast. For 11 days, the staff hosted online chats, concerts, food demos and other fun stuff. There’s even a butter-carving DIY video! And we couldn’t resist the amateur talent contest. We hope this becomes an annual event, even when the real-life fair reopens.
Second place: Nicole Fruge and Daymond Gascon, San Francisco Chronicle, “Class of 2020 – A Senior Year Like No Other” Judge’s comments: This is a brilliant idea that any publication could do, though it would be tough to pull it off as gracefully as The Chronicle has. It’s like an online yearbook for high school seniors. The staff followed seven teens in their last year of high school and captured those tumultuous months through videos, photography and stories. It’s masterfully done.
Third place: Staff, Newsday, “The Gratitude Game” Judge’s comments: This is wildly creative. The staff created an online Gratitude Game to be played during our locked-down Thanksgiving, although it could be used at any time of the year. It’s a fun way for family and friends to share memories and stories, and we hope this one catches on around the country. Newsday, we are grateful to you.
Honorable mention: Joshua Barajas, Anne Davenport and Vanessa Dennis, PBS NewsHour, “CANVAS”
Honorable mention: Staff, NJ Advance Media, “NJ Is Open”
Honorable mention: Anthony Del Col, Josh Adams and Walt Hickey, Insider, “News Comics”
BEST PODCAST The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through a podcast.
First place: Max Kutner, Audible, “Radicalized” Judge’s comments: This podcast keeps us on the edge of our seats – it’s thrilling, entertaining and informative. What can we say? It really packs a punch!
Second place: Alexander Adams, Lisa Bartfi and Pamela Kirkland, LWC Studios – Lantigua Williams & Co., “70 Million: Season 3” Judge’s comments: This is a well-researched podcast – numerous facts and complicated issues are explained – but it’s done in such a way that manages to be both informative and entertaining.
Third place: Molly Solomon and Erin Baldassari, KQED, “Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America” Judge’s comments: Affordable housing isn’t the most exciting topic to write or talk about, but this podcast goes beyond the expected. It’s informative while also being entertaining.
Honorable mention: Frank Shyong and Jen Yamato, Los Angeles Times, “Asian Enough”
An update on the contest. The pandemic has slowed our usual process. We’re in the judging process and plan to announce winners by late August or early September. Thank you for your patience!
Sharon Chapman
Earlier: The 33rd annual Society for Features Journalism Excellence-in-Features contest, which honors the craft of feature storytelling and the people who do it for a living, is taking entries for 2021!
First-place winners in each category will receive $300, so don’t miss this chance to enter.
All entries – other than those in the Best Features Digital Presence category – must have been published in print or online between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020.
The writing contest is open to journalists working for legacy and new media (including nonprofit), whether you’re a freelancer or full-time employee.
Winners will be announced in June.
The cost of each entry is $45 for all professional writing, online and video entries, and $60 in the Niche Product, Features Digital Presence and Best Section categories.
001 General Feature Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic. Entries can be a single trend story, profile, interview, news feature or general feature of 1,000 words or more. Sidebars accepted. Each entry consists of one story. Multiple bylines accepted.
002 Arts & Entertainment Feature Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic – such as architecture, art, books, dance, movies, music, opera, television or theater. NOTE: Food stories should be entered in one of the food categories. Entries can be a single trend story, interview or feature story. Each entry consists of one story.
003 Short Feature Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words. A word count is required with each entry; entries exceeding the limit will be disqualified. Enter the word count in the “Comments, Credits & Other Info” field on the entry form. Each entry consists of one story.
004 Food Feature A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personality profile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic. Each entry consists of on story.
005 Food Criticism A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry. Each entry consists of one story.
006 Features Series or Project Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts. Sidebars accepted. Can include a written explanation of not more than 250 words on how the story was reported. Each entry consists of the stories that comprise the series or project. Multiple bylines accepted.
007 Narrative Storytelling A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme. Each entry consists of one story.
008 Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, health, religion, technology or travel. NOTE: Food writing entries should be entered in the Food Writing Portfolio category. Entries can be trend stories, profiles, interviews, news features, general features or narratives covering the same topic. Columns and commentary are excluded. Each entry consists of three stories from the same writer.
009 Food Writing Portfolio Three stories by the same writer on any food topic. Entries can be stories, columns or reviews. Each entry consists of three stories from the same writer.
010 General Commentary Portfolio A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. NOTE: Food writing entries should be entered in the Food Writing Portfolio category. Each entry consists of three examples of the writer’s work, showing a range of reporting styles.
011 Arts & Entertainment Commentary Portfolio A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, excluding editorials. NOTE: Food writing entries should be entered in the Food Writing Portfolio category. Each entry consists of three examples of the writer’s work.
012 Sports Feature Feature treatment of any sports topic. Entries can be a trend story, interview or feature story. Each entry consists of one story.
013 Headline Writing Portfolio A collection of three headlines and accompanying decks by the same writer for feature stories or columns. Headlines must be attached to the stories or columns and can be accompanied by related visuals. Entries will be judged on clarity, accuracy and creativity. One entry consists of three headlines and accompanying decks and stories. NOTE: All entries, regardless of circulation group, compete in one group.
014 Video Storytelling The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length. One entry consists of one video.
015 Integrated Storytelling The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, digital, social media, video and any other platform. One entry consists of the package of stories and other elements used to cover the topic.
016 Features Podcast The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through a podcast. One entry consists of links to three podcast episodes by the same person or persons. NOTE: All entries, regardless of circulation group, compete in one group.
017 Diversity in Digital Features The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience. Diversity can include race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs or other ideologies. One entry consists of a story or a series of stories on the same diversity topic. Multiple bylines accepted.
018 Digital Innovation New or improved digital ventures, which can include new or upgraded websites, apps, social-media experiments or other ways to share information in the digital world. Entries will be judged on creativity and impact. Must include a description of no more than 250 words on how the innovation came about, its goals and its success. Submit explanation as a Word document attachment or enter explanation in the “Comments, Credits & Other Info” field on the entry form. One entry consists of one innovation, such as an app or a website. NOTE: All entries, regardless of circulation group, compete in one group.
019 Special Section A special section published in 2020 either in print and/or online once a year. (For sections published two or more times, enter Niche Product.) Submit one hard copy or PDFs of the entire or provide the URL (if it’s an online-only entry) in the comments section on the entry.
Each entry must also include a PDF of the cover or homepage of the section. On the back of each hard-copy issue, attach a printed entry label, which automatically appears after each entry is submitted. Mail entries to Sharon Chapman, Austin American-Statesman, 305 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78704. Entries must be postmarked by Feb. 18, 2021.
020 Niche Product The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year. Submit two hard copies of each niche product or PDFs of the entire product of the same niche product.
Each entry must also include PDFs of the covers from both of the submitted entries. One entry consists of one copy of each of the two issues and the two PDFs. On the back of each hard-copy issue, attach a printed entry label, which automatically appears after each entry is submitted. Mail entries to Sharon Chapman, Austin American-Statesman, 305 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78704. Entries must be postmarked by Feb. 18, 2021.
021 Features Digital Presence The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. Submit links to a website; features channel; app; and/or social-media page such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter. Entries are judged on content, which includes timeliness, depth of coverage, voice and style. One entry consists of links to a website, features channel, social-media pages or app.
022 Best Section The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. Submit five sections, either hard copies or PDFs of the entire sections, from the 2020 calendar year. One must be an arts-and-entertainment-themed section, and one must be a Sunday section. (If your publication doesn’t print on Sunday, submit one section from Saturday or from your premiere weekly section and add a note of explanation).
The other three are the editor’s choice from regularly appearing features sections. Entries are judged on content, which includes the range of topics, depth, voice and style; service, which includes the inclusion of everyday people, useful information and the level of reader interaction; and design, which includes the use of photos and illustrations, headlines, navigational tools and the “wow” factor.
One hard copy of each section or PDFs of the entire section is required. One entry consists of one copy or PDFs of each of the five sections and PDFs of three of the submitted section fronts (PDFs of the section fronts only). On the back of each section, attached a printed version of the entry label, which automatically appears after each entry is submitted. Mail entries to Sharon Chapman, Austin American-Statesman, 305 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78704. Entries must be postmarked by Feb. 18, 2021.
023 Finest in Features Sweepstakes Awards This award honors three publications in each circulation category that garner the most awards in the other 22 categories. No entry is necessary. Instead, points are assigned for each of the other winning entries, and the publications with the highest number of points receive the sweepstakes awards.
A collection of three headlines and accompanying decks by the same writer for feature stories or columns. First place: Vince Rinehart—The Washington Post Headlines: “Upsetting the a la carte,” “They’ll take crushed hopes, Alex,” “Adam Schiff’s toughest script” Judge’s comments: These entries display wonderful wordplay that capture the stories’ gist without seeming forced. Our favorite on a story about a San Francisco food critic doing things her way: “Upsetting the a la carte.” Second place: Panfilo Garcia—The Washington Post Headlines: “Congress: Hello? Hello? US: smh,” “Nick Cave and the seeds of communion,” “’CMAs cowboys up (again)” Judge’s comments: Smart, effective headlines that make you think–and smile. Kudos especially for this one: “Nick Cave and the seeds of communion.” Third place: Thomas Floyd—The Washington Post Express Headlines: “A statuette of limitations,” “Old yarn, fresh spin,” “Free Solo’s’ Honnold is staying grounded” Judge’s comments: Another set of clever headlines that tell the story. Best of the bunch (on a story about attempts to limit Oscar participation): “A statuette of limitations.” Honorable mention: Joe Stalvey—(Albany, N.Y.) Times Union Headlines: “Weather permitting, a chance to soar,” “Some extra legs to break onstage,” “Cannabis’ kin generating its own buzz” Honorable mention: Mesfin Fekadu—The Associated Press Headlines: “Regina is already a King, but what about president?” “Dilemma of having an R. Kelly-penned hit: Sing or sink it?” “The talking dead: Life during and after ‘Game of Thrones’”
Features podcast
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through a podcast. First place: Doug Fabrizio, Benjamin Bombard, Tim Slover—RadioWest, “RadioWest” Judge’s comments: RadioWest uses the audio format expertly to tell a feature story in a way that feels effortless, professional and even comforting. Host Ted Giola is a curious, steady interviewer, the kind you can’t wait to hear take on your favorite notable subject. Listening to the entries submitted reminded one of the best feature stories that peel back the layers of its subject in an intimate way. Every episode felt like a conversation between really smart friends. The Tan France interview was a standout. RadioWest might not use audio in a flashy way, but it is substantive and calmly addictive. Second place: Noah Rosenberg , Ryan Sweikert—Narratively, “Believable” Judge’s comments: Believable captures mood and tone in an almost dreamlike way, which gives it an arresting quality. It uses music and atmospheric sound more effectively than any other entry. The concept of Believable and foregrounding of its subjects’ voices also stood out. It was a close call between first and second place; laying out the “nut graf” of the episodes, so to speak, a little more explicitly and immediately would have tipped the judging in this podcast’s favor. That’s ultimately a minor critique, as Believable stood head and shoulders among almost every podcast entry for its excellence in craft and approach to audio storytelling. Third place: Staff—Syracuse Side Hustles, “Syracuse Side Hustles” Judge’s comments: “Syracuse Side Hustles” is charming. A fabulous concept executed with lean efficiency. Episodes are quick and to the point, which more podcasts should try to be. The stories it tells feel essential and potentially transformative. Wouldn’t the world be much better if we asked our neighbors what they really cared about? Honorable mention: Zachary Siegel, Kaitlin Benz, Alexander Charles Adams—Undark, “The Undark Podcast”
Digital innovation
New or improved digital ventures, which can include new or upgraded websites, apps, social-media experiments or other ways to share information in the digital world. First place: Staff—The Trace, Miami Herald, McClatchy, “Since Parkland” Judge’s comments: This project – whose centerpiece is a dizzying collection of 1,200 mini-profiles of gun violence victims over the course of a year – works on multiple levels. Instead of retreading the story of Parkland for its anniversary, it tells new stories. In humanizing the victims of under-reported gun crimes, it tells a more nuanced picture of who is affected than the anecdotal or high-profile death. By using more than 200 teen journalists to write those profiles, it makes parallels between the promise of these writers and those that lost their lives at Stoneman Douglas High School. An ambitious, innovative, affecting collaboration. Second place: Walter Hussman Jr. and Staff—Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “ADG iPad Initiative” Judge’s comments: This statewide initiative to replace a printed paper Monday to Saturday with a free iPad lease is bold and with potential to meaningfully change the paper’s bottom line. The instructional videos and telephone support line are thoughtful ways to ease less tech-savvy readers through the transition. Note to SFJ heads: The ADG iPad initiative also won 2nd place in the same category last year for essentially the same project. In 2018 it was local, in 2019 they’ve expanded it statewide. But if we have a policy against awarding the same project at different stages, this might be counted out. If so, you can count my third place winner as 2nd place and I don’t have a third place selection. Third place: Eric Roper, James Lileks, Jeff Hargarten—(Minneapolis) Star Tribune News, “Minneapolis 1907: A guided tour” Judge’s comments: A community history project that takes a simple concept and uses it to connect people to a shared sense of place through their curiosity.
Notice an error on this page? Email Margaret Myers, mmyers@atlantic57.com, for a correction.
This award honors three publications in each circulation category that garner the most awards in the other 22 categories. First place: The Washington Post Eighteen awards, including four firsts (Narrative Storytelling, Sports Feature, Headline Writing Portfolio and Special Section), eight seconds (Best Section, Features Digital Presence, Food Writing Portfolio, Arts & Entertainment Commentary Portfolio, Headline Writing Portfolio, Video Storytelling, Integrated Storytelling and Special Section), four thirds (Arts & Entertainment Feature, Food Feature, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio and Niche Product) one honorable mention (Food Criticism). Second place: Los Angeles Times Nine awards, including four firsts (Best Section, Food Criticism, Integrated Storytelling and Diversity in Digital Features), one second (Features Series or Project) and four thirds (Features Series or Project, General Commentary Portfolio, Arts & Entertainment Commentary Portfolio and Sports Feature). Third place: Newsday Four awards, including two firsts (Features Digital Presence and Niche Product), one second (Food Criticism) and one third (Special Section).
Best section
The best regularly occurring printed features sections that focus on A&E, lifestyles or other features coverage. First place: Los Angeles Times Judge’s comments: Wow. Readers of the LA Times get a wow with every section from this paper’s features department so it appears. From the Oscars to a new food section to the 50 songs that best represent LA. Oh, and there’s even a special section all about sneakers – an ode to fashion, footwear and basketball. Even if the full-page, sometimes two full-page, illustrations and photos didn’t capture attention, the witty headlines draw you in. Examples: “New Feats of Creativity” of the sneaker issue and “Unexpected ‘favourite'” and “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? (It’s real)” from the Oscar issue. The writing shows the staff’s expertise without being pretentious. There’s so much to love, whether it’s learning about pastrami fried rice, the 88,224 olives served a year in martinis at the Hollywood restaurant institution turning 100 or what was said backstage on Oscar night. And now a few tears, after the 2019 launch of a$1 billion cruise ship that won’t be sailing anytime soon. Second place: The Washington Post Judge’s comments: Build a better mousetrap? No, but you can build a better sandwich and the Post shows you how from the basics including how to protect your bread by toasting one side to adding upscale ingredients such as sriracha to a BLT and mango to your curry chicken salad. The lunch issue has other great info including a taste test of potato chips (Lay’s Kettle wins) and what wines go best with fast food. For travel, you can dog sit in Ecuador and sip wine at the National Portrait Gallery. The sections include excerpts from online discussions with staff and readers. Tips on where to have your first date and your last along with advice on how to get your adult children to financial independence can improve readers’ lives. There’s a reference to a video to help you repot our plants and who doesn’t want to know more about Sally Field, Linda Ronstadt and Sesame Street before the Kennedy Center Honor? I sure did. Third place: Houston Chronicle Judge’s comments: The Houston Chronicle gives readers what they need and more. The Renew section introduces them to a fitness club owned by a woman who specializes in weight training, renegade row pushups and where in Houston to kayak or canoe. The section promises a focus on mental health as well. Spend a day with Dexter, a facility dog at a children’s hospital. Learn about the aboriginal art exhibit at the Menil and a great way to cook a steak. The Chronicle’s food and entertainment writing excels. And it is Texas: you can watch a BBQ state of mind podcast and read about how those long lines aren’t a marketing ploy.
Best features digital presence
The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: Erica Marcus, Scott Vogel, Corin Hirsch—Newsday, “FeedMe” Judge’s comments: Comprehensive coverage of a local scene using all the media available in our digital world, from stories to Instagram to an online TV show. That alone would be impressive. Throughout all the content is such a strong sense of place. You feel like you are in the community and can almost taste the flavors (my mouth is still watering from the pastrami story — what lively and evocative writing). Well served! Second place: Staff—The Washington Post, “Lifestyle” Judge’s comments: The depth and breadth are hard to match these days. So many topics and takes–you can spend hours reading through Washington Post coverage and never get to it all.
General feature
Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic. First place: Barbara Laker, David Gambacorta, William Bender—The Philadelphia Inquirer, “The Untouchables: Carl Holmes’ alleged sexual misdeeds were well known by Philadelphia police and city officials, but a flawed system shielded him for 15 years.” Judge’s comments: The Philadelphia Inquirer has done it again: Told a deeply investigated piece (police department higher-ups allegedly sexually abusing multiple younger, female cops) through human storytelling. The interviews and documented evidence alone would have made this worth the read, but hearing much of the story told through the alleged abused women was haunting. Second place: Tyrone Beason, Erika Schultz, Corinne Chin—The Seattle Times, “Beyond the Border: Asylum seekers in Tijuana” Judge’s comments: The border wall has been an oft-reported subject in the last several years, but this team of reporters found a way to tell it through another character: Tijuana. The almost-poetic writing, along with the grabbing images and videography, makes this a worthy package. Third place: Marc Ramirez—The Dallas Morning News, “Half a world away, chance connects strangers linked by an iconic Dallas photo taken the day JFK died” Judge’s comments: The absolute kismet of this story would have gone viral by itself: The daughter of a woman, the subject of a famed photo after the Kennedy assassination, directing a cruise on which the photographer was vacationing. But the story goes beyond that meeting to tell such a beautiful human story. Honorable mention: Bill Glauber—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “It’s a struggle … Something is wrong”
Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words. First place: Jen Reeder—Today.com, “Meet the man who fills his home with senior and special needs pets” Judge’s comments: Great, feel-good story. At only 617 words, it was a joy to read, and the writer did a fantastic job getting in those little details – Tofu the turkey loves Madonna’s music – that give the story depth. Delightful. Second place: Jessica Goodheart—Capital & Main, “Detroit Women Push Back from the Margins” Judge’s comments: This is a constituency that goes unheard all too often. The writer brought us into this woman’s world, providing insight and understanding to an all-too-real problem. Third place: Laura Coffey—Today.com, “Devoted ‘dance dads’ do it all — even makeup! — to support daughters” Judge’s comments: OMG. Dads and daughters are always a reader favorite, and the writer did a wonderful job giving us a peek into how these manly men carry on in a girls’ world. Honorable mention: Tim Teeman—The Daily Beast, “George Kent and His Bow Tie: The Unlikely Winners of Trump’s Impeachment Hearing”
Food feature
A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personalityprofile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic. First place: Chris Ip—Engadget, “Impossible Foods’ rising empire of almost-meat” Judge’s comments: Painstakingly researched, broadly sourced and deeply engaging look at the way our food landscape is rapidly changing in an era of disruption. Second place: Debra Utacia Krol—High Country News, Roads & Kingdoms, and the Economic Hardship Reporting Project, “California’s Forage Wars” Judge’s comments: A perfect examination of how food, history, politics and sustainability collide in a single community. Third place: Tim Carman, Shelly Tan—The Washington Post, “Made in America” Judge’s comments: The salve for our fractious time. This virtual hug of comfort food for all Americans is beautifully supported with superb photography, video and web design. Honorable mention: Craig LaBan—The Philadelphia Inquirer, “George Washington’s enslaved chef, who cooked in Philadelphia, disappears from painting, but may have reappeared in New York”
Food criticism
A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry. First place: Lucas Kwan Peterson—Los Angeles Times, “Review: The Cheesecake Factory is the restaurant America wants, deserves” Judge’s comments:It’s a bold restaurant critic who ventures into a Cheesecake Factory, made bolder still by the fact that this one is in swank Beverly Hills. And then Lucas Kwan Peterson couches it all in “the 1986 seminal work ‘The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Birthday.’” This clear front-runner is laugh-out-loud funny, insightful and just a whole lotta fun. I read it three times just because I liked it so much. A triumph! Second place: Scott Vogel—Newsday, “Mi Viejito Pueblito” Judge’s comments:Wonderful. A story and a review, with sly descriptions such as this one, about the quality of a tortilla, “with the softness and spring of Memory Foam.” Or the burrito that ” reacted to my plastic knife as it might a scalpel.” Vogel proves here that he is a true wordsmith. Third place: Devra First—The Boston Globe, “What is fancy? Who is rich? Zuma blurs the lines” Judge’s comments:In this review of an uber-upscale chain Asian restaurant, Devra First uses humor, at times self-deprecating, and throughout devises clever, original descriptions of food that transcend the thesaurus-sourced fodder of many a restaurant review. For example, to describe perfectly-sized bites of nigiri, First writes that they avoid the sensation of “a bear-trying-to-eat-a-whole salmon.” Such a pleasure to read from beginning to end. Honorable mention: Tim Carman—The Washington Post, “Guy Fieri’s fried chicken stand at FedEx Field is a mess. A tasty mess.”
Features series or project
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts. First place: Staff—The Trace, Miami Herald and McClatchy, “Since Parkland” Judge’s comments:This vast, in-depth, ambitious entry details the lives of each of 1,200 gun violence victims 18 and under in the one year since the Parkland school killings. The project offers the micro details—and the faces—of each slain child. It also covers the macro details of gun laws across the nation, efforts to make them stricter, and moves that have hampered those efforts. The readers come away heartbroken, enraged, dismayed and far more knowledgeable about the facts. Second place: Paige St. John—Los Angeles Times, “Man in the Window” Judge’s comments: This is the fascinating story of the Golden State Killer who terrorized several neighborhoods with killings, rapes and assaults over decades. It digs deep into the history of the suspect, his early relationships, his wanderings and his eventual arrest. The series includes interviews with witnesses, police officers, and victims still facing trauma from the attacks. It details each brutal attack tied to the suspect and offers a surprising review of how the crime of rape has changed. Each part of the series is riveting. Third place: Thomas Curwen—Los Angeles Times, “After 9 years on L.A.’s streets, Big Mama needed a home. But it wasn’t that easy” Judge’s comments:This long-term investigation focuses on a handful of homeless Los Angeles people who, after snags and waiting, are each given a new start. The reporter spent 18 months getting to know the people relegated to the streets and following their path to gaining shelter. The details are stark and real. Readers are left with hope at some outcomes and frustration at others. Honorable mention: Stephanie Farr—The Philadelphia Inquirer, “We the People”
Narrative storytelling
A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme. First place: Stephanie McCrummen—The Washington Post, “The keeper of the secret” Judge’s comments:“The Keeper of the Secret” details the quest of 80-year-old John Johnson to identify those responsible for the lynching of an African-American man in Wytheville, Va., in 1926. In this riveting story, Johnson meets with – among other people – a white woman who gives him names, but swears him to secrecy. Johnson, pursuing what Washington Post reporter Stephanie McCrummen calls “his own version of racial reconciliation,” has a quandary. “I’m the keeper of the secret,” Johnson says. “I’ve got the names, and I don’t … know what to do with them before I die.” McCrummen skillfully employs the tools of narrative writing to draw the reader through the story of not only the victim’s brutal murder, but the subtle and overt racism that Johnson has faced in his own life. Second place: Nestor Ramos—The Boston Globe, “At the Edge of a Warming World” Judge’s comments: A subject as broad and as polarizing as climate change is difficult to tell in a way that educates as well as engages the reader. Nestor Ramos of the Boston Globe succeeds in turning the subject into a compelling read by focusing on the personal stories of those along Cape Cod who are dealing with climate change, and adding the science in simple, easy-to-understand language. Readers meet the man who has recorded ocean changes for decades by peering down his arm at his thumb; the scientist who studies the ecological web of the Earth from a marsh on the Massachusetts coastline; the restaurant owner whose livelihood washed away during a storm that years ago would never have touched it; the fishermen, the tourists, the homeowners, and a small shorebird whose journeys are tracked by satellite. Ramos notes, in beautiful words and sentences, the wide scope of climate change, then focuses in on details, such as how building seawalls and jetties to protect individual properties is leading to destruction of the greater area, and gentrification of Cape Cod. “The projects proceed, property by property, pushing the problem downstream, each preserving a small part of the Cape by ruining it, just a little bit, until there’s no beach left.” The simple truth conveyed by this engaging story is, Ramos writes, “The ocean does not negotiate.” Third place: Doug Bock Clark—GQ, “The American Missionary and the Uncontacted Tribe” Judge’s comments:It is hard to beat, for a natural narrative arc, the story of a Christian missionary attempting to convert islanders who live primitive lives protected from the outside world by the government of India. The news was full of John Chau’s illegal visits to Sentinel Island after his body was spotted on the beach. But Doug Bock Clark produced a fascinating, detailed story for GQ that delves into 26-year-old Chau’s motivation and background. Chau survived one attempt to reach the islanders when his waterproof Bible blocked an arrow. The rest of his story is just as dramatic. Honorable mention: Deborah Barfield Berry, Kelley Benham French—USA Today, “1619: Searching for Answers”
Feature specialty writing portfolio
Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel. First place: Sam Kestenbaum—The New York Times Judge’s comments: Deeply reported and well-written profiles of fascinating religious figures. As a collection, they reveal as much about American spirituality as the individuals. Second place: Jason Nark—The Philadelphia Inquirer Judge’s comments: Three stories that paint a vivid picture of a place, and the quirky characters within. These are memorable stories, rich in detail and dialogue. Third place: Andrea Sachs—The Washington Post Judge’s comments: A range of travel stories that are informative and entertaining.
Food writing portfolio
Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic. First place: Helen Freund—Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times Judge’s comments: An interesting mix of topics. Clear, concise writing. Second place: Tim Carman—The Washington Post Judge’s comments: I love the diversity of this portfolio. It’s filled with thought-provoking topics. Third place: Alison Cook—Houston Chronicle Judge’s comments: Colorful descriptions make these reviews appealing. Honorable mention: Megan Giller—Engadget
General commentary portfolio
A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. First place: Jeneé Osterheldt—The Boston Globe Judge’s comments: Jenee Osterheldt’s voice is unique, powerful and much needed. She uses her lens and platform to move conversations forward and amplify voices and viewpoints that are too-often overlooked or not considered widely. She is able to paint pictures with her words while weaving in lots of details. Second place (tie): Mark Lamster—The Dallas Morning News Judge’s comments: Beautiful writing and context elevate these far-from-typical architecture stories. Our favorite reads like a short novel. Second place (tie): Robin Abcarian—The Los Angeles Times Judge’s comments: A gut-punch in words. Robin Abcarian shares intimate details of her life that feel both personal and universal. Third place: Andrew Dansby—Houston Chronicle Judge’s comments: Andrew Dansby writes about music and our heroes with grace and feeling, making the personal universal in stories about the life and death of Daniel Johnston and a Willie Nelson concert. He also makes us (almost) wish to be stuck in traffic for hours, for the collective experience and growth, if nothing else.
Arts & entertainment commentary portfolio
A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials. First place: Jeneé Osterheldt—The Boston Globe Judge’s comments: In a competitive category, Jenee Osterheldt gets the nod. This is writing from the heart. It’s both painful and poetic, weaving current events, relevant history and the writer’s own unique voice into a final product loaded with passion and power (that doesn’t turn strident). So many lines stick with you: “We dance in the dark between the rhythm of life and the blues of death. We love.” Second place: Ann Hornaday—The Washington Post Judge’s comments: A close, close second. Hornaday writes with authority and precision. Her topics push boundaries that need to be explored, going far beyond the typical movie criticism fare. Third place: Justin Chang—Los Angeles Times Judge’s comments: “Cats” review was an absolute hoot, even though the movie didn’t meet the same high standards. Strong and decisive writing throughout the three stories. Honorable mention: Howard Fishman—The New Yorker, Artforum
Sports feature
Feature treatment of any sports topic. First place: Kent Babb—The Washington Post, “Driven to the End” Judge’s comments: An engrossing account of an elite athlete driven through life – and ultimately to death. The writer, with meticulous care, paints a devastating picture of a life ended far too prematurely with crushing details of how it all went wrong. Hard to read, but impossible to put down. Second place: Bill Reader—The Seattle Times, “Pilots shortstop Ray Oyler played only one season in Seattle and batted .165. Why was he so popular?” Judge’s comments: This was indeed a blast from the past. Digging 50 years into the annals of Seattle baseball, the writer uncovered a sweet tale of one city’s appreciation for one player. It’s a fond reminder of kinder, simpler times. Third place: Kurtis Lee—Los Angeles Times, “In a neglected cemetery lie black jockeys who helped create the Kentucky Derby” Judge’s comments: The kind of story that needs to be told. The writer deftly takes readers to an essential site of horse racing’s past, shining a light on an era that’s too often been ignored.
Video storytelling
The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length. First place: Staff—Today.com, “‘Like a dream’: Mom with metastatic breast cancer on outliving her prognosis” Judge’s comments: Lushly shot, incredibly intimate portrait of a woman with terminal breast cancer who specializes in nipple tattoos for women with breast reconstructions. Heartbreaking and hopeful – like the best stories always are. Second place: Allie Caren, Jon Gerberg, Nicki DeMarco—The Washington Post, “One year later: Three generations rooted in Tree of Life” Judge’s comments: An engaging and fascinating look at three generations of a family impacted by the synagogue shooting. Great sourcing and clip selection. Third place: Niki Budnick, Danielle Banks, William Jauregui—The Weather Channel Digital, “When Memory Fails” Judge’s comments: Incredible sourcing on this story – both the experts and the family in the center – make this a jaw-dropping look at the phenomenon of children accidentally left to die in hot cars. Honorable mention: Staff—Today.com, “Modern Motherhood”
Integrated storytelling
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, online, social media, video and any other platform. First place: Paige St. John, Andrea Roberson, Jessica Perez—Los Angeles Times, “Man in the Window” Judge’s comments: A comprehensive look at the Golden State Killer that left no multimedia element out – but critically told the most gripping story of an extremely competitive category. Second place: Staff—The Washington Post, “Altamont ended the ’60s with chaos and death.” Judge’s comments: Incredible graphics and multimedia elements combined to make this a show-stopper—a deep dive into a well-known but perhaps not well-understood event in history. Third place: Staff—Erica Pearson—(Minneapolis) Star Tribune News, “The 28-Day Sugar-Free Challenge” Judge’s comments: What landed this piece in the winner’s circle was its commitment to creating and sustaining a community outside of its newsroom. While other entries had accompanying podcasts or more sophisticated graphics, this package reached outside of traditional journalistic walls in ways we should all emulate. Honorable mention: Staff—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and USA Today Network-Wisconsin, “Dairyland in Distress”
Diversity in digital features
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience. First place: Jaweed Kaleem—Los Angeles Times, “Sikh drivers are transforming U.S. trucking. Take a ride along the Punjabi American highway” Judge’s comments: There’s no better metaphor for possibility than driving down the open road, and Jaweed Kaleem captures this brilliantly in his package on Sikh truck drivers and small business owners whose stories are creating vibrant new narratives of American life. This package of stories about life on the interstate–and the tastes of home that drivers get to indulge in along the way–are a reminder of why features storytelling is so vital. Jaweed invites a wider audience to peek inside the heart and soul of this Punjabi American community. In reading this series, we are reminded of our shared humanity. Second place: Brian Goldstone—California Sunday Magazine & The Economic Hardship Reporting Project, “3 kids. 2 paychecks. No home.” Judge’s comments: Amid a housing crisis that is all too often reported through trends and figures, one thing’s for certain: the human toll of this particular pandemic is best understood through stories like the one of Frankie and his brother and baby sister. Brian Goldstone tenderly narrates this family’s journey with compassion and detail, revealing an honest story about love, sacrifice, and the determination to provide for one’s family. This is the kind of story that shouts for change in a system slanted toward economic inequity, but it does so through adept and masterful storytelling. Paired with Alessandra Sanguinetti’s unwavering photos, “3 kids, 2 paychecks, no home” is an American portrait of our era. Third place: Ashley Luthern, Angela Peterson—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Cycles of Violence” Judge’s comments: This deeply reported feature is a testament to the power of local reporting and storytelling. It is a gut wrenching journey for DeAndre Allen’s mother, and for the families of the men and women whose murders have gone unsolved. Ashley Luthern is skillful at tenderly weaving Allen’s story with the larger issue at play in Milwaukee and its criminal justice system. Angela Peterson’s photos and video are a powerful portrait of grief and hope. Honorable mention: Staff—Today.com, “Flint residents still reeling from water crisis, 5 years later”
Best special section
The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: Staff—The Washington Post, “Prison issue of The Washington Post Magazine” Judge’s comments: Important topic with some compelling stories that I simply couldn’t stop reading. Good mix of photos and intriguing artwork. Second place: Staff—The Washington Post, “The Apollo II: 50th Anniversary Commemorative Section” Judge’s comments: The writers’ voices on the narrative stories carried this section. Third place: Staff—Newsday, “Billy Joel at 70” Judge’s comments: I loved the four-page spread layout and simultaneously was perplexed by how difficult it was to handle physically. In the end, I enjoyed this display and the summary of the Piano Man’s career. Honorable mention: Tim Campbell, L.A. Johnson—(Minneapolis) Star Tribune News, “Fall Arts: The Changemakers”
Best niche product
The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year. First place: Staff—Newsday, FeedMe Judge’s comments:FeedMe fed me until I was stuffed with reasons to explore the culinary attractions of Long Island—a place your humble judge had heretofore not associated with culinary attractions. It fills the definition of a niche like a dark cherry pie fills the need for dessert. This is the issue that ends up dog-earred and drawn-butter stained from road trips to oyster bars, farms and clam shacks. Or just pull out the handy guides to ice cream shops or—I believe they’re pronounced “cawffee”—shops. Smart story selection, wonderful photography and layout. I’m not sure how to pronounce “niche” on Long Island—but FeedMe knows how to fill one. Congratulations to Editor Jane Lear and staff. Second place: Melissa Aguilar, Julie Garcia, Maggie Gordon—Houston Chronicle, Renew Houston Judges comments:Renew makes you want to get up and do something. Now! C’mon, People! Maybe something you’ve never tried before – maybe something you’d never dreamed of trying before you read it. Get fit, detox, find your purpose, fast your way to fitness, eat your way to fitness. There are profiles and places to go to pursue your newfound passions, recipes – and how to disinfect from floodwaters. Your judge is humbled by your effort, producing this broadsheet every Thursday! Third place: Staff—The Washington Post, “Dining Guides” Judges comments: Tom Sietsema offers a bento box of writerly delights in these guides to Washington, D.C., dining. Full credit—in a literal sense—for his intestinal fortitude, reviewing 79(!) restaurants in the October issue alone. (Not to mention more than 9,000 restaurants over 20 years). Here’s hoping the cover’s entered for Best Cover, too, because the image of grilled lobster by Deb Lindsey, styling by Lisa Cherkasky and production by Jennifer Beeson Gregory, made certifiably full people in the judge’s household hungry.
Correction: An earlier reference in the Food Writing Portfolio was incorrect and has been updated to show that Alison Cook (Houston Chronicle) is the sole third place winner.
Notice an error on this page? Email Margaret Myers, mmyers@atlantic57.com, for a correction.
This award honors three publications in each circulation category that garner the most awards in the other 22 categories. First place: NJ Advance Media Twelve awards, including five firsts (Arts & Entertainment Feature, Food Feature, Narrative Storytelling, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio and Sports Feature), three seconds (Integrated Storytelling, Diversity in Digital Features and Special Section), one third (General Commentary Portfolio) and three honorable mentions (General Feature, Food Writing Portfolio and Arts & Entertainment Commentary Portfolio). Second place: The Virginian-Pilot Nine awards, including three firsts (Best Section, Special Section and Niche Product), two seconds (Food Criticism and Niche Product), one third (Narrative Storytelling) and three honorable mentions (Special Section). Third place: San Antonio Express-News Seven awards, including two firsts (Features Digital Presence and Food Criticism), three seconds (Best Section, Short Feature and Food Writing Portfolio), one third (Food Criticism) and one honorable mention (Special Section).
Best section
The best regularly occurring printed features sections that focus on A&E, lifestyles or other features coverage. First place: The Virginian-Pilot Judge’s comments: The stories in this section set it apart: a woman’s search to learn about what happened to her Japanese grandfather after World War II, Thomas Jefferson’s conflicting ideas of freedom and slavery and the status of country western music in Hampton Roads pegged to Ken Burns PBS series. The pages mirror the diversity of the population the paper serves. It interacts with readers, is visually inviting and fun. Headlines including “Let’s Give ‘Em Something to Taco ‘Bout” draw readers in. Second place: San Antonio Express-News Judge’s comments: What’s not to love about these sections? Visually stunning, whether it’s cool treats, carne guisada or a plate of brisket. You get to see inside San Antonio homes, compare the food at Ikea and Costco (Ikea wins!) and learn how to make a Bourbon and Basil Blackberry Smash. True to Texas, you learn that a salon tool can be used for the barbecue. If that wasn’t enough, there’s a weekly story about where to get a burger all year long. Third place: St. Louis Post-Dispatch Judge’s comments: The Post-Dispatches sections are a must-have guide to events happening in and near St. Louis. Find out the best places to eat during the Stanley Cup finals. Get a map to lead you through the Shakespeare Festival’s Love’s labor Lost. Most compelling was a section looking at the influence of the events that unfolded in Ferguson five years later on music, films and art. Honorable Mention: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Best features digital presence
The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: Staff—San Antonio Express-News, “Taste” Judge’s comments: You could spend hours consuming the food coverage from the team at the San Antonio Express-News and never be full or finish it all. From breaking news to recipes to reviews to trend pieces: This team is on it. That includes thoughtful stories that go deeper, about food’s role in our communities and lives. They have built a strong community through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And it’s all delivered through a clear San Antonio lens as they respond to seasons and events and what’s happening in people’s lives. Second place: Tony Norman, Steve Mellon, LA Johnson—The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “The Notorious Trial of Joe Thomas” Judge’s comments: The staff at the Post-Gazette uses a variety of digital tools—and uses them well—to tell all kinds of stories: a shameful chapter of the city’s past, the arrival of a record-setting roller coaster, how selling plasma has become an economic lifeline for many and how the city has lost many of its historic buildings through neglect. The digital “bells and whistles” are not just window dressing; they add to the depth of the storytelling, creating an immersive experience that print can’t deliver. Third place: Michael Mayo, Gretchen Day-Bryant, David Schutz—South Florida Sun Sentinel, “Let’s Eat, South Florida” Judge’s comments: This was such a competitive category, with all three places strong contenders. Let’s Eat, the Facebook group started by and moderated by the Sun Sentinel, continues to be a passionate community of food enthusiasts. True engagement with community members, who regularly post and support each other, at a time when we’re all looking for ways to keep audiences interested.
General feature
Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic. First place: Vince Beiser—Los Angeles Magazine, “How a Former Bank Robber Saved Her Football Star Son from a System Unkind to the Mentally Ill” Judge’s comments: Heart-wrenching, skillfully told story of a mother’s fight against the broken criminal justice system to get her mentally ill son the care he needs. Vince Beiser’s nuanced, thorough reporting combines with a lively narrative that traverses years, places and people and feels like a movie. But what’s most impressive is how seamlessly he blends in the important contextual reporting that gives the piece depth: for instance, the statistics on the proportion of mentally ill people in the prison system and how that has increased over the years. Such a rich story with interesting, compelling characters. Told brilliantly. Second place: Sarah Butrymowicz—The Hechinger Report, “Refugee girls want to improve the world. Will we let them do so?” Judge’s comments: Love the lede. Really paints a detailed scene and puts you in the schoolroom with these kids. (“A sea of 76 students in bright violet uniforms with pointed white collars confronted Jessica Deng as she stepped into her classroom.”) Solid nut graf, too. Succinct, simple but sets the stakes almost immediately. Gives just enough of the history so you understand what’s happening, but not so much that it’s overwhelming. “When I ask what they wish outsiders knew about their lives”—that is a great question that more people need to ask. She has a good grasp of pacing and scope—zooms in and out cinematically. Lovely circular ending that gives hope despite the despair you’re made to feel—masterfully, because of how the reporter has structured the piece—throughout. Great story. Thoroughly reported and researched, so much rich depth, and yet, colorful details down to the color of the teacher’s T-shirt. Third place: Keith BieryGolick—The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Allegations of ‘doping’ at Ohio fair, a private investigator and a steer named King” Judge’s comments: Well-reported, well-put together story that shows how one very murky allegation changed a family’s life for years. Gives a glimpse into the rhythms and importance of farm shows to people who live in small, rural towns, and really does well to show how the small town thing can hurt a family’s livelihood. Good detail, good pacing, the narrative unfolds in compelling fashion. Honorable mention: Jessica Remo—NJ Advance Media, “My mother found out her father wasn’t her father from a DNA test—and it’s all my fault”
Arts & Entertainment feature
Feature treatment of an arts andFeature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic–such as architecture, art, books, dance, movies, music, opera, television or theater.entertainment topic. First place: Bobby Olivier—NJ Advance Media, “Pop mastermind Jack Antonoff is N.J.’s artist of the decade” Judge’s comments: An exceptionally written profile on pop music producer and singer Jack Antonoff. It was detailed, descriptive, entertaining and full of great quotes from several voices. Second place: Chris Kaltenbach—The Baltimore Sun, “’Blair Witch’ turns 20: How a surprise hit horror movie made this Maryland town infamous” Judge’s comments: This story, about the 20th anniversary of the cult favorite film “The Blair Witch Project,” flowed nicely and didn’t miss a beat. The writer perfectly captured the essence of the film and why it made a huge splash two decades ago. Third place: Mary Carole McCauley—The Baltimore Sun, “How Chesapeake Shakespeare Company creates intimacy on the stage in the #metoo era” Judge’s comments: There have been so many #MeToo features in the last two years, and they’re all worth reading. But this story about the growing trend of intimacy choreographers being hired for films, TV shows and the stage offered deep insight on something that’s been ignored for years. The article was well researched and nicely written. Honorable mention: Phillip Valys—South Florida Sun Sentinel, “Zero Empty Spaces”
Short feature
Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words. First place: Carlos Frias—The Miami Herald, “‘Hialeah’s best-kept secret’: How a local KFC has secretly sold flan for 45 years” Judge’s comments: I like surprises and I like flan. I am less enthusiastic about KFC, but after reading this story from Carlos Frias, I may need to rethink that. Carlos continues to be a gifted writer with an eye for multi-layered stories. This piece is deceptive. It’s not just about flan; it’s about ambition and tradition and love. And sugar. Perfection. Second place: Vincent T. Davis—San Antonio Express-News, “Glory Days” Judge’s comments: It’s easy to fall into the grips of nostalgia when surveying a long life. But I was hooked on this article with the first sentence: “His bat of choice was a Louisville Slugger.” Readers quickly learn Willie Doria had a superpower—and away we go. He has lived a big life—with joys and sorrows, triumphs and failures. But, oh, has he lived. We should all be so lucky. Third place: Tom Hallman Jr.—The Oregonian, “They Mate for Life” Judge’s comments: Animal stories can be dangerous. The temptation to veer toward cute is almost irresistible. And—let’s get serious—when do animals actually make news? Don’t we have some corruption to uncover or an epidemiologist to interview? And yet, in the hands of Tom Hallman Jr., a story about an animal—a bird, for heaven’s sake—is magical. And it’s not even a hummingbird or a swan or a peacock. This story is about a goose, and we know what they do—they poop a lot. But apparently, they also fall in love. As Tom writes: “When the mate of a goose dies, researchers discovered that bird will mourn. Many geese will refuse to ever again mate, flying solo, a widow or widower.” It will no surprise you to learn that the star of our story loses a mate, and Hallman’s observations about the universal nature of love should resolve any editor’s misgivings about an animal story—forever. Those left behind mourn. They carry on. What remains within is love. I dare you to try to resist the magic. Honorable mention: Mark Gauert—South Florida Sun Sentinel, “Rock of Ageless”
Food feature
A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personalityprofile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic. First place: Jeremy Schneider—NJ Advance Media, “Behind the scenes with an eccentric pizza master and his legendary little N.J. shop” Judge’s comments: Great word pictures in this story. Beautiful writing that doesn’t feel forced. Here’s the start: “The ancient brick oven looms like an incinerator, occupying most of the claustrophobic kitchen. // Pizza worshippers have told tales of this monolithic wall of clay and steel. For more than 60 years, it’s baked many of the most deliciously distinctive Sicilian, pan and tomato pies prepared in New Jersey—and if your pizza is the best here, it’s the best anywhere, full stop.” Second place: Mark Gauert—South Florida Sun Sentinel, “Our Madeleine Moments” Judge’s comments: Beautiful writing. I feel like I’m sitting with the author enjoying this meal. A taste: “I was born in Kansas. Grew up in New Mexico. But, with one taste of the chef’s Smoked Oysters, I’m transported back to my childhood on the rocky coasts of Maine. (At least, I think it’s Maine. I can’t say for sure because I’ve never actually been there). It’s early autumn here in what I think is Maine. It’s getting cooler, the leaves are changing, and an applewood fire is crackling in the fieldstone hearth of my mom’s kitchen.” Third place: John-John Williams IV—The Baltimore Sun, “At Baltimore restaurants, black women rarely hold positions of power. Here’s what they’re doing to change that” Judge’s comments: Interesting topic. Great sources. Nice writing style. A sample: “In a city that is 63 percent black, African-American women are a rarity in positions of power in restaurants. Although it’s not easy to pinpoint one cause—or the numbers, aside from anecdotal testimony by industry insiders—some attribute the dearth of black female leaders to a lack of access and opportunity, a perception that restaurant jobs aren’t viable careers, and a pervasive “good old boys” club in the industry’s upper echelons.” Honorable mention: Phillip Valys—South Florida Sun Sentinel, “Nice ice, baby”
Food criticism
A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry. First place: Mike Sutter—San Antonio Express-News, “Paesanos Lincoln Heights” Judge’s comments:A textbook example of good food criticism. Informed with lively bursts of surprising writing. Mike Sutter uses food criticism as a springboard to a larger cultural discussion. Second place: Matthew Korfhage—The Virginian-Pilot, “We tried 50 old-school burgers all over Hampton Roads. Here are the best.” Judge’s comments:This mega roundup is full of strong opinions, sharp writing and insights into local culture. Third place: Mike Sutter—San Antonio Express-News, “Mixtli” Judge’s comments:The entire exuberant review is cleverly built around a single metaphor that both structures the writing and serves as a vehicle for exploring the restaurant’s cooking.
Features series or project
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts. First place: Jane Gerster—Global News, “For the Good of the Force” Judge’s comments:Jane Gerster takes on what feels like the middle of a story—long-needed changes are still in process at one of Canada’s longtime symbols. There is no neat ending here. Gerster writes about hard but important topics—the treatment of indigenous people, sexual harassment, discrimination—without exploitation and seems to have won the trust of multiple sources who have experienced trauma. All of that takes time and skill, which comes through in the series. Second place: Dan Horn, Carol Motsinger, staff—The Cincinnati Enquirer, “The Long, Hard Road” Judge’s comments: The depth and breadth of this series is staggering. The staff of the Cincinnati Enquirer finds the people and the personal impact within our country’s wealth disparity. These stories will take you through many emotions while also making you think. You’ll remember these subjects and these stories for a long time. Third place: Steve Mellon, Tony Norman—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “The Notorious Trial of Joe Thomas” Judge’s comments:History repeats, as Steve Mellon and Tony Norman show us by examining a racist and disturbing chapter from their city’s past. Thoroughly researched and unflinchingly presented. Honorable mention: Shondiin Silversmith—Arizona Republic, “Navajo Code Talkers: The last of the living WWII heroes share their stories”
Narrative storytelling
A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme. First place: Spencer Kent—NJ Advance Media, “The Man Who Lived” Judge’s comments:This is a superb narrative that operates on several levels. It’s a journey story—we know a man lost his limbs to flesh-eating bacteria—so we read to see why and how this happened. Spencer Kent skillfully blend’s the medical narrative with the man’s personal history and science, never losing any of the threads. It succeeds as a story about medicine, environment, one man’s grit and a family’s love. Second place: Keith BieryGolick—The Cincinnati Enquirer, “10 years after Fort Hood: The forgotten soldier and the father who is still fighting his war” Judge’s comments: This piece offers an almost painfully intimate portrait of a man whose son, a survivor of the Fort Hood shooting, committed suicide. Along with excellent pacing and a strong writer’s voice, the story is distinguished by the clever use of official documents as chapter breaks and to advance the story. Third place: Denise Watson—The Virginian-Pilot, “A mystery and a mission: A woman’s quest to discover what happened to her Japanese grandfather after World War II” Judge’s comments:Whether describing modern-day Japan or the United States in the 1940s, Denise Watson creates vivid mental pictures in “A Mystery and a Mission.” The tale of a woman who discovers her grandfather’s hidden past, the narrative is distinguished by its expert pacing. The carefully placed revelation of a key fact—about cremains—made this judge gasp.
Feature specialty writing portfolio
Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel. First place: Matthew Stanmyre—NJ Advance Media Judge’s comments:The Montclair High School story is an exemplary example of narrative storytelling, with vivid descriptions, gut-punch quotes and cliff-hangers that pull you along from chapter to chapter. As the writer noted, the story has a compelling and often untold perspective: “… little ever was written about the people from the losing side, and the void sparked a question in my mind.” The rest of the entries revealed excellent reporting delivered through strong writing that informs the community. Second place: Casey Parks—The Hechinger Report Judge’s comments: Education is a topic rich with feature stories, but it is often relegated to procedural reporting. This writer finds the heart of the matter, reflecting how the system affects real people and so how it affects its own community. Good writing with diversity and sensitivity. Third place: Anya Sostek—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Judge’s comments: Feel-good stories have to walk that line between engaging and mawkish. This writer does that beautifully. She puts readers at the bedside, in the hospital lounge, even inside a parent’s head as she explores some of the most intimate moments of their lives. Honorable mention: Caitlin Dewey—The Buffalo News, “Urbanism and economic development in Buffalo, N.Y.”
Food writing portfolio
Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic. First place: Carlos Frias—The Miami Herald Judge’s comments: Carlos Frias is a master of his craft. He’s clearly dedicated to exploring a diverse range of cuisines, restaurants and, more important, the people behind the plates. His voice is strong, engaging and warmly welcoming. And his choice of topics delight. Whether he’s writing about a KFC that serves flan or a neighborhood burger joint, his writing has the breadth and depth to address weightier issues, including equality and legacy. Bravo! Second place: Paul Stephen—San Antonio Express-News Judge’s comments: Paul Stephen brings such a sense of place to his fresh, conversational writing. He starts with gotta-read ledes and only gets better from there. In his well-crafted stories, he manages to be informative, downright funny and a joy to read. Third place: Polly Campbell—The Cincinnati Enquirer Judge’s comments: Polly Campbell clearly understands her city’s standing in the world of food. Yet she celebrates, in an underdog way, the food the people embrace—including its odd and varied chili. Her writing is fresh without being cheeky. Honorable mention: Jessica Remo—NJ Advance Media
General commentary portfolio
A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. First place: David Templeton—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Judge’s comments: David Templeton’s wry vignettes focus on the strength, humor and wisdom of ordinary people, including a rural landowner, a recovering addict and a curmudgeonly diner owner. Beautiful use of quotes and snapshots of America through the eyes of people who might be called ordinary but who actually defy that description. Second place: Aisha Sultan—St. Louis Post-Dispatch Judge’s comments: Aisha Sultan writes about a good mix of personal and wider-ranging topics, in a clear direct voice (“But there are moments when you start to realize how far you have drifted from youth”). She makes you think about your life and bigger issues, while presenting her own clear viewpoint. Third place: Jessica Remo—NJ Advance Media Judge’s comments: Love the strong voice throughout these stories. One of the pieces is engrossing and personal while also offering a larger appeal. Jessica Remo has mastered writing about her experiences in a way that speaks to larger universal truths. Honorable mention: John Canzano—The Oregonian
Arts & entertainment commentary portfolio
A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials. First place: Theoden Janes—The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer Judge’s comments: Theoden Janes’ concert reviews offer a complete experience for readers who missed the show—and a chance to relive the night for those who were there. The writing is energetic, fun and on point. In a review of a Fleetwood Mac show, for example, he writes, “It’s almost like everyone else is performing a show for middle-aged couples in button-down shirts and dressy blouses while (Stevie) Nicks is at Burning Man riding a pot-brownie high.” While offering praise, Janes doesn’t hold back on passing judgment. His being-there reporting gives attention to the audience along with the performers onstage. His Jonas Brothers review begins: “Imagine if, every time you tried to try to say something you thought was kind of profound, an ocean of 17,000-plus people started shrieking like Drew Barrymore when the killer leaps out at her in ‘Scream’?” This collection of reviews offer context as well, whether background on Phil Collins’ health or previous Jonas Brothers visits. His insight and originality make Theoden Janes a byline worthy of following, no matter the subject. Second place: Rod Stafford Hagwood—South Florida Sun Sentinel Judge’s comments: Rod Stafford Hagwood brings a mastery of the subject and an understanding of theater-lovers to his reviews. In his piece on the cut-down version of the latest “Les Miserables” tour, he writes: “It is noteworthy that even though there is no Broadway pizzazz-y spectacle, the musical still grips and satisfies that entertain-me craving we all bring when we see a big show on a big stage in a big venue.” He provides background, context and the answer to the all-important question: Why should you go? In the less well-known “Dear Evan Hansen,” he explains a perfect moment when the main character completely controls the audience. “It is powerful and unforgettable,” he writes. “And the stagecraft and performances that lead up to it are faultless, eliciting something primal inside us. That’s how good this show is.” Whether guiding readers to the best theater performances touring through town or offering insight into trying out new, less polished works, such as “Pray the Gay Away,” this is a voice we trust. Third place: Ben Crandell—South Florida Sun Sentinel Judge’s comments: In Ben Crandell’s Rolling Stones review, he shares the tension of a show-must-go-on approach of both band and audience facing an approaching hurricane. With the encore song, “Give Me Shelter,” the sky opened and poured rain upon Mick and the backup vocalist. “It was a thrilling thing to watch Jagger, a superstar, a septuagenarian (he’s 76), figuratively shake a defiant fist at the storm. It also was great show business, especially for an audience this particular week in South Florida.” The tale is dramatically paced and draws the reader into a fine piece of writing. His inventive descriptions bring a smile: “Keith Richards, his face evolving into a Matt Groening caricature and hairline in full retreat.” Crandell’s piece on Madonna’s small venue tour brings the full audience experience into play, including detailed advice to those attending the next six shows. His review of a Jonas Brothers concert is tightly written, while offering a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor. Nick removed his jacket, revealing a sleeveless dress shirt underneath. Crandall writes: “The audience seemed to enjoy this.” Each review is tailored to the performance and audience. No cookie-cutter formula here. Honorable mention: Bobby Olivier—NJ Advance Media
Sports feature
Feature treatment of any sports topic. First place: Matthew Stanmyre—NJ Advance Media, “The Day That Changed Everything” Judge’s comments: Impressive depth of reporting paired with superb storytelling weave a compelling story that was a joy to read. Matthew Stanmyre reaches several layers deeper than the everyday tale of anguish after a loss. Beautiful work. Second place: Rick Telander—Chicago Sun-Times, “As Bears legend Mike Ditka nears 80, he is shaken, not deterred” Judge’s comments: Great writing evokes a sense of former Bears coach Mike Ditka’s own personality and vernacular. Historical knowledge is used effectively with great sourcing. We feel like we know Ditka—the highest praise for a feature story. Third place: Steve Greenberg—Chicago Sun-Times, “One shining moment” Judge’s comments: With a beautiful touch of humanity, this column gives us a glimpse past the winning shot into a winning soul. Talking to high school athletes isn’t always easy, and this student’s personality comes shining through in “One Shining Moment.” Honorable mention: Sam McDowell—The Kansas City Star, “Anxiety, depression, panic disorder: Royals pitcher Danny Duffy reveals silent pain”
Video storytelling
The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length. First place: Brooke Herbert—The Oregonian, “Darcelle” Judge’s comments: This is features storytelling at its finest. The filmmaker masters the art of the classic narrative and the science of captivating audio and stunning visuals. The rhythm and pacing of this story is virtuosic. The filmmaker unfurls Darcelle’s story with as much confidence, compassion and wry wit as the drag queen herself. The crescendo leading to Madam Darcelle’s grand emergence on stage—from the music to the way the filmmaker captures the intimate backstage rituals—quite frankly slays. Second place: Meg Vogel—The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Fort Hood soldier and the father who is still fighting his war” Judge’s comments: The filmmaker treats his subject with the reverence, honesty, and compassion this topic deserves. The narrator’s interview is masterfully produced—the shallow focus and the mix of ambient and natural lighting saturates the screen. Paired with the archival b-roll and family photos, it creates an intimate portrait of grief. Third place: Samantha Swindler—The Oregonian, “Mel’s Last Mission” Judge’s comments: This delightful feature unfolds at the perfect pace, as smooth and breezy as a ride with Mel himself. The filmmaker’s savvy use of camera angles and perspective add a dynamic layer to this already lovely and heartwarming story. Honorable mention: Elizabeth Rich, Erin Irwin, Maya Riser-Kositsky—Education Week, “From the Pueblo to College: The Journey of Two Rural Students, Chapter 1: ‘Not giving up on school’”
Integrated storytelling
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, online, social media, video and any other platform. First place: Carlos Frias, Matias Ocner—The Miami Herald, “La Ventanita: A print, podcast and video series with food stars dishing at the walk-up windows where Miami meets for Cuban coffee” Judge’s comments: Of all the entries, this one truly embraced the spirit of integrated storytelling. This series took advantage of each medium: the video, the podcast and the written word to bring the interviews to life. Clips and gifs were also made for social media. The “La Ventanita” concept also feels authentic, giving viewers and readers a taste of something distinctly Miamian while learning about some of the best chefs in the world. And scoring Pitbull as a guest so that people can witness his appreciation for food? That’s the glaze on the pastelito. Second place: Staff—Spencer Kent, Andre Malok, Sydney Shaw—NJ Advance Media, “The Man Who Lived” Judge’s comments: The story itself is riveting –– a man fights for his life after contracting “flesh-eating bacteria”—but the treatment it received in this package took it above and beyond. The video brought the Angel Perez’s story to visual life while the story flowed smoothly from fear to science to heartache to hope. Well done. Third place: Dave Killen, Noelle Crombie, Kale Williams—The Oregonian, “No Mercy” Judge’s comments: A story of unforgivable abuse and heartbreak that’s well-researched, pwell-resented and told with the right amount of sensitivity and horror. I appreciated the timeline as another way to navigate through the story. Honorable mention: Denise Watson, Jamesetta M. Walker, Amy Poulter—The Virginian-Pilot, “The sage of sharecropping”
Diversity in digital features
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience. First place: Laura Bauer, Judy Thomas, Eric Adler—The Kansas City Star, “Throwaway kids” Judge’s comments: Over the past few years, there has been a fear that journalism that makes a difference will disappear from regional newspapers. Well, The Kansas City Star is here to say, “Not today, not today.” This engrossing, five-part dive into the foster-home-to-prison-pipeline—and how it has negatively impacted thousands of Americans who now languish behind bars—is well-reported, solidly written and accompanied by an abundance of excellent videos, photos and podcast-style interviews with the writers. There are so many entry points and each offers insight. In short: fantastic work. Second place: Cassidy Grom, Amanda Hoover—NJ Advance Media, “Changing Habits: Millennials don’t become nuns. These women did.” Judge’s comments: We hear all the time that the priesthood and sisterhood have little appeal to young people today. But rarely do we get a glimpse of the other side of that statement: young women who choose to become nuns. These are millennial women who aren’t in step with their peers but are in step with their beliefs. Cassidy Grom and Amanda Hoover bring us into a cloistered world that’s usually outside of public view. The photos help tell the story, too. Third place: Theoden Janes—The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, “She’s known for seeing good in others. Why did she fear the worst in coming out to fans?” Judge’s comments: Theoden Janes’ profile of Kristen Hampton, a Charlotte TV personality wrestling with coming out to her legions of fans, is written with heart and grace. It takes a familiar story and makes it compelling. The accompanying video (which Janes also had a hand in making) is an informative addition. Honorable mention: Denise Watson—The Virginian-Pilot, “A mystery and a mission: A woman’s quest to discover what happened to her Japanese grandfather after World War II”
Best special section
The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: Staff—The Virginian-Pilot, “Distinction food issue” Judge’s comments: A stellar food issue of Distinction, featuring great writing, gorgeous photography and crisp design. The pie story is mouth-watering, and we loved the look at the folks often behind the food scene—the bakers, the butcher and the roaster. Second place: Staff—NJ Advance Media, “The Man Who Lived” Judge’s comments: Well-done issue on a man fighting a flesh-eating disease. The story is beautifully told with illuminating photography. Third place: Staff—Chicago Sun-Times, “Chicago-pedia” Judge’s comments: A cool guide to Chicago, covering everything from buildings to Chicago-isms. It’s fun to breeze through, with wonderful illustrations. Did you know that “fufu” describes someone fake? You’d know that if you read Chicago-pedia. Honorable mention (tie): Emiily Spicer, Mike Sutter, Paul Stephen—San Antonio Express-News, “2019 Top 100 Dining & Drinks” guide Honorable mention (tie): Staff—The Virginian-Pilot, “7 Days of Holiday Eating”
Best niche product
The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year. First place: Staff—The Virginian-Pilot, Distinction Judge’s comments: Exquisite from cover to cover, Distinction continues to set the standard for niche products. The covers are beautiful, the writing is authoritative and the photography is gorgeous. Our mouths dropped at the eye-catching photos in the bridal issue, and they watered as we examined the piece on the best local fish tacos. Second place: Staff—The Virginian-Pilot, Growler Judges comments: This magazine—which showcases the craft-beer scene in southeastern Virginia—is a smart and surprising publication that tackles issues big and small. One cover story ponders the effects of the eventual legalization of weed in Virginia on craft brewers. Another story is a light-hearted look at the most interesting folks you’ll find at a brewery—everyone from The Hipster to The Old Guard. And the best part of Growler? Perfectly conceived and executed illustrations by Wes Watson enhance each issue. Third place: Mark Gauert, Anderson Greene—South Florida Sun Sentinel, Prime Judges comments: This is a beautiful magazine that shines with stellar photography. It’s chock full of information, and the wonderful editor’s notes aren’t to be missed. Honorable mention: Ian Froeb, Gabe Hartwig, Amy Bertrand—St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Special food/drink editions of Go!
Notice an error on this page? Email Margaret Myers, mmyers@atlantic57.com, for a correction.
This award honors three publications in each circulation category that garner the most awards in the other 22 categories. First place: The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier Five awards, including five firsts (General Feature, Food Criticism, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio, Food Writing Portfolio and Integrated Storytelling). Second place: The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate/NOLA.com Six awards, including one first (Niche Product), three seconds (Arts & Entertainment Feature, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio and Sports Feature) and two thirds (Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio and Food Writing Portfolio). Third place: The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette Five awards, including one first (Diversity in Digital Features) and four seconds (Best Section, Features Digital Presence, Video Storytelling and Special Section).
Best section
The best regularly occurring printed features sections that focus on A&E, lifestyles or other features coverage. First place: Austin American-Statesman Judge’s comments: These sections stand out because of the eye-popping photos, strong writing and diversity reflecting the community. Plus, there’s so much to love. The Austin360 Dining Guide doesn’t just have one photo per restaurant listing. Several have three or four, giving the dinner guest visual stimulation to go with the tantalizing descriptions. The size makes it convenient to keep and take along later. Not only do you learn the main acts of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, but who’s playing outside of the festival if you want to avoid the crowds. You meet the Fajita King who first commercialized fajitas 50 years ago, and you visit a ranch for a Mexican style rodeo, where charros compete in a charreada. Second place: The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette Judge’s comments: The Colorado Springs Gazette feature sections introduce you to what you must see and do as well as everyday people doing special things. The presentation makes the stories and photos pop off the page and gives readers an easy way to consider what books to read and movies to see. You meet the 100-year-old granny rocking a 5-week-old in the Fort Carson nursery and an 11-year-old struggling to survive cancer. And who can’t relate to that slice of life problem of missing socks? Third place: The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post Judge’s comments: History dominates the pages of these sections of the Palm Beach Post as readers reflect on their summer of ’69. The Oscar issue takes a look back at native icon Veronica Lake and her lasting legacy. And readers are taken back to the Burt Reynolds Theater’s performances featuring Eartha Kitt and Carol Burnett. It’s all presented clean and crisp to draw readers in.
Best features digital presence
The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: Staff, Austin American-Statesman, austin360.com Judge’s comments: Austin360 offers a thorough look at this city’s vibrant entertainment and food scene. It’s informative, easy to navigate and well written. Bonus points for COVID-19 coverage during the pandemic. Second place: Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, Out There Colorado Judge’s comments: An authoritative look at the cool things to do in Colorado, this website is useful and fun. If you’re visiting Colorado, you’ll want to check out this site.
General feature
Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic. First place: Tony Bartelme, Glenn Smith, Lauren Petracca—The Post and Courier (Charleston, S.C.), “Our Secret Delta: An epic story about power, beauty and how one of South Carolina’s last great places faces new threats” Judge’s comments: The writing of Tony Bartelme and Glenn Smith, combined with the visuals of Lauren Petracca, create a masterclass in sense of place. Line after line—from the thwack of deerflies on skin at the outset to the twilit grass that puts the story to rest—is vibrant and tactile, in the way that can only be achieved when reporters spend ample time in the field and that serves the story only when they deeply research and care about the setting. Among this brilliant scenery, Bartelme and Smith adeptly weave the environmental, racial and economic histories of South Carolina’s Lowcountry into a tale that feels fluid but never superficial, serious but not cumbersome, and sweeping but deeply human. Second place: Mark Patinkin—The Providence (Rhode Island) Journal, “Touched by Cancer“ Judge’s comments: Mark Patinkin’s writing is accessible and unsparing. His personal portrayal of cancer devastates the reader while revealing abstract medical procedures as vivid and real. The reporting includes interviews with his own children and doctors, evidence of rigor and reflection that elevate this story—unlike any we’ve read before. Third place: Katie Sullivan Borrelli, Anthony Borrelli—The Ithaca Journal (New York), “Light in the Dark: A beloved trans woman was brutally murdered by her boyfriend. Her story reveals a nationwide problem“ Judge’s comments: This retelling of a life lost to domestic violence, compounded by the victim’s transgender identity, moves and informs the reader in a nuanced and respectful way that is worthy of praise. Writers Katie Sullivan Borrelli and Anthony Borrelli ensure that Josie Berrios does not simply become another statistic in a world full of violence against trans women. Her story serves to shed light on a national, complex issue that these writers handle with care. Honorable mention: Marc Lester—Anchorage Daily News “A day in the life of a United States senator: Lisa Murkowski“
Arts & Entertainment feature
Feature treatment of an arts andFeature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic–such as architecture, art, books, dance, movies, music, opera, television or theater.entertainment topic. First place: Gillian Friedman—Deseret News, “Hallmark is making Hanukkah movies this year. I’m Jewish, and I’m not excited about it” Judge’s comments: The Hallmark Channel Christmas movies are a cliche of the season, so we found Gillian Friedman’s take–as a Jewish viewer–to be refreshing. The personal column about two Hanukkah/Christmas movies was well-written and provided a thought-provoking cultural take. Second place: Keith Spera—The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com, “Dr. John achieved greatness only after getting sober with the help of a friend and manager” Judge’s comments: Writer Keith Spera took the opportunity of a high-interest obit to tell the fascinating backstory of New Orleans legend Dr. John’s sober journey. This was well-written and with a wealth of detail and local color. Third place: Jennifer Tormo—225 Magazine, “Life in the Fast Laine” Judge’s comments: This profile of “American Idol” winner Laine Hardy was a pleasure to read. Nice storytelling, polished writing and good turns of phrase by Jennifer Tormo. Honorable mention: Rachel Gallaher—Gray Magazine, “A Modern Medici”
Short feature
Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words. First place: Amaris Castillo—The Lowell (Mass.) Sun, “With every step, joy” Judge’s comments: This story is lovely, and we continue to be astonished by its dual nature: simple yet complex. It is the story of two people walking, but it is so much more. We learn about a lifetime of love and obstacles and heartache in a relatively short read. There is nothing sappy or cloying in this piece. It just is. It made my heart ache, and it made my heart soar. It’s a gift. Second place: Leigh Hornbeck—(Albany, N.Y.) Times Union, “’Kissed by fire’: Local redheads meet ‘Game of Thrones’ author” Judge’s comments: How can any one not love a story that references Alan Moore and George R.R. Martin? We have a weakness for redheads and “Game of Thrones” (who doesn’t?) and were totally charmed by this story. Third place: Riley Bienvenu—inRegister Magazine, “Pig Paradise” Judge’s comments: The subject of the story had me at hello. I must admit that I don’t think a lot about pigs, but this story has changed me – permanently. It’s a notable example of turning something that might be described as “quiet” into a very fun story. Honorable mention: Liane Faulder—Edmonton (Canada) Journal, “A beloved spot for ladies-who-lunch shuts down in Edmonton”
Food feature
A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personalityprofile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic. First place: Chris Malloy—Phoenix New Times, “Lightning in the Hand: An Apache Leader Hunts for the Past to Nourish the Future” Judge’s comments: Chris Malloy’s writing is compelling and storytelling at its best, from a wonderful lede to vivid descriptions of what it takes to hunt and kill woodrats to skillfully capturing the voice of life on an Indian reservation. Second place: Micah Castelo—Rooted, “An Inside Look at Home Canners Who Preserve by their Own Rules” Judge’s comments: Micah Castelo offers an interesting and well-researched perspective of what it is to be in the shoes of rebel canners. The narrative is smooth and weaves in facts and figures without missing a beat. Third place: Katelyn Weisbrod—The Daily Iowan, “2 years ago, she was pre-med at the UI. Now she’s running her own farm.” Judge’s comments: In a clean and efficient way, Katelyn Weisbrod conveys the challenges that first-generation farmers face in Iowa. The graphic adds an informative layer to the story. Honorable mention: Emily Wolfe—Mountain Outlaw, “Patagonia Founder Yvon Chouinard Thinks Food Could Save the Planet”
Food criticism
A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry. First place: Hanna Raskin—The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “Malagon serves marvelous food to those allowed into downtown Charleston restaurant” Judge’s comments:Imagine reviewing a restaurant where you haven’t eaten. Hanna Raskin’s account of her efforts to crack into a Charleston restaurant that had warned her not to come is filled with bright writing and laudable restraint. Striking moment: While a review always reflects the perspective of the critic who wrote it, he or she is just an emissary of the people who have to think twice before plunking down $100 for dinner on a random Tuesday night. Second place: Susie Davidson Powell—(Albany, N.Y.) Times Union, “ca.1883 Tavern at the Stewart House in Athens” Judge’s comments:Susie Davidson Powell’s review transports the reader to right to the seasonal table of this restaurant with fabulous descriptions framed with just enough restaurant/chef context to follow along. Third place: Matthew Odam—Austin American-Statesman “Comedor’s sophistication unmatched in Austin’s Mexican dining scene” Judge’s comments:Matthew Odam’s review deftly translates the dining experience at this Spanish restaurant for the uninitiated.
Features series or project
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts. First place: Marisa Kwiatkowski—The Indianapolis Star, “Ashley’s Story: Her foster home seemed perfect. It held a dark secret.” Judge’s comments:Wow. Marisa Kwiatkowski takes what could have been a run-of-the-mill story about a young woman’s struggles and turns it into a sometimes beautiful, oftentimes troubling five-part series you won’t soon forget. It’s an exhaustive (but not exhausting) look at a young woman coming to terms with an abusive childhood and trauma throughout her life. The series is painstakingly reported, even though there are barriers at every turn, including a main character who disappears for months at a time. But it all pays off in this no-holds-barred series that is harrowing, heartbreaking and, in the end, a little bit hopeful. It’s a sweeping tale that you won’t soon forget. Second place: Tony Plohetski—Austin American-Statesman, “19 Days” Judge’s comments: Tony Plohetski does a magnificent job of recreating “19 Days” in which Austin, Texas, law enforcement worked to stop a serial bomber from terrorizing the city. Exhaustive reporting leads to a detail-filled account of the bombings and their aftermath. It’s a not-often-seen look inside the investigation process, with superb writing and some compelling audio, also. Third place: Staff—Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “ADG Pages from the Past Project” Judge’s comments:When the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette turned 200, they celebrated in a big way–a 200-day series looking at a historical front page every day. But this was more than just reproductions, which are fascinating on their own. They were accompanied by essays that analyzed the news of the day, leading to a wonderful history of the past 200 years. All centennial and bicentennial celebrations should be this well done. Honorable mention: Janine Zeitlin, Amanda Inscore—The News-Press/Naples (Fla.) Daily News, “Forsaken: Anber’s Story”
Narrative storytelling
A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme. First place: G. Wayne Miller—The Providence (R.I.) Journal “Redemption” Judge’s comments:This reads like a crafted piece of work — in form, function and emotional aptitude. The writing is nice, but it’s the storytelling that sells it so well as we discover how a man’s life led to a fateful moment. Second place: Alexandra Becker—TMC Pulse,“Saving Officer Barnes” Judge’s comments: Wonderful writing. Great detail and scene building. There are times you feel like you were part of a tragedy that you’re so thankful you didn’t have to experience. Third place: Devon Heinen—New Statesman America, “Life after Parkland” Judge’s comments:What makes this story work is how the writer uses the tangents of grief mixed with daily life to illustrate the bizarre experience of trying to parent and deal with your grief while the nation is watching every move you make. Honorable mention: Jesse Hyde—Deseret News, “A nun, a shooting and the unlikely legacy that could save the Amazon rainforest”
Feature specialty writing portfolio
Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel. First place: Jennifer Berry Hawes—The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier Judge’s comments: Beautiful writing and moving, well-researched storytelling. Telling stories of our community that make a difference is what the best of features journalism does, and this writer does it extremely well. The assisted suicide saga had me literally weeping. Second place: Doug MacCash—The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com Judge’s comments: With great ledes that hook you right away and interesting bits tucked in throughout the stories, you come away feeling like you know these people, their way of life and the city they live in. Third place: Keith Spera—The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com Judge’s comments: Music writer Keith Spera examines the life and legacy of three giants of the New Orleans music scene who died in 2019. The writer moved well beyond the basic obit to tell the story of someone’s life. We liked the three different approaches.
Food writing portfolio
Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic. First place: Hanna Raskin—The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier Judge’s comments: Hanna Raskin goes deep in her coverage of food and culture. She delivers a history lesson on the role of restaurants in the civil rights movement for those too young to have lived it, and delivers some unexpected pleasures in her story about an unusual niche in pop culture: prison DIY birthday cakes. Her stories are timely, well reported and expertly written. Second place: Suzy Leonard—Florida Today Judge’s comments: Suzy Leonard speaks for residents of Brevard County in her restaurant scene coverage that spans the complicated place for dogs in restaurants, Florida’s evolving peach industry and even the are-we-cool-enough longing for a Trader Joe’s of their own. Third place: Ian McNulty—The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com Judge’s comments: Ian McNulty oozes NOLA in his dissertation about tea vs. sweet tea, the father-son bond of a tortilleria dream and the joy that comes with the return of a favorite pub.
General commentary portfolio
A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. First place: Mary C. Curtis—CQ Roll Call Judge’s comments: Wonderful work by a writer who uses great reporting, combined with thoughtful perspective, to create work that makes readers think and feel. No ego-driven tricks as she allows her work to speak for itself. Second place: Andrea Brown—The (Everett, Wash.) Daily Herald Judge’s comments: A wonderful example of work that captures the heart and soul of a community. Wonderful piece on a street musician who found redemption. Third place: Ashley Sexton Gordon—inRegister Magazine Judge’s comments: Such clarity and voice in her pieces, she builds an intimacy with her readers.
Arts & entertainment commentary portfolio
A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials. First place: Court Mann—Deseret News Judge’s comments: Slick and sassy on the surface, Court Mann’s takes on pop culture could be dismissed as shallow. (Can we please all agree on Seth Rogen’s hotness?) But Mann reaches for deeper truths here, like the value of interdependence in contemporary music, and the way women pop stars are consistently underestimated for what they bring to the table. These are well-crafted, highly digestible columns. Second place: Jackson Arn—The Forward Judge’s comments: Though they’re aimed at a niche audience, Jackson Arn’s pieces pique broader interest with sharp cultural takes that display a subtle intelligence. His takedown of Daniel Mendelsohn speaks eloquently to what good criticism should achieve—going beyond a simple thumbs up or down to evoke what a particular work of art might have to say about society and the human condition. Third place: Tracey O’Shaughnessy—(Waterbury, Conn.) Republican-American Judge’s comments: Tracey O’Shaughnessy’s scholarly takes on art and history don’t merely respect her reader’s intelligence. They demand it—a precious rarity in the newspaper world. Yet they never talk down. Honorable mention: Talya Zax—The Forward
Sports feature
Feature treatment of any sports topic. First place: Jennifer Graham—Deseret News “Inside the mind of the man who keeps Tom Brady in the game” Judge’s comments: The lede hooks you (“… these are the hands that massage Tom Brady. These hands.”) and the story keeps you there. Jennifer Graham goes beyond what can be the usual sports territory — how does a trainer keep Tom Brady going physically, although we learn about that, too — to deliver a deeper profile. A model for anyone trying to capture the essence of a person. Second place: Doug MacCash—The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com “Saints superfan has 64 players’ autographs tattooed on body: Brees, Kamara, Gleason, even Gayle Benson” Judge’s comments: So many details woven throughout enrich Doug MacCash’s story of a Saints superfan and prove what we know to be true: Everyone has an interesting tale to tell. Some nice writing throughout, including this imagery: In time, his back has become like the bottom of the U.S. Constitution, a selection of important though largely illegible scribbles. He wears a custom-made jersey with a transparent back made from a clear shower curtain, to let his collection shine through. He calls himself the “Signature Saint.” Third place: Anna Kayser—The Daily Iowan “Tom Brands leads through accountability in the Iowa wrestling room” Judge’s comments: Anna Kayser gets past the corny cliches (and the ones just corny enough) to profile a storied wrestling program and the coach who sets the tone and the standards, on and off the mat. We get a clear picture of a coach and man who walks the walk and does not let down his athletes, who are not yet grown up when they come to him. Honorable mention: Jeff Mills (Greensboro, N.C.) News & Record “A&T’s Kayla White Uses Dancer’s Precision to Create Art of Speed”
Video storytelling
The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length. First place: Madeline Powell, Kayla Thomas—The Fall Workshop 2019 | Syracuse University, “Beyond My Reflection” Judge’s comments: Visually this video was a stunner. And the filmmaker weaved all the components–including gorgeous b-roll–into a tight feature package. As viewers, we are treated to the awesome dance moves of the soloist, who doubles as a creative way to move the narrative along. Very well done! Second place: Katie Klann—The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “The Time We Shared” Judge’s comments: The filmmaker is a talented storyteller. This lovely vignette is well-paced and weaves nicely the dual themes of an artist’s passion and love and loss.
Integrated storytelling
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, online, social media, video and any other platform. First place: Tony Bartelme—The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “The AGEs Puzzle” Judge’s comments: AGEs – what a fascinating topic! Well written, engaging, informative, educational. Tony Bartelme Breaks down a difficult topic, digests it and serves it up to readers in terms they can easily understand. That’s good writing! Video supported the topic well. Second place: Staff—Florida Today, “Apollo 11 50th anniversary coverage” Judge’s comments: The Apollo 11 50th anniversary story invoked awe and pride – to think what the men and women at NASA did with such rudimentary equipment (compared to now) is absolutely incredible. The film captures all of it. Watching the faces of the ground crew during moon takeoff really showed the concern they had for a successful launch. The malady called “Apollo 11 disease” was an interesting element to add. The advancer about the 1960s-themed party was fun. Third place: Staff—The Rooted, “This Instagrammer is Turning Road Kill into Leather Goods” Judge’s comments: This story about a woman who is a homesteader was fascinating. To live off the land and put roadkill to good use by tanning hides and making a multitude of leather items is fascinating. A totally great online presence. Well written and informative. Honorable mention: Cody Duty, Britni McAshan—TMC Pulse, “Curated: The Intersection of Arts and Medicine”
Diversity in digital features
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience. First place: Seth Boster—The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette “Lost and found at the auction” Judge’s comments: Reporter Seth Boster found love–and two charming characters–in an unexpected place. A greatly enjoyable read! Second place: Mike Fisher—UMagazine, “How do we protect the most vulnerable?” Judge’s comments: A thorough and well-researched overview of an important issue—this is a great example of how to localize an international story.
Best special section
The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: Rebecca Vaughan, Staff—Palm Beach (Fla.) Post “Palm Beach County 2030” Judge’s comments: A clear winner: solid writing, easy-to-use graphics, great photography and an appealing layout. Second place: Staff—The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Colorful Colorado” Judge’s comments: The Gazette has much to work with on this topic and makes the most of it. The written profiles bring the characters and places to life, and the photography more than adequately captures the scenery. Third place: Staff—(Greensboro, N.C.) News & Record, “Veterans section” Judge’s comments: The appealing layout and great content selection for the two-page spread give this section a slight edge. Honorable mention: Greg Lovett, Rebecca Vaughan—The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post “Up Above Palm Beach County”
Best niche product
The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year. First place: Karen Taylor, Andrea Daniel, Annette Sisco—The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate | NOLA.com, “InsideOut” Judge’s comments: This section offers useful–and sometimes unusual–tips on home decor, gardening and real estate. The writing is lively and informative. We especially loved the tour of some of New Orleans’ secret gardens. And the regular feature called Cool Stuff, which showcases local treasures, is a must-read for shopaholics. Second place: Features staff—(Albany, N.Y.) Times Union, “Upstate Magazine” Judges comments: This well-done magazine showcases the offerings of upstate New York. The Family Vacations issue offered tons of ideas for quick get-aways, and the Best Of edition is a wealth of information.
Notice an error on this page? Email Margaret Myers, mmyers@atlantic57.com, for a correction.
Hello everyone. I want to share some updates for SFJ 2020, but first, I want to say thank you.
THANK YOU.
For all the hard work you’re doing to keep your newsrooms together, even while apart, to inform readers, to take care of yourselves and your families.
What we do is more important than ever—and our industry is more fragile than ever, it seems. But we persist, and we do it together.
Earlier this month, the board met (via Zoom, of course) and voted to cancel this year’s conference in October. We are sad that we won’t get to gather in person—there is such power in our group and its energy. We don’t know what the world is going to look like in the next few months, or what newsroom budgets will look like by October, and it was the best decision we could make with what we know right now.
But that doesn’t mean 2020 is a wash for SFJ. As we navigate the new working remotely realities and the challenges and stress of covering the pandemic, we’ll be holding virtual seminars, training sessions, and happy hours. We’ll also use our members listserv to continue to list available journalism jobs and continue our mission to connect people—which is more important than ever.
So, there’s never been a more important time to be a member—and now it’s free! Here are the details:
ICYMI: We are making membership free for 2020.
Usually March and April are membership drive months. If you’re a current member, you will remain one for another year without renewing, and new members can join. We will spread the word—our organization is not just for features journalists. We are to open everyone, again, at no cost for 2020. (We will take membership donations if anyone wants to give something.) Please share the link from our website with others who might want to join: https://featuresjournalism.org/membership/how-to-join/
We will meet virtually.
We’re planning a series of Zoom/Google Hangouts/webinars. Some will have speakers and topics; some will be more casual, chances to connect with no agenda beyond hanging with people who get it. We hosted our first one with Poynter’s Al Tompkins, who shared 20 pandemic ideas in 20 minutes. We’ll send out announcements on the listserv and via our social media, so fund us and follow us.
We want to know what you want.
Look for a Google form in the next few weeks. We want to know what topics you are interested in, and we want to share your successes and good ideas.
Contest judging started April 1.
Thanks to Jim Haag for all his hard work organizing this year’s Excellence-in-Features Awards. So many great entries! Judges have about a month, and winners will be announced in June.
We scoped out St. Pete’s finest during our winter board meeting in February. Come join us Oct. 21-24 for another epic installment. (From the left: Sue Campbell’s toasting arm, Mesfin Fekadu, Christopher Wynn, Emily Spicer, and Madam President Sharon Chapman.)
Hello SFJ-ers!
The SFJ board is just back from two days of brainstorming and planning for our 2020 conference, and, y’all, I am excited.
This year’s conference will be Oct. 21-24 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Our sessions will be at the Poynter Institute.
We have ideas for a few new events—including a book-themed brunch by the pool—and updating some old favorites.
Our core mission remains the same: The conference is a time to gather to celebrate what we do and support each other in doing it. You’ll leave both inspired and with practical take-home tips, as well as new and strengthened connections.
Update: The new deadline for the contest is March 7, our final extension!
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The 32nd annual Society for Features Journalism Excellence-in-Features contest, which honors the craft of feature storytelling and the people who do it for a living, is taking entries for 2020.
All entries – other than those in the Best Features Digital Presence category – must have been published in print or online between Jan. 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2019.
First-place winners in each category will receive $300. Winners will be announced in June and honored at SFJ’s national conference in St. Petersburg, Fla., in October.
The cost of each entry is $45 for all professional writing, online and video entries, and $60 in the Niche Product, Features Digital Presence and Best Section categories.
For questions, contact the contest co-chairs: * Jim Haag, retired features editor at The Virginian-Pilot, 757.639.2675, visitwithjim@gmail.com. * Sharon Chapman, features editor at the Austin American-Statesman, 512.445.3647, schapman@statesman.com
CATEGORIES
001 General Feature Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic. Entries can be a single trend story, profile, interview, news feature or general feature of 1,000 words or more. Sidebars accepted. Each entry consists of one story. Multiple bylines accepted.
002 Arts & Entertainment Feature Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic – such as architecture, art, books, dance, movies, music, opera, television or theater. NOTE: Food stories should be entered in one of the food categories. Entries can be a single trend story, interview or feature story. Each entry consists of one story.
003 Short Feature Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words. A word count is required with each entry; entries exceeding the limit will be disqualified. Enter the word count in the “Comments, Credits & Other Info” field on the entry form. Each entry consists of one story.
004 Food Feature A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personality profile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic. Each entry consists of on story.
005 Food Criticism A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry. Each entry consists of one story.
006 Features Series or Project Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts. Sidebars accepted. Can include a written explanation of not more than 250 words on how the story was reported. Each entry consists of the stories that comprise the series or project. Multiple bylines accepted.
007 Narrative Storytelling A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme. Each entry consists of one story.
008 Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, health, religion, technology or travel. NOTE: Food writing entries should be entered in the Food Writing Portfolio category. Entries can be trend stories, profiles, interviews, news features, general features or narratives covering the same topic. Columns and commentary are excluded. Each entry consists of three stories from the same writer.
009 Food Writing Portfolio Three stories by the same writer on any food topic. Entries can be stories, columns or reviews. Each entry consists of three stories from the same writer.
010 General Commentary Portfolio A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. NOTE: Food writing entries should be entered in the Food Writing Portfolio category. Each entry consists of three examples of the writer’s work, showing a range of reporting styles.
011 Arts & Entertainment Commentary Portfolio A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, excluding editorials. NOTE: Food writing entries should be entered in the Food Writing Portfolio category. Each entry consists of three examples of the writer’s work.
012 Sports Feature Feature treatment of any sports topic. Entries can be a trend story, interview or feature story. Each entry consists of one story.
013 Headline Writing Portfolio A collection of three headlines and accompanying decks by the same writer for feature stories or columns. Headlines must be attached to the stories or columns and can be accompanied by related visuals. Entries will be judged on clarity, accuracy and creativity. One entry consists of three headlines and accompanying decks and stories. NOTE: All entries, regardless of circulation group, compete in one group.
014 Video Storytelling The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length. One entry consists of one video.
015 Integrated Storytelling The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, digital, social media, video and any other platform. One entry consists of the package of stories and other elements used to cover the topic.
016 Features Podcast The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through a podcast. One entry consists of links to three podcast episodes by the same person or persons. NOTE: All entries, regardless of circulation group, compete in one group.
017 Diversity in Digital Features The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience. Diversity can include race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs or other ideologies. One entry consists of a story or a series of stories on the same diversity topic. Multiple bylines accepted.
018 Digital Innovation New or improved digital ventures, which can include new or upgraded websites, apps, social-media experiments or other ways to share information in the digital world. Entries will be judged on creativity and impact. Must include a description of no more than 250 words on how the innovation came about, its goals and its success. Submit explanation as a Word document attachment or enter explanation in the “Comments, Credits & Other Info” field on the entry form. One entry consists of one innovation, such as an app or a website. NOTE: All entries, regardless of circulation group, compete in one group.
019 Special Section A special section published in 2019 either in print and/or online once a year. (For sections published two or more times, enter Niche Product.) Submit one hard copy or PDFs of the entire or provide the URL (if it’s an online-only entry) in the comments section on the entry.
Each entry must also include a PDF of the cover or homepage of the section. On the back of each hard-copy issue, attach a printed entry label, which automatically appears after each entry is submitted. Mail entries to Jim Haag, SPJ-SFJ Contest 2019, 4967 Cinder Cone Drive, Victor, ID 83455. Entries must be postmarked by Feb. 15, 2020.
020 Niche Product The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year. Submit two hard copies of each niche product or PDFs of the entire product of the same niche product.
Each entry must also include PDFs of the covers from both of the submitted entries. One entry consists of one copy of each of the two issues and the two PDFs. On the back of each hard-copy issue, attach a printed entry label, which automatically appears after each entry is submitted. Mail entries to Jim Haag, SPJ-SFJ Contest 2019, 4967 Cinder Cone Drive, Victor, ID 83455. Entries must be postmarked by Feb. 15, 2020.
021 Features Digital Presence The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. Submit links to a website; features channel; app; and/or social-media page such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter. Entries are judged on content, which includes timeliness, depth of coverage, voice and style. One entry consists of links to a website, features channel, social-media pages or app.
022 Best Section The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. Submit five sections, either hard copies or PDFs of the entire sections, from the 2019 calendar year. One must be an arts-and-entertainment-themed section, and one must be a Sunday section. (If your publication doesn’t print on Sunday, submit one section from Saturday or from your premiere weekly section and add a note of explanation).
The other three are the editor’s choice from regularly appearing features sections. Entries are judged on content, which includes the range of topics, depth, voice and style; service, which includes the inclusion of everyday people, useful information and the level of reader interaction; and design, which includes the use of photos and illustrations, headlines, navigational tools and the “wow” factor.
One hard copy of each section or PDFs of the entire section is required. One entry consists of one copy or PDFs of each of the five sections and PDFs of three of the submitted section fronts (PDFs of the section fronts only). On the back of each section, attached a printed version of the entry label, which automatically appears after each entry is submitted. Mail entries to Jim Haag, SPJ-SFJ Contest 2019, 4967 Cinder Cone Drive, Victor, ID 83455. Entries must be postmarked by Feb. 15, 2020.
023 Finest in Features Sweepstakes Awards This award honors three publications in each circulation category that garner the most awards in the other 22 categories. No entry is necessary. Instead, points are assigned for each of the other winning entries, and the publications with the highest number of points receive the sweepstakes awards.
ESPN’s Kelley Carter to kick off Society for Features Journalism’s 2019 conference
VENUE UPDATE FOR THURSDAY: We will now meet at St. Andrews, a decommissioned church on Wayne State’s campus, right next to the Communications building, Manoogian Hall. (Not to be confused with St. Andrews Hall on E. Congress, which is a downtown music venue.) If you’re staying at the hotel, the shuttle driver will drop you at Manoogian Hall, and you will see the church just next door.
If you’re coming on your own, we’re at the corner of Warren Ave. and the Lodge service drive. If you’re driving, Garage #2 is just behind the church on W. Kirby and the Lodge service drive. It’s a public, pay parking garage.
ORIGINAL POST: The Society for Features Journalism announces its 2019 conference schedule, starting with its keynote speaker, a Detroit native who’s reporting on the national stage for ESPN’s The Undefeated. Check out the full schedule of sessions below, plus everything you need to know to plan your visit:
When: Wednesday-Saturday, Sept. 18-21, 2019 (Register now!) in Detroit
Tour Downtown Detroit | 2 to 4 p.m. Pick-up and drop-off, Element Detroit at the Metropolitan Never been to Detroit before? Jump on this tour bus, provided by The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau. A seasoned guide will show off some of the city’s most beautiful architecture, from Art Deco masterpieces to mid-century modern standards. Register here for the free tour.
Opening reception and registration | 7 to 9 p.m. Pendant Room, Element Detroit at the Metropolitan Meet your fellow features creatures, register for the conference and relax. Enjoy a glass—or two—of wine, some hors d’oeuvres and good conversation. SFJ President Margaret Myers and other officers will welcome guests and introduce some special folks, such as our Diversity fellows and panelists in attendance.
THURSDAY | 09.19.19
9-9:30 a.m.| Coffee and registration, St. Andrews, Wayne State The Element hotel provides free breakfast for guests. We will provide a shuttle from the Element to Wayne State.
9:30 a.m.| Keynote with Kelley Carter from ESPN’s The Undefeated We are thrilled to feature Detroit’s very own Kelley L. Carter! Kelley is an Emmy-winning journalist and the Senior Entertainment reporter for ESPN’s The Undefeated. She got her start at the Detroit Free Press, and since then has written for some of the most recognized news outlets in the business, including USA Today, Vibe, BuzzFeed, Ebony, Essence, ESPN.com, MTV News, and the Chicago Tribune. At The Undefeated, Kelley’s developed a beat that draws from the intersection of entertainment, pop culture, and race.
10:30-11:30 a.m. | The future of Detroit (and who gets to write it)
Reporters—and headline writers—like Detroit. There are news stories: “Five years after bankruptcy, Detroit’s comeback still has a long way to go.” There are stories that use Detroit as a metaphor: “Russia’s Detroit falls on hard times.” And there are stories that target potential visitors: “Detroit: The most exciting city in America?”
But how can we get a real sense of Detroit and its future? For starters, you can listen to the experts—people who live or have lived here and have made time for thoughtful observation. We have four of them on our panel: Nicole Avery Nichols, Urban Affairs Editor at the Detroit Free Press; Candice Fortman of Outlier Media; Martina Guzman, a local features reporter; and Ron Fournier, the former publisher and editor of Crain’s Detroit Business.
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.| Parenting coverage: What works, what falls flat, and why?
Some parenting stories resonate with readers so profoundly that they break traffic records for their publications and spark meaningful, important discussions. Other parenting stories garner almost no traffic at all. Why the disparity? What works and what doesn’t? Is there a magic sauce?
This panel can help you decide whether your publication should have a parenting beat and, if so, how that beat might work best in your part of the country. With Rebecca Dube, head of TODAY Parents Digital for the TODAY show; Ron Fournier, author of “Love That Boy,” a book about his relationship with his son with autism; and Amy Joyce, On Parenting editor for The Washington Post.
12:30- 2 p.m.| Lunch and Show & Steal part I
Back by popular demand! Just as writer’s block is real, so is editor’s block. Get inspiration from some of the best work by SFJ members from around the country. Laura Coffey of TODAY.com and Sharon Chapman of the Austin American-Statesman will guide this highly visual ideas bonanza.
2-3 p.m. | Freelancer AMA
Editors, how strong—and how diverse—is your freelance roster? With shrinking staffs and audiences’ demand for authenticity, now is the perfect opportunity to cultivate your bench and uncover deeper levels of storytelling. And writers, do you know how to develop your niche and do you even need one? How do you manage the business side of things while staying focused on the creative work?
In this frank discussion, we will hear from veteran freelancers who are all in different stages in their careers, with different backgrounds and goals for the future. They will share advice with the editors and the writers in the room on everything from pitching to pricing. With Daniel Hernandez of the New York Times, Janelle Harris of AARP’s Sisters, and Evan F. Moore of Chicago Sun-Times.
3-4 p.m. | Innovation and on-demand audio Why the podcast and on-demand audio space is so ripe for innovation. But first, what even is innovation? And how do you know if you’re doing it? A look at The Washington Post’s approach to podcasting, with a focus on smart approaches to innovation in any medium. With Jessica Stahl, the head of audio for The Washington Post.
4-5 p.m. | How to Cover the Arts on Any Beat For years, local news organizations under financial strain have cut back on arts coverage or eliminated their arts staff altogether. Features writers and beat reporters are asked to pick up the coverage in newsrooms, while writers dedicated to covering the arts are left to navigate the freelance world.
Our panel will give resource-strapped reporters and editors creative and sustainable approaches to incorporating arts coverage in business, features and breaking news stories. With Christopher Wynn, arts and entertainment editor of The Dallas Morning News; and Joshua Barajas, deputy online editor at PBS NewsHour.
5:15-5:45 p.m. | Features 911
We’ll have a 911 box available throughout the conference, and we’ll ask conference attendees to ask questions, both big and small. Jim Haag and Sharon Chapman will lead this quick and lively session.
8:30 a.m. | Coffee, African Room, Department of Communication, Wayne State University We will provide a shuttle from the Element to Wayne State.
9-10 a.m. | Soul for the Food
Telling the stories of a community by writing about its food. Regional cuisines are a product of the area’s history, native ingredients, colonial influences and more. So writing about Tex-Mex, Frogmore Stew, scrapple or other regional dishes gives us opportunities to write about the communities themselves.
This panel will explore how to mine an area’s food scene for the community stories that lie just beyond. With Emily Spicer, features editor at the San Antonio Express-News; Daniel Hernandez formerly of LA Taco; Jamila Robinson of the James Beard Awards Journalism Committee; and Paul Stephen, food writer San Antonio Express-News.
10-11:30 a.m. | Are features stories endangered species? At a time when the industry is focused on investigative, project and data journalism, we ignore—at our own peril—the kinds of feature stories that resonate with our readers. Tom Hallman Jr. will lead a workshop drawn from the real world of storytelling, discussing what’s needed to find, report and write feature stories with impact. More than a class on theory, Hallman will examine his stories, and the stories of other writers, to break down what is required to bring stories to life.
Participants will learn skills they can use immediately. While Hallman has written series and stores as long as 6,000 words, he believes a story does not have to be long, nor does it require months of reporting and writing. Hallman, a senior reporter at The Oregonian, won the 2001 Pulitzer in Feature Writing.
12-1:30 p.m. | SFJ award winners luncheon, Italian Room
We laud the winners of the 2019 Excellence-in-Features Awards.
2-3 p.m. | A new beat for an old magazine
Why on earth would someone spend $50 on a water bottle? What does it say about you if you do? “If you can understand why so many people would spend 50 bucks on a water bottle, you can understand a lot about America in 2019,” writes Amanda Mull, a staff writer at The Atlantic. From why we obsess over fancy S’well bottles to the reason that young Americans are so sick of booze, Mull is carving out a fresh approach to examining contemporary culture, while developing a brand new audience for a 163-year-old publication.
3-4 p.m. |Write the Power: Community stories as told through music writing Music culture coverage isn’t just cool, bringing dismissive hipsters to the fold or sending Boomers into nostalgic overloads. This arts beats is an essential part of journalism because it often tells us the stories of the overlooked and ignored. Whether it’s using a feature on a hip-hop group to showcase how people are powering pride in a crumbling part of town or examining cultural ties by explaining how K-Pop connects a second generation of Americans to their ancestral homeland, these stories unite us through art while bringing different faces and stories to news sites. In a time of representative reporting and diversity course correcting, the music beat can look on point. But the truth is music writers have been reporting on diversity and representation for years by simply finding the best stories about the best art.
We talk with a panel of veteran music and culture writers to explain how music coverage is more than snide album reviews or fawning Q&As; it’s a highly effective way to get diverse people on the front page and timely issues into the news sites. With Mesfin Fekadu, AP Music writer; Imani Mixon, freelance culture writer in Detroit; and Jim DeRogatis, author and former Chicago Sun-Times music critic; and Robert Morast, Senior Arts & Entertainment Editor at the San Francisco Chronicle.
4-5 p.m. |Breaking down R. Kelly In 2000, The Chicago Sun-Times was the first news outlet to publish a report that alleged R. Kelly had engaged in sex with minors. Veteran music reporter Jim DeRogatis has been reporting on this tragic story from Day 1. Now, as the pop singer awaits arraignment on federal sex crimes, we have this special opportunity to sit with DeRogatis and discuss this 20-some-year tragedy.
5:15-5:45 p.m. | Features 911
We’ll have a 911 box available throughout the conference, and we’ll ask conference attendees to ask questions, both big and small. Jim Haag and Sharon Chapman will lead this quick and lively session.
7-9 p.m. | The SFJ Foundation Auction, The Detroit Writing Room
Meet us two blocks from the hotel at Detroit’s only co-working space for writers! And it was co-founded by a former features reporter for the Detroit News. We’ll have an open bar and apps. We hope you will bid big to help support the SFJ Foundation’s Diversity Fellowship program. Emily Spicer and Jim Haag will lead the craziness, with able assistance from those in the crowd.
SATURDAY | 09.21.19
Stevie Wonder Room, michigan.com
9 a.m. | Coffee and doughnuts
9:30-10:30 p.m. | Digital storytelling—10 things digital editors wished you knew
Barbara Allen and Kristen Hare from Poynter will lead this session. Come with questions!
10:30-11:30 a.m. | Show & Steal part II Laura Coffey of TODAY.com and Sue Campbell of Star Tribune Magazine showcase more great feature ideas from SFJ members.
11:30 a.m.-noon | Changing of the guard It’s a time-honored tradition: The current SFJ president, Margaret Myers turns over the gavel – and few surprising pieces of clothing – to the incoming president, Sharon Chapman of the Austin American-Statesman. Then, sadly, it’s time to wrap it up.
Editor’s note: We have updated this post to reflect a few changes from the original. Namely, Detroit’s Aaron Foley will not be joining us due to a scheduling conflict. We will miss him! Also, Sue Campbell from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune will be joining Show & Steal this year.
The fellows are, clockwise from top left: Vanessa Taylor, Mesfin Fekadu, Nicole Clark, Wei-Huan Chen, Prince Shakur and Chris Ip
INDIANAPOLIS, July 10, 2019 – The Society for Features Journalism (SFJ), an organization promoting the craft of writing and innovation in journalism is proud to announce that Wei-Huan Chen, the Arts + Culture Writer and Theater Critic for the Houston Chronicle will receive SFJ’s 2019 Penny Bender Fuchs Diversity Fellowship.
Additionally, a generous first-time grant from Craig Newmark Philanthropies will fund fellowships for five journalists of color to attend SFJ’s September conference in Detroit.
The Society for Features Journalism is a member-based organization whose members write for large and small publications nationally, covering stories about race, identity, culture and community. Every year, SFJ hosts a conference for writers, editors, students and journalists interested in learning about honing their craft. Through the Penny Bender Fuchs Diversity Fellowship Program, journalists of color can attend the conference for free. The conference allows fellows to gain insight on the workings of features departments nationwide, to network with outstanding journalists, and to share their insights with the journalistic community.
“My aim is foremost to raise awareness, leaving artists and administrators to take action,” said Wei-Huan Chen. “And perhaps most important: during a time of national trauma and distrust, I love writing about beauty, joy, inspiration and brilliance.”
Chen has written for the Chronicle since 2016. He combines arts criticism and investigative reporting to produce groundbreaking coverage that highlights diversity. The SFJ Foundation will cover Chen’s all-expenses paid fellowship to the conference.
Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies, assisted the SFJ in funding these fellowships through a generous first-time grant. These funds will give five additional journalists of color the opportunity to attend the conference: helping cultivate conversations about tech trends, the #MeToo movement, social media, and the media’s coverage of communities of color nationwide.
The five Craig Newmark fellow recipients are:
– Nicole Clark, Vice Media, Staff Writer, Los Angeles. Nicole writes on film, television, book reviews and was previously a legal writer.
– Mesfin Fekadu, Associated Press, Music Editor and Senior Journalist, New York. Mesfin has worked at the AP since 2008, overseeing the text music coverage as well as video and photo production.
– Chris Ip, Engadget, Associate Features Editor, New York. Chris writes features on the intersection of culture, society, and technology.
– Prince Shakur, Freelancer, Columbus, Ohio. Prince has written for a variety of publications including Teen Vogue, AfroPunk and Vice. His Two Woke Minds video project won the 2017 Rising Stars Digital Innovator Award from G.L.A.A.D.
– Vanessa Taylor, Afrotech, Writer and Editor, Philadelphia. Vanessa covers politics, culture and religion. As a teenager, she co-founded the Black Liberation Project, a grassroots collective of Black youth based in Minnesota’s Twin Cities.
SFJ is excited to bring such a diverse class of fellows to this year’s The Society for Features Journalism National Conference, taking place September 18-21, 2019, in Detroit.
These awards recognize the three publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 20 categories. First place: NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune Ten awards, including six firsts (Short Feature, Food Criticism, Food Writing Portfolio, General Commentary Portfolio, Best Niche Product and Best Podcast), two seconds (Best Features Digital Presence and General Feature), one third (Diversity in Digital Features) and one honorable mention (Food Feature) Second place: Austin American-Statesman Six awards, including three firsts (Best Section, Best Features Digital Presence and Arts and Entertainment Feature), one second (Video Storytelling) and two thirds (Arts and Entertainment Commentary Portfolio and Video Storytelling) Third place: The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post Five awards, including two firsts (Food Feature and Food Specialty Writing Portfolio), one second (General Commentary Portfolio) and two thirds (Narrative Storytelling and Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio)
Best section
The best regularly occurring printed features sections that focus on A&E, lifestyles or other features coverage. First place: Austin American-Statesman Judge’s comments: What’s impressive about the Austin American-Statesman is that the paper continues to be an authority when it comes to two major aspects that define its city’s culture – food and entertainment. The extremely comprehensive SXSW guide and the dining guide are fine examples. Throughout the features sections, the stories – whether about a new restaurant, a new singer or a wine-tasting journey – are well-written, reported and edited. Longer reads – like the one about the rapper-barber who’s observing gentrification taking hold of his city or the one about the woman who finds love from a father figure later in her life – prove that the paper’s lifestyle coverage isn’t a one- or two-trick pony. Ultimately, the coverage makes you want to visit Austin – with an empty stomach, of course – and have an adventure you’ll talk about for years to come. Second place: (Albany, N.Y.) Times Union Judge’s comments: These features sections are amazing! (And we use exclamation points sparingly.) In addition to having strong writing and reporting by staff writers – bravo, Steve Barnes – as well as freelance contributors, what stands out is the creativity in the design and the wonderful story ideas. It’s obvious from reading these sections – including the food coverage (such as the story about the actual cost of burgers or the one about olives), the various restaurant reviews (real gems) and the theater and arts coverage – that readers are in for something special when they pick up this paper. The sections have a clear understanding about the entertainment, cultural and dining scenes in the Albany area. As a bonus, readers likely will get a chuckle or two from the quick-witted and colorful writing. Third place: (Greensboro, N.C.) News & Record Judge’s comments: The News & Record captures the goings-on in its vibrant community through its intriguing features and arts-and-entertainment pieces – whether a lifestyle story about a chorus performing “Messiah” for the last time or a Halloween writing contest for students. It’s easy to see why these stories would appeal to a diverse group of readers. Honorable mention: The (Allentown, Pa.) Morning Call
Best features digital presence
The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: Austin360.com, Sharon Chapman, Eric Webb + Staff, Austin American-Statesman Judge’s comments: As the cultural oasis of Texas and home to SXSW, Austin demands a media organization that rises to the challenge in presenting everything the city has to offer – and to it with personality. The features staff at the Austin American-Statesman has met this challenge with a slick, comprehensive presentation that conveys a playful and lively approach to the information people need to have. Second place: Where NOLA Eats, Todd Price, Ann Maloney + Brett Anderson, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune Judge’s comments: Where NOLA Eats represents an amazing effort by its three-member food staff, hitting every angle and update that residents and visitors alike would need to know to find their way through this food mecca. Third place: Out There Colorado, Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette Judge’s comments: Out There Colorado presents a picture-perfect guide to the outdoor adventures the state has to offer. A job well done in a tough category. Honorable mention: Equal Voice News, Staff, Equal Voice News
General feature
Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic.
First place: Amy Silverman, Phoenix New Times, “John McCain: Man of Illusion” Judge’s comments: Silverman’s sharp, authoritative memoriam of John McCain transcends the category of political obituary. With a warm embrace and a gut punch, she delivers a nuanced – and distinctly Arizonan – perspective on parts of the McCain legacy that often are overlooked by national voices who knew the senator as only the “Maverick.” Second place: Katherine Sayre, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune, “Fighting for Kevin: A Father Struggles to Keep His Son Alive in Louisiana’s Mental Health Care System” Judge’s comments: Sayre showcases a sharp eye for detail in a story that takes a novel approach to explaining the problems with the state mental health system. It’s a topic that has been taken on before, and Sayre tackles it with ambition. Reggie Seay is an empathetic protagonist whose determination in the face of a byzantine system is as humbling as it is powerful. Third place: Stephanie Earls, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Joshua’s Journey: Gazette Chronicles a Year in a Young Boy’s Battle with Cancer” Judge’s comments: The intimate and everyday struggle of a family facing the unimaginable comes alive through Earls’ precise and beautiful writing. Joshua is only 4 years old, but his personality jumps off the page, as does his parents’ devotion during his treatment. Honorable mention: Anna Claire Vollers, The Birmingham (Ala.) News/AL.com, “Alabama’s Dinosaur Adventure Land Teaches That Evolution is ‘Dumbest Religion in the History of the World’ “
Arts & Entertainment feature
Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic. First place (tie): Steve Bornfeld, LasVegasNewswire.com, “This is a Shtick-Up!: At 92, Vegas Legend Shecky Greene Still a Comedy Tornado” Judge’s comments: Bornfeld captures the frenetic energy and stream-of-consciousness style of Shecky Greene, and readers feel as though they’re in the room with the comic. Bornfeld’s instincts for mirroring Greene’s style results in an entertaining snapshot. A line early in the story captures the approach: “Chitchats with Shecky Greene demand massive stockpiles of those percussive flourishes (BA-RUMP-BUMP!) that could punctuate Shecky punch lines whooshing toward you in tsunami waves.” First place (tie): Wes Eichenwald, Austin American-Statesman, “Where Life is Still a Cabaret in Manhattan” Judge’s comments: Eichenwald’s portraits and reminiscences about those who moonlight as entertainers in New York’s piano bars and cabarets convey an intimacy borne from personal experience and the memories of subjects who have a thousand stories to tell. A wonderfully observed slice of disappearing life. Second place: Chad Huculak, Edmonton (Canada) Journal, “Fringe Survival Guide: The Illustrated Edition” Judge’s comments: The cartoon treatment of this survival guide is a clever and entertaining way to advance an event. It’s a fresh take on what likely is an annual ritual, and it’s nice that the writer tapped into various segments of the people involved, including performers and critics. Third place: Robrt L. Pela, Phoenix New Times, “Battle of the Ladmo Bag Boys” Judge’s comments: This story takes readers deep into the cult of a faded kids TV show “beloved by all Phoenicians” and a legal flap that threatens a happy ending. We appreciated the energy and the devotion to detail in the story, and Pela does a good job explaining the significance of the show and telling people who might not have watched why they should care.
Short feature
Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words. First place: Todd Price, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune, “One Man Makes All of Arnaud’s Souffle Potatoes” Judge’s comments: Oh, the things we take for granted when we step into a fancy restaurant. We make a reservation and show up with a long list of expectations. If those expectations are met, we leave happy – and we probably don’t give meal preparation a second thought. But Price is here to remind us that behind every delicious bite is dedication, experience and pride of craft in his piece about the man who creates all of the soufflé potatoes for a New Orleans institution. Read this piece, and you’ll understand the pursuit of perfection. Second place: Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton (Canada) Journal, “Barbarian Art: The Secret Conan Lurking Inside Edmonton’s Outdoor Murals” Judge’s comments: Two words: “Fish Griwkowsky.” This isn’t the first time this writer has delighted us, so it’s not surprising that he’s done it again. Three more words: “Conan the Barbarian.” Perhaps there is no one else in the world who could make a story on a muralist who likes to include Conan in his works read like a work of art: “… the puncher of camels is reliably in nearly every Friesen mural — in effect the Where’s Waldo of Edmonton.” Third place: Andrea Brown, The (Everett, Wash.) Daily Herald, “Alexa Does It All (Except Curse)” Judge’s comments: The future is already here, and for anyone who proudly resists it – or who proudly calls herself a Luddite – get over it. You cannot resist! This is a glimpse – through Brown’s precise prose – of how many of us (most of us?) will be ordering our lives until the next improvement comes along. Honorable mention: Elise Stolte, Edmonton (Canada) Journal, “Hidden Strengths: These Edmonton Shopkeepers Are Gems in the Fight Against Homelessness”
Food feature
A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personalityprofile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic. First place: Liz Balmaseda, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, “A Sliver of Haiti in Boca Raton” Judge’s comments: Balmaseda writes with ease and elegance as she introduces readers to Chef Greg Romulus and his restaurant. At each step of the way, the flavors of Haitian food come through with her beautiful descriptions. This is a great example of how a story can be written tightly and yet effective. Second place: Chris Malloy, Phoenix New Times, “Eating Arizona” Judge’s comments: This is a compelling narrative with detailed descriptions. Readers get an in-depth taste of the Sonoran Desert and the ingredients it offers when Malloy takes a trip with chefs to forage, hike and harvest. The writing is engaging and educational. Third place: Ian McNulty, The New Orleans Advocate, “Now Fewer Than Ever, New Orleans Po-Boy Bread Bakers Have a Lot Riding on Their Loaves” Judge’s comments: McNulty achieves what he sets out to do by making readers understand why good bread matters for po-boys. The story has a smooth and easy flow as he works his way through the different bakeries that create the bread and seamlessly captures the voices of the bakers.
Honorable mention: Ann Maloney, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune, “Father and Son Keep Roman Candy Rolling Through New Orleans”
Food criticism
A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry. First place: Todd Price, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune, “Jack Rose Shakes Off the Past With a Playful Attitude, Satisfying Fare” Judge’s comments: This is how a critic should write, describing the moment, the atmosphere and the scene, as well as the subject at hand – in this case, food. Price gives readers a global view on a myopic moment, and we’re richer for it. Second place: Susie Davidson Powell, (Albany, N.Y.) Times Union, “Pebbles Asian Fusion Serves Food True to Roots of Chef’s Native Taiwan” Judge’s comments: Davidson displays fine writing and descriptive ability in her work.
Features series or project
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts. First place: Jennifer Berry Hawes and Deanna Pan, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “An Undying Mystery” Judge’s comments: A fascinating, horrifying and mesmerizing look at two unsolved 1944 murders. The research and writing are impeccable in this fantastic piece of storytelling. Second place: Staff, Deseret News, “Generation Vexed: Teens and Anxiety” Judge’s comments: A useful series that might not have been done at all if not for reporters simply following up on something they observed. One of the more interesting aspects of it was hyper-local: how stress affects missionaries in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Fascinating. Third place: Janet French, Edmonton (Canada) Journal, “Missing the Mark: An Investigation into Alberta’s Class Sizes” Judge’s comments: Superb work with data analysis, and this piece does something we do far too little as journalists: follow up. This series looks at classroom conditions 15 years after a highly touted study, and this reporting shows little, if any, progress after $2 billion was poured into making attempted corrections. Honorable mention: Britt Kennerly, Florida Today, “The Long Goodbye”
Narrative storytelling
A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme. First place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “The Stolen Daughter” Judge’s comments: A wonderful and well-crafted piece with elegant, simple prose, and the chapter approach segments a long story into digestible chunks that provide drama – the good kind. As much as anything else, it’s a story that exemplifies how patience can amplify intrigue – through character development, a smart outline and nonlinear storytelling that stays on path. This is top-notch work – the type of story you don’t want to stop reading, but you also want to rush to the end to find out what’s coming. Second place: Jennifer Berry Hawes, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier, “In a Blinding Flash” Judge’s comments: Another strong piece by Hawes. This one has great pacing and language, and the story moves like a lulling rhythm that pulls you in and sets you to time. Third place: Joe Capozzi, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, “The Strange Tale of Wolfie and the Addicts” Judge’s comments: This story features wonderful voice and style in the opening section, and it’s smart and effective, without becoming a burdensome trick. Honorable mention: Steve Barnes, (Albany, N.Y.) Times Union, “Waiter Matthew Kirschner Tells His Opioid Tale, in His Own Arrogant Way”
Feature specialty writing portfolio
Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel. First place: Liz Balmaseda, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post Judge’s comments: Balmaseda deftly connects people, food and culture in an engaging, sophisticated style. Her passion for food, people and writing comes through in each piece and, in the end, you feel as though you know these people and you know this place. Second place: Keith Spera, The New Orleans Advocate Judge’s comments: Spera oozes cool with great storytelling and a clever way with words. Third place: Larry Aydlette, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post Judge’s comments: Readers surely love this series of historical and celebrity stories. Aydlette combines history, clips, the present and the past in a style that seems effortless. Honorable mention: Kelli Bozeman, inRegister
Food writing portfolio
Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic. First place: Brett Anderson, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune Judge’s comments: Anderson seamlessly merges in-depth reporting with engaging writing. Each piece is smooth and pulls you in, with effortless description and character development. There are moments of fun and levity, but you’re never unclear about how well Anderson scratches beneath the surface. Second place: Liane Faulder, Edmonton (Canada) Journal Judge’s comments: Faulder clearly cares deeply about the community she covers. She has a wide range of reporting skills and knowledge about her city’s business, food policy and the culture. She knows how to put a human face on trends that demonstrate the power of food. Third place: Steve Barnes, (Albany, N.Y.) Times Union Judge’s comments: Barnes’ stories about the business side of food show impressive off-the-news analysis. He clearly follows his community closely and knows when news events will have an effect on people. Honorable mention: Ian McNulty, The New Orleans Advocate
General commentary portfolio
A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. First place: Haley Correll, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune Judge’s comments: Correll takes a particular instance or event and puts it in universal context. The columns about school are well-reported and illuminate a larger issue affecting the community. Second place: Leslie Gray Streeter, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post Judge’s comments: Streeter takes personal thoughts and raises them from the individual to the universal. Her writing is sophisticated with a distinctive voice. Third place: Bill Knight, Pekin (Ill.) Daily Times Judge’s comments: Knight displays clever wordplay and has a recognizable voice and point of view.
Arts & entertainment commentary portfolio
A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials. First place: Tracey O’Shaughnessy, (Waterbury, Conn.) Republican-American Judge’s comments: In muscular, descriptive writing that’s authoritative yet accessible, O’Shaughnessy gives her readers a master class in art appreciation. In a column about a hitherto-unknown Leonardo da Vinci painting, she says: Who else, given “the way the light reflected off the interior caramel trim of the saint’s cloak … [and] the almost microscopic speck of light that bled on the saint’s left thumb.” No pandering here; the writer respects her readers’ intelligence. Second place: Simi Horwitz, Film Journal International Judge’s comments: Horwitz is a consistent winner, and she’s back again this year. Marginalized youth is thriving in movie land, she argues in a masterful piece that displays her command of cinema history. Third place: Matthew Odam, Austin American-Statesman Judge’s comments: Vivid details help convey the flavor of Austin’s food scene in Odam’s work.
Sports feature
Feature treatment of any sports topic. First place: Jesse Hyde, Deseret News, “The Lonely Master: From March Madness to Shangai, the Unlikely Journey of Jimmer Fredette” Judge’s comments: Poignant look at former NBA journeyman Jimmer Fredette, who finds himself playing basketball in China. Hyde chooses the perfect details to show what happens when life doesn’t turn out exactly like you had planned. The lede is wonderful – Fredette building a nativity set from Legos in Shangai while his family celebrates Christmas in the States – and the ending resonates. Second place: Emily Wolfe, Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, “Ski. Climb. Write.” Judge’s comments: Wolfe chronicles the path of Dick Dorworth, a champion skier, whose life journey takes him from on the top of the world to an extremely dark place before finding Zen Buddhism. The writing is lively, and the pacing is perfect. Third place: Stephanie Earls, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Run With the Burros” Judge’s comments: It’s easy to love a story that starts this way: “About 4 miles into the Victor Gold Rush Challenge, my ass went bankrupt.” Earls gives us a first-hand account of her attempt at burro racing, and we’re pretty sure that the “ass” she mentions in the opening line is the donkey – and not her derriere. It’s a fun piece that kept us laughing. Honorable mention: Nathan Van Dyne, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Kindness Elevated: Six Strangers Turn Mountain Mishap into Mountain Rescue”
Video storytelling
The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length. First place: Hannah Tran, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Discarded Beauty” Judge’s comments: A beautifully shot and tightly edited piece, “Discarded Beauty” expertly carries out the recycling metaphor without slipping into cliched territory. Heartfelt, honest and an important reminder that art is a critical piece of one’s humanity – and that it shouldn’t be forgone when someone is incarcerated. Second place: Reshma Kirpalani, Austin American-Statesman, “Bad Birds” Judge’s comments: A funny, charming look at an unexpected subject matter. Seeing how these birds – for better or worse – unite a community makes for a quirky and delightful video. Well-shot and edited with a breadth of characters and a healthy but fun dose of education. Third place: Ana Ramirez, Austin American-Statesman, “Swimming for a Dream” Judge’s comments: A touching story that is visually compelling and emotionally moving. The video is focused and features excellent sound editing. Plus, cool underwater shots capture the energy and vibrancy. Honorable mention: Staff, Equal Voice News, “The Future Builders: A Native Community and Family Homes”
Integrated storytelling
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, online, social media, video and any other platform. No awards given.
Diversity in digital features
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience. First place: Emily Wolfe, Montana Outlaw, “Fuel, Oxygen and Heat” Judge’s comments: Wolfe takes readers into the heat of the action, and she shows what it feels like to be at the scene of a fire – and to be a female firefighter dealing with unwanted advances. Second place: Mike Fisher, U Magazine, “International Call for Freedom Leads to UCalgary” Judge’s comments: Fisher shares a poignant story of survival and hope. Third place: Ann Maloney and Todd Price, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune, “Race and Diversity Through Food in New Orleans” Judge’s comments: Maloney’s story shows how the common denominator of food can break down economic barriers. Honorable mention: Paula Simons, Edmonton (Canada) Journal, “Pride Over Prejudice: How the Vriend Case Made Legal History at the Supreme Court Two Decades Ago and Established LGBTQ Rights in Alberta – and Across Canada”
Best special section
The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Colorful Colorado” Judge’s comments: The writing is captivating, and the photos are gorgeous in this special section. If the idea is to entice visitors to see these places, then this section does its job. Second place: Staff, The Villages (Fla.) Daily Sun, “Gridiron 2018” Judge’s comments: This section gets high marks for being highly useful. Just about every angle is covered for fans of this high school team. The design is clean and consistent, and the photo portraits are fun. Third place (tie): Staff, (Albany, N.Y.) Times Union, “Vow” Judge’s comments: Third place ends in a tie between two different types of publications, both well-done. “Vow” has a beautiful slick cover and provides a nice variety of articles. Third place (tie): Staff, The Villages (Fla.) Daily Sun, “Paradise in Pictures” Judge’s comments: Third place ends in a tie between two different types of publications, both well-done. “Paradise in Pictures” must surely be popular with readers, and the caption writers do a nice job keeping it lively. Honorable mention: Ian McNulty, The New Orleans Advocate, “Essential 100: New Orleans Advocate Dining Guide”
Best niche product
The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year. First place: Dining Guides, Todd Price, Ann Maloney and Brett Anderson, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune Judge’s comments: These guides to New Orleans’ food and drinking scene are must-haves for anyone wanting to partake in the city’s glorious culinary tradition. The writing is authoritative, and the fried chicken guide is simply mouth-watering. Second place: 1808, Cindy Loman and Staff, (Greensboro, N.C.) News & Record Judge’s comments: A well-done magazine with striking covers and a nice mix of shorter and longer pieces. Love the idea of looking at today’s tourism throughout the eyes of a Revolutionary War hero. Third place: Adore, Katy Danos and Emily Sucherman, The New Orleans Advocate Judge’s comments: We – dare we say it? – adore the covers on these guides to fashion, home design and decor, and we’re sure readers love the helpful tips and advice they receive from the content. Honorable mention: Discover Central Virginia, Carrie Sidener and Jon Ness, The (Lynchburg, Va.) News & Advance Honorable mention: Upstate, Staff, (Albany, N.Y.) Times Union
DIVISION 2 | Circulation 90,000 to 199,999
Finest in features sweepstakes awards
These awards recognize the three publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 20 categories. First place: The Virginian-Pilot Eleven awards, including four firsts (Narrative Storytelling, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio, Best Special Section and Best Niche Product), one second (Best Special Section), five thirds (Best Section, Food Feature, Food Criticism, Sports Feature and Integrated Storytelling) and one honorable mention (Video Storytelling) Second place: San Antonio Express-News Twelve awards, including two firsts (Best Digital Features Presence and Food Criticism), three seconds (Food Feature, Food Criticism and Best Podcast), three thirds (Narrative Storytelling, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio and Food Writing Portfolio) and four honorable mentions (Features Series or Project, Best Section, General Feature and Best Special Section) Third place: The (Portland) Oregonian/OregonLive.com Nine awards, including four firsts (General Feature, General Commentary Portfolio, Video Storytelling and Integrated Storytelling), four seconds (General Feature, Features Series or Project), General Commentary Portfolio and Sports Feature) and one third (Short Feature)
Best section
The best regularly occurring printed features sections that focus on A&E, lifestyles or other features coverage. First place: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Judge’s comments: This section is impressive in breadth and local knowledge. The weekend section is easy to scan and contains loads of service material. Cover subjects include creative explorations of breakfast, a great “Mix and Match” Easter foods section and a summer guide to Pittsburgh. But the most impressive is the section on Mister Rogers. For this paper, his life was hometown story, so a 50th anniversary section would seem a given. But the Post-Gazette went all out and, surprisingly, the stories never felt repetitive. The section’s design is lovely, and each page holds something special. Second place: St. Louis Post-Dispatch Judge’s comments: This section is full of inspired and creative content. For subscribers and frequent readers, there are regular columns, but there also are strong stories to pull in casual readers. For example, the “Fallen Arches” article is easy to scan, funny and irreverent. At the same time, it is informative in a way that could turn outsiders into insiders. We also loved “Women Shaping Our Arts Scene,” which profiles not just the normal arts folks but also a librarian and beverage director. The section covers a wide array of subjects – theater, books, parenting, society, pets, travel – giving readers much to choose from. Third place: The Virginian-Pilot Judge’s comments: The section covers a wide variety of ideas and is generally strong. The staff tackles the serious subject of race but also takes on traditional features content – food (the writing, by the way, is top-notch), theater and goings-on about town. We liked the “Out and About” page, which has content that lets people know where to be and what to do. Honorable mention: San Antonio Express-News
Best features digital presence
The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: MySAFood, The Taste Team, San Antonio Express-News Judge’s comments: MySAFood has a deep online presence, with diverse topics, strong social media, effective multimedia efforts and great photos. It’s easily the most well-rounded, user-friendly, interesting and polished of the lot. Second place: baltimoresun.com/entertainment, Staff, The Baltimore Sun Judge’s comments: This is a strong site with nice social media feeds. Third place: sunsentinel.com/goingout, Gretchen Day-Bryant + Staff, (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Sun Sentinel Judge’s comments: Strong social media feeds enhance this site.
General feature
Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic. First place: Tom Hallman Jr., The (Portland) Oregonian/OregonLive.com, “Dear Della” Judge’s comments: Wow. This story sets Hallman apart from the rest. He saw potential and acted upon it. He did not know where it might lead, most likely a dead end, but he embarked on the journey and discovered a hidden gem. The fragrance of determination wafts through this story. Hallman employs many devices to deliver a compelling tale. The fundamentals of great stories include conceiving a great idea, collecting valuable information and constructing a compelling tale, and Hallman masters each step in that process. Second place: Bethany Barnes, The (Portland) Oregonian/OregonLive.com, “Targeted” Judge’s comments: Barnes did an amazing amount of reporting and homework. She spent a considerable amount of time trying to understand the tremendous stress and strain this process created for this family. The depth of her reporting is unmatched in this way. Barnes writes with authority, especially at the beginning of the story, because of all the work she did to understand the topic. This is the kind of story that causes readers to think about an issue that they had likely never considered. It’s both troubling and complex without easy answers. Third place: Michael Mayo and Megan O’Matz, (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Sun Sentinel, “For Families of Parkland Shooting Victims, Awful Truth Came After Hours of Waiting” Judge’s comments: Superb work. The story captures the frustration of grieving parents hungry for information about their children amid the mass tragedies. We felt the frustration, just reading the story. Honorable mention: Richard Marini, San Antonio Express-News, “Still Not Too Old to Bump and Grind”
Arts & entertainment feature
Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic. First place: Rod Stafford Hagwood, (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Sun Sentinel, “For Marjory Stoneman Douglas Drama Students, a ‘Spring Awakening’ Like No Other” Judge’s comments: This engaging look at those involved in a South Florida production of “Spring Awakening” – which features several Parkland shooting survivors – gets behind the headlines to offer a glimpse at how trauma can affect the making of art. Second place: Cristina Bolling, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, “They Never Expected His Gift. Now They Must Help Him Make the Biggest Choice of His Young Life.” Judge’s comments: Bolling’s profile of the phenomenally talented 17-year-old cellist Drew Dansby doesn’t solely focus on him, as intriguing as he is. It also delves into what it’s like being a parent of someone labeled “brilliant” and the burden of making parental decisions in such a situation. Third place: Bobby Olivier, NJ Advance Media, “Good … For a Girl” Judge’s comments: Sexual harassment is an issue in the music business, and this can be especially true on the local level where, as Olivier reports in his engrossing conversation with several female musicians on the New Jersey club scene, such behavior is being “swept under the stage, gig after gig, weekend after weekend.”
Short feature
Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words. First place: Carlos Frias, Miami Herald, “It Has Vanilla, Nutella Filling — and 100 Croquetas. Behold Miami’s ‘Croqueta Cake.’” Judge’s comments: When you read these words – “This moment will be remembered like the day Sir Alexander Fleming left a petri dish uncovered and accidentally discovered penicillin. Because this was the day the croqueta cake was born” – you know you are in the hands of a master. This story is at once solid, informative, compelling, informative and playful – which is exactly what food writing should be. We’re pretty sure we all need to fly to Miami and insist that Carlos treat us to a croqueta cake. Second place: Cristina Bolling, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, “Hen Hangs Out at Harris Teeter, Becomes a Summer Celebrity” Judge’s comments: Let us be clear: We like animals. In fact, we love animals, but most of the animal stories we encounter are over-the-top or silly or way too sweet. This gem of a story is simply a lovely read – a story about a phenomenon that has captivated a community. The captivator just happens to be a chicken and, in this instance, that is pretty wonderful. Third place: Eder Campuzano, The (Portland) Oregonian/OregonLive.com, “Can I Finally Call Myself an American?” Judge’s comments: This entry is moving, thoughtful and relevant to the current culture. If anyone ever contemplates what it means to call oneself an American – if anyone wants to NOT take that adjective for granted – this is the article they should read. Honorable mention: Mark Gauert, (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Sun Sentinel, “The Question I Asked Marjory Stoneman Douglas”
Food feature
A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personalityprofile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic. First place: Carlos Frias, Miami Herald, “His Pizza is so ‘Extraordinary,’ the Government Granted Him a U.S. Visa” Judge’s comments: An extraordinary slice-of-life story with a localized news peg. It’s a long piece, but we stayed with it and kept thinking, “This would make a great movie!” All because of the way Frias framed the story, developed his characters and put a face on a controversial issue Second place: Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, “For the Best Tamales, Love is the Secret Ingredient” Judge’s comments: This story features good sourcing and good transitions and is a good length. And it’s a shoe-in for Show & Steal. Third place: Matthew Korfhage, The Virginian-Pilot, “For the First Time in Decades, Virginia Beach Schools Will Be Making Scratch Food” Judge’s comments: Scratch cooking in schools? Shut the door! We bet this story was a talker. Korfhage folds in much information but never lets it muddle the narrative. Lots of spinoff story potential in the chef’s plans: culinary classes for kids, scratch recipes for moms, tips and tricks to get kids to eat their vegetables. We love the ongoing news value of this one – and the strong visuals to help drive clicks. Honorable mention: Kelly Brant and Thomas Metthe, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Well-Read Feast”
Food criticism
A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry. First place: Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, “Carnitas Lonja Puts Pork on a Pedestal” Judge’s comments: Sharp, lively writing with phrases that take you by surprise. A joy to read. Second place: Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, “3 Stars for Clementine in Castle Hills” Judge’s comments: Another strong effort from Sutter, this one features lovely writing and a smart structure. Third place: Matthew Korfhage, The Virginian-Pilot, “Virginia Beach Now Has a Restaurant With Glorious Hand-Pulled Chinese Noodles” Judge’s comments: It’s easy to admire the depth of knowledge in this piece and the clarity with which it is presented. Honorable mention: Ian Froeb, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “At Savage, Logan Ely Turns Humble Ingredients into One of the Year’s Best New Restaurants”
Features series or project
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts. First place: Mike Stocker, Doreen Christensen, Yiran Zhu, (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Sun Sentinel, “Voices of Change” Judge’s comments: Beautiful, compelling, thoughtful and engaging. Top-notch writing, photography and design. Second place: Noelle Crombie, Dave Killen, Beth Nakamura, The (Portland) Oregonian/OregonLive.com, “Ghosts of Highway 20” Judge’s comments: A rich collection of media; each element is finely crafted and presented. Any other year, this would win. Third place: David Frese, The Kansas City Star, “When Polio Struck” Judge’s comments: An important topic, intelligently researched and reported, presented with lively writing, lovely photography and strong design. Honorable mention:Melissa Fletcher Stoeljte, San Antonio Express-News, “Sold for Sex”
Narrative storytelling
A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme. First place: Joanne Kimberlin, The Virginian-Pilot, “On America’s Founding River, Two Men Battle Each Other for Progress and History” Judge’s comments: This excellent piece illustrates the tension in a fight over a massive power-line project through the eyes of two men on opposite sides of the issue. The pair have never met, yet Kimberlin seamlessly stitches their stories together with details that bring the characters, the landscape and the project to life. A long-simmering infrastructure dispute doesn’t automatically come with inherent drama, but the writer crafts a compelling narrative that hooks the reader from the get-go, even if they’ve never set foot near the James River. Second place: Chabeli Herrera, Miami Herald, “A Split-Second Decision Saved His Life in the Parkland Shooting. The Trauma Haunts Him.” Judge’s comments: The horror of a shooter menacing the halls of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and the agonizing aftermath for its survivors vividly come to life in this feature. Told through the eyes of a wounded student, the story does a deft job of placing readers in the moment that thrust Parkland students, teachers and families into the spotlight. But the piece does just as good a job telling the stories of the bonds that form afterward – exploring both existing relationships (such as those between parents and son) and new connections (like the friendship between a 15-year-old and an off-duty officer who came to his aid as he fled the school with a gunshot wound). Third place: Martin Kuz, San Antonio Express-News, “Returning to War to Find Peace of Mind” Judge’s comments: A walk down a hilltop trail in Afghanistan changed Luke Cifka’s life when an explosion cost the soldier his legs. This feature, tied to his return to the country years later through Operation Proper Exit, delivers a clear-eyed, well-paced story of the soldier’s life before and after the catastrophic blast. Honorable mention: Matthew Stanmyre, NJ Advance Media, “In N.J.’s Underground Arm Wrestling Scene, Grunts, Groans, Grimaces Rule and Only the Strong Survive”
Features specialty writing portfolio
Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel. First place: Elizabeth Simpson, The Virginian-Pilot Judge’s comments: Simpson’s smooth storytelling and style bring her subjects to life. For example: “The arms of the 4-year-old sisters move gracefully through the air, reminiscent of babies waving their arms in cribs.” The writing immediately draws in readers and keeps them engaged. This collection of health stories covers a range of thought-provoking issues: A teen with an unusual growth spurt caused by a brain tumor. A dentist who notifies the CDC about a rare pulmonary disease. And parents dealing with genetic mutations in two of their three triplets. Each is well-researched and reported, but ultimately, this first-place win comes down to the writing. Second place: Jeremy Reynolds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Judge’s comments: Reynolds’ collection of stories highlight surprising aspects to coverage of classical music. Issues such as age discrimination among symphony orchestras bring an interesting comparison to peak athletes and the challenge for musicians to remain on top of their game. Hearing loss in classical musicians because of acoustic shock brings another aspect. And the trend across the country of musicians with mental illness forming symphonies – and what that can mean for their therapy – offers additional insight. Each piece goes deep in its reporting, giving readers an appreciation for the subject. Third place: Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje, San Antonio Express-News Judge’s comments: Fletcher Stoeltje doesn’t shy away from difficult issues. Her piece on the opioid crisis takes a look at how doctors who misinterpret CDC guidelines are harming patients. A look at diabetes-related amputations among diabetes sufferers relates to the disproportional number of cases among the local Hispanic population. Another story examines the moral issues involved in heart surgery for opioid addicts. Each piece is well-researched and thoughtfully written, presenting the science in understandable language and the compelling stories of the real people at the center of the topic. Honorable mention: Spencer Kent, NJ Advance Media
Food writing portfolio
Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic. First place: Jessica Remo, NJ Advance Media Judge’s comments: Remo’s writing is arresting and personable, with just the right touch of sass. It has a compelling sense of immediacy that declares, “You must read this story – now!” And while the topics might seem simple, they are deceptively so. On close examination, it’s clear that there is a great deal of solid reporting in each story. Remo’s fresh voice puts her on the leading edge of the new crop of excellent, accessible food writers. Second place: Carlos Frias, Miami Herald Judge’s comments: Frias consistently turns out arresting, must-read ledes. To that, he adds vivid imagery and inspired similes – all of which make his writing vibrant. His keen grasp and playful use of language helps bring his stories to life, and his sense of place telegraphs that he knows the communities he covers extremely well. Third place: Chuck Blount, San Antonio Express-News Judge’s comments: The pacing of these stories helps makes them eminently readable, and the lively quotes make them fun, accessible and compelling. The use of smart topics, a hyper-local approach and accessible packing (with tips bars, boxes and multiple entry points) makes this entry a winner. Honorable mention: Daniel Neman, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
General commentary portfolio
A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. First place: Samantha Swindler, The (Portland) Oregonian/OregonLive.com Judge’s comments: Swindler’s pieces begin with ordinary events and lead to deeply felt truths: the sense that the dead should be left to rest in peace, the heart connection we desire to our own flesh and blood, the ominous swell of a mob mentality. These are fine stories with shimmering revelations. Second place: Tom Hallman Jr., The (Portland) Oregonian/OregonLive.com Judge’s comments: A long-lost letter. An intriguing obit. In these luminous and sometimes mystical pieces, dogged journalistic sleuthing meets great writing to uncover real-life mysteries, illuminating the importance of time, remembrance and human connection. Third place: Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Judge’s comments: Martin is a thought-provoking writer whose topics include urban myth, Russian classic literature and The Rolling Stones. The story about the second-hand football made momentarily presentable with shoe polish almost brought us to tears.
Arts & entertainment commentary portfolio
A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials. First place: Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Judge’s comments: This commentary is rich in common sense. Plain-spoken with an intelligence that doesn’t draw undue attention to itself, Martin’s unfussy vernacular style puts the focus squarely on the topic at hand, bringing out the underlying ideas in an almost casual but utterly clear fashion. At his best, he spins laconic music that connects in a special way, much like one of his subjects here, singer-songwriter Jason Isbell: “You walk out night after night and worry about the worn places on your guitar’s neck and find the words you can’t say any other way standing up before a crowd of strangers who also can’t be anywhere else right now.” Second place: David Zurawik, The Baltimore Sun Judge’s comments: Fierce and relentless, Zurawik is no mere TV reviewer. He is a social critic who takes TV itself to task. In a “Z on TV” column about the once-almighty, now-impotent broadcast networks, he argues that their abdication of public-service programming and capitulation to junk-food entertainment is a danger to democracy. Third place: Sadie Dingfelder, The Washington Post Express Judge’s comments: Chatty, pointed and wonderfully witty, these “Staycationer” columns invite readers to ride shotgun as Dingfelder explores D.C. This isn’t rocket science to be sure, but the work is smart and on the money. Honorable mention: Jeremy Reynolds, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Sports feature
Feature treatment of any sports topic. First place: Joseph Atmonavage, NJ Advance Media, “The Making of Doris Burke” Judge’s comments: This is an excellent example of a story about a woman succeeding in a male-dominated area of sports that is actually about the woman, not the fact that she is a woman. Great depth in the interviews and research, and great use of quotes about the subject rather than quotes from the subject. Second place: Andrew Greif, The (Portland) Oregonian/OregonLive.com, “The Power of Asking for Help: Former Oregon Ducks Lineman Zach Okun on his Battle with Mental Health” Judge’s comments: These are two critical issues in sports: concussions and mental health, and this story puts a likable human face on both. It’s rare to hear about an athlete who had to choose not to pursue sports and be hailed for doing that. Great job telling a different side of the story of an athlete overcoming obstacles. Third place: Harry Minium, The Virginian-Pilot, “ODU Legend Ronnie Valentine Disappeared Among the Homeless in Miami for Decades. We Set Out to Find Him.” Judge’s comments: This is an ambitious project, and it’s well-worth the investment of time and other resources. The depth of human connections forged through sports is intense, and Minium captures that well. Honorable mention: Sam Mellinger, The Kansas City Star, “Good and Lucky: How Patrick Mahomes Wound Up in Kansas City, Quarterbacking the Chiefs”
Video storytelling
The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length. First place: Samantha Swindler, The (Portland) Oregonian/OregonLive.com, “DNA Test Reunites Korean Adoptees 34 Years Later” Judge’s comments: Such a touching story told in 3.5 minutes. The writing is tight and effective; the music is appropriate; and the story is fascinating. The result is one of those, “Who’s crying? I’m not crying” moments. But, yes, we were crying. Second place: Carlos Frias, Amy Reyes and Matias Ocner, Miami Herald, “We Went on a Croqueta Tour of Miami. Five Stops in One Day — the Most-Miami Adventure.” Judge’s comments: We absolutely loved this, from the two on-screen folks to the animation. Great way to make food reviews ultra-accessible. Third place: Jessica Remo and Andre Malok, NJ Advance Media, “Crazy Cranford Cowboy Rides a Homemade Battery-Powered Horse” Judge’s comments: This one made us laugh. The video features a great on-screen presence and quite a weird story to tell. Honorable mention: Shelly Yang, The Kansas City Star, “Who Is Dr. MooMoo?” Honorable mention: Kristen Zeis, The Virginian-Pilot, “No Turning Back: A Transgender Sailor’s Journey”
Integrated storytelling
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, online, social media, video and any other platform. First place: Noelle Crombie, Dave Killen and Beth Nakamura, The (Portland) Oregonian/OregonLive.com, “Ghosts of Highway 20” Judge’s comments: We were totally glued to this entry. Terrific storytelling and outstanding research about an unbelievable topic. It is incredible that these heinous crimes went on for so long. The woman who escaped is on this Earth for a reason. The story brings out emotions – and that makes an excellent feature. Second place: Yvonne Wenger and Diana K. Sugg, The Baltimore Sun, “The Wait” Judge’s comments: This story tugs at our emotions. Terrific lede, and nice use of visual and auditory cues – kids playing, quiet house. The story stayed with us long after we finished it. Third place: Kaitlin McKeown and Matthew Korfhage, The Virginian-Pilot, “Hampton Roads’ Only Lesbian Bar Under Threat” Judge’s comments: This story made us want to know these women and their community. The balanced piece showed both their side and the city’s side, but it seems clear that discrimination is present. Stories like these need to be told. Honorable mention: Mike Stocker, Doreen Christensen, Yiran Zhu, (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Sun Sentinel, “Voices of Change”
Diversity in digital features
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience. First place: Mike Stocker, Doreen Christensen, Yiran Zhu, (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Sun Sentinel, “Voices of Change” Judge’s comments: This excellent digital project focuses on the intersection between race and guns in America. Its creators use the online medium for maximum impact. The video testimonies, coming one after another, are extremely powerful. The feature, rooted in the aftermath of the murders of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, gives voice to the stories of survivors focusing on black and Latino students, teachers and community members. The work honors those speaking up about how gun violence in the U.S. is not experienced equally and their efforts to address that. Second place: Molly Solomon, Oregon Public Broadcasting, “Longstanding Equity Issues At Clark College Alienate Staff, Students” Judge’s comments: It’s clear that a tremendous amount of work went into this feature on long-standing equity issues on the staff of a Washington state college. The piece includes many voices from staff members and students talking about a serious concern – that the diversity of the staff doesn’t come close to reflecting a student body that is 40 percent students of color. Good use of audio and written elements in the digital presentation. Third place: Francisco Vara-Orta, Holly Peele and Maya Riser-Kositsky, Education Week, “Hate in Schools” Judge’s comments: This feature, rooted in research that is national in scope, does a fine job backing up the data with details and voices. It demonstrates how hundreds of examples of hate-fuelled acts – tied to religion, ethnicity and race – have crept into schools and the effect it has on the students confronted with that hate and bias. The piece is well-presented online with digital elements that help push the conversation forward. Honorable mention: Brittany Britto, The Baltimore Sun, “How a Baltimore Resident is Taking the City’s Dirt Bike Culture and Turning It into STEM Education for Youths”
Best special section
The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: Staff, The Virginian-Pilot, Food Issue of Distinction Judge’s comments: The thick cover and heavy paper pay off in making this special section a keeper. But that’s just the surface. The publication covers a variety of topics written to keep readers interested, and the photography is consistently beautiful. Second place: Staff, The Virginian-Pilot, “Holiday Food Guide: A Taste of Virginia” Judge’s comments: This section features well-written, informative feature stories. Third place: Rachel Mull, The Baltimore Sun, “Fall Arts Guide” Judge’s comments: This special section is well-organized and highly useful. Honorable mention: Emily Spicer, Paul Stephen and Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, “Top 100 Dining & Drinks”
Best niche product
The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year. First place: Distinction, Staff, The Virginian-Pilot Judge’s comments: This perennial powerhouse shines again – with its stellar covers, great mix of stories, excellent writing and crisp design. “The Guide to Virginia Bourbon” is comprehensive, well-crafted and fun. Love the Hit List. Second place: Prime, Mark Gauert, Anderson Greene and Staff, (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Sun Sentinel Judge’s comments: A strong effort throughout, with stunning covers and a breadth of coverage inside. Impressive. Third place (tie): Howard, Rachel Mull and Staff, The Baltimore Sun Judge’s comments: This publication, which focuses on Howard University, features solid writing and design. Third place (tie): VA Growler, Staff, The Virginian-Pilot Judge’s comments: A well-written and well-designed guide to the craft beer and liquor offerings in southeast Virginia. Informative and fun. Honorable mention: Special Editions of Go!, Gabe Hartwig, Amy Bertrand and Staff, St. Louis Post- Dispatch
DIVISION 3 | Circulation 200,000 and up
Finest in features sweepstakes awards
These awards recognize the three publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 20 categories. First place: The Washington Post Seventeen awards, including five firsts (Best Section, Food Writing Portfolio, Sports Feature, Video Storytelling and Diversity in Digital Features), five seconds (Narrative Storytelling, Food Writing Portfolio, General Commentary Portfolio, Video Storytelling and Best Niche Product), six thirds (Best Features Digital Presence, Food Criticism, Arts and Entertainment Commentary Portfolio, Video Storytelling, Best Special Section and Headline Writing Portfolio) and one honorable mention (Arts and Entertainment Commentary Portfolio) Second place: Los Angeles Times Nine awards, including three firsts (Food Feature, General Commentary Portfolio and Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio), four seconds (Best Section, General Feature, Food Criticism and Features Series or Project) and two thirds (General Feature and General Commentary Portfolio) Third place: Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times Six awards, including one first (Narrative Storytelling), three seconds (Food Feature, Arts and Entertainment Commentary Portfolio and Intregrated Storytelling) and two honorable mentions (Features Series or Project and Best Niche Product)
Best section
The best regularly occurring printed features sections that focus on A&E, lifestyles or other features coverage. First place: The Washington Post Judge’s comments: The section is the right blend of short, bright features for skimmers and deeper dives for engaged readers. The photos are played big and bold, enticing readers to dig into longer features on culture, arts and celebrity. The food section, in particular, reflects the diversity of the community with drop-dead gorgeous design and well-written features and recipes. The weekend entertainment and home and garden sections are well-organized with expert guidance, as well as fun and engaging reads. The weekend tab serves locals and visitors, and that’s not always easy to do. Second place: Los Angeles Times Judge’s comments: The L.A. Times delivers on the expected glitz and glamour while also serving up expert guidance for eating and going out. Culture stories provide context for understanding the business of entertainment as well as the effect that the arts have on our psyche. Surprising illustrations — even poster pages! — put a smile on readers’ faces Third place: The Dallas Morning News Judge’s comments: The section is well-designed, with engagingly composed stories that demonstrate seasoned reporting chops. These pages also boast some of the best headlines around, like: “Opera Star Maria Callas and Dallas critic John Ardoin were close friends – until suddenly they weren’t.” If that doesn’t make you flip to Page 8E, nothing will. Honorable mention: (Minneapolis) Star Tribune
Best features digital presence
The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: FeedMe, Staff, Newsday Judge’s comments: FeedMe excels on all platforms, especially FeedMe TV, which spotlights individual restaurants, communities and dining trends with beautiful cinematography, use of graphics and in-depth info on history, business strategies and, of course, food. The hosts are knowledgeable and engaging. The FeedMe website is comprehensive and easy to navigate. Second place: Datebook, Staff, San Francisco Chronicle Judge’s comments: When we saw this new San Francisco Chronicle site, we immediately sent it to our newspaper’s web editor to see if we could do this, too. It’s a one-stop shop of all information anyone interested in the cultural arts would need – especially at a time when so many papers are cutting back on this coverage. It’s well-presented and easy to navigate. Third place: Style, Staff, The Washington Post Judge’s comments: This one is clean and extensive, with stellar writing, photography and design.
General feature
Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic. First place: David Gambacorta and Helen Ubiñas, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Shot and Forgotten” Judge’s comments: Heartbreaking and eye-opening, this story is an excellent example of hard news reporting and human storytelling. It reveals a national shame – how victims of gun violence are not getting help – without coming down on either side of the gun-control debate. It feels like a call to action, too – it’s hard to imagine someone reading this and not wanting to advocate for change. Second place (tie): Corina Knoll, Los Angeles Times, “As Deadly Flames Approached, a Mother Called Her Daughters to Say Goodbye” Judge’s comments: What an emotional journey Knoll tells a dramatic story without melodrama and with much urgency. It’s a specific catastrophe – trapped in a fire and believing you’re not going to survive – in which universal truths about love, life and family emerge. You can guess from the beginning that the subject did, in fact, survive, but still you can’t stop reading and wondering, “Will she make it? What happens next?” A great example of a less traditional approach to storytelling from a news event, done with authority and confidence. Second place (tie): George Johnson and Rajul Punjabi, Tonic.com, “When Racism Anchors Your Health” Judge’s comments: A personal story that illustrates much larger issues – the legacy of slavery and racism that permeates our culture and which has created disparities that continue. Not every writer has the talent to use their own life to illustrate a larger issue. Here, the writing, shared details and reported parts all work together seamlessly. Third place: Esmeralda Bermudez, Los Angeles Times, “‘I’m Here. I’m Here.’ Father Reunited With Son Amid Tears, Relief and Fear of What’s Next” Judge’s comments: The writing in this story is plain and straightforward, but the images that Bermudez chooses to focus on tell a truly moving story. Small details – like what the father cooked in preparation for his son’s return, or notes on his physical state – tell a story independent of the political climate at hand (at one point, the father mentions how little he knows of President Donald Trump).
Arts & entertainment feature
Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic. First place: Brendan Meyer, The Dallas Morning News, “Almost Famous: ‘Tennessee Whiskey’ Dad Faces Reality of Turning Viral Fame into Lasting Legacy” Judge’s comments: If you’re the only person who missed this viral sensation, relax. Just read this story, and you’ll be caught up. This is a compelling look at the aftermath of so many dreams sparked in the social-media age. We were hooked from beginning to end. Second place: Chris Hewitt, (Minneapolis) Star Tribune, “The Secret Life of Seats” Judge’s comments: This made us so happy! A clever look at something ordinary – yet important – with actionable, useful information to boot. A home run. Third place: Chris Ip, Engadget, “On the Nose” Judge’s comments: Great profile of an unconventional artist.
Short feature
Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words. First place: Jason Nark, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Can Being Nice to Cows Save the World? A Hindu Man in the Poconos Would Like to Believe So.” Judge’s comments: This story looks at a novel concept – the Lakshmi Cow Sanctuary. The piece features a nice lede and points out the contrast in lifestyles and cultures. The ending packs a punch: “They accept the way of life,” he said in the barn as cows downstairs mooed. “We are called human beings, you know, but we just don’t be. We are always becoming. ‘I want to become a doctor. I want to become rich.’ We just don’t be. Cows, they just be, no matter what it is.” Second place: Terri Peters, Today.com, “‘God Heard My Prayers’: Mom Who Fosters Sick Kids Adopts Son Before His Death” Judge’s comments: A telling, touching story about a generous family, whose members live their religion and values and who are willing to carry the pain their mission entails. Not sweet, not sorrowful – just real. Third place: Mike Fisher, Toronto (Canada) Star, “Rustic Boating is Mainly for the Birds in La Tovara National Park” Judge’s comments: Nice, descriptive writing, such as this gem, “It’s a boat-billed heron peering down peevishly at us, a small ruff of orange feathers tucked like a dinner napkin above its ample belly.” And the piece offers a great sketch of that rare breed – birders – and their strange habits.
Food feature
A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personality profile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic. First place: Amy Scattergood, Los Angeles Times, “At 95, Mexican Food Expert Diana Kennedy Is Growing Her Own Coffee and Making Her Own Tortillas” Judge’s comments: A delightful read. Scattergood’s vivid descriptions transport readers to Diana Kennedy’s home, and we felt as though we were sitting in on the conversation. We could see Kennedy’s expressive face, hear her forceful voice and taste her corn tortillas. Second place (tie): India Mandelkern, Munchies.Vice.com, “The Weird Science Behind Chain Restaurant Menus” Judge’s comments: Spectacularly written, Mandelkern’s story follows a solid narrative structure. Keeping a keenly observant tone, her tale about chain restaurant menus has substance, panache and humor. And, along the way, we learn about the weird science that is involved. Second place (tie): Laura Reiley and Eve Edelheit, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, “Shell Game” Judge’s comments: One does not have to live in Apalachicola to understand the tough times facing its oyster business. This work explains the situation exhaustively and eloquently by taking readers inside the life of an oysterman. Third place: Tan Vinh, The Seattle Times, “The Wonder of the Fresh Hop: How Washington’s Special Autumn Beer Gets Made” Judge’s comments: Vinh’s reporting is deep and is the heart of this story, which is filled with engaging details such as a timeline of text messages exchanged between two brewers. An illustration, bar graph and two sidebars offer supplemental information and are just as engaging as the main story. Honorable mention: Brett Anderson, The New York Times, “Tokyo in Texas: Distinctive Japanese Food is Thriving in Austin”
Food criticism
A single story, such as a restaurant review, that offers opinions about a topic or restaurant in the food industry. First place: Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register, “At Journeyman’s in Fullerton, an Idealistic Young Chef Reaches for the Stars” Judge’s comments: There’s so much to love about this piece. We laughed out loud at the description of a server trying to open a wine bottle. Then, there’s this wonderful description: “Geerson’s food is not simple. It is scientific and cerebral but also artistic and fleeting, like edible philosophy.” Second place: Jonathan Gold, Los Angeles Times, “At Middle Eastern Restaurants, It All Starts With Hummus. Jonathan Gold Says Bavel’s is Magnificent.” Judge’s comments: A great critic sits you down at the table and lets you taste, smell and see the food. Gold had us at hummus: “But the great kitchens, the ones that inspire hour-long drives and dinnertime haiku, tend to labor over their fragrant goo as assiduously as a French baker might over her baguettes. Great hummus must never be taken for granted.” Third place: Tim Carman, The Washington Post, “A Wawa Sub Makes Sense on the Highway. In the City, It Tastes Like a Mistake.” Judge’s comments: We love that Carman wasn’t afraid to review a Wawa sub and that he wasn’t afraid to not love it: “My reaction to each sandwich was wholly dependent on its location: In the parking lot off a remote highway, the hoagie was a handmade comfort, warm, toasty and satisfying. In downtown Washington, it was a confession: I was too lazy to go somewhere better. Context is a prime ingredient in the Wawa experience.” Honorable mention: Alison Cook, Houston Chronicle, “Chef Paul Qui Faces Trial; Houston Diners Face a Choice”
Features series or project
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts. First place: James E. Causey and Angela Peterson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Cultivating a Community” Judge’s comments: Beautifully written and meticulously reported, this series offers a heartbreaking account of one man’s struggle to make life bloom where it otherwise seems doomed. It’s eye-opening and gut-wrenching; readers continue to think about the people they meet over the course of the series – long after the last sentence has ended. Second place: Molly Hennessy-Fisk and Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times, “Patrolling a Land of Secret Signals and Signs on the Texas-Mexico Border” Judge’s comments: This series was excellent, a product of staffers taking up temporary residence in Roma, Texas, instead of just stopping in for a story, but the section that truly stood out was “In Roma, Texas, Residents Must Choose: Help Border Patrol, or Border Crossers?” An excellent look at the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by residents for whom smuggling and illegal immigration are an all-day, everyday part of life. Third place: Patty Cox, Greg Gilderman, Kevin Hayes and Exodus Reporting and Production Teams, The Weather Channel Digital and collaborations with Food & Environment Reporting Network, InsideClimate News and The Marshall Project, “Exodus: The Climate Migration Crisis” Judge’s comments: The Weather Channel’s focus on how climate change is affecting human migration is both global and hyper-local. A mix of video and written narratives captures part of the effect of a story still unfolding, as we travel from New Orleans to Bangladesh to Mexico City and beyond. Videos from Bangladesh and with a reporter embedded with a migrant caravan are particularly powerful, touching on issues such as gentrification and the treatment of girls around the world, along with environmental changes. Honorable mention: Lane DeGregory, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, “Lincoln’s Shot”
Narrative storytelling
A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme. First place: Lisa Gartner, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, “She’s Taught at the Parkland High School for 14 Years. Can She Go Back?” Judge’s comments: A bittersweet tale of a Parkland teacher who worries that she won’t be able to return to her classroom after the horrific events at her school. So she goes ahead of time, and the entire story takes place in that visit. Telling details and a hopeful ending make this the clear winner. Second place: Ben Terris, The Washington Post, “She Works for Trump. He Can’t Stand Him. This is Life with Kellyanne and George Conway.” Judge’s comments: Life in the Conway home is never boring, and Terris takes us there with an up-close look at Trump aide Kellyanne and Trump critic George. It’s a telling piece that is, at times, humorous, and you can’t help but love the ending, with Kellyanne belting out, “That’s the story of, that’s the glory of love.” Third place (tie): Hannah Dreier, ProPublica and Newsday, “The Disappeared” Judge’s comments: This was part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning entry, and it’s an amazing piece of work that displays many elements of narrative writing. Third place (tie): Doug Clark, GQ, “The Untold Story of Otto Warmbier, American Hostage” Judge’s comments: You might think you know the story of Otto Warmbier, the American college student who was taken prisoner by North Korea, but Clark’s amazing tale will astound you. Meticulous research went into this important piece of work. Honorable mention: Peter Nickeas and E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune, “Jalen’s Journey”
Feature specialty writing portfolio
Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel. First place: Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times Judge’s comments: This entry is in a class of its own – original, ambitious, novel. The gist: an occasional series on beloved music venues because “digital sound through earbuds is no substitute for being in the room where it happens.” Reynolds’ series, “Sites and Sounds,” incorporates everything a reader could want: colorful narrative, soul, jazzy commentary, playlists, beautiful photography. Folks, this one gets a prolonged standing ovation. Second place: Monica Rohr, USA Today Judge’s comments: These strong entries offer insight into the dynamics feeding the spread of racism and right-wing extremism. Rhor pours her soul into earning her sources’ trust for insightful narratives on the plight of the “Sugar Land 95,” the fighting spirit of the ragtag reVision Football Club, and the unlikely conversion of a former KKK member and neo-Nazi. Third place: Molly Glentzer, Houston Chronicle Judge’s comments: One story begins with this great lede: “Oh, the buff buttocks. And backs, thighs and calves, sigh, with their peaks and valleys of light and shadow. And the sensitive, downturned face of an ancient man in what looks like a wrestler’s helmet. Such is the larger-than-life-size eye candy of one of the monumental drawings enticing viewers to ‘Michelangelo and the Vatican’ this spring at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.” We are there! This story imparts the kind of info that can spark intelligent cocktail party talk with a stranger who shares your appreciation for the visual arts. Great work. Honorable mention: Anna Kuchment, The Dallas Morning News
Food writing portfolio
Three stories, columns or reviews by the same writer on any food topic. First place: Maura Judkis, The Washington Post Judge’s comments: This portfolio shows a great breadth of coverage, from the humorous riff on Doritos for women to serious, in-depth reporting on #MeToo in restaurants. We loved this paragraph: ”How often do I eat chips? Well, I only eat them when I am alone, laugh-crying while wearing fuzzy slippers and watching ‘The Bachelor,’ and there are no men nearby to see my shame. I sure wish I could eat chips more often, but it’s so difficult to avoid the embarrassment of being a Lady who eats chips. I know I’m only supposed to eat salad, but the Doritos tempt me so. Now you know my terrible secret.” Second place: Tim Carman, The Washington Post Judge’s comments: We love that Carman covers the fun of food as well as the science of it. He’s not afraid to write about a Wawa sub, and he treats Southern barbecue as seriously as high-end dining. This graph is a jewel: “But it’s hot enough that the pit crew’s faces and necks shimmer in the light that pours through the screen windows. It’s hot enough that one new cook lost 15 pounds during his first three days on the job. It’s hot enough that the workers will, every once in a while, seek the shade of an oak tree in back of the smokehouse.” Third place: Michalene Busico, The Dallas Morning News Judge’s comments: Busico has a nice writing style. It’s engaging without sounding preachy, which so often happens with food criticism. Honorable mention: Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register
General commentary portfolio
A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. First place: Robin Abcarian, Los Angeles Times Judge’s comments: Stunning work and range. Abcarian finds the humanity in the big events and the larger implications of the smaller, more personal stories. Second place: Monica Hesse, The Washington Post Judge’s comments: In each relatively brief column, Hesse provokes deep reflection in readers. The combination of the concision and focus of the writing with the broadness of the ideas makes her work powerful and effective. Third place: Chris Erskine, Los Angeles Times Judge’s comments: Erskine, without sentimentality, allows readers to understand and possibly learn from his personal tragedies.
Arts & entertainment commentary portfolio
A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials. First place: Howard Fishman, The New Yorker Judge’s comments: Stage critic Fishman examines the effect of Eugene O’Neill as a lifelong fan and obsessive researcher; questions the state of regional theater during a visit to a small, seemingly indifferent town; and writes about the optimism of a play about the Constitution in troubled times. With a thorough and polished style, he’s good at pinpointing the emotional reaction we have to theater that makes it so different from other art forms and such a powerful distillation of culture. Second place: Colette Bancroft, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times Judge’s comments: Gorgeous writing that reflects timely concerns in criticism of literature, whether it’s a hard-boiled detective seen through the eyes of the #MeToo movement or the environmental crisis mapped out in short stories about Florida. Writer Bancroft combines deep literary knowledge with a keen eye for the pressing modern problem and a luminous style. Third place: Ron Charles, The Washington Post Judge’s comments: Beautifully written commentary that illuminates nonfiction themes through the personal lens of a sensitive and thoughtful critic. Honorable mention: Hank Stuever, The Washington Post
Sports feature
Feature treatment of any sports topic. First place: Kent Babb, The Washington Post, “Kobe Bryant, Revising His Own History” Judge’s comments: With excellent details and an honest look at the past and present, this story lets readers explore the various facets of Kobe Bryant’s life. Compelling reading. Second place: Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “They Love Fishing, So They Set Cabins Afloat: Wolf River Rafts Are ‘Home’ to Some Anglers” Judge’s comments: This is a true slice of Americana, well told through rich detail derived from interviewing many sources and being on the scene. Excellent reporting and writing. Third place: David Gambacorta, The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Curt Schilling Doesn’t Care What You Think as Hall of Fame Vote Looms” Judge’s comments: Curt Schilling – with all his mastery and faults – is a tough subject to tackle, and this story takes an unflinching look while remaining fair and balanced. Gambacorta deftly captures the dichotomy of a divisive figure. Honorable mention: Bob Wojnowski, The Detroit News, “Parkinson’s is Kirk Gibson’s Biggest Battle”
Video storytelling
The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length. First place: Sarah Hashemi, Daron Taylor and DeNeen L. Brown, The Washington Post, “How ‘Respect,’ Aretha Franklin’s Iconic Song, Came To Be” Judge’s comments: We all know the song, but do we all know the whole backstory behind “R-E-S-P-E-C-T”? Here, we learn it under four minutes, with a great mix of audio, graphics, live performances and reported script. Important, energetic and engaging. Second place: Ashleigh Joplin, Malcolm Cook, Daniel Mich, The Washington Post, “‘Black Panther’ Is More Than a Trip to the Movies. It’s a Celebration of Black Excellence” Judge’s comments: A thoughtful and fun look at a superhero movie that is more than a superhero movie. An important cultural moment is captured through a variety of engaging personal stories. Third place: Ashleigh Joplin, The Washington Post, “‘We Shall Overcome’: How Joan Baez Still Fuels the Resistance” Judge’s comments: Threads of nostalgia and a modern sense of urgency run through this video, a hard combination to do well. Joan Baez’s legacy gets its due, but she also gets her say as a still engaged and vital voice. A good mix of older footage and a new interview and performance from Baez. Honorable mention: Shako Liu, NBC News, “African-Americans and Home Schooling: ‘A Way of Freedom’”
Integrated storytelling
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, online, social media, video and any other platform. First place: Peter Hartlaub, Heather Knight and Staff, San Francisco Chronicle, “Total Muni” Judge’s comments: What an amazing adventure that started with an innocent tweet and turned into a journey of epic proportions. This entry involved readers from the start, and it showed. The videos, live tweeting and behind-the-scenes stories were all fun and riveting. And it’s great that readers showed up on Muni Day to meet the reporters – and then did their own versions of the project afterward. Proof that local always wins. Second place: Tara McCarty, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, “Look What Taylor Swift Made Me Do” Judge’s comments: The adage to follow your passions applies to stories, too, as this entry shows. Only a true Taylor Swift fan can turn out an OCD print package like this, plus a Twitter thread and graphics. And it’s only apropos that Taylor herself saw the story – in print! Third place: Staff, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Lessons Lost” Judge’s comments: An important look at how, even with the best of programs and intentions, there are roadblocks to helping schools. We appreciated the dynamic presentation and the fascinating graphics. Honorable mention: Staff, Honolulu Civil Beat, “Black Market Babies”
Diversity in digital features
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience. First place: Rhonda Colvin, Ashleigh Joplin and Jorge Ribas, The Washington Post, “Traveling While Black: Some Americans Are Afraid to Explore Their Own Country, Concerns that Evoke the Jim Crow-Era Green Book” Judge’s comments: The graphics are enlightening – and frightening – and the stories heartbreaking. We appreciated the time the team spent gathering these stories to show how racism exists, past and present. The illustrated videos were a nice touch. Second place: Zachary Drucker and Staff, Broadly, “Trans Legends” Judge’s comments: This oral history project has assembled an incredible archive about the lives and spirits of transgender icons. Through the personal experiences of Drucker, the light of these subjects – many likely unknown to the general population – shine through. Third place: James E. Causey and Angela Peterson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Cultivating a Community” Judge’s comments: There are many striking things about this series, one of which is how it shows the trauma and frightening regularity of violence and its effects on children. The other is the power of hope. And, finally, the fact that the writer grew up in the neighborhood gives it an extra specialness that not many stories like this could have. We were struck by this line from a journal entry after a fatal shooting: “This was on the streets of Milwaukee – not some dangerous road in Afghanistan, but it didn’t seem like enough people were talking about this.” Honorable mention: Jane Gerster, Global News, “A Man was Ignored to Death in an ER 10 YearsAgo. It Could Happen Again.”
Best special section
The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: Tim Campbell and Christy DeSmith, (Minneapolis) Star Tribune, “Fall Arts: A Season of Showstoppers” Judge’s comments: This section is well-organized and easy to read. The stories are delightful, and the top 10 picks are useful. This section demonstrates consistent quality from front to back. Second place: Alison Cook, Houston Chronicle, “Alison Cook’s Top 100 Restaurants 2018” Judge’s comments: This is the best dining guide in any category in this year’s contest. Others should take note of the small size, which can be tucked into a coat pocket or stored in a vehicle’s glove compartment. The writing is enticing and thorough but concise, and the photos are delectable. The book is well-organized and useful. Third place: Staff, The Washington Post, “1968: The D.C. Riots” Judge’s comments: This section is an important journalistic product. The stories are well-written, and the historical photos well-chosen.
Best niche product
The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year. First place: FeedMe, Staff, Newsday Judge’s comments: A stellar publication that is chock full of tips, information and trivia about Long Island’s culinary scene. Beautiful covers, clean design and sparkling writing. Oh, and “Oyster Love” made us want to slurp some bivalves! Second place: The Luxury Issues of The Washington Post Magazine, Staff, The Washington Post Judge’s comments: Striking covers, a great mix of stories and stellar writing combine to make this interesting and informative. Third place: Star Tribune Magazine, Sue Campbell and Staff, (Minneapolis) Star Tribune Judge’s comments: This magazine is fun and informative, with gorgeous photography and lively writing. Honorable mention: Bay, Pegie Stark, Katherine Snow Smith and Staff, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times
COMBINED DIVISIONS
Headline writing portfolio
A collection of three headlines and accompanying decks by the same writer for feature stories or columns. First place: Wendy McManamon, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer Judge’s comments: In a category loaded with high-quality entries, McManamon demonstrated a consistent level of creativity and fun. Second place: Thomas Floyd, The Washington Post Express Judge’s comments: Engaging headlines that quickly lure readers into the stories. Third place: Doug Norwood, The Washington Post Judge’s comments: These headlines are clever in so many ways. “Mission: Impeachable” stood out. Honorable mention: Joseph Stalvey, (Albany, N.Y.) Times Union
Digital innovation
New or improved online ventures, including websites, apps, social-media experiments or other ways to share information in the digital world. First place: Michael Mayo, Gretchen Day-Bryant and David Schutz, (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Sun Sentinel, Let’s Eat, South Florida Facebook Group Judge’s comments: Audience engagement is the goal with this Facebook group, and it’s easy to see just how engaged South Florida is with the food crew at the Sun Sentinel. This effort undoubtedly increases relevance and brand, not to mention provides a wealth of story ideas and contacts. Well done. Second place: Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, iPad Initiative Judge’s comments: This initiative takes customer service to a new level. It’s an innovative way to maintain readers and profit. Third place: Staff, Newsday, Long Island Brewery Map Judge’s comments: The functionality on mobile and desktop is simple and effective. While it serves its purpose with the brewery scene, this map could provide value in numerous ways.
Best podcast
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through a podcast. First place: Emma Scott and Michael Scott, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune, “Voodoo City, Season 1” Judge’s comments: A marvelous idea for a podcast – focused in topic but almost endless in the possibilities from episode to episode. The installments of “Voodoo City” have a great sense of place. You can tell the hosts love their city. Mike Scott is a knowledgeable, personable presence, giving the listener the experience of a local showing you around beloved haunts. Good editing and fascinating tidbits are sprinkled throughout. This is the kind of journalism that only a strong local newsroom can produce. Second place: Emily Spicer, Mike Sutter and Chuck Blount, San Antonio Express-News, “52 Weeks of BBQ” Judge’s comments: A fun idea that is told in an authoritative way with a strong sense of focus. Each episode of painted a picture – you could taste bark on the brisket and marbled fat just by listening to these folks talk. The hosts have a good rapport and energy, but Spicer in particular was one of the most engaging personalities in all the podcast entries. Third place: Staff, Broadly, “Queerly Beloved” Judge’s comments: This podcast casts a vital spotlight on often-marginalized voices. “Queerly Beloved” is smart to let those voices do most of the talking. Each episode feels like a warm, empathetic hug. Honorable mention: Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle, “The Big Event”
STUDENT DIVISION
Best collegiate features journalist
The top collegiate features journalists, based on an entry of up to three stories First place: Claire Miller, Syracuse University Judge’s comments: Now, here we have a writer. Clever turns of phrase, great attention to details, regular use of the present tense and active voice, and knowledge of appropriate story structure are all present in Miller’s work. It’s a pleasure reading her two very different pieces, one of which is an excellent examination of the stereotypical American Dream vs. immigrants’ actual experiences in upstate New York. A clear standout among the entrants – and the clear winner. Second place: Haley Kim, Syracuse University Judge’s comments: Kim’s Lockerbie cycling story stands out, thanks to great interviews and details, and it holds the reader’s attention throughout. The Bay Area housing piece is well-researched and thorough. Third place: Kit Fitzgerald, The University of Iowa Judge’s comments: Well-written, with an engaging style, good structure and a nice feel for the subject. Honorable mention:Marissa Payne, The University of Iowa
Are you a journalist of color interested in features writing? Do you know someone who is?
The Society for Features Journalism is again sponsoring the Penny Bender Fuchs Diversity Fellowship Program for U.S. journalists of color in conjunction with its annual conference, which this year is in Detroit.
Diversity Fellows will learn what’s happening in features and news departments nationwide while networking with outstanding journalists specializing in lifestyle, culture, food, arts and entertainment coverage.
Fellowships cover SFJ conference registration, airfare within the U.S. and hotel. Fellows also will be reimbursed for expenses toward baggage and transportation.
What’s required?
RESUME + ESSAY: A resume and single-page essay explaining what you love about your job and how you have distinguished yourself in arts and/or features coverage.
PHOTO: A photo of yourself for the conference program and SFJ website.
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION: One letter from someone who can talk about your work.
WORK SAMPLES: › For writers, three storytelling examples. › For editors, three samples of pieces you edited with comments on how your involvement helped the story succeed. › For copy editors, three headlines with attached stories, plus two stories with editing comments. › For designers, three samples of layouts. › For journalists with online-only work, list website links in your application letter.
Deadline for applying is May 24.
Selections will be announced by June 21. Email applications, with attached PDFs or links, to Kathy Lu at klu@kcstar.com.
Join us Sept. 18-21 in the Motor City for our annual conference as we network, share knowledge, and celebrate our craft.
As always, we have invited some of the best in the business to share their wisdom with us. This year we will feature Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Hallman of The Oregonian, and we are planning to have frank conversations about culture and identity and how it shapes our coverage. We are also excited to feature a panel on innovations in podcasting and how audience research can inform your storytelling. See the full list of speakers and panels here!
Oh, it doesn’t matter what you wear, just as long as you are there!
We will be staying at the Element Detroit at the Metropolitan, a newly opened Marriott in a refurbished 100-year- old building in the heart of the Downtown’s vibrant city center, within walking distance to several “best of” bars and restaurants.
There’ll be swinging and swaying and records playing …
We’ll gather Wednesday evening, Sept. 18, at the hotel for a welcome reception! And later, who knows, we may sample some of the nearby delights, from the speakeasy-inspired cocktail joint tucked into the alley across the street, to the velvet-drenched old Hollywood lounge around the corner.
They’ll be dancing, dancing in the street.
To register for the conference, click here. To get the $100 early bird discount, please register by Aug. 21!
We will be updating the website with more details. Follow us on Facebook for updates, and don’t forget to renew your 2019 membership!
For questions, pitches and ideas, email me, your dance captain for this party: Margaret Myers, mmyers@atlantic57.com.
Now here are a few stories to whet your Detroit appetite:
For more than three decades, the Society for Features Journalism has honored the best in features storytelling and design with the annual SFJ Excellence-in-Features Awards.
Though the contest categories have evolved through the years, the mission has remained the same: To highlight the writers and storytellers who strive to portray and preserve a slice of today’s culture.
The SFJ contest also awards $300 to first-place winners — a rarity in journalism contests.
For details on how to enter the 2020 SFJ contest, follow the first item under the “SFJ Contest” tab or go to featuresjournalism.org/2020/01/08/sfj-excellence-in-features-contest-adds-2-categories-including-podcast.
The Society for Features Journalism is happy to announce that Brittany Britto, @brittanybritto, and Janelle Harris, @thegirlcanwrite, are the 2018 Penny Bender Fuchs Diversity Fellows! They will be joining us at our conference Sept. 12-15 in New Orleans (which you should also register for now!).
Here are some more things to know about them.
Brittany Britto
Brittany Britto is a general assignment features reporter and blogger for The Baltimore Sun, where she writes about culture, the arts, entertainment and viral news.
A proud Terp twice over, Brittany graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in creative writing, and a master’s in journalism from the Philip Merrill College of Journalism.
In her downtime, Brittany enjoys spending time with loved ones, hanging with the locals in foreign destinations, trying new foods, crying during episodes of “This is Us,” and hoarding various sized notebooks and journals.
Q: Tell us about your current work.
I am a general assignment features reporter at The Baltimore Sun, where I report on local arts, entertainment, and my favorite topic — culture.
Q: What’s your favorite story or project you’ve ever worked on and why?
Working on the Baltimore Club Dance story turned into a fun, collaborative project that allowed me to work with Baltimore Sun photographers, editors and a talented interactive designer to take the written story to an experiential level with gifs, video, and a special layout. I also curated a playlist with the help of some of the Baltimore Club scene’s most pivotal figures and learned some dance moves along the way (TBD on my “crazy leg”). But most of all, I got to see why Baltimore is so proud and passionate about their culture. It also led to at least one other story, which we’ll release this summer.
Q: Most memorable person you’ve ever interviewed?
I interviewed Ta-Nehisi Coates about which part of Baltimore he misses the most. It was pretty cool getting to talk to a storyteller who has had an impact on the city.
Q: Advice you would give to an aspiring features journalist?
The best advice I have for aspiring features journalists is to say “yes” and tackle as many stories as you possibly can early on. In my time as a reporter, I’ve been thrown into so many different stories on topics I know little about, which has taught me how to be more versatile and make stories more engaging. It has also allowed me to hone in on what I like to write about, which is the cultural expression and histories of marginalized communities.
I’d also say, don’t be afraid to spend time with sources, especially in-person. With deadlines, it can be hard to really take your time with certain interviews, but often, when it comes to features writing, I find putting in a little extra time allows a writer to paint a better picture for their readers (and sometimes, it earns the respect of the subject and puts them at ease).
Q: Favorite guilty pleasure reads/social media feeds? Overall, Twitter is probably my guiltiest pleasure. My timeline allows me to follow a bunch of different outlets and personalities to make sure I’m getting a mix of coverage, opinions and insight on what’s happening. “Moments” has also been a decent tool when checking social media’s temperature for the day. A not-so-guilty pleasure is O Magazine. It’s the perfect way to put my day on pause for a bit and get some much-needed positivity. And … Oprah, amirite?
Q: What book is on your nightstand right now?
“The Comfort Food Diaries,” by former New Yorker editor Emily Nunn. I love stories about family, food, travel and transformation, and so far, Nunn’s book has been a nice blend of all four. Plus, she includes recipes, so you can try your hand at what she’s making in the book.
Q: Because we love recommendations, what are some of your favorite restaurants—from hole-in-the-wall to let’s-dress-up-and-go-out kind of dining—in your town?
When looking for some good Italian food and the best happy hour in Baltimore, my coworkers and I visit La Scala Ristorante, which boasts $7 bowls of homemade pasta and decadent espresso martinis. They also have bocce ball, which makes for a fun activity while waiting for your food or post-meal. If sharing and sampling is your thing, visit La Cuchara, a Basque restaurant, which has some pinxtos and other small plates, delicious cava, and mouthwatering churros.
Brunch at Blue Moon Cafe is bound to fill you up and excite your taste buds, with Cap’n Crunch french toast, a Frito pie french toast, and the “Sweet Baby Jesus,” a heap of hash browns, crab meat, eggs and hollandaise sauce, topped with Old Bay (Warning: might need help walking out of the restaurant after this).
If you’re not afraid to get a little dirty and dig in hands first, crack open some crabs and indulge in seafood at LP Steamers.
And don’t forget Baltimore’s carryout staples. Sunny’s Subs has one of the best chicken boxes in the city and also serves lake trout—a fried fish sandwich that has nothing to do with a lake, or trout, for that matter. Wash it all down with a half-and-half, a sugary mix of sweet tea and lemonade. I’ve learned, it’s the Baltimore way.
Q: Last song you sang out loud.
“What’s My Name” by Rihanna featuring Drake (at the gym!)
Q: Favorite quote.
“Your work is to discover your world, and then, with all your heart, give yourself to it.” — Unknown
Janelle Harris
A writer since she won a crisp dollar bill in an elementary school essay contest, Janelle uses her platform as a storyteller to explore the experiences, challenges and diversities of women and people of color, particularly Black folks, who she loves fiercely.
As a journalist, her work covers race, class, gender and culture and has appeared in more than 40 print and digital publications.
As an editor, copywriter and communications consultant, she has shaped content that reframes played out narratives and equitably represents communities undervoiced in mainstream media. She believes in the magic of stilettos, cookies and cream milkshakes, and saying “hi” to strangers on the street.
Q: Tell us about your current work.
I’m in a space where I want to try new things. I want do some documentary work. I want to learn photography. I want to launch a podcast. I want to write longer, feature-length articles.
Right now, I’m working on a series of stories that lift up the voices of poor people. I think they’re talked about, but not necessarily talked to, so I’m shopping some pieces about the realness of poverty, like the psychological effects of gentrification, for example.
Q: What’s your favorite story or project you’ve ever worked on and why?
I traveled to Alaska to interview a Native community in Anchorage about a rites of passage program and ceremony for teenage boys. In addition to learning about a culture so different and far away from my own, the beauty of nature was breathtaking. The people were super friendly and I loved their community-centeredness, putting family and honor over anything external.
I interviewed an elderly couple — he was 92, she was 86, I think — who made feathered fans for the boys to use in the ceremony celebrating their transition into manhood. It was my first time using a translator for to ask questions and they were all incredibly patient with me. It was such a dope experience. Q: Most memorable person you’ve ever interviewed?
I have a bucket list of folks I really want to meet and most of them are older, so I tracked down Gloria Richardson — civil rights legend, white privilege eviscerator, fearless bayonet pusher — and interviewed her in March this year. She’s 96 and still remembers the details of her protests and negotiations so clearly, it’s amazing.
I can’t remember what I did yesterday but she can recall with clarity a conversation she had with Malcolm X 50 years ago. I’ll never forget it.
Q: Advice you would give to an aspiring features journalist?
Create systems to help streamline the un-sexy parts of writing: transcribing interviews, fact-checking, following up with sources. When I started outsourcing my transcriptions and doing checklists for my facts, I had more time to focus on the thinking and writing, which is what I want to be doing anyway.
Q: Favorite guilty pleasure reads/social media feeds?
I love Red Table Talks with Jada Pinkett Smith on Facebook and my short attention span lets me stay on the treadmill if I’m watching a Broadly or Refinery29 mini-documentary on YouTube.
Q: What book is on your nightstand right now?
“Barracoon,” by Zora Neale Hurston
Q: Because we love recommendations, what are some of your favorite restaurants — from hole-in-the-wall to let’s-dress-up-and-go-out kind of dining — in your town?
For casual sit-down, the fried chicken at Langston Bar and Grille on H Street is so good. It’s tiny in there, but the people are friendly and you don’t feel the smallness of the space as much.
Henry’s Soul Café in Oxon Hill, just a few steps across the southeast DC border, has godly soul food. There are a few tables but I’d go on ahead and carry out.
The Hamilton on F Street in Northwest is get-dressed-and-go-out nice, but their chicken wings and mumbo sauce is the best in the city, in my opinion.
The Monocle on D Street NE by Union Station has amazing steaks and the best darn house breads I’ve ever tasted. You actually feel sad when the bread basket is empty. And a lot of politicians and chichi uppity folks eat there, so you might catch a whiff of gossip while you’re eating, which is cool if you’re interested.
Q: Last song you sang out loud,
“For the Love of You” by the Isley Brothers (loud AND off-key)
Q: Favorite quote
It’s not an absolute favorite, but it’s one of them: “The man who can murder on the printed page can do so time and time again and need not fear jail or death.” —Addison Gayle, Jr. Of course, I would change that to “man” to “woman.”
Wednesday-Saturday, Sept. 12-15, 2018 New Orleans Theme: Renewal Hotel: Ace Hotel Sessions location: Loyola University New Orleans Auction location: The New Orleans Advocate
WEDNESDAY | 09.12.18
Opening reception and registration | 6 to 9 p.m. Barnett Dining Room and Courtyard at Ace Hotel
Meet your fellow features creatures, register for the conference and relax. Enjoy a glass – or two – of wine, some hors d’oeuvres and good conversation. SFJ President Jim Haag and other officers will welcome guests and introduce some special folks, such as our Diversity Fellows and any panelists in attendance.
THURSDAY | 09.13.18
Communications/Music Complex, Loyola Unversity New Orleans
Those attending will take the streetcar from Ace Hotel to Loyola. The streetcar runs every 15 minutes. The trip takes about 30 minutes. We’ll provide streetcar passes for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
8:30-9:15 a.m.| Breakfast and registration at Loyola
9:15-9:50 a.m.| The conference opening
Let the renewal – of your skills and your spirit – begin. SFJ President Jim Haag, retired features editor at The Virginian-Pilot, welcomes attendees, and Mark Lorando, editor of The Times-Picayune, delivers the keynote address.
9:50-10 a.m. | Break
10-11 a.m. | Finding story ideas: 20 tips your editor won’t tell you
Lane DeGregory, enterprise reporter at the Tampa Bay Times, talks about stories that came from a variety of sources and discusses how a general assignment reporter comes up with fascinating people and topics to write about.
11 a.m.-noon| Get the most out of online tools
Samantha Sunne, a trainer with the Society for Professional Journalists, will offer tips on using YouTube, Public Data Explorer and Trends. Samantha is well-versed in many technology tools involving Google and other online sites.
Noon-1:15 p.m.| SFJ Hall of Fame luncheon and induction
It’s been too long – eight years – since SFJ inducted anyone into our Hall of Fame. So, we’ll rectify that this year by introducing our newest members – two former SFJ presidents who continue to inspire and teach us: Ann Maloney of NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune, and Alice Short, retired from the Los Angeles Times.
1:30-2:25 p.m. | Navigating the new world order – online and in print
More reporters – and even news sites – are injecting opinion in their posts on Twitter and Facebook in the wake of #metoo, school shootings and the current political climate. How is that greeted, and legally can reporters get fired for these kinds of posts? We’ll share some social-media policies from around the country, and try to shed some light on this issue. We’ll also look at the state of presenting the ”other side” in stories when you know that the source is not being honest. Does balanced coverage mean accurate coverage? Where do we draw the line? A panel discussion led by Emily Spicer, features editor at the San Antonio Express-News, with Jamie Stockwell, deputy national editor at The New York Times; Eva Saketkoo, a media attorney with the Hearst Corp.; and others.
2:25-2:30 p.m. | Break
2:30-3:30 p.m. | The perfect recipe for creating a food community on social media Hear how publications are using social media to create a food community that shares stories and can be mined for ideas. Emily Spicer, features editor at the San Antonio Express-News, leads a panel discussion that includes Ann Maloney, a food writer at NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune, who will talk about her publications vibrant food following and how it came to be. Liz Seymour, features editor at The Washington Post, discusses The Post’s new stream of food coverage called Voraciously that is aiming for a young digital reader.
3:30-4:20 p.m. | Reporters and editors: teaming up to tell stories Reporters want attention, support and confidence. Editors need focus, patience and conviction. Success means working well together. Lane DeGregory, enterprise reporter at the Tampa Bay Times, and Maria Carrillo, assistant managing editor/enterprise at the Tampa Bay Times, will talk about what editors and reporters can do to build that relationship.
4:20-4:30 p.m. | Break
4:30-5 p.m. | Show + Steal, Part 1
Laura T. Coffey, a writer and editor at Today.com, moderates one of our most popular sessions, where editors share their best ideas from the past year for anyone to steal. A warning: Laura’s enthusiasm can be infectious, so we might get a little carried away here. The streetcar will take us back to Ace Hotel.
6:30-9:30 p.m. | The SFJ Foundation Auction at The New Orleans Advocate (about three blocks from Ace.)
We’ll offer appetizers and drinks as we sell, both silently and aloud, the goodies we’ve gathered from across the country to help support the SFJ Foundation’s Diversity Fellowship program. Emily Spicer and Jim Haag will lead the craziness, with able assistance from those in the crowd. Dan Shea, president and publisher of our hosts, The New Orleans Advocate, will welcome guests, and Diversity Committee Chairwoman Jeneé Osterheldt will talk about the importance of the Diversity Fellowship program and will introduce our three Fellows for 2018. Expect an evening of chaos and be prepared to sing, just in case.
FRIDAY | 09.14.18
Communications/Music Complex, Loyola University New Orleans Those attending will take the streetcar from Ace Hotel to Loyola. The streetcar runs every 15 minutes. The trip takes about 20 minutes. We’ll provide streetcar passes for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
8:30-9:15 a.m. | Breakfast at Loyola
9:15-10:15 a.m. | Hello, digital! Goodbye, print?
Liz Seymour, features editor at The Washington Post, talks about the process of transforming from print to digital and what that really means in 2018. The Post has been a leader in the field, but even the biggest papers are finding a slow road as we cut our ties with paper and fully embrace the digital future.
10:15-10:30 a.m. | Break
10:30-11:30 p.m. | The #metoo movement: Where are we now?
The news of 2017 and 2018 was frequently dominated by stories about sexual harassment and assault. A trickle turned into a torrent of headlines, accusations, denials and apologies. Companies and institutions and individuals resolved to look inward to change toxic cultures. Many women found reasons to feel optimistic – or, at the very least, they found outlets for their rage. Now it’s September 2018, and the big question is: Where are we as a country and a culture? Institutional change takes years, but are there examples of documentable change or plans in place that might offer hope that the issue won’t fade from prominence? Who continues to kick ass and take names? Alice Short, retired assistant managing editor at the Los Angeles Times, will lead a panel discussion with L.A. Times columnist Robin Abcarian; Brett Anderson, food critic at NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune; and Jeneé Osterheldt, a writer at The Boston Globe.
11:30 a.m.-noon | Search and slice: being your own best editor
Learn how to edit – yourself and others – when you’re racing against a deadline. Maria Carrillo, assistant managing editor/enterprise at the Tampa Bay Times, offers pointers that will help you get your stories online quickly and accurately but also will serve you well when you’re doing long-form work.
12:15-1:15 p.m. | SFJ award winners luncheon
We laud the winners of the 2018 Excellence-in-Features Awards.
1:30-2:25 p.m. | Show + Steal, Part 2
Laura T. Coffey, a writer and editor at Today.com, is back with more great ideas to share.
2:25-2:30 p.m. | Break
2:30-3:30 p.m. |Cooking up profits on social media Learn how publications are making money – money! – from food events. Emily Spicer, features editor at the San Antonio Express-News, leads a panel discussion that includes Ann Maloney, a food writer at NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune, who will talk about ways her publication has mined food for gold.
3:30-3:40 p.m. | Break
3:40-4:30 p.m. | Short takes: reporting and framing narratives in a day Follow a veteran reporter – Lane DeGregory, enterprise reporter at the Tampa Bay Times – and a longtime editor – Maria Carrillo, assistant managing editor/enterprise at the Tampa Bay Times – as they talk about taking small bites off the news and writing short narrative stories and doing it all in one day.
The streetcar will take us back to Ace Hotel.
SATURDAY | 09.15.18
Communications/Music Complex, Loyola Unversity New Orleans
Those attending will take the streetcar from Ace Hotel to Loyola.
8:30-9:15 a.m. | Breakfast at Loyola
9:15-10:25 p.m. | What should we do with kids today? Train ’em? Teach ’em? Or – maybe listen to them? We all need cheap labor, right? How about hooking up with a local college? But then what? Laura Jayne, a former professional journalist and now the director of student services at Loyola University New Orleans, talks about a program she started at Loyola that lets students in her class partner with NOLA.com and The New Orleans Advocate and write for them as freelancers for the exposure. She’ll offer tips on how to do this at your own paper. Barbara Allen, the managing editor of the Poynter Institute’s website and the former director of student media at Oklahoma State University, will offer
advice for mentoring college students, whether they’re interning or freelancing or the newest members of your staff. And a college student will tell us what journalism students want from professional journalists.
10:25-10:30 a.m. | Break
10:30-11:30 a.m. | Features 911
We’re bringing back an old favorite. Annette Sisco, features editor at The New Orleans Advocate, leads a discussion where we answer questions posed by conference attendees. We’ll have a 911 box available throughout the conference, and we’ll ask conference attendees to ask questions, both big and small. Sharon Chapman of the Austin American-Statesman already has the first question for the group: How does everyone handle movie listings these days?
11:30 a.m.-noon | Changing of the guard
It’s a time-honored tradition: The current SFJ president, Jim Haag, turns over the gavel – and few surprising pieces of clothing – to the incoming president, Margaret Myers of Atlantic Media. Then, sadly, it’s time to wrap it up.
12:30-2 p.m. | SFJ BOARD MEETING at Loyola
Margaret Myers will lead her first meeting at SFJ president, and the SFJ gang starts to look ahead to 2019.
2018 SOCIETY FOR FEATURES JOURNALISM EXCELLENCE-IN-FEATURES AWARDS
DIVISION 1 | Circulation up to 90,000
FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS
These awards recognize the three publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 20 categories. First place: NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune
Seven awards, including five firsts (Best Features Digital Presence, Feature Series or Project, Integrated Storytelling, Diversity in Digital Features and Best Niche Product) and two thirds (General Feature and Food Feature). Second place: The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post
Six awards, including two firsts (Best Special Section and Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio) and four thirds (Best Special Section, Narrative Storytelling, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio and A&E Commentary Portfolio). Third place: The (Colorado Springs) Gazette
Four awards, including two firsts (Best Section and Best Special Section) and two seconds (Short Feature and Sports Feature).
BEST SECTION
The best regularly occurring printed features sections that focus on A&E, lifestyles or other features coverage. First place: The (Allentown, Pa.) Morning Call
Judge’s comments: Wonderful, eye-popping designs make these sections memorable. As so do timely and lively topics and spectacular writing. And don’t forget the clever headlines, including “Second, Best,” a great take on the “La La Land”/”Moonlight” fiasco at the Oscars. It all combines to make these sections shine. Second place: The (Colorado Springs) Gazette
Judge’s comments: Striking designs – including a fun spread on pen pals – are the hallmark of these award-worthy sections. They feature a nice mix of local and national topics, and they are tightly and brightly written. Third place: (Albany, N.Y.) Times Union
Judge’s comments: Some fine, fun sections with excellent design – check out the beautiful package on heirloom apples. The sections do a great job of speaking to local audiences. Honorable mention: Edmonton (Canada) Journal
BEST FEATURES DIGITAL PRESENCE
The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: Where NOLA Eats: New Orleans Food and Dining Coverage, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune, Todd A. Price, Ann Maloney and Brett Anderson
Judge’s comments: NOLA.com knows food, and it’s extremely apparent that this culinary team are the experts when it comes to food and dining in New Orleans – and readers tap into that on multiple platforms. In this digital age of trying to marry Facebook and the print product, “Where NOLA Eats” has a creative strategy that clearly pays off. Second place: CraftsmanshipQuarterly.net, Craftsmanship Quarterly, Todd Oppenheimer and Gaynor Strachan Chun, Craftsmanship Quarterly, “How the Principles of Craftsmanship Can Inform Our Lifestyle Choices and Create a World Built to Last” Judge’s comments: Beautiful storytelling. Each medium – the stories, photos and videos – showcases the subject expertly while stirring nostalgic memories and giving readers an “I want more” feeling. These stories are addicting.
GENERAL FEATURE
Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic. First place: Greg Stanley, Naples (Fla.) Daily News, “1,100 Miles: Discovering Florida’s Hidden Trail”
Judge’s comments: This story – following a hiker along a daunting trail in Florida – stood out for its graceful writing, for its strong sense of place and for a journey that never felt exhausting or plodding. Second place: Lindsay Moore, Phoenix New Times, “Refusing to Drown Her Sorrow”
Judge’s comments: A terrible accident. A mother’s determination. A promising treatment. It adds up to a compelling read. Third place: Jed Lipinski, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune, “Justice for Danny”
Judge’s comments: This man’s story – a small-town pharmacist who goes after his son’s killer – is pretty incredible, showing how he channeled his pain into a life of purpose.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE
Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic. First place: Liane Faulder, Edmonton (Canada) Journal, “Broadway-Bound Show Hits the Stage at The Citadel with Hadestown Debut”
Judge’s comments: The writer might not agree with this assessment, but there’s some irreverence here, and that’s what makes this story so enjoyable. A lesser writer would have built this story around the celebration of the accomplishment that Broadway came calling to Canada’s middle section. But the irreverence is that this story lets the reader in on the secret that Edmonton’s theater scene is better than
you think it is – and worthy of Broadway’s attention. That vibe starts with the first sentence and doesn’t die until the final punctuation point. Along the way, the writing is easy to read with a voice of life and purpose. Second place: Amy Biancolli, (Albany, N.Y.) Times Union, “On Music, Race History and ‘The Closet’”
Judge’s comments: Let’s applaud this writer for being myopic. For deciding that this story didn’t need to have a laborious nut graph explaining how this tale relates to America’s great shame or to have a stilted section that forcefully runs through a history of segregation and tangentially ties this tale to it. Let’s applaud the decision to simply tell a man’s story and to let the subtext or quick phrases handle the connective tissue of history. Yes, let’s applaud, because it was a wonderful read of historical importance that could have been forgotten or ignored – or worse yet, written like a “news” story. Third place: Simi Horwitz, Film Journal International, “Risk-Takers: Middle Eastern Filmmakers Defy Danger to Capture the Region’s Turmoil”
Judge’s comments: It’s nice when stories help readers understand the inspiration behind art or the motivation to create and tell stories. And this feature does that quite well, while reminding us that art as rebellion doesn’t just have to be a video by a pop star who’s feeling saucy. The story is written well and sourced expertly. Honorable mention: Dawn Kane, (Greensboro, N.C.) News & Record, “Photographer Carol Highsmith’s Work for Library of Congress is Her Calling”
SHORT FEATURE
Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words. First place: Seth Boster, The (Colorado Springs) Gazette, “Snow Man”
Judge’s comments: This story of a sweet man captured his sense of isolation as well as his sense of purpose. Nice job painting a picture of solitary, remote living without overly romanticizing it. Measured, smooth writing. Second place: Andrea Brown, The (Everett, Wash.) Daily Herald, “Some Dos (and Don’ts) for the POTUS: Local Barbers, Hairdressers Offer Style Ideas for Trump’s Hair” Judge’s comments: Great idea – to have locals give style tips to the president – offered in a sense of fun and even acknowledging the haters who will protest. Loved the range of hairdressers and their honest curiosity about what makes the president’s hair so bad and helpful ideas for how to fix it. Third place: Connor Sheets, The Birmingham (Ala.) News/AL.com, “How a Former Sharecropper in an SUV Helped Drive Doug Jones to Victory in Alabama’s Black Belt”
Judge’s comments: This was a perfect subject for a short piece – a zoomed-in look at a fervent volunteer for Alabama Senate candidate Doug Jones. She shows her passion and persistence in a story that moved along nicely. Honorable mention: Emma Graney and Juris Graney, Edmonton (Canada) Journal, “Dear Canada: We Just Became Two of Your Newest Citizens. Thank You.”
FOOD FEATURE
A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personality profile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic. Each entry consists of one story. First place: Ian McNulty, The New Orleans Advocate, “At the Stand-Up Oyster Bars of New Orleans, the Best Seats in the House Aren’t Seats”
Judge’s comments: What a story! This tale about the lack of seats at Ed’s Oyster Bar & Fish House is compelling, with a grabby lede and simple and direct writing that is sprinkled with evocative images. Second place: Tim Ebner, Eater, “The Cult of Crystal Hot Sauce”
Judge’s comments: A well-told tale on a surprising subject. This story – about how New Orleans’ cayenne condiment conquered America – features captivating writing and shows that the writer has a keen ear for dialogue and killer quotes. The backstory is just enough to flesh out the tale without overwhelming it. Highly readable, and extremely engaging. Third place: Todd A. Price, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune, “Café Henri Retools: How to Run a Restaurant When Your Neighbors Are AirBnBs”
Judge’s comments: Starting the story with a failing restaurant made for a fresh take on food writing – and a compelling lede. The piece follows the owners of Café Henri as they revamp their business to meet a growing AirBnB clientele in the neighborhood. Revealing how the restaurant retooled its services made for not only interesting reading but also a cautionary note for others in the food business.
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts. First place: Brett Anderson, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune, “John Besh Restaurants Fostered Culture of Sexual Harassment, 25 Women Say”
Judge’s comments: Anderson’s in-depth reporting on the charges of sexual harassment at Chef John Besh’s restaurant group went above and beyond typical coverage for a dining critic. More than eight months of interviews and research went into the piece, which was well-sourced with personal stories, national experts and responses from Besh and his managers. These pieces told the story fairly, without
drama or sentimentality, leaving readers to draw their own conclusions to the veracity of the speakers on both sides. Second place: Paul Grondahl, Anja Adriaans and Marco Cilissen, (Albany, N.Y.) Times Union, “Albany, Nijmegen Bond Celebrates 70th Anniversary”
Judge’s comments: These stories on the 70-year bond between the sister cities of Albany, N.Y., and the Dutch city of Nijmegen encapsulate World War II history, a heartfelt friendship marked by shipments from Albany’s citizens to the war-ravaged city, return gifts of tulip bulbs and a personal tale of a fine pair of shoes given to a Dutch teen. Timed to run before Albany’s annual Tulip Fest, the extensive interviews
and research give the reader much more than a typical preview. Third place: Tracy O’Shaughnessy, (Waterbury, Conn.) Republican-American, “The Lost Arts”
Judge’s comments: This series goes beyond the basic tales of trades that are being lost to a digital era and a disposable consumer mindset. Each of O’Shaughnessy’s stories gives her readers deeply personal portraits of the artists – from their earliest years, through training and opening a business, to the dismal future with which they are left. Great details about workspaces, personalities and craftsmanship.
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING
A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme. First place: Danny Wicentowski, (St. Louis) Riverfront Times, “The Final Flight of Martin McNally”
Judge’s comments: Writer Wicentowski clearly built a relationship of trust with his subject, which resulted in an extremely detailed and vivid depiction of an event that took place more than 40 years ago. The story was full of suspense, intrigue and narrative arcs. Second place: Ken Fine, (Durham, N.C.) Indy Week, “A Requiem for David McKnight: Prodigy, Journalist, Politician, Homeless Street Musician”
Judge’s comments: Well-written and full of details. Third place: Pat Beall, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, “A World With No Floor”
Judge’s comments: In this vividly written tale, Beall takes readers through her personal journey of sexual abuse as a child with the help of imagery and poetic turns of phrase. And she backs up her story with details from the outside world. Honorable mention: Yereth Rosen, (Anchorage) Alaska Dispatch News, “Amid Deep Grief, Remembering Jack Cooper’s Joyous Life”
FEATURE SPECIALTY WRITING PORTFOLIO
Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel. First place: Larry Aydlette, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post
Judge’s comments: Aydlette has a great eye for stories that flesh out the unique histories that give the area its personality. Kudos for the extensive research and attention to details. Second place: Dawn Kane, (Greensboro, N.C.) News & Record
Judge’s comments: Loved the subjects – great variety and great people you wouldn’t know without the reporter writing about them. Nice touch of humor, particularly in the piece about the fashion designer. Third place: Liz Balmeseda, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post
Judge’s comments: The story choices were great, and the writer used perfect details to convey her subjects’ personalities.
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO
A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. First place: Ed Hardin, (Greensboro, N.C.) News & Record
Judge’s comments: Hardin’s thoroughly reported and beautifully written work is a delight. In one column, you can hear the zoom of race-car driver Richard Petty’s engine; in another, you can hear the water lapping during an Easter morning fishing trip. The piece on the boyhood home of Andrew Jackson was insightful, thought-provoking and skillfully done. An especially impressive amount of reporting is
exhibited in each piece. There’s no substitute for feet on the street, and it seems as though Hardin must wear out plenty of shoe leather on the job. Second place: Andrea Brown, The (Everett, Wash.) Daily Herald
Judge’s comments: Brown’s work takes readers both back in time and to the party. Brilliant writing brings her subjects to life. Each piece is a lesson, a backstage pass or a time machine – what a treat for readers. Third place: Ian McNulty, The New Orleans Advocate
Judge’s comments: Rich, riveting reporting makes these columns delectable. Food writer McNulty puts readers at the bar, at the table, at the food court – wherever he is. Reading his columns feels like dining with a friend.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO
A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials. First place: Keith Spera, The New Orleans Advocate
Judge’s comments: Similar to the adage “all politics is local,” music writer Spera finds hometown dimensions in a visit by perhaps the world’s biggest band, U2. Spera nails his twin roles as reporter and critic with authority, unfussy writing and an eye for telling detail. Second place: Simi Horwitz, Film Journal International
Judge’s comments: Horwitz’s writing is rich in cinema history. As she describes certain films, you’ll feel the yen to discover them for yourself – a solid measure of success for a critic. Third place: Leslie Gray Streeter, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post
Judge’s comments: It’s one thing for a writer to have the guts to insert her personal history into a feature story, but to do so in service of a meaningful idea, as Streeter manages to do quite effectively, is another trick altogether.
SPORTS FEATURE
Feature treatment of any sports topic. First place: Stephanie Earls, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Frigid Fishing”
Judge’s comments: Writer Earls combines humor and vivid imagery in this riveting fish-out-of-water take on ice fishing. Consider this description: “All around us, the ice emits strange bangs and snaps, the sound of glacial chiropractics as it readjusts atop the 175-acre reservoir.” Bonus points for having to take notes in minus-15-degree weather. Second place: Keith Spera, The New Orleans Advocate, “Dear London: The Saints Are Coming. Brace Yourselves Accordingly.”
Judge’s comments: Our accent! Our football obsession! Our “Who Dat?” When the New Orleans Saints went to London to play football against the Miami Dolphins, writer Spera thought we owed the British an explanation. So he wrote a letter. It’s perfect. Third place: Ed Hardin, (Greensboro, N.C.) News & Record, “Richard Petty Turns 80: The King and I”
Judge’s comments: This distinctive personal tribute to an aging race-car-driving icon is capped by a moving conclusion. Honorable mention: Jennifer Sheehan, The (Allentown, Pa.) Morning Call, “Marathoner Reaches Finish Line”
INTEGRATED STORYTELLING
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, online, social media, video and any other platform. First place: Todd A. Price, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune, “Meet the 2017 James Beard Award Nominees”
Judge’s comments: This entry is proof that you don’t need an entire team of video editors and digital design mavens to pull off something special. The tightly edited chef videos were the perfect complement to tight Q&As that whet the reader’s appetite for more. Second place: Staff, (Albany, N.Y.) Times Union, High School Musical Theatre Awards Coverage
Judge’s comments: Smart layering of live social media coverage with all the trimmings of a special community-driven event. This is a coverage model for other large-scale events. Third place: Staff, (Greensboro, N.C.) News & Record, National Folk Festival Coverage
Judge’s comments: Comprehensive coverage of a multi-faceted event – these pieces allow readers to delve as deeply into the topic as their interest takes them.
DIVERSITY IN DIGITAL FEATURES
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience. First place: Ann Maloney, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune, “New Orleans-Area Muslims Invite Community to Share Nightly Ramadan Feast”
Judge’s comments: It’s impossible to talk – or write – about diversity in a community without considering its culinary contribution. Writer Maloney immerses herself in the thing that is most important to our food – tradition. By examining Ramadan iftar foods, traditional Asian foods and something as simple as common beach-street foods from the Caribbean, she transports readers to other places, and, at
the same time, gives us a snapshot of what’s happening in our own backyards. Her writing is lively and charming. Well done. Second place: Jennifer Sheehan, The (Allentown, Pa.) Morning Call, A Look at Families Dealing with Autism
Judge’s comments: Few health issues are as perplexing as autism. Writer Sheehan examines one element – animation and communication – and writes in a compelling way about the difficulties faced by families affected by autism and the sheer joy that can come from something as simple as hearing your child sing “Frozen” songs or seeing them express emotion by falling in love with a slick red car. Third place: Paula Simons, Clare Clancy and Mark Iype, Edmonton (Canada) Journal, “On Point: Fifty Years Ago, Canada Changed its Immigration Policy and in Doing So Changed the Face of This Country”
Judge’s comments: These pieces look at the timely issue of immigration and consider it from the full spectrum of policies, places and people. The human stories are compelling, and it’s easy to imagine what those first cold winters must have been like for Canada’s new immigrants.
BEST SPECIAL SECTION
The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: Staff, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, “Hurricane Irma: Surviving the Monster Storm”
Judge’s comments: This special section stands out for the careful documentation of a natural disaster that made history. The section captures the drama and tragedy of Hurricane Irma through vivid photography and thorough reporting. The Page 3 maps – which detail information about the storm – were particularly well done. This special section provided a great service to the newspaper’s readers, some of whom will surely save it for posterity. Second place: Staff, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette, “Colorful Colorado”
Judge’s comments: Beautifully written and photographed, this special section does its job of making readers want to visit these lesser-known places in “Colorful Colorado.” Third place: Staff, The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, “Eclipse Extra”
Judge’s comments: Palm Beach Post staff members demonstrated that they can consistently produce eye-catching special sections with this preview of the total eclipse.
BEST NICHE PRODUCT
The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year. First place: Brett Anderson and Todd A. Price, Dine & Spirits, NOLA.com/The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune
Judge’s comments: These dining and drinking guides are must-haves for anyone living in or visiting New Orleans. The amount of information is amazing – short reviews of restaurants, bars and barbecue joints; gorgeous photos that offer a feel for the places and a look at their tastiest offerings; and writing that is both informational and illuminating. For instance, it’s telling to know that food critic Anderson has made more reservations at Upperline restaurant than any other. Bravo! Second place: Staff, Upstate, (Albany, N.Y.) Times Union
Judge’s comments: An impressive mix of stories – including short blurbs, Q&As, listings, recipes and longer narratives – keeps things interesting. The covers are striking, and the tone is sometimes serious, sometimes playful. This is a publication you want to linger with. Third place: Cindy Loman, Whitney Cork and Tina Firesheets, 1808, (Greensboro, N.C.) News & Record
Judge’s comments: A solid magazine with striking covers, a nice mix of stories and beautiful photography. Honorable mention: Staff, Washington North Coast, The (Everett, Wash.) Daily Herald
DIVISION 2 | Circulation 90,000 to 199,999
FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS
These awards recognize the three publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 20 categories. First place: The Virginian-Pilot
Fourteen awards, including four firsts (Short Feature, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio, Video Storytelling and Best Niche Product), three seconds (Features Series or Project, Integrated Storytelling and Digital Innovation), five thirds (A&E Feature, Food Feature, Sports Feature, Best Special Section and Best Podcast) and two honorable mentions (Best Section and Diversity in Digital Features). Second place: The Baltimore Sun
Eight awards, including three firsts (Food Feature, Integrated Storytelling and Best Special Section), three seconds (A&E Commentary Portfolio, Video Storytelling and Integrated Storytelling), one third (Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio) and one honorable mention (Best Special Section). Third place: San Antonio Express-News
Eight awards, including one first (General Commentary Portfolio), three seconds (Food Feature, Narrative Storytelling and Sports Feature), one third (Integrated Storytelling) and three honorable mentions (Short Feature, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio and Sports Feature).
BEST SECTION
The best regularly occurring printed features sections that focus on A&E, lifestyles or other features coverage. First place: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Judge’s comments: What impressed us most about The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was its commitment to projects that really cover the city and appeal to all kinds of readers: The “Bridges of Pittsburgh” project, the clever and useful “Burgs and Burgers” and the page-turning “Notorious Pittsburgh” were well-done
and complemented by sharp event previews and commentary. Second place: Austin (Texas) American-Statesman
Judge’s comments: These sections put readers first, offering top-notch service journalism – the guide to SXSW, the Dining Guide and local seasonal food section – along with beautifully written longer reads, such as the Jimmy LaFave piece and a vibrant travel section. Third place: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Judge’s comments: We love the surprising mix and variety of the Post-Dispatch. The Mocking Meatloaf package illustration was smart and eye-catching, the Fall Book Preview was useful and authoritative, and the overall diversity of stories was impressive. Honorable mention: The Virginian-Pilot
BEST FEATURES DIGITAL PRESENCE
The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: Chow Town, The Kansas City Star, Jill Silva and Sarah Gish
Judge’s comments: The food coverage, across all social platforms, is focused and lively. Second place: SouthFlorida.com, Sun-Sentinel, Staff
Judge’s comments: Excellent job using various platforms – the Web, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – for features coverage.
GENERAL FEATURE
Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic. First place: Dan Horn, The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Abused by a Priest, Now a Champion of the Church”
Judge’s comments: The unusual nature of this story grabs readers and won’t let go. This piece about a man who was abused by a priest is a surprise – it’s remarkably different than most accounts of abuse in the Catholic Church. It’s a story of forgiveness. It’s the story of a man who has made peace with the
horrific circumstances of his childhood. He has embraced the enemy, which apparently is sometimes a good idea. Even though his actions have alienated others, he makes no apologies. Second place: Nancy Flores, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, “Finding Her Way: Transgender Teen Transitions as Gender Identity Under Fire at Legislature”
Judge’s comments: This well-written story may seem familiar, but it’s the details that make it a standout. The reporter has ensured that the central characters are portrayed as real people. The parents are caring but hardly perfect; their child is brave but not heroic. All of them are trying to make their way in a world
that is not universally supportive of the transgender population. An engrossing tale that we didn’t want to end. Third place: Maria Sciullo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “The Sorrows of a 1977 University of Evansville Plane Crash Were Felt by Many in Pittsburgh”
Judge’s comments: The plane crash, which killed 14 members of the university’s basketball team, was a tragedy that, for Pittsburgh residents, happened in another place at another time. But the story is a great example of how strong reporting and writing can make the past seem urgent and relevant. Honorable mention: Ginny Monk and Staton Breidenthal, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Heart and Soul: Husband’s, Daddy’s Love an Ever-Fixed Mark”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE
Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic. First place: Sadie Dingfelder, The Washington Post Express, “Where Liberals and Conservatives Debate the Issues with Pile Drivers and Body Slams”
Judge’s comments: This is what we all should want from an enterprising features story. It’s a fun piece about a pro wrestling federation in Northern Virginia that should surprise anyone who sees it. It enlightens us to a world we’re unaware of. It’s written in a way that’s as entertaining as the subject matter. And it’s tapped into the zeitgeist. This is journalism that lives in the world outside ourselves and informs us of coming fads. Second place: Bobby Olivier, NJ Advance Media, “‘Whitney’ at 30: An Oral History of N.J.’s Greatest Pop Album”
Judge’s comments: All snobbery included, we’re not sure that we agree that this is New Jersey’s best pop album. (But, then, we’re a bit obsessed with the Misfits.). Having typed that, the piece makes us think that the headline might be right after all. The piece is written in a way that transfers the electricity and energy of the moments of creation. And while oral histories often are overdone, this was an appropriate
decision here, one that drives the pace and rhythm in a manner that pulls readers deeper into the story. Our only complaint is that it needs a companion piece on the Misfits. Third place: Rashod Ollison, The Virginian-Pilot, “From Foster Care to Visionary Theater Director, NSU’s Anthony Stockard is Giving the Program New Shape”
Judge’s comments: This story isn’t especially deep, informing or surprising. But the writing is so engaging and descriptive that it elevates a simple profile about a new hire into something that feels like it’s striving to be art. Honorable mention: Amy Kuperinski, NJ Advance Media, “The Man Who Directed ‘La La Land’ is a 32-Year-Old Wunderkind from N.J.”
SHORT FEATURE
Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words. First place: Joanne Kimberlin, The Virginian-Pilot, “In a Single Week, Chesapeake Family Buries One Son and Gives Birth to Another”
Judge’s comments: A family lost their 4-year-old son to cancer and, less than a week later, had a baby. The writer beautifully captured the emotions and wove in a thread about the family’s faith but never crossed into maudlin territory. Restrained and elegant writing. Second place: George Morris, The (Baton Rouge) Advocate, “For U-High Grads, Tragedy Created an Unbreakable Bond Called ‘The Tribe’” Judge’s comments: This tale of old friends reconnecting as one of them was dying felt authentic, showing their actions and revealing their emotions. Written with feeling but not melodrama, the story has the perfect tone. Third place: Sean Clancy and Kirk Montgomery, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Shoutout for Sister: The Late Rosetta Nubin Tharpe Joins List of Nominees for Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame”
Judge’s comments: Lean and pithy, this piece packed a lot of information into a small space. Good energetic writing. Honorable mention: René A. Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, “‘NewsCat’ Brings Smiles Amid the Tragedy of Sutherland Springs”
FOOD FEATURE
A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personality profile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic. Each entry consists of one story. First place: Brittany Britto, The Baltimore Sun, “Unpacking the Chicken Box: The Story Behind Baltimore’s Carryout Staple”
Judge’s comments: This accessible, deftly told story about a city’s love affair with carryout chicken is imbued with local flavor. The tale is told with a briskness that keeps the piece moving while revealing the history of an oft-overlooked favorite food. Second place: Emily Spicer, San Antonio Express-News, “San Antonio’s Latest Whiskey Imbued with Maverick, Alamo History”
Judge’s comments: Like the drink it lionizes, this story about whiskey is silky smooth. Lyrically written, it is clearly the work of an engaging storyteller who knows how to sprinkle in gems of memorable details that bring the tale to life.
Third place: Rashod Ollison, The Virginian-Pilot, “Virginia Beach Woman Brings Integrity to Soul Food with YouTube Videos”
Judge’s comments: The observations, the dialogue and the details in this story about a woman who has gained a huge following with down-to-earth cooking videos give us a sense of being in the room with her. Delving into the controversy about soul food adds depth to a well-written profile. Honorable mention: Kelly Brandt and Staton Breidenthal, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “It Starts With Mother: Making Vinegar is Fun, and It Takes Only a Starter and a Bare Minimum of Ingredients”
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts. First place: Rick Telander, Chicago Sun-Times, “A Season Under the Gun”
Judge’s comments: This series examines the affect of the rampant violence on Chicago’s West Side on high school teenagers through their basketball team. The teens’ stories are as shocking as they are matter-of-fact – for most of them, violent death is merely a part of life. Writer Telander gives readers a personal, insider look at kids coping with difficult lives. These stories – of youths finding joy within the carnage – go beyond headlines and crime statistics. Second place: Gary Harki and Joanne Kimberlin, The Virginian-Pilot, “The Execution of Ricky Gray”
Judge’s comments: Once reporter Harki was selected to witness an execution, he and colleague Kimberlin took on the task of looking back at the grisly murders that the man committed and at the process of putting a person to death. This compelling story is so well-written that readers are drawn in and carried along without effort. Without sensation or sentiment, we hear from those involved in the execution and are eyewitness to the final deed. Third place: Kristin Finan, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, “Heartbreak and Hope”
Judge’s comments: In this series, writer Finan gives a first-person account of her experience with the foster-care system – from her tween years and adding a foster mother to her later roles as a mom and wife. The roller-coaster experience of tragedy, love, joy and pain is expanded with loads of interviews, statistics and other research. Remarkable story – and a remarkable life! Honorable mention: Staff, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Dead Asleep: Babies at Risk”
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING
A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme. First place: Jenna Russell, The Boston Globe, “Alone and Untrained, a Mother Becomes Nurse for her Daughter with Disabilities”
Judge’s comments: This terrific story, written with extraordinary feeling and grace, takes readers deep into the life of a family and illuminates a much larger – and largely unknown – problem about health care for special-needs children. Second place: Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje, San Antonio Express-News, “The Abortion Divide: Two Texas Women’s Stories Dramatize the Crucial Decisions at the Center of Their Lives”
Judge’s comments: A smart take on a hot-button issue, exceptionally reported and well-told. Third place: Staff, The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Seven Days of Heroin: This is What an Epidemic Looks Like”
Judge’s comments: This look at the heroin epidemic tackles a topic that we’ve all heard much about and sheds new – and sobering – light on it.
FEATURE SPECIALTY WRITING PORTFOLIO
Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel. First place: Elizabeth Simpson, The Virginian-Pilot
Judge’s comments: Simpson weaves moving tales about health issues with gravitas and aplomb – the stories are beautifully structured, with sentences that land just so. Readers feel as though they know the subjects and are in the room with them. Powerful work that requires a deft pen to achieve. Second place: Bobby Olivier, NJ Advance Media
Judge’s comments: This entry shows fantastic range and know-how, and it’s breezily written and fun to read. Irresistible subject matter, too – the opening gambit on the story about the New Jersey man traveling to Germany with $15,000 in his pocket hooked us and didn’t let go. Third place: Brittany Britto, The Baltimore Sun
Judge’s comments: These enlightening stories, capturing fascinating facets of Baltimore’s African-American culture, show depths of reporting and research about seemingly whimsical topics. We never realized how much we wanted to know about the Crazy Legs dance, chicken boxes and “Baltimorese” – or “Bawlmerese.” Honorable mention: Silvia Foster-Frau, San Antonio Express-News
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO
A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. First place: Emily Spicer, San Antonio Express-News
Judge’s comments: Spicer stands out because she takes on topics not everyone is writing about. And she produces compelling pieces you just can’t put down. Most notable: her column on Boob Glue. That’s right, Boob Glue. Don’t you want to know more? We can’t believe a newspaper ran this column but are so glad it did. Hilarious, a little outrageous but, above all else, informative. Spicer took readers on her sticky journey and bravely posed for some illuminating selfies, resulting in a column that no doubt had readers talking, laughing and, dare we say, uplifted? As soon as you finish reading these comments, please Google this column. It’s a scream. Second place: Bobby Olivier, NJ Advance Media
Judge’s comments: These pieces feel like a backstage pass and a front-row seat. Richly reported, skillfully written and thoroughly informed, this body of work seems destined to create more informed and culturally aware readers one brilliant column at a time.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO
A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials. First place: Matthew Odam, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman
Judge’s comments: It’s probably silly to use a word like “terroir” to describe food writing, but Odam has it. His coverage of Texas capital’s food scene has a healthy respect for what keeps Austin weird even as big-money increasingly drives the restaurant business there. Muscular criticism and sparkling detail mark these beautifully crafted reviews. Second place: David Zurawik, The Baltimore Sun
Judge’s comments: There was much to be outraged about in 2017 if you were a smart media columnist, as Zurawik clearly is. What matters in these pieces, though, is the cogency and careful fact-finding that balances his passion, expressed with clarion-voiced authority. Third place: Joe Gross, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman
Judge’s comments: Solid, smart film criticism that never condescends to its audience.
SPORTS FEATURE
Feature treatment of any sports topic. First place: Vahe Gregorian, Maria Torres and Jill Toyoshiba, The Kansas City Star, “Yordano Ventura’s Final Year Filled With Turmoil, Emotional Distress”
Judge’s comments: In a category with many strong entries, this was the clear winner. Gregorian and Torres explore the death of colorful Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura with in-depth reporting – from stateside as well as the Dominican Republic – and clever writing. “He acted out at opponents for having the temerity to hit the ball off him, or be hit by his pitches.” Toyoshiba adds illuminating photos. Second place: John Whisler, San Antonio Express-News, “Boxing and San Antonio: A Glove Affair”
Judge’s comments: This look at boxing in San Antonio is comprehensive, entertaining and elevated by Whisler’s writing chops. Consider this gem: “Where San Antonio ranks among America’s best boxing towns is a moving target, about as difficult to define as landing a punch to the chin of Ali in his prime.” Third place: Ed Miller, The Virginian-Pilot, “A Ref’s Life: One Long Day Under the Looking Glass With NBA Official Leroy Richardson”
Judge’s comments: Miller crafts riveting coverage of a day in the life of NBA ref Leroy Richardson. Honorable mention: David Hinojosa, San Antonio Express-News, “High School Football Preview: As His Father Heals, Somerset QB Focuses on Season”
VIDEO STORYTELLING
The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length. First place: Vicki Cronis-Nohe, The Virginian-Pilot, “They May Not Have Homes, but Members of this Norfolk Choir Have Voices. And They Want You to Listen.”
Judge’s comments: One of the best things journalists can do is let people tell their own stories, and this piece does that. Members of a homeless choir – a community that isn’t always depicted in a positive light or allowed to speak for itself – are given a microphone and allowed to share a part of their lives not usually seen. Second place: Ulysses Muñoz, Algerina Perna and Karl Merton Ferron, The Baltimore Sun, “Still Dancing: Baltimore Club-Style Dance Has Legs”
Judge’s comments: This piece accomplishes much in under three minutes: It’s a cultural primer, a historical record, a provocative commentary – and it’s fun. The video leaves viewers with an understanding of an important slice of dance history in Baltimore while curious to learn more. Third place: Andre Malok and Claude Brodesser-Akner, NJ Advance Media, “For Cash, Name the Candidates for N.J. Governor”
Judge’s comments: This video will make you laugh – and leave you a little afraid for the future of our democracy.
INTEGRATED STORYTELLING
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, online, social media, video and any other platform. First place: Brittany Britto and Staff, The Baltimore Sun, “Keep the Beat: Baltimore Club-Style Dance Persists Past its Peak with Support of Local Dancers, Organizers”
Judge’s comments: Ack! There’s hard-to-read white type on a black background, but that’s the only thing we didn’t like about this online package. Beautifully executed storytelling captures the exuberance of this scene. The piece is well-written, with excellent editing and selection of photos and video. These journalists show rather than tell us about dance. It’s nearly perfect. Second place (tie): Brittany Britto and Staff, The Baltimore Sun, “Hold Up, ‘Hon’: Baltimore’s Black Vernacular Youthful, Dynamic if Less Recognized than ‘Bawlmerese’”
Judge’s comments: Every publication could steal this idea and apply it to the way that local people talk. It’s an evergreen piece that readers likely would come back to again and again. What better way to talk about how people talk than to hear them speaking. The video is a fine mix of scholarship and man-on-the street opinion. Love how the guy explains that he talks the way he does so he can communicate with his
family and friends and to belong. Second place (tie): Denise Watson and Vicki Cronis-Nohe, The Virginian-Pilot, “They May Not Have Homes, but Members of this Norfolk Choir Have Voices. And They Want You To Listen.”
Judge’s comments: If this story about a homeless choir doesn’t move you, you’re made of stone. This is a deceptively simple package that nails it. Well-written story and moving photos married with a video that pulled us in and hooked us until the end. Third place: Lauren Caruba and Carolyn Van Houten, San Antonio Express-News, “Life in Transition”
Judge’s comments: The opening to this piece about San Antonians who are transitioning to another gender, is nearly perfect. It quickly captures these individuals’ stories, and the photography is wonderful.
DIVERSITY IN DIGITAL FEATURES
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience. First place: Laura Bauer, The Kansas City Star, “Secrecy Inside Child Welfare System Can Kill: ‘God Help the Children of Kansas’”
Judge’s comments: This series – about problems faced by those dealing with the Kansas Department for Children and Families – was expertly presented and leaves readers wondering what can be done to protect children. Second place: Staff, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman, “The Talk”
Judge’s comments: A powerful subject – a look at “the talk” that black parents have with their children about how to survive encounters with police – that is presented expertly. The writers put much thought into the digital presentation – video front and center, then stories below – because it was important to showcase the reason for the talk. Throughout the storytelling, there lies a beacon of hope – for justice, for
change, for understanding. Third place: Peter Smith, Nate Guidry and Laura Malt Schneiderman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Unsettled in America: Pittsburgh’s Latino Community is Small, Diverse, Growing – and Anxious”
Judge’s comments: Exceptional journalism that captures the long, drawn-out legal fights and the stories of survival of the city’s Latino population. Honorable mention: Jamesetta Walker, The Virginian-Pilot, “Sickle Cell Aside, Chesapeake WomanMaking Her Way in NYC Modeling Scene”
BEST SPECIAL SECTION
The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: Staff, “Women to Watch,” The Baltimore Sun
Judge’s comments: This magazine-style special section featured a clean, consistent design and carried a great mix of stories. Second place: Jill Silva and Tammy Ljungblad, “Fish to Table,” The Kansas City Star
Judge’s comments: It was a close call between second and third places in this category. The Star gained the edge with more consistent writing. And we actually learned much about fresh seafood in the Midwest through these thoroughly interesting stories. Third place: Sam Hundley, Deborah Armstrong, David Simpson and Staff, “Lighten Up, Pilgrim. Maybe It’s Time to Ditch the Turkey,” The Virginian-Pilot
Judge’s comments: The story planning provided nice variety – not just standard-fare food writing – for this Thanksgiving special section. The mashed potato challenge was particularly enjoyable compared with most holiday recipe pieces. Honorable mention: Staff, “Dining Guide,” The Baltimore Sun
BEST NICHE PRODUCT
The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year. First place: Clay Barbour and Staff, Distinction, The Virginian-Pilot
Judge’s comments: This one has it all – stunning photography, crisp design and engaging writing. Loved the cover story about dogs who thrive in urban environments. This is a magazine you want to curl up with in a cozy chair and linger for hours. Second place: Mark Gauert, Anderson Greene and Staff, Prime, Sun-Sentinel
Judge’s comments: Stunning covers – of Deborah Harry and Bruce Springsteen – invite readers in. The mix of short takes and longer pieces keeps them there. Loved the piece on five places to escape to before the summer fades away. Overall, a strong effort. Third place: Staff, Arkansas Life, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Judge’s comments: The impressive covers lure readers in, and they find much to enjoy inside. Well-thought-out stories offer information as well as inspiration. Beautiful job. Honorable mention: Gabe Hartwig and Staff, Go!, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
DIVISION 3 | Circulation 200,000 and up
FINEST IN FEATURES SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS
These awards recognize the three publications that garner the most honors in the contest’s other 20 categories. First place: The Washington Post
Seventeen awards, including five firsts (Best Digital Features Presence, General Feature, Food Feature, Sports Feature and Digital Innovation), seven seconds (A&E Feature, Short Feature, Narrative Storytelling, Feature Specialty Writing Portfolio, Video Storytelling, Best Niche Product and Headline Writing Portfolio), three thirds (Best Section, Narrative Storytelling and A&E Commentary Portfolio) and two honorable mentions (A&E Commentary Portfolio and Best Niche Product). Second place: Los Angeles Times
Seven awards, including three firsts (Best Section, A&E Feature and Features Series or Project), three seconds (A&E Commentary Portfolio, Integrated Storytelling and Podcast) and one third (General Commentary Portfolio). Third place: The Dallas Morning News
Five awards, including two firsts (General Commentary Portfolio and Podcast), two seconds (Best Features Digital Presence and Food Feature) and one third (Diversity in Digital Features).
BEST SECTION
The best regularly occurring printed features sections that focus on A&E, lifestyles or other features coverage. First place: Los Angeles Times
Judge’s comments: The three special themed sections in this entry – on the Oscars, “Hamilton” and road trips – are stunning examples of what a features section can do. The topics are explored from a wide variety of angles with wonderful photography and writing. Most of all, these sections are well-planned, organized and executed. The other sections entered here are equally delightful to read and feel like L.A. –
trendy, smart, eclectic. Second place: (Minneapolis) Star Tribune
Judge’s comments: The Star Tribune impresses with its ability to take on big subjects – such as the immigrants section – as well as with its great storytelling about everyday people – the vacuum cleaner kid. These sections are well-organized and well-written, and they capture that certain edginess of the Twin Cities. Overall, thorough and thoughtful. Third place: The Washington Post
Judge’s comments: What a joy to get lost in these sections. The sheer size and scope of these sections is impressive, and the execution is beyond reproach. Honorable mention: Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times
BEST FEATURES DIGITAL PRESENCE
The best your publication has to offer in digital A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: Staff, The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com
Judge’s comments: A lively website, with exceptional writing, good photography and just enough attitude. Second place: Staff, The Dallas Morning News, GuideLive.com
Judge’s comments: Exciting and informative site. Third place: Staff, CNN, CNN.com/longform
Judge’s comments: Some of the best long-form journalism around.
GENERAL FEATURE
Feature treatment of any A&E, lifestyles or news topic. First place: Dan Zak, The Washington Post, “After the Blast”
Judge’s comments: A stunning story – about a fire and explosion in the Texas town of West – that received the reporting and writing it deserved. It was particularly impressive how the writer wove together so many threads while keeping the reader’s interest engaged. Beautifully written. Second place: Christopher Spata, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, “Want to be Santa? Be Ready for Tough Questions and Heartbreaking Requests”
Judge’s comments: It takes a writer of true talent to approach this story about the things that department-store Santas hear with a delicate and graceful touch. A lovely feature. Third place: Thelma Glover, The (Portland) Oregonian, “City Police Cost 98-Year-Old Black Woman Her Home. Here’s Why She Won’t Get it Back.”
Judge’s comments: Writer Glover did a fine job of explaining and personalizing a complex history in this story about a woman who lost her home. An excellent example of why a features approach is often the most effective way to make readers feel the historic injustices of a complex situation. Honorable mention: Monte Reel, Bloomberg, “How to Rebuild Puerto Rico”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE
Feature treatment of an arts and entertainment topic. First place: Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, “Artist John Wullbrandt Lost Vital Paintings in the Thomas Fire, But Found Renewal in Fighting the Flames”
Judge’s comments: Vivid writing, incredible details and a narrative structure combined to make this story feel like a dramatic piece of short fiction – in a good way. The headline foreshadows some of the events, but readers still can get swept up in the story and wonder, “What will happen next?” We didn’t want it to end. Second place: Peter Marks, The Washington Post, “Places, Please! A Behind-the-Scenes Look at How ‘The Front Page’s’ Cast and Crew Get into their Groove”
Judge’s comments: A great use of immersive storytelling. The video and audio clips were well placed as part of the online narrative, not online extras. Warm, funny and educational. It’s fun to see celebrities in their work element in a different way as well. Third place: Chris Riemenschneider, (Minneapolis) Star Tribune, “Prince Inc.”
Judge’s comments: Not all stories have a beginning, middle and an end – we won’t know for years what will happen with Prince’s estate. Great details and engaging writing throughout, with complicated issues explained plainly. Honorable mention: Michael Kaplan, New York Post, “This Artist is Making Mega-Millions Stealing People’s Work”
SHORT FEATURE
Tight, bright writing of fewer than 1,000 words. First place: Mike Hixenbaugh, Houston Chronicle, “Conjoined Twins Head Home But Face Challenges Ahead”
Judge’s comments: A well-done piece that left us wanting more. The story features excellent, simple sentence structures, and the writer places readers alongside a young couple dealing with conjoined twins. A great, great poignant story. Second place: Dan Zak, The Washington Post, “R.I.P. Gchat: You Let Us Pretend We Were Working – and That We Were Really Connecting.”
Judge’s comments: This clever and humorous piece was a pleasure to read. The story was enjoyable – and chuckle-inducing. Third place: Laura Reiley, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, “Publix No Longer Offers You That Free Slice of Meat at the Deli Counter”
Judge’s comments: Well-told story on a potentially dry topic – the delicatessen that no longer offers free samples of its products. The writer used fun phrasing and colorful, detailed writing. Honorable mention: Mike Fisher, Toronto (Canada) Star, “Find the Beating Heart of the Blues in Memphis”
FOOD FEATURE
A single story focusing on food, not including reviews or commentary. Can be a trend story, personality profile, narrative piece, how-to or other feature treatment of a food topic. Each entry consists of one story. First place: Tom Sietsema, The Washington Post, “Chefs Say a Dishwasher Can Make or Break a Restaurant. So I Signed Up for a Shift.”
Judge’s comments: Excellent sources, topic and execution in this interesting look at the job of dishwashers in the restaurant business. The story was educational and entertaining, and we hope the piece got passed around to many of the people doing this crucial job in restaurants. Second place: Leslie Brenner, The Dallas Morning News, “Dallas’ New Wave of Chinese Regional Dining is Sizzling Hot”
Judge’s comments: Excellent look at a trend – the emergence of more Chinese dining options in the Dallas area – that are making a mark on the culinary scene. Backed up by population statistics that show why this trend is a growing one in the Texas city. Third place: Brett Anderson, The New York Times, “At 91, Ella Brennan Still Feeds (and Leads) New Orleans”
Judge’s comments: Delightful profile of this important restaurant family matriarch, including the fact that she probably can’t cook but sure knows how to run a restaurant empire. Honorable mention: Greg Morago, Houston Chronicle, “Fired Up Chefs Embrace Open Flames”
FEATURES SERIES OR PROJECT
Feature treatment of any lifestyle, A&E or news topic that has multiple parts. First place: Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, “Dirty John”
Judge’s comments: A phenomenal story told in riveting words, with exhaustive research and interviewing. This might make online dating difficult for a while, because who really knows what’s lurking on the other end of that profile? Just exceptional. Second place: Chelsey Lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Wisconsin Trails on the Road”
Judge’s comments: The most personal and lovely travel story we’ve seen in a long time. Loved the pride that was taken in showing off one’s state and in doing so in such amazing detail. Third place: John Blake and Tawanda Scott Sambou, CNN.com, “This Could Be Awkward”
Judge’s comments: This one is hard to read and listen to because it’s so real. This is what journalism is supposed to do – make us uncomfortable and affect us. So well done. Honorable mention: Staff, The (Portland) Oregonian, “The Loneliest Polar Bear”
NARRATIVE STORYTELLING
A single story told in a narrative style, using techniques such as character development, use of dialogue, sense of place, scene building, narrative arc and adherence to theme. First place: Patricia Callahan, Chicago Tribune, “Doomed by Delay”
Judge’s comments: Masterful storytelling of a mother and child’s journey when the personal intersects with bureaucratic failures. There’s strong reporting here, as well as an expert balance of scenes and detail with more explanatory passages. Callahan’s writing forces readers to put themselves in the shoes of Natasha Spencer – and it’s excruciating. Second place: David Montgomery, The Washington Post, “The Collision”
Judge’s comments: This exceptional story – about an incident and a Confederate monument – could easily have been reduced to outrage fodder but instead is given a humane, nuanced treatment. The citizens of Demopolis are fully realized. This treatment offers a complex understanding of our nation’s history of and current grappling with Confederate monuments. Third place: Monica Hesse, The Washington Post, “Lending a Hand at the End of a Pregnancy”
Judge’s comments: Writer Hesse sensitively explores a role unknown to most readers – the abortion doula. The story looks at how controversial abortion remains in our society while reflecting the incredible intimacy of the doulas’ work. Honorable mention: Craig R. McCoy, Philadelphia Media Network, “Horror on the Mountain: 11 Boys, 1 Ice Ax, and Unforeseen Heroism”
FEATURE SPECIALTY WRITING PORTFOLIO
Three stories by the same writer on one features specialty topic, such as arts and entertainment, fashion, food, health, religion, technology or travel. First place: Jason Nark, Philadelphia Media Network
Judge’s comments: Nark finds beautiful stories in everyday existences and brings them to life. Even when writing about something as seemingly absurd as deer urine, he spins a fascinating tale that could easily have devolved into potty humor. Second place: Geoff Edgers, The Washington Post
Judge’s comments: This portfolio is strong on storytelling. Edgers’ writing is elegant and precise. He lets stories unfold without getting in the way. Third place: Laura Reiley, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times
Judge’s comments: Reiley proves that food writing is more than covering restaurants and publishing recipes. She weaves history, personalities and delicious moments into her stories. Honorable mention: Bob Tedeschi, Stat
GENERAL COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO
A collection of three columns or essays by the same writer on any human interest or specialty topic, excluding editorials. First place: Cassandra Jaramillo, The Dallas Morning News
Judge’s comments: These are deeply thoughtful pieces about the struggle to balance assimilation and cultural pride in the writer’s immigrant family. The way she thinks through her identity and examines the way others in her family do helps illuminate the seminal American immigrant experience for a new generation. Second place: Will Bunch, Philadelphia Media Network
Judge’s comments: How lucky are Bunch’s readers because they get to view the upheavals of American society and politics through the compassionate, clear eyes of this masterful writer. Third place: Robin Abcarian, Los Angeles Times
Judge’s comments: With a population drawn from all corners of the world, a global entertainment industry and extremes of wealth and climate, L.A. is presented here as a snapshot of world and national trends. Honorable mention: Wei Chen, Houston Chronicle
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT COMMENTARY PORTFOLIO
A collection of three columns, essays or reviews by the same writer on any arts and entertainment topic, including dining reviews but excluding editorials. First place: Inga Saffron, Philadelphia Media Network
Judge’s comments: Through these columns, Saffron shows why publications need to pay attention to their community’s architecture and infrastructure. It’s important for diversity, for a city’s health and for its residents’ mental health. And Saffron’s writing gives a vitality to these stories, with such great phrasing as “parking your bottom,” “gritty around the edges,” and the sense of having to “pry” union membership numbers from the group’s secretive hands. Second place: Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times
Judge’s comments: Chang’s movie reviews are more than reviews; they put the films in context of life experiences. Such reviews often are mere recitations of a film’s plot, and it’s wonderful that Chang elevates his work above that, with thoughts such as “Is there anything scarier than being a black man in America today?” and how “while mediocrities are a dime a dozen, a genuine, off-the-charts fiasco is something to cherish.” Third place: Hank Stuever, The Washington Post
Judge’s comments: Television criticism at its best. Stuever is a storyteller with a message. Honorable mention: Tom Sietsema, The Washington Post
SPORTS FEATURE
Feature treatment of any sports topic. First place: Kent Babb, The Washington Post, “There’s Nowhere to Run”
Judge’s comments: “What would it be like,” asks former NFL star Larry Johnson, “for this to be the day for people to find out you’re not here?” It’s a stunning question, and it’s answered by this stunning story. We learn that it’s a miracle that Johnson is still here. He battles demons that he says are symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the degenerative brain disorder linked to more than 100 former
football players. It’s heart-wrenching storytelling, with perfect pacing and wording. It’s raw, and it’s real. Second place: Howie Kussoy, New York Post, “Pop Stars, Athletes, Actors and Strippers: A Night Out with Floyd Mayweather”
Judge’s comments: Crude, rude, colorful, energetic and thoroughly entertaining. That describes this award-worthy piece and its subject, boxer Floyd Mayweather. At times, you’ll want to look away, but it’s hard to tear yourself from a story this engrossing. A funny, funky and fabulously descriptive feature, down to that mouthwash in a Hennessy bottle. Third place: Max Blau, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Knockout: The Fast Rise and Slow Fade of Boxer O’Neil ‘Supernova’ Bell”
Judge’s comments: The writing, in places, hits as hard as boxer O’Neil Bell must have in his glory days. The result is a story that is unflinching, direct, emotional and subtly detailed. Honorable mention: Dave McKenna, Deadspin, “The Kid Who Didn’t Die at Riverfront Stadium”
VIDEO STORYTELLING
The coverage of any A&E, lifestyle or specialty topic using a single video of not more than 8 minutes in length. First place: Jessica Greif, The (Portland) Oregonian, “About a Boy”
Judge’s comments: A compelling story well told, elevated by the time put in – we see the subject over several years – and the details shared by him, his mom and doctors and advocates. One decision about his life offered a window into his larger journey, and we were left wanting to hear what his next chapter would be. Second place: Ashleigh Joplin and Katherine Frey, The Washington Post, “Meet Ella Murray: The 9-Year-Old with Skin as Delicate as a Butterfly’s Wing”
Judge’s comments: The video did a nice job of highlighting the problems of a family in a difficult situation. The narrative is well-paced, and we wanted to spend more time with the family and find out what happens next. Third place: Staff, Fusion, “Young Viejo”
Judge’s comments: “I feel good,” says a guy who loves being on the diamond. “That’s why I come here.” We felt great watching this story of older men playing baseball. It’s not just the high-production values, which are impressive. We don’t always acknowledge that older people still have all the same interest and passions they’ve always had. This story does.
INTEGRATED STORYTELLING
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through the integrated use of print, online, social media, video and any other platform. First place: Nathan Eagle and Alana Eagle, Honolulu Civil Beat, “The Last Wild Place”
Judge’s comments: A gorgeous, lively, engaging, well-written, thorough and utterly fascinating look at a place most of us will never be able to go: the Northwestern Hawaii Islands. This multipart series uses every digital tool in the book – maps, video, music – to immerse readers and listeners in a remote and beautiful world. Second place: Christopher Goffard and Andrea Roberson, Los Angeles Times, “Dirty John”
Judge’s comments: The story and accompanying podcasts present a riveting mystery about a con man with a shocking ending. Well-done graphics, fine photojournalism and engrossing writing. The Facebook chat was a great way to engage readers. An amazing package that uses digital media to full advantage. Third place: Staff, The (Portland) Oregonian, “The Loneliest Polar Bear”
Judge’s comments: Quick videos that surprise viewers with polar bear sounds. Longer video interviews with tearful or determined vets and zookeepers. All that, plus interactive graphics, a well-told story and beautiful photojournalism distinguish this six-part series that took a year to research and create. It ends with ways to get readers engaged in fighting climate change and saving polar bears. Every aspect of
digital media is employed. Honorable mention: Staff, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “50-Year Ache”
DIVERSITY IN DIGITAL FEATURES
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic that highlights the diversity within a publication’s audience. First place: Panama Jackson, The Root, “How Trump Ruined My Relationship With My White Mother”
Judge’s comments: Wow. Just wow. This narrative had us shaking our heads and dropping our jaws. We could picture the scenes the writer described. We could hear the conversations the writer had with his mom. We could empathize with his feelings, torn and frustrated – and slightly guilty. A powerful column with a headline that doesn’t sensationalize – rather, it accurately nails the story in a few words and invites readers to find out why. Second place: James E. Causey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “What Happened to Us?”
Judge’s comments: An incredible project with outstanding interactives. Tracking down everyone in your third-grade class and writing about it is no easy task. This is the anti “where are they now?” feature piece, a serious look at a tough time in history and how it’s affected the people in writer Causey’s class. Beautiful execution. Third place: Dawn Burkes and Tiney Ricciardi, The Dallas Morning News, “Women of Color on Television” Judge’s comments: The entries in this delicious subject – women of color in leading roles on TV – were hard to put down and thought-provoking. Honorable mention: Ileana Najarro, Monica Rhor and Jenny Deam, Houston Chronicle, “Deeper Underground”
BEST SPECIAL SECTION
The best your publication has to offer in printed A&E, features and lifestyle coverage. First place: Tim Campbell and Christy DeSmith, (Minneapolis) Star Tribune, “Fall Arts”
Judge’s comments: This special section’s variety of well-written stories and clean design set it above the competition even without the slick-magazine format used by the other entries. Particularly impressive are the feature stories and beautiful black-and-white portraits that anchor each of the major arts categories. Second place: Staff, San Francisco Chronicle, “Summer of Love”
Judge’s comments: This is an enjoyable commemorative magazine for those who remember the hazy, crazy days of 1967. Third place: Staff, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, “Fa La La La Love”
Judge’s comments: This holiday magazine captures the “Wow!” factor with its Vogue-like cover and elegant photo reproduction. Honorable mention: Craig LaBan, Philadelphia Media Network, “Craig LaBan’s Ultimate Dining”
BEST NICHE PRODUCT
The best examples of a niche product – such as a magazine or special section – published at least two times a year. First place: Melissa Aguilar, Jody Schmal and Staff, LuxeLife, Houston Chronicle
Judge’s comments: A stellar magazine, with stunning covers, engaging writing and gorgeous photography. It’s chock full of short reads – loved the look at unique earrings – and well-written narratives. The design is exquisite. Kudos to food writer Alison Cook for her yeoman’s effort on her top 100 restaurants in the city. She even tells you what to order! LuxeLife is lively, informative, interesting and fun to read. Second place: Tom Sietsema and Staff, Spring and Fall Dining Guides, The Washington Post
Judge’s comments: Food writer Tom Sietsema is a treasure, and his takes on the best dining spots in the D.C. metro area are must-reads. The crisp writing and stunning photography are literally mouth-watering. Third place: Staff, Bay, Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times
Judge’s comments: A strong local magazine with a great voice. Well-written and well-edited, thispublication is executed perfectly. Honorable mention: Staff, The Luxury Issues of The Washington Post Magazine, The Washington Post Honorable mention: Sue Campbell and Staff, Star Tribune Magazine, (Minneapolis) Star Tribune
COMBINED DIVISIONS
HEADLINE WRITING PORTFOLIO
A collection of three headlines and accompanying decks by the same writer for feature stories or columns. First place: Darel Jevens, Chicago Sun-Times
Judge’s comments: Deeper context on the “Mother!” movie review – “O, ‘Mother’: What Art Thou?” – elevates the clever word play. “Sesame seed fun” is just fun. And the Dear Abby headline – “So, Your Fiance? I’m Married To Him.” – shows that everything we do to engage audience matters, especially when you can generate new attention for an old-school feature. Second place: Panfilo Garcia, The Washington Post
Judge’s comments: Clever, engaging headlines without being cliche or punny for the sake of being punny. Third place: Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, CNET.com
Judge’s comments: There’s a next-level commitment to a theme in all three headlines.
DIGITAL INNOVATION
New or improved online ventures, including websites, apps, social-media experiments or other ways to share information in the digital world. First place: Staff, The Washington Post, “The Lily”
Judge’s comments: This is whole new publication – aimed at bringing The Post’s stories to a wider audience and at focusing on stories important to women – that meets its intended audience where they are. Blown away by this initiative, from its content and platforms to its focused, well-defined personality. Second place: William Houp, The Virginian-Pilot, “The Newest Way to Get the Latest Stories: Message Us on Facebook”
Judge’s comments: A clever way to get readers to look at your stories through Facebook.
BEST PODCAST
The coverage of any A&E, features or lifestyle topic told through a podcast. First place: Staff, The Dallas Morning News, “My Aryan Princess”
Judge’s comments: This addicting podcast tells the story of Carol, the troubled informant who descends into the world of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, and her role in bringing down the gang. The podcast warned listeners that it would be a wild ride, and it truly is. Second place: Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, “Dirty John”
Judge’s comments: The storytelling in this series has a soap opera-thriller feel to it, and the podcasters do a great job of hooking listeners. A captivating story where listeners root for all those involved and hope justice is served to Debra’s “Mr. Right/Mr. Wrong.” Third place: Joanne Kimberlin, Gary Harki and Randall Greenwell, The Virginian-Pilot, “The Shot”
Judge’s comments: Given the whodunit feel in this podcast – mixed with the voices of those still looking for Officer Victor Decker’s killer – we can see why this podcast received a five-star rating on iTunes. Listeners want to know what happened to Decker, even as they learn about his dark side. Honorable mention: Ian Coss, Heidi Shin and Qainat Khan, The GroundTruth Project, “The New American Songbook”
STUDENT DIVISION
BEST COLLEGE FEATURES JOURNALIST
The top collegiate features journalists, based on an entry of up to three stories First place: Sam Fortier, Syracuse University
Judge’s comments: Fortier writes with an authoritative voice, weaving compelling narratives. We especially liked the human element in his stories, the many voices he corrals and the depth of reporting in the “St. Anthony’s Unanswered Prayer” piece. Second place: Natalie Schwartz, University of Maryland
Judge’s comments: Schwartz shares voices that her readers might otherwise not hear – Trump supporters on a liberal campus, a DACA student struggling with uncertainty about the future and transgender people learning to change their voices. She captures their stories well, propelling her narratives with well-chosen quotes. Third place: Hannah Neumann, Baylor University
Judge’s comments: Neumann has a nice voice, and the tale of post-traumatic stress disorder is informative and poignant. The story is nicely structured and makes good use of quotes and various voices.
10/12/11 Sharon Chapman for Venture Out Austin credit: Nell Carroll/AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Jim Haag
President
Jim is the retired features editor at The Virginian-Pilot, where he finished his career of 35-plus years in journalism. Along the way, he was a reporter, copy editor and designer. But the best part of the job was helping to tell engaging stories. He’s the co-author of the “Food Lover’s Guide to Virginia” (Globe Pequod Press, 2013). He spent time at the Salina Journal and Hays Daily News in Kansas, where he graduated from Fort Hays State University.
Margaret Myers
1st vice president
Margaret is an editor with Atlantic Media Strategies. She previously led a team of reporters at PBS NewsHour and ESPN, and was a features editor at the Amarillo (Texas) Globe-News. Margaret is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
Sharon Chapman
2nd vice president
is features editor at the Austin American-Statesman. She leads a team of passionate writers and editors who cover the culture and lifestyle of Austin, Texas. She previously was entertainment/food editor at the Statesman, leading the launch of Austin360 in print and online. She has also been assistant features editor at The Kansas City Star and Salem (Ore.) Statesman-Journal.
Emily Spicer
Treasurer/secretary
Emily is the features editor and The Spice of Life columnist at the San Antonio Express-News. In the many years she has worked at the paper, she has held various titles, including travel writer, fashion editor, real estate editor, and the most recent, business editor. She also worked for a year in the middle there as the public relations manager for Neiman Marcus San Antonio. Spicer graduated from the University of Texas in Austin in 1998 with degrees in journalism and Plan II (a liberal arts honors program.)
This batch of Show & Steal slides from SFJ16 in Austin was titled “I Stole It,” a collection of stories and packages that were inspired by previous Show & Steal presentations.
You’re heard of Kansas City barbecue — and perhaps the 2016 World Series champions, the Kansas City Royals. But did you know KC is also home to the world-class Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art? That the Kansas City Zoo spans 200 acres in Swope Park, one of the nation’s largest urban parks? That we have James Beard Award-winning chefs, a gaggle of food trucks and a fusion cuisine to satisfy all your cravings?
Plus — the beer! Our region is home to dozens of craft breweries and, of course, Boulevard Brewing Co., which was founded in 1989 and now has full or partial distribution in 31 states and Washington, D.C. We also have our fair share of distilleries.
A downtown renaissance includes the Sprint Center, a performing arts center designed by Moshe Sadie; a burgeoning arts community; and the latest fascination: a new streetcar line.
From Sept. 27-30, I invite you to bring your family to the annual SFJ conference so you can experience all this KC pride for yourself.
Our hotel will be just minutes from downtown and within walking distance to many attractions, including Union Station and Crown Center, which is home to Halls department store, Legoland, and fun shops and eateries.
You also can hop on our streetcar to check out the River Market, which hosts a large farmers market and unique food vendors.
If shopping is your thing, the most popular retailers mingle with local boutiques at the Country Club Plaza — a 10-minute Uber ride away. The outdoor shopping plaza is modeled after Seville, Spain, and is considered the country’s first suburban shopping center.
Here’s another bonus: fall is the most beautiful time of year in Kansas City. So please join us for a fun weekend in the heart of our great country.
Kathy Lu, President of SFJ
Assistant managing editor for features, Kansas City Star
Lisa Glowinski, SFJ president, 217.816.3343
Andrew Nynka, SFJ executive director, 347.260.3874
The Society for Features Journalism has honored three Pulitzer Prize winners and a host of other journalists as part of its 2016 Excellence-in-Features Awards contest.
Three newspapers also were recognized with the inaugural Finest in Features Sweepstakes Awards, which goes to those publications that received the most honors in the annual contest. The first-ever Best College Features Journalist in the Country also was named. Winners in the 19 categories were announced today.
More than 700 entries were judged in the contest, which honors the craft of feature storytelling and the people who do it for a living at news organizations in the United States and Canada. Winners will be recognized at SFJ’s national conference Aug. 10-13 in Austin, Texas.
SFJ President Lisa Glowinski said, “I am beyond impressed with the variety of winners this year. Excellent features journalism is truly alive and well – in print, online, on social media and in our readers’ lives.”
Pulitzer Prize winners who received SFJ awards included:
Lane DeGregory of the Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, who placed third in General Feature of the large-newspaper division for “Dear Birth Mother.” She won a Pulitzer for Feature Writing in 2009.
Tom Hallman Jr. of The (Portland) Oregonian, who received an honorable mention in Short Feature in the large-newspaper division for “Trying to Make a Hood River Girl’s Last Birthday Party Special.” He won the Pulitzer in Feature Writing in 2001.
Alison Sherwood of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who placed first in Best Features Website, Digital Channel or App in the large-newspaper division for the newspaper’s Fresh channel. The Pulitzer board honored her in 2011 for Explanatory Reporting.
Several journalists won multiple awards in SFJ’s contest, including:
Michael Cavna of the Washington Post, who received a first place and honorable mention in Digital Innovation and a second place in Feature Writing Specialty Portfolio.
Carlos Frias, who was recognized in three categories – Best Features Website, Digital Channel or App; General Feature and Video Storytelling – for his work at the Palm Beach (Fla.) Post. Frias now is the food writer at The Miami Herald.
Winning the first-ever Finest in Features Sweepstakes Awards in the small-newspaper category (circulation of 90,000 or less) was The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post. The Post won seven honors, including three-first place awards. The (Nashville) Tennessean was second, and the (Albany, N.Y.) Times Union was third.
In the medium-size category (circulation of 90,001 to 199,999), the Finest in Features Sweepstakes winner was The Virginian-Pilot, based in Norfolk, which garnered 11 awards. Tied for second were the Baltimore Sun and TheKansas City Star.
The Finest in Features Sweepstakes honor in the large-newspaper category (circulation of 200,000 and above) went to The Washington Post, which won 16 awards, including six first-place honors. Second was the Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times, and third was the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Cody Stavenhagen of Oklahoma State University was named the Best College Features Journalist in the Country. The judges lauded him for a strong voice and said, “His stories were compelling and drew us from the lede to the end.” Other honored college journalists were Corey Williams of Auburn University, second; Matthew Lieberson of Vanderbilt University, third; and Baxter Barrowcliff of Columbia College in Chicago, honorable mention.
Jennifer Abella has been a copy editor at The Washington Post since 2000, when she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Currently the copy chief for Washington Post Magazine, she has held several positions at the paper, including features copy chief and deputy
copy chief of the universal news desk. In her spare time she is a pop culture junkie and Anglophile who blogs and manages social media for UNC’s annual Jane Austen Summer Program.
Q&A
Q: Tell us about your current job.
I oversee copy editing and production for The Washington Post Magazine: I slot copy, oversee proofing, manage production deadlines, publish stories to the Web and compile our entertainment calendar.
Q: What are some of the favorites stories you covered?
We’ve done some great stories recently, including a mascot boot camp and an infographic about black superheroes going mainstream.
Q: How do you use social media?
I am on social media every day mostly for personal use, but also to support my volunteer work for the Jane Austen Summer Program in North Carolina. My work with JASP allows me to experiment — on a small scale — with concepts I’ve gleaned from working at The Post.
Q: Why is features journalism important to you?
I love learning about the personal angles of stories — not just policies or politics, but also the way they affect people’s lives.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.” – Jane Austen, “Pride and Prejudice”
It applies to anything you love, really — you don’t even feel it happening; it just happens.
Q: What kinds of media do you personally read for fun and news?
I am thoroughly addicted to Twitter, particularly news accounts that have a geeky/entertainment bent: The Mary Sue, Hitfix, IGN, Vulture, The Hollywood Reporter.
For fun, I read young adult literature as well as pop culture-centric nonfiction.
Q: What do you hope to get from SFJ conference?
I’d like to get back in touch with the roots of editing and working with writers to craft a strong narrative without losing the writer’s voice. I’m also really interested in the impact of social media on features stories. I’d love to learn more about crafting compelling social headlines for our content and how other publications enhance their long reads for the web in an age when readers have such short attention spans.
Amaris Castillo, Bradenton Herald
Amaris Castillo
Amaris Castillo is a law enforcement/island reporter for the Bradenton Herald, where she has worked since 2014.
Castillo has a multimedia series called Bodega Stories, where she publishes stories and portraits of people who frequent her parents’ Latin market in Saint Petersburg, Fla. The project is her small way of preserving language and culture, which means a lot to her as a first-generation American.
Castillo was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Dominican parents and has a master’s from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and a bachelor’s from the University of South Florida.
Q&A
Q: Tell us about your current job.
As the law enforcement/island reporter for the Bradenton Herald, I am regularly sent out to cover breaking news situations such as shootings, fires and crashes. I also report on Anna Maria Island, a 7-mile barrier island that’s filled with challenges related to tourism and all that it brings to residents and business owners. There are three cities on the island, so my job is to keep track of what’s going on in each city. As the night reporter at my newspaper, I’m also called on to cover general assignment stories that range from graduation ceremonies to animal rights protests.
Though law enforcement and the island are my primary beats, I am always searching for interesting feature stories, as well as stories on the immigrant experience — one of my interests.
Q: What are some of the favorite stories you covered?
One is a series on a Honduran boy who crossed the border to reunite with his parents in Bradenton and the challenges he now faces as he seeks asylum. Another story I enjoyed working on was the historic and absolutely bizarre election tie-breaker in Bradenton Beach between an ousted mayor and current-mayor/former- vice mayor — it was one of those “only in Florida” stories where I witnessed an election tie broken through a deck of cards.
Though interviewing people who are grieving after losing a loved one is extremely difficult, I feel it is an honor to tell their stories. Some of my favorite stories have been about grieving and loss; I wrote a story about a grieving mother who lost her daughter to a heroin overdose just days prior to our interview, and I also recently sat down with a local family who lost four relatives in the Ecuador earthquake. It means a lot to have people willing to speak to me despite their overwhelming grief — I do not take this lightly and always do my best to treat what they tell me with great care.
Q: How do you use social media?
I use social media to share my work, as well as the work of my colleagues and other journalists I admire.
I also use social media as a reporting tool; there have been times where these networks have helped me reach a new source. Thanks to Facebook and Twitter, I am able to dig and dig and dig until I am able to reach someone I need to speak to for a story.
Q: Why is features journalism important to you?
Features journalism is important to me because it stretches beyond the formulaic and cut-and-dried story. It allows journalists to expand and try to incorporate feeling and the essence of a source in the story — the exhausted eyes of a grieving mother, the nervous face of a graduate about to step onto the stage and receive his diploma. I am drawn to feature stories because they bring me in and make me feel as if I am a witness to what’s being done and what’s being said.
Features journalism not only informs the public, but it engages the public.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
“Nothing happens unless first we dream” by the late poet/writer Carl Sandburg.
Q: What kinds of media do you personally read for fun and news?
For news, I read the Bradenton Herald, Tampa Bay Times, The New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN, NPR, to name a few. I also listen to NPR and different podcasts on my commute to and from work.
For fun, I enjoy watching Buzzfeed videos and I enjoy reading cultural sites such as Remezcla. I also really enjoy reading independent media like The Mash-Up Americans and La Galeria Magazine.
Q: What do you hope to get from SFJ conference?
I hope to leave the SFJ conference inspired, rejuvenated and with tools on how to become a better storyteller. My newspaper is smaller compared to other area newspapers, and so I hope to learn and soak in as much as I can to bring this knowledge back to my colleagues.
I look forward to meeting features editors from all over the U.S. and asking them what makes a great feature story to them personally — what are some do’s and, most importantly, what are some don’ts? I am so excited to be in the same space as others who are passionate about features journalism and look forward to productive discussions and workshops that will be both challenging and stimulating.
Emily Gibson, The University of Texas at Austin
Emily Gibson
I was born in Baltimore, Md., and grew up reading preteen tabloids such as Tiger Beat and J-14. Thankfully, my taste in magazines and journalism evolved, but my appetite for it didn’t.
I measure my lifetime in what blog or project I was writing at the time (my first “novel” was written when I was in grade school and was called Lobster Face, my first middle school blog was about music and was called CantBeatIt, I currently co-run a magazine, etc.)
When I got to high school, I took a newspaper course and that small taste of newsroom experience confirmed what I already knew: that I was going to give this journalism thing a shot.
Q&A
Q: Tell us about your current job.
I currently intern for The Austin Chronicle, I am the communications assistant for the UT School of Biomedical Engineering and I run my own magazine, SMEAR Magazine, which published online and in print (we are currently working on our second print issue.)
Q: What are some of the favorites stories you covered?
I wrote a story about Texas’ first theatrical wrestling league run completely by female-identified people, which was a really awesome experience. I also worked on a story about the Austin Music Census citing a lack of gender diversity in the Austin scene, and how women musicians in Austin responded to that.
Most recently, I did a story about front man John Pelant from a band called Night Moves, which was a good experience because I had wanted to do a long form music feature for some time.
Q: How do you use social media?
I use social media to start conversations. Whether it is a joke status I post on Facebook or a questioning tweet about a policy or a news event, my main goal is always to get people talking and comfortable talking to each other. I think that, at its core, that is the purpose of social media: to be able to talk to people and bring people from different backgrounds and perspectives together.
Q: Why is features journalism important to you?
Features journalism is what attracted me to the field. Being able to meet people from different backgrounds and tell their stories seems like such an ideal job that I often have to remind myself that it is something I am really working toward. I think it’s important to use these platforms to tell stories that make people think – to represent the unrepresented voices and to provide a different perspective on issues. The fact that I am pursuing a job where I can tell people’s stories that could possibly incite some sort of change is exciting to me, and it is important to me to become the best features journalist I can be so I can better represent these people and their stories.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
“We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.” – Chuck Palahniuk
Q: What kinds of media do you personally read for fun and news?
For news, I read The Austin Chronicle, The New York Times, The Baltimore Sun and Texas Monthly. For fun, I typically like to read memoirs – the most memorable one I have read in the past year was “Slave: My True Story” by Mende Nazer, and I am currently reading “Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise” by Ruth Reichl. I also like to read music magazines, specifically Impose and Pitchfork. And fiction-wise, I typically enjoy books that are a little strange or dystopian – Chuck Palahniuk and Margaret Atwood, for example.
Q: What do you hope to get from SFJ conference?
I am extremely excited to attend the SFJ conference. I hope to learn about the industry from people working in the field and hear the stories of how they decided to pursue features journalism and their favorite stories they’ve worked on.
The Society for Features Journalism heads to Austin, Texas next year! You won’t want to miss three days of sessions filled with practical advice, great ideas for coverage and ways to keep adapting in the digital world.
The conference runs Aug. 10-13 and will draw on the faculty and facilities of the University of Texas at Austin’s renowned journalism school. Plan on meeting the top features editors and reporters from around the country!
Austin is one of the country’s hippest, most creative cities and reduced room rates are available Aug. 9-14 in case you want to plan a family vacation or travel story around your trip.
Conference registration is $250 for SFJ members who make the early bird deadline of July 8.
Journalists attending an APME Newstrain workshop last month were getting a crash course in using spreadsheets to tell stories and reveal information from public records.
The workshop, led by Michael Berens at the Chicago Tribune, reminded me that all journalists should be able to grasp the basics of Excel and similar spreadsheets.
What is it? An iPhone app for creating lists. It’s designed as a marketing tool for celebrities and brands (“The Office” writer B.J. Novak is one of the developers). But it could be a great tool for repurposing copy for the social media audience. It’s also great for extending the life of evergreen packages or finding a new audience for your recipes. You can share your lists on Twitter and Facebook.
How does it work? Download the free app (only available through iPhone) and sign in. Much like Facebook and Twitter, you can follow and be followed by folks. It’s pretty easy to create a list using the handy dashboard.
Make your list. Each item can have a photo, a comment (which can include a link). Your headline and read-in also can include a link.
Examples: PBS created a list to complement “I’ll Have What Phil’s Having” episode on Barcelona. the Washington Post posted a list of “Creepy Internet Rabbit Holes.”
What is it? Some elegant interactive tools are being made using the Tableau Public tool, which is available at no charge. It’s free data visualization software that — with a little tutorial — you can build interactive maps, tools and other cool stuff.
How does it work? Using a data set you get (or building your own on Excel), building a graphic that tells your story well.
There’s almost too much here to digest (for quickie graphic tools, try canva.com) but if you have an enthusiastic journalist who wants to dabble in data, let them play around with this.
It’s pitched to investigative reporters for serious projects, but think of the way you can use it to round up restaurant inspection reports, compare school data, or even create.
There is a resource page to view videos that show you how to use the data or how to navigate the dashboard.
Lead image from “The Flood: What We Saw” published at thestate.com
Last week, my state gurgled under 20 inches of rain, roads buckles, dams split open, and at least several neighborhoods in my city were under water.
I’m no longer with The State, so I wasn’t able to discern the thinking behind its disaster coverage. But from my point to view it was stellar, with constant live updates paired with great individual storytelling opportunitieswith words, video and photos.
I thought about what digital tools might be helpful for getting through a disaster, and am sharing some good practices that you might employ if you have a similar situation.
The lead page of Lenny, a new newsletter by actress Lena Dunham.
Newsletters are the new black and white and read all over.
While social media networks continue to dominate news readers, newsletters are quietly grabbing fans, niche by niche.
Take Lena Dunham, of “Girls” fame. This week, she launched Lenny, a weekly newsletter that promises to be “a snark-free place for feminists.”
Newsletters bring customized content to readers. They arrive in an inbox, but they aren’t intrusive. You can sell them through sponsorships. They are easy to measure. They get traffic for your stories.
While Facebook tries to dominate the universe even more with its implementation of Instant Articles, it is throwing journalists a small piece of the social network with two new initiative, Mentions and Signal.
Facebook Mentions allows verified journalists (along with celebrities and other public figures) to broadcast live to his or her Facebook followers. It’s a good branding tool to show your readers how you’re covering the news or event.
First, create a professional Facebook page, much like you do with your personal account. The difference is that a Page allows you to get followers, who can see your activity and posts.
Have you tried Snapchat yet? Still don’t understand it?
Here’s a new reason to check it out? Incredible selfies.
One of Snapchat’s quirky features is the ability to write on top of the photo or video, or add emoticons or scribbles.
Now you can add special effects to selfies you take within the app. The feature, called Lenses, activates while the camera is open. Play along to create rainbows pouring out of your mouth, hearts on your eyes, and other whatnots.
Now why would you even consider such a selfie? To help promote a weird story or a columnist who is ready to cover something live.
Sofiya Ballin was one of the two 2015 Penny Bender Fuchs diversity fellows.
I started the SFJ fellowship with my mind on two of the largest reporting weekends on the horizon: Made In America and the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia.
I was feeling very journo’d out and I left full of fresh ideas for how I would contribute to the coverage. Meeting and sharing stories and ideas with reporters and editors across the country was exhilarating.
Though I’ve been at the Philadelphia Inquirer for almost a year, during the conference I was able to better understand what goes into producing the paper. More importantly, I understand better the challenges in our industry that go far beyond reporting stories.
Touring the Washington Post, listening to Pulitzer Prize winning journalists, and observing Michael Cavna and others share showed me how there’s no one way to tell a story and engage audiences. And that when it comes to the future of journalism, the pathway has to be filled with creativity, courage and many entry points.
Ada Tseng, one of two 2015 Penny Bender Fuchs diversity fellows.
It was such an honor to attend the 2015 Society of Features Conference as a Diversity Fellow. I’ve never walked out of a conference feeling so full of energy and new ideas.
From the very first panel — featuring The Washington Post’s Caitlin Dewey, who talked about the value of creating personal newsletters; Atlantic Media’s Tim Ebner, who proposed creative ways of working with sponsors in order to fund journalism, and The Arizona Republic’s Megan Finnerty, who discussed using live events to build diverse communities — it was clear that this conference was going to be about change.
With change comes the anxiety of the unknown, but it also gives us an opportunity for self-analysis. As journalists, what are our core values that we can’t afford to compromise? What are some traditions that would be better left behind?
Jim Haag
Margaret Myers
Sharon Chapman
Society for Features Journalism 