The only sanctioned competition just for columnists enters the new year. The fee is reasonable, and the honor of winning has been a boon to several decades of writers.

The National Society of Newspaper Columnists takes pride in seeking entries of published columns in all media: newspapers, magazines, online and blogs written in column style, as well as multimedia formats including video.

Deadline is March 1. See details at http://www.columnists.com/?p=12550. The submission consists of three columns published or posted during 2011.

Why enter? To have a fair opportunity for:

• Pride and satisfaction from being judged (by professionals) as tops among your peers
• A plaque for your wall
• A line of accomplishment for your website, byline, resume — or, with three bucks, it’ll get you a fine coffee

Finalists also receive a substantial discount to the annual conference of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, May 3–6 at in Macon, Ga., when the winners will be announced. Conference details at http://www.columnists.com/?cat=9. Finalists will be announced in early April.