Raise your voice. Win recognition. Shape the conversation.

The opportunity to showcase your most compelling, courageous writing has arrived. The Carmage Walls Commentary Prize invites your entries — and this year, it’s bigger, bolder and more rewarding than ever.

• Entries must have been published in print or online between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026.
• The deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. on May 31.

Why enter?

This prestigious contest celebrates the very best in editorial and column writing — work that informs, challenges and inspires communities. Named for legendary newspaperman Benjamin Carmage Walls, the prize honors a legacy of strong, principled journalism that makes a difference.

If you’ve written something that sparked conversation, influenced opinion or took a stand when it mattered most, this is your moment.

What’s new this year?

• More Prize Money: A total of $15,000 in cash awards will be distributed.
• Expanded Categories: New categories reflect the evolving world of opinion journalism.
• Open Competition Format: Entries are judged together, emphasizing quality and impact over circulation size.

What judges are looking for

This contest isn’t just about polished prose — it’s about purposeful writing.

Judges seek entries that:

• Demonstrate courage and conviction
• Offer insightful perspectives
• Are designed to engage and move readers
• Represent strong editorial leadership

What You Could Gain

• National recognition among industry peers
• Cash prizes and honors
• The chance to showcase the impact your newspaper is making in your local community

Your words matter — now share them

Great commentary doesn’t just report the world — it helps shape it. Whether you’ve challenged authority, championed your community, or offered a fresh take on today’s issues, your work deserves to be seen.

Learn more and enter the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize

Submit your best work. Take your shot. And let your voice be heard.