enough about conflict of interest, let's see some APSE results!

I don't read the Tribune every day, but when I do read the sports section it's always disappointing and annoyingly Cub-centric, not that I have a dog in that fight.

 

We had a pretty darn good special this year and it won, so we're happy. Just missed out on the triple crown, getting two top 10s and an honorable mention.

Plus, one of our writers got two writing awards. Can't complain in a year like that.

 

The APSEs are a nice honor, and my congrats to all who won. Our shop certainly would like in on them a bit more often -- especially considering what a pain in the ass it is to meet all the APSE's detailed entry rules. Hell, who knows, half our stuff might have hit the round file immediately.

But these are no less subjective than the state contests, where everybody's bylines are still on the stories, etc. Our paper has taken huge steps forward the past few years, with very limited APSE recognition. And what the paper got recognition for this year, IMO, hardly approached our best submissions, so I'm just dumbfounded there.

So be it. Maybe next year. Hopefully, while Jerry and others are considering retooling the circulation categories, they look into changing some of the other entry requirements that make this contest more difficult than it ought to be. Hell, any paper that can actually get its entries submitted on time -- with all the other stuff we're all trying to do to actually, you know, get a paper out in this era of huge cutbacks -- ought to get a plaque just for that. What do you say, Jerry? Plaques, for all my entering friends!

 

I don't understand how the Sun-Times columnists never place.

 

When are the winners pared down to top-5, etc.?

 

i couldnt agree more....a column is a column and should be kept there. happens way to often

 

probably in like 2 months, which makes no sense, because they've already all been pared down to the top 5. what's the point of waiting to release it every year? suspense?

 

One omission bothers me, and that's Yakima's football special section. It was outstanding.

 

Just the APSE good ol' by insiders exerting their power and making some people fret a little more.

 

Let's get some finalists leaked. I want to know where I placed.

 

After 22 years in the business (sheesh, I'm OLD!), placing in APSE some years, not placing in many others, I have come to this philosophy: It is a nice honor to win one, to know that a group of peers liked your work. It is also important to remember that there is an equally long list of terrific sports writers every year who do not win. In fact, the list of talented people who didn't win is longer than the list of winners. Plus, there's no award for the beat writer who works his/her butt off 365 days a year, breaks stories, writes consistently clean copy day after day.
So, in short, enjoy the awards if you win them, but don't ever feel it's THE barometer for success in this business.
Have a good day, everyone.
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald.

 

Well put.