The Society for Features Journalism is recognizing Roger's commentary, particularly citing his essays "A natural history," "Books do furnish a mind" and "I remember you." He has been awarded first place for General Commentary in the 2013 Excellence in Feature Writing Contest. They write:
He saw things in his own way, and then he helped us look at our surroundings through a different lens. Roger Ebert embodied the best traits of features journalism: He was a compelling storyteller, a man who made us both laugh and cry, who offered insights without being mean, who delighted in his world and brought us into it. Whether writing about film or old friends or death, Roger did it best and left us all with an inspiring legacy. The Society for Features Journalism is proud to award Roger Ebert first place for general commentary in the 2013 Excellence in Feature Writing contest.
"Roger Ebert's writing and criticism was always insightful, funny and accessible," the judges said in choosing Ebert's work for the award, "and his entry in this year's contest showed a writer at the top of his game. Judging blindly didn't work in this instance. Ebert's work was obviously Ebert, and it was head and shoulders above the other nominees."
SFJ promotes the craft of writing and innovation in lifestyle, arts and entertainment journalism.
The organization's annual contest draws entries from features journalists across the country and in Canada, from major dailies to community newspapers. The Excellence in Feature Writing awards will be handed out October 17 at the annual SFJ conference at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla.
