...and the winners are...

The Robert Benchley Society Announces the Winners in the 2014 RBS Humor Writing Competition. Our celebrity judge, Mark Russell, said of this year's finalist, "If the New Yorker ever rejected any of these, I would cancel my subscription." --

1. Lowell T. Christensen, of White Rock, N.M., for How to Help Children with Attention Deficit Disorder

   "Well worth the dizziness I experienced while reading it. The piece should include a prescription for Ritalin." -- Mark Russell

2. Cy Creed, of Hamburg, N.Y., for Just The Socks Please, Nothing But The Socks

   "Obviously, the pace of it – I was imagining Nichols and May." -- Mark Russell

3. Kathy Myers, of Petaluma Calif., for A Brief History of Writers

   "Funny digression in the first paragraph – I don’t question the validity of the writer’s anthropology premise." -- Mark Russell

4. Eileen Mitchell, of Palatine, Illinois, for The Science of Stumbling

   "Loved the magazine titles, 'Fido Fancier,' 'Splay Food Journal,' 'Arms Akimbo Magazine,' etc. – pure Benchley." -- Mark Russell

NEWS FLASH...

The winners in the 2014/2015 Robert Benchley Society Award for Humor Writing Competition have been chosen and will be announced on this blog Wednesday. No fooling!

We are working with our judge, Mark Russell, on a date for the Award Dinner, which will be held in Washington, D.C.

Robert Benchley Society Announces Semifinalists in 2014 Humor Contest

February 22, 2015, the Robert Benchley Society Announces the Top-Ten Semifinalists in 2014 RBS Humor Writing Competition (in alphabetical order)

• Barb Best, of Malibu, Calif., for Risk,
• Con Chapman, of Boston, Mass., for Take the 40 Million-Years-Without-Sex Challenge,
• Lowell T. Christensen, of White Rock, N.M., for How to Help Children with Attention Deficit Disorder,
• Cy Creed, of Hamburg, N.Y., for Just The Socks Please, Nothing But The Socks,
• Nancy Crochiere, of Amesbury, Mass., for I’ll Never Lube This Way Again,
• Eileen Mitchell, of Palatine, Illinois, for The Science of Stumbling,
• Kathy Myers, of Petaluma Calif., for A Brief History of Writers,
• Valerie Peterson, of New York, N.Y., for Letter to Santa,
• Dorothy Rosby, of Rapid City, S.D., for What Hath Bell Wrought?, and
• James Smart, of Philadelphia, Penn., for The Origen of Some Christmas Customs

These top ten essays have been forwarded to humorist Mark Russell, who will decide on the final four, ranked in order from first place. The winners will be announced on April Fools Day, and the awards will be presented at the Robert Benchley Society Annual Awards Dinner, at the University Club of Washington, D.C., at a date to be determined.

This year's preliminary judges were:

• Horace Digby, 2005 Benchley Society First Place Award Winner, President of the Longwood, Washington "We Only Came to See if There Really is an Award" Chapter of the RBS, and West Coast Vice Chairman of the RBS,
• Matt Hahn, President of the Washington, D.C., "Lost Locomotive" Chapter of the RBS,
• Eileen Forster Keck, a Director of the RBS,
• Sharon Lyon, a Co-Founder of the RBS,
• Dan Montville, author of Disabled Fables, 2008 1st place winner of the RBS Humor Writing Award, and Director of the RBS,
• Chris Morgan, East Coast Vice Chairman of the RBS, and
• Ed Tasca, 2009 1st place winner of the RBS Humor Writing Award, and Director of the RBS.

Mark Russell to Judge 2014 Benchley Humor Competition, Entries Due by September 15th

The Robert Benchley Society is happy to announce that Washington, D.C.-based national humorist Mark Russell has agreed to be the final celebrity judge in the 2014 Robert Benchley Society Annual Humor Writing Award Competition.

I'm sure you are all familiar with Mr. Russell's topical and political humor and music, either through his three decades on public television or from his personal performances. More information on Mr. Russell may be found on his website www.markrussell.net.

The deadline to enter the 2014 Robert Benchley Society Annual Award for Humor Writing Competition is September 15, 2014 (the anniversary of Mr. Benchley's birth). For more details visit our website http://www.robertbenchley.org/competition/index.htm.

Just in Time for the New Year...

...the Robert Benchley Society announces that our Commemorative Tenth Anniversary Edition of Love Conquers All is available for purchase on Create Space and at Amazon. (If you buy using the Amazon link, be sure to buy from Amazon to get this commemorative edition. Other resellers on Amazon offer Love Conquers All in other editions lacking our valuable additional materials.)
Originally published in 1922 by Henry Holt and Company, this volume contains 63 Benchley essays, previously published in Life, The New York World, The New York Tribune, The Detroit Athletic Club News, and The Consolidated Press Association. The illustrations by Gluyas Williams are also from the 1922 edition.
The RBS 10th Anniversary Edition features a new forward written for the Society by humorist Bob Newhart, an introduction by Society chairman, David Trumbull, and a thoughtful essay on Benchley's humor style and influence by Ed Tasca.
That's not all. This volume has the essays by the first place winners of the Society's annual humor-writing competitions:
W. Bruce Cameron, Horace Digby, Tim French, Madeleine Begun Kane, Daniel Montville, and Mike Tuck.
Humorists Dave Barry, Arte Johnson, and Mark Russell also contributed material in this edition, which is "must have" item for any fan of witty humor in the Benchley mode.

Published by award-winning Glendower Media.

Video of Mark Russell at the 2011 Robert Benchley Society Annual Gathering

Mark Russell has us all cracking up with his witty informal performance at the 2011 RBS Annual Awards Dinner.

Thanks again to Mark and Ali for making the evening such a hit!

Mark Russell Presents Tim French with the 2011 Robert Benchley Society Award for Humor Writing

Mark Russell Confirmed to Attend RBS 8th International Annual Gathering

The Robert Benchley Society is pleased to announce that pianist and humorist Mark Russell, 2011 celebrity judge of the Robert Benchley Society Annual Award for Humor, will be attending the RBS Annual Awards Dinner on Saturday, November 12th. The dinner will be the highlight of the Eighth Annual Gathering of the Robert Benchley Society will be Friday through Sunday, November 11-13, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

At the Awards Dinner we'll be giving out two 1st Place Robert Benchley Society Awards for Humor. Tim French of Midway, Alabama will be presented with the 2011 Robert Benchley Award for Humor for his essay The Old Man and the Leaf Blower. Mike Tuck of Eden Prairie, Minn., will be awarded 2010 Robert Benchley humor prize for his essay Story Time with the Children.

http://www.robertbenchley.org/AG2011/registration.htm.

Mark Russell Thinks We Have Some Funny Writers

The Robert Benchley Society congratulates the winners of the 2011 Robert Benchley Society Annual Award for Humor Writing. This year's celebrity judge, Mark Russell, has ranked the top four entries and has provided comments to the writers, who are listed in order from first place and on:

1. Tim French of Midway, Alabama, for The Old Man and the Leaf Blower

   My wife and I laughed out loud at the title. That alone, made me pick your short story as my favorite. The title was wonderful. And the premise, oh, so original. At that Great Sardis' in the Sky, Robert is amused, as is Old Ernie, wherever he is.
   
   Thanks for a delightful read.
   
   Sincerely,
   Mark Russell

2. Robert G. Ferrell of La Vernia, Texas, for Up the Greek Without a Paddle

   I thoroughly enjoyed your short story. It takes off quickly with the first two sentences and maintained Benchley's level throughout. I loved the use of "#2iPencils and narrow-ruled iPads", and I laughed out loud at "please drop your fig leaves by the door."
   
   Thanks for an enjoyable read.
   
   Sincerly,
   Mark Russell

3. Edward Southerland of Sherman Texas, for Certificates of Authenticity

   Your premise was nicely original. "Leonardo Da Vinci's plans for a steam powered blimp" and
   "Dr. Murney's Das Facten Wel Knowen are delightful. Who knew that people from Texas were so funny?
   
   Thanks for an enjoyable read.
   
   Sincerely,
   Mark Russell

4. Steve Shrott of Toronto, Ontario, for Unblocking the Block

   Thank you for an enjoyable read. I liked the Marx Brothers rhythm you had going in your short
   story. Having, on occasion, suffered from writer's block, you had me going with the first paragraph and kept my attention throughout. Loved "must pea" may be the coffee table book of the decade."
   
   Sincerely,
   Mark Russell

This year's Annual Award Dinner will be held in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, November 12th as part of the Eighth International Robert Benchley Society Annual Gathering "A Capitol Idea," November 11-13, 2011. For more information about the Annual Gathering and the Award Dinner, visit www.robertbenchley.org/AG2011/registration.htm.

Register Now and Avoid July 1st Price Increase -- Robert Benchley Soc. Annual Gathering, Nov. 11-13, Washington, D.C.

The Eighth Annual Gathering of the Robert Benchley Society will be Friday through Sunday, November 11-13, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

The main event will be the Saturday, November 12, 2011, Annual Humor Awards Dinner will be held at the University Club of Washington, D.C. At this event we'll be giving out two Robert Benchley Society Awards for Humor. Mike Tuck of Eden Prairie, Minn., will be presented with the 2010 Robert Benchley Award for Humor for his essay Story Time with the Children. At this ceremony we'll also honor the soon-to-be-announced winner of the 2011 competion. Our 2011 celebrity judge of the competition Mark Russell is a member of the University Club, where we'll hold the ceremony.

For more information and to register go to http://www.robertbenchley.org/AG2011/registration.htm.

Don't Miss May 1st Deadline for Entries: Mark Russell Could be Reading YOU!

The Robert Benchley Society is proud to welcome national humorist and entertainer MARK RUSSELL, who has agreed to serve as finalist judge for our 2011 Robert Benchley Society Award For Humor Writing competition.

Mark Russell's topical and political humor and music parodies have pleased us all for more than three decades in personal performances, television shows, and radio broadcasts.

The deadline to enter the 2011 Robert Benchley Society Annual Award for Humor Writing Competition is May 1, 2011. For more details visit our website http://www.robertbenchley.org/2011_competition/announcement.htm.

Register Now and Beat the May 1st Price Increase for Benchley Soc. Annual Gathering

The Eighth Annual Gathering of the Robert Benchley Society will be Friday through Sunday, November 11-13, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

The main event will be the Saturday, November 12, 2011, Annual Humor Awards Dinner will be held at the University Club of Washington, D.C. At this event we'll be giving out two Robert Benchley Society Awards for Humor. Mike Tuck of Eden Prairie, Minn., will be presented with the 2010 Robert Benchley Award for Humor for his essay Story Time with the Children. At this ceremony we'll also honor the winner of the 2011 competion (which is ongoing with a submission deadline of May 1) Our 2011 celebrity judge of the competition Mark Russell is a member of the University Club where we'll hold the ceremony.

For more information and to register go to http://www.robertbenchley.org/AG2011/registration.htm.

Ready, Set, Write -- Robert Benchley Society 2011 Award for Humor Competition is Underway

The Robert Benchley Society is proud to welcome national humorist and entertainer MARK RUSSELL who has agreed to serve as finalist judge for our 2011 Robert Benchley Society Award For Humor Writing competition.

Mark Russell's topical and political humor and music parodies, have pleased us all for more than three decades in personal performances, television shows, and radio broadcasts.

The deadline to enter the 2011 Robert Benchley Society Annual Award for Humor Writing Competition is May 1, 2011. For more details visit our website http://www.robertbenchley.org/2011_competition/announcement.htm.

National Society of Newspaper Columnists Mentions RBS Awards

In its March 2011 eColumnist newsletter, the National Society of Newspaper Columnists (NSNC) had this to say:

Mitchell, Valenta Among Finalists for Benchley Award

Two NSNC members, Rose Valenta of Chalfont, Pa., and Eileen Mitchell of Palatine, Ill., made the list of the top ten semi-finalists in the 2010 Robert Benchley Society Humor Writing Competition.

Valenta's entry, "How Government Plans to Achieve Potty Parity", and Mitchell's "The Sex Life of the Spineless Jellyfish" didn't make it to the finish line, but being in the top ten is quite an achievement.

The 2010 winner, announced unusually late this time around, was Mike Tuck of Eden Prairie, Minn., author of "Story Time with the Children."

This national contest seeks to find writing that best reflects the humor and style of Benchley, an American humorist of the 1900's best known for his work as a newspaper columnist and film actor. He was a member of the famous Algonquin Round Table, a group of writers and actors who met regularly at the Algonquin Hotel in New York.

The Society has announced that Washington-based humorist Mark Russell has agreed to be the final celebrity judge in the 2011 competition. More information may be found at www.robertbenchley.org/competition.

Mitchell, who is the "Film Hound" blogger at the Seattle Post, also is a contributing writer to a scholarly film book published by McFarland coming out this spring. The title is In the Peanut Gallery with Mystery Science Theater: 3000 Essays on Film, Fandom, Technology and the Culture of Riffing.

Valenta participated in an Authors On Tour Facebook Party on February 25 when writers were invited to "Pump Up Your Book." The author of "Sitting On Cold Porcelain" also promoted her book in an interview on BlogTalkRadio. She also reports that the syndicated service "Senior Wire" has picked up another one of her columns under "Aging Gracefully."

Mark Russell to Judge Benchley Humor Writing Competition

The Robert Benchley Society is happy to announce that Washington, D.C.-based national humorist Mark Russell has agreed to be the final celebrity judge in the 2011 Robert Benchley Society Annual Humor Writing Award Competition.

I'm sure you are all familiar with Mr. Russell's topical and political humor and music, either through his three decades on public television or from his personal performances. More information on Mr. Russell may be found on his website www.markrussell.net.

Those interested in entering the competition should watch the Society's website and blog for the announcement of the rules, deadline, and for how to enter. On the Society's website at www.robertbenchley.org/competition/ you will find information on prior years' competition, including the rules which this year will be substantially similar to last year's. Details of this year's competition will be posted on this site as soon as we have them. Persons interested in the competition or in Society should also check out our blog www.benchley.blogspot.com where you will find a place to subscribe for our free e-mail updates on Society activities, including the humor competition. Signing up for the e-mail news is the best way to be sure of always getting the latest news from the Robert Benchley Society.