Author

Jacqui Banaszynski

@JacquiB

Jacqui Banaszynski retired as the endowed Knight Chair in Editing at the Missouri School of Journalism in 2017, is editor at Nieman Storyboard, and a faculty fellow at the Poynter Institute. She won the 1988 Pulitzer Prize in feature writing for “AIDS in the Heartland,” a series about a gay farm couple facing AIDS, and was a finalist for the 1986 Pulitzer in international reporting for her account of the sub-Saharan famine.

Story treats from cookie jars

Story treats from cookie jars

The editor, inspired by a collection of vintage cookie jars at a country diner, muses on the trove of stories found by revisiting history.

Kim Cross wins Truman Capote nonfiction award

The true crime narrative of the FBI hunt for the kidnapper of 12-year-old Polly Klaas is compared to the literary style of "In Cold Blood"
What and how I learned from Jon Franklin

What and how I learned from Jon Franklin

A master and pioneer of narrative nonfiction, Franklin was a demanding teacher and unapologetic force for better writing
Journalism as a practice of wonder

Journalism as a practice of wonder

The editor reflects on how a career covering the news valued curiosity and encouraged a life of intellectual exploration
A hockey lover writes a perfect "deke"

A hockey lover writes a perfect “deke”

In a quick personal post, a veteran journalist executes a disciplined fake that keeps readers engaged — and rewards them with a surprise
When journalism is a defense against despair

When journalism is a defense against despair

The editor ponders the role journalism plays in delivering hard news while also representing the best hopes of democracy
The power of flexible focus

The power of flexible focus

As a new year begins, the editor reflects on three words that can power our stories — and our aspirations: What happens next?
An editor's sampler: ICYMI recommendations from 2023

An editor’s sampler: ICYMI recommendations from 2023

The editor offers a range of 10 posts that teach, surprise, delight — and demonstrate Storyboard's commitment to the community
Readers have spoken: Top posts of 2023

Readers have spoken: Top posts of 2023

By Jacqui BanaszynskiMy vexations with the bots are many. They read my mind when I enter the first few words — or letters — of a Google search. They track…
The enduring gift of stories

The enduring gift of stories

By Jacqui BanaszynskiI am a Christmas person, without apology. I long ago left behind institutional religious practice. I no longer go big on decorations. But upbringing, culture and, mostly, the…