The winners of this year's Pulitzer Prizes in journalism will be announced in a couple of months. I will not be one of them; I forgot to enter this year.
You read that correctly. Anyone can enter. All you need is 50 bucks, some clips and a dream. And good credit (no checks accepted). Remember that the next time you hear someone touted as a "Pulitzer Prize nominee."
I've won awards. I've judged them. I've heard behind-the-scenes stories of how the winners are chosen. I've concluded that the gap between public perception — that these prizes are meaningful, that they reward the year's best work — and sordid reality — the selection process makes no sense and is corrupt to boot — is huge.