Connie on Pulitzer: It doesn't hug me at night

Plain Dealer columnist Connie Schulz is among past Pulitzer Prize winners quoted in an Editor & Publisher story by Dave Astor which asked what they remember most about winning.

Schultz recalls standing in front of Columbia University's Low Memorial Library to get her photo taken with other 2005 winners. "Some were complaining about the heat," she says. "That was so funny, and so typical of some journalists! Anyone would have traded places with us that day."

Several noted that there's post-prize pressure to keep doing Pulitzer-worthy work -- though Schultz says few people would be too sympathetic if a Pulitzer winner complained about such pressure.

She says winning the Pulitzer had an enormous impact on her career: "Without it, I'd still be slamming out two columns a week and people would be asking 'Connie who?' I feel incredibly fortunate."

The Plain Dealer staffer's 2005 prize led to a book deal with Random House, a distribution deal with Creators Syndicate, and invitations to appear on national TV shows -- invitations not often extended to columnists who work at regional newspapers.

But Schultz is careful not to overdo the fame thing. "It can kill the writing," she says. "You end up squeezing your column into a busy celebrity life."

The Pulitzer also helps Schultz get more calls returned when working on columns. "People Google me and call right back," she says. "They often mention the Pulitzer."

But as life-changing as the award was for Schultz, there are some things the prize can't provide her or any other journalist. "It doesn't tell me it loves me," she says wryly. "And it doesn't hug me at night."

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