“Many columnists strive for an unusual take on the news, but Bill Shein succeeds.” — National Press Club

A three-time winner of the National Press Club Award for Humor, Bill Shein is that rare writer and newspaper columnist who is not afraid to write about himself in the third person.

In addition to writing Reason Gone Mad, a freshly syndicated column of humor and commentary that has appeared in the Berkshire Eagle since 2004, Bill travels the world to train humor writers in emerging democracies in the fine art of poking fun at the powers-that-be.

He also frequently embellishes his biography, often with the absurd claim that he “travels the world to train humor writers in emerging democracies in the fine art of poking fun at the powers-that-be.”

In 2004, Bill crisscrossed America as “Will Markson: America’s Favorite Fictional Candidate for President” to promote ideas for fundamental democracy reform.

From 1996-2000, he wrote the “Daily Buzzsaw” humor column for America Online. Prior to AOL, he was the editor of “Washington Wit,” a biweekly humor tabloid in the nation’s capital. Prior to “Washington Wit,” Bill was [[***REDACTED BY ORDER OF FEDERAL WITNESS RELOCATION PROGRAM***]].

He’s a fan of this line from George Orwell: “A thing is funny when it upsets the established order. Every joke is a tiny revolution.”

He lives in Berkshire County in western Massachusetts.

Contact Information

Click here to reach Bill via e-mail using a wholly impersonal but thoroughly functional “contact” “form.”