Blogs Apr 16, 2012 at 12:10 pm

Eli Sanders Just Won a Pulitzer Prize for a Feature Last Year in The Stranger

Christopher Frizzelle
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Comments

1
WOWOWOWOWOWWWWWW!!! Way to go, Sanders!
on April 16, 2012 at 12:14 PM Report this
2
Hope this is true. Congratulations Eli!!!
RedEye on April 16, 2012 at 12:15 PM Report this
3
Holy fuck. So proud of you, Eli.
gloomy gus on April 16, 2012 at 12:15 PM Report this
4
Excellent. Great work, Eli.
sikandro on April 16, 2012 at 12:16 PM Report this
5
OUR LITTLE CUB-REPORTER IS ALL GROWNS UP!! CONGRATS, ELI!
Graham on April 16, 2012 at 12:16 PM Report this
6
Very, very deserved. Congratulations, Eli.
Sweeney Agonistes on April 16, 2012 at 12:16 PM Report this
7
That was a really moving and well-written piece -- you earned it, sir. Congratulations!
Meg on April 16, 2012 at 12:17 PM Report this
8
Congratulations. I think most awards stink until somebody wins for something like this. Good work!
jseattle on April 16, 2012 at 12:17 PM Report this
9
SO INCREDIBLE! Congratulations Eli!!!!!!!!!!!
srslywut on April 16, 2012 at 12:17 PM Report this
10
Eli, your piece was amazing. Truly deserved. Congratulations.
zee on April 16, 2012 at 12:17 PM Report this
11
Whoa, nice!
nseattlite on April 16, 2012 at 12:18 PM Report this
12
This is turning out to be a great day. Congrats Eli, you do brilliant work!
wisepunk on April 16, 2012 at 12:18 PM Report this
13
You should add a link to the original piece it was heartbreaking, moving and inspirational
Candian Night Owl on April 16, 2012 at 12:18 PM Report this
14
And he totally deserves it. His coverage and that piece were superlative.
kid icarus on April 16, 2012 at 12:18 PM Report this
15
Goddamnit. I'm away from the computer for the morning, and The Stranger turns into a respectable news outlet? What is the world coming to? (Congrats, Eli)
Collin on April 16, 2012 at 12:19 PM Report this
16
Very cool! Congrats!
Prospero on April 16, 2012 at 12:20 PM Report this
17
Well-deserved and wonderful. Congratulations, Eli.

When’s the party?
Allyn on April 16, 2012 at 12:20 PM Report this
18
Congrats! (Note to the Stranger - He's going to want more money now....)
CC-Rob on April 16, 2012 at 12:20 PM Report this
19
Sweet. Congratulations Eli! That really was a remarkable feature.
Matt from Denver on April 16, 2012 at 12:20 PM Report this
20
Congratulations!
Karla Canadian on April 16, 2012 at 12:20 PM Report this
21
Congrats, sir.
Griffin on April 16, 2012 at 12:21 PM Report this
22
I always said Eli was the only guy on staff who could find his ass with both hands. I guess I was right.

Congrats, Eli. Now about that raise. . . .
Fifty-Two-Eighty on April 16, 2012 at 12:22 PM Report this
23
Congratulations Eli! The piece was amazingly moving, I remember crying as I read it.
Zog in PDX on April 16, 2012 at 12:23 PM Report this
24
Congrats!
TechBear on April 16, 2012 at 12:23 PM Report this
25
Congratulations Eli! Amazing work and well deserved. Thank you for your work.
Merlin D. Bear on April 16, 2012 at 12:24 PM Report this
26
I'm actually tearing up a little -- in part from remembering the story, in part with pride. Well earned, Eli. Congrats.
on April 16, 2012 at 12:24 PM Report this
27
I just read this on the NY Times site. Way to go, Eli!
icapants on April 16, 2012 at 12:25 PM Report this
28
i think some of us may have even predicted this. i, for one, hoped for it. eli..can i touch it ?.. the pulitzer i mean
;~)
reverend dr dj riz on April 16, 2012 at 12:25 PM Report this
29
How exciting! Congratulations.

But really, aren't we a big enough city that everyone knows what state we're in?
care bear on April 16, 2012 at 12:26 PM Report this
30
Very cool and very well-deserved, Eli. Congratulations!
Cow on April 16, 2012 at 12:27 PM Report this
31
Why would Eli need a raise? In addition to the way-cool medal, the Pulitzer carries a hefty cash value.

From the link to the announcement (emphasis added):

For a distinguished example of feature writing giving prime consideration to quality of writing, originality and concision, using any available journalistic tool, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Congratulations, Eli!
N in Seattle on April 16, 2012 at 12:28 PM Report this
32
Holy crap! Way to go Eli! Now every time there is an editorial disagreement you can ask "Any body else at this rag have a Pulitzer?" as your trump card.
Seriously- so proud of you.
Lissa on April 16, 2012 at 12:29 PM Report this
33
Congrats on the pull-it surprise!
monkey on April 16, 2012 at 12:30 PM Report this
34
Congratulations!
Superfrankenstein on April 16, 2012 at 12:30 PM Report this
35
I gotta say, this is mightily deserved. Eli has always stood out as a real professional in this town.

It always pleases me when he's on the KUOW Friday roundup thing and is clearly and informed an intelligent news voice, which I'm sure surprises a lot of people who expect nothing but sex and F-bombs from a Stranger reporter.
lopes on April 16, 2012 at 12:31 PM Report this
36
Congratulations, Eli. Because I don't want to cry at work, I will not re-read the piece, but well done.

Now, when do they announce the Pulitzer for blog commenting?
MacCrocodile on April 16, 2012 at 12:31 PM Report this
37
Congratulations to the only real journalist at the Stranger.
bigyaz on April 16, 2012 at 12:31 PM Report this
38
Completely deserved. That piece was amazing.
sage-femme on April 16, 2012 at 12:33 PM Report this
39
I cried so hard reading this piece that i had to leave my job and walk around the block. the writing was beautiful and heart wrenching and somehow not histrionic despite the nature of the story. nice work dude!
ameliamaris on April 16, 2012 at 12:34 PM Report this
40
Holy shit, congratulations.
Joe Szilagyi on April 16, 2012 at 12:34 PM Report this
41
Whoa! Look at you guys, getting all respectable-like. Congrats, Eli. That's one heck of a resume builder.
Georgia Guy on April 16, 2012 at 12:37 PM Report this
42
Congrats Eli, well deserved! I remember reading that piece, sobbing like a baby, and then thinking, Eli's going to get a Pulitzer for this. Well done.
elaineinballard on April 16, 2012 at 12:38 PM Report this
43
Wow. That's fantastic news, Eli, and you absolutely deserve it.

The only downside I can see is that (a) Eli's going to get hired away by somebody bigger and (b) The Stranger is going to change its name to The Pulitzer-Prize-Winning Stranger and we'll never hear the end of it!

Seriously, Eli, that's just brilliant news.
Fnarf on April 16, 2012 at 12:38 PM Report this
44
What everyone else said. Many congratulations, Eli. That piece is outstanding.
GlamB0t on April 16, 2012 at 12:39 PM Report this
45
That was indeed an amazing piece. Well deserved. Congratulations!
bleedingheartlibertarian on April 16, 2012 at 12:39 PM Report this
46
A big congrats to Eli of course, but also a salute to Jennifer.

Jennifer, if you're reading this - I still think of you and Teresa, and I wish you peace and happiness.
Chelydra_serpentina on April 16, 2012 at 12:41 PM Report this
47
Grats, dude!
Will in Seattle on April 16, 2012 at 12:42 PM Report this
48
Wow. Even the Weekly acknowledges it.

http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweek…

menace2society on April 16, 2012 at 12:42 PM Report this
49
Wow, my heart swells with pride and I don't even know Eli! That piece (and related blogging during the trial) were absolutely superb. This is well-deserved.
Christy O on April 16, 2012 at 12:43 PM Report this
50
Wow, congratulations.
beef rallard on April 16, 2012 at 12:43 PM Report this
51
Color me pickled tink! Congratulations, Eli!!!
rodolfo on April 16, 2012 at 12:44 PM Report this
52
Seattle's Only Newspaper That Matters.

Congratulations!
Warren Terra on April 16, 2012 at 12:44 PM Report this
53
Well-deserved. Congratulations!

I guess this means we'll lose Eli to a more serious outlet. Kinda makes me wish the award had gone to Mudede instead.
also on April 16, 2012 at 12:45 PM Report this
54
Very well deserved (and hey, I called it - I said it deserved a Pulitzer when I read the first story). Congratulations, Eli, and I am not a bit surprised. Well done!
Geni on April 16, 2012 at 12:45 PM Report this
55
Wow! Congratulations!
DOUG. on April 16, 2012 at 12:45 PM Report this
56
Wonderful! Congratulations, Eli!
Gillian Anderson on April 16, 2012 at 12:45 PM Stranger Staff
57
Wow is right! Congrats!
Jamie in Pittsburgh on April 16, 2012 at 12:46 PM Report this
58
Congratulations, Eli! Very, very well deserved!
johnyawl on April 16, 2012 at 12:46 PM Report this
59
Bravo, Eli. Outstanding work!
darthvegan on April 16, 2012 at 12:47 PM Report this
60
What, do you think that Ed McMahon used to call ahead to say that he and the giant check were coming?
Lilliable on April 16, 2012 at 12:49 PM Report this
61
Congrats Eli! Amazing work
stuck in boston on April 16, 2012 at 12:50 PM Report this
62
Suck it, Bailo, and congrats, Eli!
COMTE on April 16, 2012 at 12:50 PM Report this
63
This actually doesn't come as a surprise to me. The article was outstanding and very worthy of a Pulitzer. The subject matter alone was gripping, but Eli gave the unheard a voice in a way that compelled readers to sympathize and get fired up all at the same time.

Congrats, Eli! You deserve it!
chew_on_that on April 16, 2012 at 12:51 PM Report this
64
Congratulations, Eli.
kim in portland on April 16, 2012 at 12:51 PM Report this
65
It was a fantastic piece. Glad to see you get the recognition for it you deserve!
MLM on April 16, 2012 at 12:52 PM Report this
66
that was such a good read! congratz eli!
CodyBolt on April 16, 2012 at 12:52 PM Report this
67
I'll scream in Eli's face as soon as I see him, but just wanted to get in the celebration/congratulation here. That piece was amazing, and fucking hard to read, so I can only imagine what writing it was like. What an amazing and well-deserved honor for Eli.
David Schmader on April 16, 2012 at 12:52 PM Report this
68
BRILLIANT. Congrats to Eli. You created a beautiful and heartbreaking piece. We are so proud that you write in our town.
go bulldogs on April 16, 2012 at 12:53 PM Report this
69
That is great news! Congrats Eli, your reporting was sensitive and stellar. We're all proud of you (even those of us who have only met you in passing).
Hyzenthlayk9 on April 16, 2012 at 12:53 PM Report this
70
A huge congratulations, Eli!
M. Wells on April 16, 2012 at 12:53 PM Report this
71
This story floored me when you wrote it, and it truly deserves recognition. Congratulations!
mitten on April 16, 2012 at 12:54 PM Report this
72
My first thought was "who hacked the computers at the Pulitzers". But when I saw what story it was, and the tears came back again just remembering, I knew it must be true. It was a really good piece. Congratulations Mr. Sanders, here on out to be referred to as "Pulitzer prize winning journalist and editor, Mr. Eli Sanders."
dbgill56 on April 16, 2012 at 12:55 PM Report this
73
Fantastic news. Congrats.
Ancient Sumerian on April 16, 2012 at 12:56 PM Report this
74
Yay! An outstanding article, and I'm glad to see Eli recognized for it.
Reverse Polarity on April 16, 2012 at 1:02 PM Report this
75
Fantastic, and so well deserved.
Tracy on April 16, 2012 at 1:03 PM Report this
76
I said congrats earlier, but I just read the story. Holy god. It was a giant punch in the gut and an absolutely phenomenal piece of writing. That prize is deserved, sir.
Georgia Guy on April 16, 2012 at 1:04 PM Report this
77
This is so crazy, I was just listening to a podcast about how much people really like to hear appreciations for their work. I immediately decided I should come tell Eli how astounding and truly moving this piece of work was only to find he had just won a Pulitzer for his work. This could not be more deserved. Eli, this story was incredibly well told and I wish I could put into words how your work made me feel. I have never been more moved, impressed and completely unable to turn away from a piece of journalism.
rmc on April 16, 2012 at 1:04 PM Report this
78
HOLY SHIT!! As the Veep once said, "This is a big fucking deal!" Congratulations to Eli and The Stranger!! First Dominic's opinion piece in the NY Times and now this!??!??!? The Stranger's like a real paper or something :)
DannyG on April 16, 2012 at 1:04 PM Report this
79
There's a special pang in seeing well-deserved recognition for a story you wish to holy christ had never happened.

Thanks, Eli, for doing the job with a good heart and care for those involved.

More of Eli's writing including many pieces not in the Stranger: http://elisanders.net/__writing.html
rob! on April 16, 2012 at 1:05 PM Report this
80
and... would like to add... THANK YOU and LOVE to Jennifer who bravely told her story.
go bulldogs on April 16, 2012 at 1:06 PM Report this
81
Great job Eli, now you can get a job at a real paper!
on April 16, 2012 at 1:07 PM Report this
82
That was a great article.
tiktok on April 16, 2012 at 1:08 PM Report this
83
congratulations! revisiting the piece now, i remember how great a feature it was. many thanks to all involved.
Cook on April 16, 2012 at 1:08 PM Report this
84
Well done, Eli. Take the rest of the afternoon off.
Toe Tag on April 16, 2012 at 1:12 PM Report this
85
Eli is an actual journalist. One of the few left in this town. That piece in particular was amazing and heart breaking. Way to go, Eli.
tkc on April 16, 2012 at 1:12 PM Report this
86
Congratulations Eli. That was a very memorable story.
Valentein on April 16, 2012 at 1:13 PM Report this
87
Holy cow, incredible. Congratulations, Eli!
tabathalphabet on April 16, 2012 at 1:14 PM Report this
88
This piece and the whole series was the best piece of journalism every published in a Seattle paper. Your prize is very much deserved.
mukmom on April 16, 2012 at 1:14 PM Report this
89
Couldn't have happened to a better journalist. Congrats!
Devin on April 16, 2012 at 1:14 PM Report this
90
Way to go, man! That was a great piece and the prize is well-deserved...plus the $10,000! Drinks on you?
Hernandez on April 16, 2012 at 1:16 PM Report this
91
Outstanding! Go Eli! You do your irreverent alt-weekly proud.
Zebes on April 16, 2012 at 1:17 PM Report this
92
This piece and the whole series was the best story ever written in a Seattle newspaper. Your insight and compassion made the writing wonderful. This prize is much deserved.
mukmom on April 16, 2012 at 1:18 PM Report this
93
I followed all of Eli's coverage of that case, and then read his piece which brought everything together and capped it off; I hadn't been moved that much by a story, ever. I cried for almost an hour, and was so teared up reading it that I had to take several breaks because my vision literally became to blurry to continue.

This is a well-deserved award. Congrats to the Stranger for having such a great writer/reporter on staff. Congrats to you, Eli, for writing such a moving piece.
Bored@School on April 16, 2012 at 1:19 PM Report this
94
Wow. Congratulations!
PA Native on April 16, 2012 at 1:20 PM Report this
95
Eli, this story was one of the most emotionally draining pieces of journalism I've ever read. The only other example I can come up with also won a Pulitzer in 2008, Kevin Vaughan's Rocky Mountain News piece recounting a train collision in Colorado that killed 20 children on a school bus.

Both pieces will stay with me for years, and make me tear up when I think of them.

Congratulations, and I hope that you bask in this glory that you've earned!
nicholaus on April 16, 2012 at 1:21 PM Report this
96
Great news!
sloegin on April 16, 2012 at 1:22 PM Report this
97
Congratulations, Mr. Sanders, on this richly deserved recognition.
Eric Arrr on April 16, 2012 at 1:25 PM Report this
98
What @79 said. That piece broke my heart, and showed the other rags what real writing looks like. Big congrats to Eli, and best wishes to the real heros of the story, Jennifer and Theresa. You will stay in my heart.
SeattleKim on April 16, 2012 at 1:27 PM Report this
99
YAY!!!!
Soupytwist on April 16, 2012 at 1:29 PM Report this
100
I wonderful acknowledgment of some really outstanding writing. Congrats Eli!
sisyphusgal on April 16, 2012 at 1:31 PM Report this

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