Mike Luckovich knew he had the Pulitzer before the announcement

Editor and Publisher has the story that many of the winners of this year’s Pulitzer Prize were tipped off early. Mike Luckovich was told the day before.

Mike Luckovich, editorial cartoonist for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and winner of his second Pulitzer this week, said he was tipped off on Sunday. “I knew I was going to win, but I was still really nervous,” he said late Monday afternoon. “I didn’t drink any champagne until my name actually came up. I didn’t want to jinx it.”

I always wondered why the newsrooms always seem to have a few bottles of champaign at the ready when the Pulitzers are announced. Do they usually keep those things around for things like casual Fridays and the off chance they’ll take the big prize? Now we know.

Top