Letters to the editor are short correspondence with a newspaper, magazine or other publication that shares informed opinions and responses about previous articles, news events, or larger societal issues. They can be submitted by anyone and are published more quickly than an article for publication.
Writers often use letters to shape public opinion, share personal experiences and perspectives on community issues or specific political issues, or encourage others to take action. The most successful letters are those that address a specific issue, include relevant facts and statistics, have a clear and compelling call to action, and are concise.
To increase your chances of publication, it’s best to keep your letter below the maximum word count specified by the publication. Also, it’s important to clearly identify your name and contact information, including your organizational affiliation if applicable. Many publications publish a list of their submission guidelines on their website.
If possible, refer to your MoC by name in your letter. This will ensure that they’ll see it in their morning “clips.” A sharp letter to the editor carries weight in the era of social media, and can make an impact all year long.
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