Letters to the Editor

Got something on your mind? Sit down and express yourself in 200 words or less and send your letter to the editor of any magazine or newspaper. Most publications now let you submit letters via email. Check their website for the details.

All letters must be exclusive to the publication; they don't want to see your letter in their competition's paper so that they look like a “me too. But you can write about the same topic to other publications.

You may not hear from the paper if they are not going to publish your letter. But it still counts-- many papers publish letters based on the number of letters they get on each subject. So, have your group each write a letter and that will greatly increase the chance of at least one of you getting in print. If you all mention your group, then mission accomplished publicity-wise. But don't insult them by sending them 50 copies of nearly the same letter "written" by different people.

Publications may need to shorten your letter for space requirements. Don't sweat that. Editors know how to get to the point and really help your letter have an impact.

The competition is intense. Many great letters don't get published. So be clear, current, concise and compelling. See you in the papers!