You’ve got a story you want to share with the world, and you know it can be used to inform, inspire, and motivate other Indivisibles. But how do you get your message out? One way is to write a letter to the editor.
A letter to the editor (or LTE) is a short piece of writing that appears in print in a newspaper or magazine, often under the editorial or opinion section. It may be a response to an article, a reply to an opinion piece that has already appeared in the paper, or a commentary on the current events being discussed in the news.
To increase your odds of having your letter published, read the publication’s guidelines for letters, which will usually include a maximum word count. Make sure you’re within that limit, and that the most important points are stated early on in your letter. Most importantly, make it personal — editors want to see that you are a concerned, passionate, and active constituent in their readership area.
Don’t be discouraged if your letter doesn’t get printed – editors get hundreds of letters each week and have to choose from them carefully. If you have a lot to say, consider trying again or asking to expand it into a guest column instead. When you do submit your letter, always provide your name and town of residence. This is required by law for all publications, and the editor may need to contact you to verify your information.
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