Get Published Writing Letters to the Editor

A number of different posts have outlined query letters and other approaches to writing for newspapers or writing for magazines. If you have tried your hand in this particular area and are still working at it, don’t give up just yet. In the meantime there is another resource for how to get published in magazines or newspapers. Presenting Letters to the Editor is an extremely easy way to get your work in print for this type of printed sources.

Magazines and newspapers alike receive a number of different Letters to the Editor from readers. Writers are avid readers and can submit your letters or written content for publication with magazines or newspapers just like the next guy.  

In order to see yours in print over the hundreds that are presented means making an editor select you. Letters that are identified as having a unique style, sense of content or writing quality will generally make the cut and wind up in print. There are several things to keep in mind as a writer submitting a Letter to the Editor.

Letters to the Editor are generally published in nearly any subject matter found in print. These are letters that produce an opinion or take a stand on an article or subject matter another writer has in print for the publication.

Letters to the Editor are generally found to be a wonderful vehicle for many that fashion one to put a voice to a particular point speaking to a large audience. Selecting a letter that says something that you have knowledge or expertise in will make research easier and your voice smoother as well as more natural sounding in your writing.

If you are a writer that uses a pen name for your byline, Letters to the Editor will generally not work for you.  The writer’s first and last name must be included because the writer has the responsibility for libel or slander. Letters respectful and to the point are published more often than not.

Consider that subject matter which is controversial or large in the news will have a substantial amount of letters submitted for publication while something that may not be as newsy will have less submissions. This means that a less controversial issue or concern will give your letter a better chance of being printed.

Anonymous letters will not help your portfolio and are almost never published.  There are exceptions to this rule, but they are few and far between. When an editor comes across a letter that is substantially extraordinary they will make an exception and print an anonymous or unsigned letter for their journal.

A number of newspapers permit their subscribers to upload Letters to the Editor from their websites. If you happen to be a subscriber to various newspapers or magazines consider submitting your letter to these publications. You are already paying for a subscription; this is one more use for your monthly payment.

Your letter should not be as formal as a business letter. Though, don’t permit it to be as casual as a blog post. Writing in an article/letter combination format is best. This combination will have the body of a great article, but include a Dear editor and conclude with a thank you and your name. Do your research and include key points that support your opinion or position well. Do not expect to take an entire page, but keep it longer than a couple of paragraphs.

Even though you are attempting to get noticed don’t stray into unkind territory. Remember, this is your name in print and you want it to be positive. You never know when a client or prospective client may catch a glimpse of this piece of the portfolio pie.

Avoid sarcasm, individual or character attacks in letters to the editor. A good writer will find a way to get a particular viewpoint across without a personal assassination. Remember to focus on the facts or point and not the individual. Additionally, these letters are found in the rejection pile faster than most.

This is an simple and almost informal way for a writer to get published in newspapers more than magazines, but will definitely work for both. This is certainly easier than most magazine writing jobs and magazine editors are just as interested as newspaper editors to know that someone is paying attention to what they have in print and appreciate the feedback. 

There are a number of writers with an interest in writing for newspapers or magazines. One of the easier ways of getting your work published in these platforms is in the form of a Letter to the Editor. Produce a great piece of content for a newspaper or magazine and see your name in print.