| Writing letters to the editor is a quick and easy | | | | 4. Touch on a topic of local interest, where you |
| way of getting published. It brings instant | | | | can offer real solutions to real problems. |
| recognition, as the letters page is often the most | | | | 5. Write the letter just like an article. It must have |
| widely read section of a newspaper or magazine. | | | | a catchy opening sentence, logical flow and a |
| It is, however, a competitive activity - most | | | | good conclusion. It must be well -written; use no |
| newspapers and magazines publish a very small | | | | jargon and be very, very clear. |
| fraction of the letters they receive. | | | | 6. You should hear back very quickly if your letter |
| I guess I've been lucky in this field. My very first | | | | is accepted. My newspaper often calls me back |
| letter, on car-pooling, got published in The Ottawa | | | | the next day - sometimes within a few hours. If |
| Citizen alongwith a photograph. Since then, there | | | | you don't hear back within four or five days, do |
| has been no looking back and I just keep writing | | | | not re-send the letter, it has probably been |
| more and more letters. By contrast, it has been | | | | rejected. Just try something else. |
| much harder to get articles published. | | | | 7. Sometimes, you might get a message that the |
| Here are a few tips on making letter writing work | | | | letter is being considered for publication and then |
| for you, based on personal experience. | | | | nothing happens for 4/5 days. In such cases, |
| 1. Write in response to an article aready published; | | | | remind the letter editor by e-mail or phone. |
| try to comment on a lead article on the front | | | | 8. If your letter is accepted, don't send another |
| page, or on an editorial. Send your letter as fast | | | | for at least a month. Letter editors like to space |
| as possible but definitely within two/three days of | | | | out the contributions from a single writer, to give |
| the original story. You can also comment on other | | | | more people a chance to write. |
| letters; some editors love a heated debate. | | | | 9.Try to work with only one publication of one |
| 2. Send the letter by e-mail, but no attachments, | | | | type. This helps in building up a rapport with the |
| please. Busy letter editors do not open | | | | letter editor. Do not send your letter to the |
| attachments. Stick to the publications' stated | | | | competition. And NEVER send it to multiple |
| word limit - generally less than 300 words. | | | | publications at the same time. |
| 3.Pick a topic you feel passionately about - that | | | | 10. In short, treat the letter just like an article |
| makes it so much easier to write. However, avoid | | | | except that it is unpaid and it is less than 300 |
| sending political opinions. Newspapers get plenty of | | | | words. |
| political opinion from their own columnists - one | | | | Happy publishing! |
| more will not make a difference. | | | | |