Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor are an effective way to communicate your ideas to the general public and rally support for a cause. Not everyone has email or gets their news online. Some people can only be reached through the local newspaper. And politicians love to see their name in print so they always read the paper
Here are a few tips for getting your letter published
- Be timely: write on subjects that pertain to current events
- Remember your audience: use phrases and words that most people will understand.
- Reference the newspaper: some newspapers will only run Letters if they pertain to an article published in the paper.
- Provide your phone number: all newspapers will require contact info including a phone number.
- Stick to one topic
- Use short sentences: run on sentences are hard to follow
- Have a catchy title and/or first line: get the attention of the editor quickly with clever phrases.
Local Newspapers
Outer Banks Sentinel:
You can submit your Letter online. Send a hard copy, too. Include your name, address, phone and signature on the hard copy.
Online Submission:
Sentinel Letter to the Editor
Go to Services on the left and select Letter to the Editor.
The mailing address is:
Outer Banks Sentinel
Letter to the Editor
P. O. Box 546
Nags Head, NC 27959
Coastland Times: They only take hard copy or fax. Include the same info noted above including signature. Text should be 300 words or less but longer items will be considered.
Fax Submission:
252-473-1515.
The mailing address is:
The Coastland Times
P. O. Box 400
Manteo, NC 27954
Virginian Pilot: You can submit a letter to the editor for possible publication in the printed edition. The Virginian-Pilot welcomes letters to the editor on all topics, although concise letters (150 words or less) on public issues will receive priority. Letters may be edited for length, style and clarity and writers are limited to one published letter every month. Please add your name, city, street address and daytime telephone number for confirmation.
Online Submission:
letters@pilotonline.com
By Mail:
Letters to the Editor
P.O. Box 449
Norfolk, VA 23501-0449
Fax Submission:
(757) 446-2051
The other way is to comment on the published letters in their blog, bLetters to the Editor. In this online forum, you can comment as much as you want by using the comment box at the end of each entry.
