Write A Letter to the Editor
Writing a letter to the editor is an act of citizenship.
Writing a Letter to the Editor is a form of political action that has existed from the beginning of our democracy. It acts as a form of catharsis and a way for citizens to engage in public discourse without violence. Research indicated that Letters are among the best-read items of a newspaper. Plus, we know that our elected representatives care very much about what these letters say about how they are doing their jobs.
Here's some tools to make it easy for you to have your say.
WHY WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
It acts as a form of catharsis and a way for citizens to engage in public discourse without violence.
Research indicates that the Letters section is among the most read section of a newspaper.
Everyone reads them. Our Reps may not read our letters, but their staff compile news clips about them every day. They read them and they care what is being said about them in the papers.
A Letter can indicate a level of public support about an issue already in the spotlight.
This last year EVI members have had multiple letters published. This page is a way to make that easy to do.
GUIDELINES & RESOURCES:
Briefly
Letters are published when they are in response to an article so be sure to reference the article in the Subject line.
Be concise. Most papers will tell you the word limit, usually around 100 words but not always.
INDIVISIBLE has a really good Guide (well, yeah…) for Letters to the Editor
So does the ACLU
Don’t overthink this. Be yourself, even if it’s your snarky self. Write from the heart, think of it as something you would say to your companion over the morning coffee and you’ve got the general idea.
GO TO IT. HERE’S THE LINKS:
NATIONAL PAPERS
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Instructions and the form are all on this page: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/submit-letter-to-the-editor
Go ahead and send your letter about the same subject to the other national papers. They’ve been covering the same events. Be sure to check each paper’s guidelines.
NEW YORK TIMES
Write to: letters@nytimes.com
https://help.nytimes.com/hc/en-us/articles/115014925288-How-to-submit-a-letter-to-the-editor
WASHINGTON POST
Write to: letters@washpost.com
https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/236004788-Send-a-letter-to-the-editor
LOCAL PAPERS
Send letters to weekly community newspapers, too. The smaller the newspaper's circulation, the easier it is to get your letter printed.
JEWISH JOURNAL
You’d be surprised how many local officials read this Email your letter, with “Letter to the Editor” in the subject, to editor@jewishjournal.org
LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS
150 word limit. Send to opinion@scng.com
STUDIO CITY/SHERMAN OAKS/ENCINO NEWS
https://scsoenews.com
This local throw-away paper is used by the City Council Representatives, Neighborhood Councils and Homeowner’s Associations to promote their positions on the hot-button local issues like housing, transportation and homeless policies. It is widely read by your neighbors. There’s a good chance your letter will be published here. Again, it's best to write in response to a piece published in the paper. That shouldn't be difficult considering that the Homeowners Association and Neighborhood Council have columns!!
bigvalleypublications@gmail.com
Guidelines:
Must have phone & address
Deadline - second week of the month
LTE limit - 300 words
Editorial 400 wds
EVI MEMBER’S LETTERS
Our members have written about local, state and national topics. Les & Marci have been published multiple times. (!)
Jason Goodman
SF Chronicle
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ikb43illqrd3zck/SF%20Chronicle%20LTE_J%20Goodman_3%2023%2021.pdf?dl=0
Carolyn Chriss
LA TIMES
(Primary LTE under pic)
(scroll down to last letter)
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-11-08/concealed-carry-guns-supreme-court
Les Hartzman (20 letters published since 2000)
https://www.latimes.com/search?q=%22Les+Hartzman%22&p=1
Marcy Bregmen (43 Letters published since 1996!)
https://www.latimes.com/search?q=%22Marcy+Bregman%22&s=0&p=1
Julia Bricklin
SO/SC/ENCINO News
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12XbSVNsWmt1MpMGNzxNjQhzwWjqZCp5G7lB_qv_b-wQ/edit?usp=sharing
Have at it and when you’re published, let us know! We’ll give you a shout-out for making your (and our) voice heard.
- EVI Leadership Team