LETTER TO THE EDITOR

[billrquimby]

This is in response to Tony Mandile’s post in the thread about the murdered Douglas rancher. Tony’s piece was thoughtful and well-written, but it’s doubtful it will be printed in its entirety as a letter to the editor.

 

It could be an “op-ed” feature, but that status makes the odds against it being published even greater.

 

Large daily newspapers receive a dozen letters for each letter they publish. Few are rejected because the author’s views are contrary to the editor’s. Most are rejected because they are too long, too repetitive, too unoriginal, too uninteresting.

 

Take it from someone who worked for a daily newspaper for close to thirty years, including eight years on its editorial board, the way to increase your odds of your letter being published is to:

 

1. Keep it short. Most news articles are 700 or fewer words. Letters to editors should be only about 100 words. (This post is 251 words, and is too long for a letter to the editor.)

 

2. Make just one point per letter. Multiple arguments on the same topic are less effective and reduce your odds for publication.

 

3. Strive to make your one point an original thought. If it’s been said before, or if others are saying it now, it probably won’t make a letter to the editor.

 

4. Edit your letter after your passion has cooled. Never mail it the same day you’ve written it. Avoid an accusatory, denigrating tone of voice.

 

5. Check your spelling, syntax, punctuation and, most of all, your facts.

 

Bill Quimby

[Outdoor Writer]

Bill,

 

I sent that "letter," knowing it was too long for the normal opinion column. So in my e-mail I suggested they use it as a "My Turn" item, which are generally as long as need be. I haven't heard anything yet, though, so I assume it won't be published.

[CouesWhitetail]

Thanks for the info Bill. As always you share some great advice based on experience. Too bad all editors don't heed the advice of only publishing letters that "Avoid an accusatory, denigrating tone of voice.". I see lots of stuff published that falls in that category.

 

I missed your letter Tony, I will have to go back and check that thread.

 

Amanda

 

 

 

 

[Outdoor Writer]

Thanks for the info Bill. As always you share some great advice based on experience. Too bad all editors don't heed the advice of only publishing letters that "Avoid an accusatory, denigrating tone of voice.". I see lots of stuff published that falls in that category.

 

I missed your letter Tony, I will have to go back and check that thread.

 

Amanda

 

 

I think it's at the end of pg. 2

[billrquimby]

Hi Tony.

 

Glad to see you on the forum again. Your posts have been missed here.

 

My intent was not to single you out, but I did want guys who share our views to know what it takes to make their letters to editors more effective and how to improve their odds of being selected for publication.

 

One of my many jobs in years past was to edit (cut) the letters to the editors and op-ed pieces.

 

I retired from newspapering a long time ago, but the rule-of-thumb of 100 words for letters and 700 words for articles (and "op-ed"/"my turn" pieces) still applies, as far as I know.

 

Bill Quimby

[Outdoor Writer]

My intent was not to single you out, but I did want guys who share our views to know what it takes to make their letters to editors more effective and how to improve their odds of being selected for publication.

 

 

Yeah, I didn't think you had, and the points you made were dead on the mark.