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WRITE A LETTER
Here's an excerpt from a how-to guide on writing letters to the editor I had on a web site way back in the dark ages of the Internet. The advice is just as good now as it was then:
One has to have the knack to write for publication. Letters to the editor are no different. Explaining a viewpoint based on often-complicated theories in 300 words or less is no mean feat and takes practice. This quick overview only covers a little of what you need to know; the rest comes only through doing it yourself.
The single most important thing to remember about letters to the editor is to keep them short. Newspapers are not the slightest bit interested in publishing long missives and only rarely give people the opportunity to write a guest op-ed piece (this is especially true of the larger dailies). Generally speaking, newspapers limit letters to the editor to 300 words, sometimes less. As a general rule, the larger the newspaper's circulation, the shorter the letters need to be. Never write anything for publication longer than 300 words unless specifically invited to do so. If the letter takes up more than a page single-spaced, it's too long.
Second, pick a subject to talk about and stick with it. Often people are tempted to write a few paragraphs about a particular issue and then totally change the subject. To be blunt, this makes the writer look foolish. Most newspapers won't publish this sort of letter anyway. If you really need to write about something else, do it in another letter.
Newspapers are very wary of people writing under false pretenses as they are liable for any damages. As a result, no newspaper will publish a letter until they can positively identify the author. It is extremely important to sign your letter and include a phone number where you can be reached. If you don't do this you will not be printed, regardless of the letter's content.
If your letter is not published the day after you submitted it, don't panic. Turnover time for letters at most newspapers is usually no less than three days after your identity is confirmed. However, if you don't see yourself published within a week to 10 days, chances are you didn't make it.
Newspapers
in the Nevada 1st Congressional district:
Las Vegas
Review-Journal (daily)
http://www.lvrj.com/
P.O.
Box 70
Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070
FAX (702)
383-4676
letters@reviewjournal.com
Letters
Policy: http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/help_about/lettersnote.html
Las
Vegas Sun (daily, combined with the Review-Journal on
Sunday)
http://www.lasvegassun.com/
P.O.
Box 98970
Las Vegas, NV 89193-8970
FAX (702)
383-7264
letters@lasvegassun.com
Letters
Policy: 250-word limit, no anonymous submissions
Las Vegas
CityLife (weekly, published Thursday)
http://www.lasvegascitylife.com/
1385
Pama Lane, Suite 111
Las Vegas, NV
89119-3849
obrien@lvpress.com
Las
Vegas Weekly (weekly, published
Thursday)
http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/
2290
Corporate Circle Drive, Suite 250
Henderson, NV 89074-7713
FAX
(702) 990-2424
lvweekly@vegas.com
Las
Vegas Mercury (weekly, published
Thursday)
http://www.lasvegasmercury.com/
P.O.
Box 70
Las Vegas, NV
89193-8970
gschumacher@lasvegasmercury.com
Las
Vegas Tribune (weekly, published
Wednesday)
http://www.lasvegastribune.com/
608
South Third Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101-6602
FAX (702) 696-0096
Authorized
by the Lane Startin for Congress Committee, Amber J. Schneiter,
Treasurer
P.O. Box 33761
Las Vegas, NV 89133-3761
(702)
324-2370
info@lanestartin.org
www.lanestartin.org
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