How to Write a Successful Letter to the Editor

Writing letters to the editor is a quick and easy way of getting published. It brings instant recognition, as the letters page is often the most widely read section of a newspaper or magazine. It is, however, a competitive activity - most newspapers and magazines publish a very small fraction of the letters they receive.

I guess I've been lucky in this field. My very first letter, on car-pooling, got published in The Ottawa Citizen alongwith a photograph. Since then, there has been no looking back and I just keep writing more and more letters. By contrast, it has been much harder to get articles published.

Here are a few tips on making letter writing work for you, based on personal experience.

1. Write in response to an article already published; try to comment on a lead article on the front page, or on an editorial. Send your letter as fast as possible but definitely within two/three days of the original story. You can also comment on other letters; some editors love a heated debate.

2. Send the letter by e-mail, but no attachments, please. Busy letter editors do not open attachments. Stick to the publications' stated word limit - generally less than 300 words.

3.Pick a topic you feel passionately about - that makes it so much easier to write. However, avoid sending political opinions. Newspapers get plenty of political opinion from their own columnists - one more will not make a difference.

4. Touch on a topic of local interest, where you can offer real solutions to real problems.

5. Write the letter just like an article. It must have a catchy opening sentence, logical flow and a good conclusion. It must be well -written; use no jargon and be very, very clear.

6. You should hear back very quickly if your letter is accepted. My newspaper often calls me back the next day - sometimes within a few hours. If you don't hear back within four or five days, do not re-send the letter, it has probably been rejected. Just try something else.

7. Sometimes, you might get a message that the letter is being considered for publication and then nothing happens for 4/5 days. In such cases, remind the letter editor by e-mail or phone.

8. If your letter is accepted, don't send another for at least a month. Letter editors like to space out the contributions from a single writer, to give more people a chance to write.

9.Try to work with only one publication of one type. This helps in building up a rapport with the letter editor. Do not send your letter to the competition. And NEVER send it to multiple publications at the same time.

10. In short, treat the letter just like an article except that it is unpaid and it is less than 300 words.

Happy publishing!