Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Letters to the Editor

What you should know about Letters to the Editor

Some things to keep in mind when submitting a Letter to the Editor and 9 tips for getting published.

Some things to keep in mind regarding Letters to the Editor

We read every letter we receive.

Every letter gets equal consideration.

Letters picked for publication are acknowledged within several working days. You most likely will be contacted by phone and will be asked to verify that you sent the letter and intended it for publication.
If it's published, your letter probably will appear in the daily or Sunday Greenville News within two weeks after we receive it.

Because of the high volume of letters submitted, we cannot acknowledge or return letters that will not be published.

We strive for balance, but there are times when we may only receive letters representing one side of an issue. If your opinion differs from those you see printed, write and give us your perspective.

We don't publish form letters, anonymous letters, letters that cannot be verified or letters that have appeared in another publication.

We don't publish obvious organized attempts to flood us with mail on a given topic.

We give preference to writers in our circulation area.

To maintain civility and to prevent disagreements between letter writers from becoming personal, we do not allow letter writers to refer to each other by name. Exceptions are made for writers who are public officials or public figures.

We do not publish poems from readers or material forwarded to us that has appeared in another publication.

Tips for Getting Published:
  • Write a brief letter (maximum of 250 words) on a timely public issue, preferably one that has been covered by this newspaper. 
  • Make your point quickly. 
  • Include your name, home address and a daytime telephone number. (If you don't include your name, address and telephone number, we can't consider your letter for publication.) 
  • Remember, all letters are subject to editing. 
  • Most letters are edited for length, clarity, grammar and good taste. 
  • Choose your words carefully. Letters that contain potentially libelous or slanderous statements will likely be edited or rejected. 
  • We prefer to have letters submitted in typed or electronically transmitted form. However, we will accept handwritten letters, providing the handwriting is legible. 
  • If you are sending handwritten letters by fax, please make sure the writing is dark enough to transmit clearly. 
  • Letter writers are limited to no more than one letter published every 30 days.