How to submit a column or letter to the editor
The basics
* Letters to the editor should be no more than 200 words and should be sent to stateeditor@thestate.com. They should include the full name, street address and day and evening phone numbers; only the name and city will be published. Attachments will not be opened; please copy and paste the body of your letter directly into the message. Because of the volume of submissions, we do not generally acknowledge receipt of letters.
* Op-ed columns should be around 700 words and should be sent to cscoppe@thestate.com. They should include one or two sentences about the writer. Writers should be prepared to provide a photograph if their columns are accepted. Attachments will not be opened; please copy and paste the body of your letter directly into the message. Locally written columns will be acknowledged upon receipt; if your column is not acknowledged within two business days, please re-send your message to stateeditor@thestate.com.
The disclaimers
* All submissions will be edited.
* Writers should be prepared to provide documentation for any factual information in their submissions.
Formatting details
* Please include the topic of your submission in the subject line of your e-mail (i.e., state budget letter; Medicaid column, etc.).
* Photos should be sent as attached jpgs or tifs, not embedded in message.
* Please copy the text of your submission and paste it directly into the body of the message rather than sending MS Word docs, PDFs or other attachments. Letters sent as attachments will be returned to writers unopened.
What’s the difference?
Op-ed columns are not simply long letters. Op-ed writers are expected to bring a greater degree of knowledge or expertise to the topic. Columns should not merely state the writer’s opinion, but should put forth information-backed arguments that are likely to persuade readers. Although letters can do this (and the best ones do), they merely need to convey an opinion.
A little more detail
* We generally do not publish submissions from out-of-state authors.
* We generally do not publish submissions that have been submitted to other publications.
* We generally do not publish submissions from the same author twice in a 30-day period.
* Writers who submit columns must complete a release. If you’d like to get a jump on the process, you can include the release with your submission (BELOW)
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To submit your release along with your op-ed submission, just copy the text below, and then fill in your name, e-mail address and phone number at the bottom.
FREELANCE SUBMISSION VERIFICATION AND COPYRIGHT LICENSE
By sending this submission to The State, you have represented that you are the author and copyright owner of the submission and/or have all rights necessary to provide this submission to The State and you have granted The State an irrevocable, royalty-free license to publish, republish, resell, distribute, copy and edit the submission an unlimited number of times in any print, electronic or other medium.
If you are in agreement with the above terms, please indicate that agreement by returning this e-mail to me, with your name, phone number and e-mail address in the appropriate blanks.
I have read the above and I understand and agree to its terms.
Name:_______________________
Email:_______________________
Phone:_______________________
If you are under the age of 18, your parent or guardian must sign below to consent to the above terms and for this agreement to be effective:
Name:_____________________
Relationship:________________
Email:_____________________
Phone:_____________________
