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Let Your Voice Be Heard!

One of the most read sections of local papers is the letters to the editor. This is a good vehicle for sharing of opinions on important issues. Below is a primer on effective editoral writing and links to area papers.

Write-On!

Five Tips for a Better Letter

* Say Something, But Say it Quickly! Check the letter guidelines in your local paper most newspapers will not run letters that are longer than 200-250 words. If you need more space to express your view, check to see if your newspaper takes guest opinion pieces which usually run about 700 to 800 words.

* Stay on Subject! Be concise and to the point. Start with a solid, short lead. Follow with some background information, state your position, and end by suggesting what the reader can do to help.

* Get Local! Any local angel on the subject you are writing about will increase the impact of your letter and increase its chances for publication. It can also help to make specific references. While some newspapers will print general commentary letters, most prefer letters that respond to a specific article.

* Smaller is Better! The bigger the circulation of the publication to which you are submitting, the more competition you face in having your letter selected. Small newspapers are more likely to print your letter and the letter can then spark local community action.

* Stick With ONE Paper & Follow up! Call to make sure the paper received your letter, and then call a few days later if it has not been printed to find out if it will be printed. Don't send copies of your letter to multiple publications at one time. Pick your target carefully and make it an original to the publication you really want to publish it. If you don't get confirmation within a week, then try submitting it elsewhere.

(These five tips were found on http://www.politicaloutreach.com , Thanks)

Area newspapers which publish letters to the editors

Black Earth,Cross Plains, Mazomainie Area
News-Sickle-Arrow
mailto:nsa@newspubinc.com

Dodgeville Area
Dodgeville Chronicle
mailto:news@thedodgevillechronicle.com

Middleton Area
Middleton Times - Tribune
mailto:mttimes@execpc.com

New Glarus-Monticello)
Post-Messenger
mailto:postmessenger@tds.net

Mt. Horeb Area
The Mt. Horeb Mail
mailto:mhmail@newspubinc.com

Sauk City Prairie Du Sac Area
Sauk Prairie Star
mailto:saukstar@merr.com

Verona Area
The Verona Press
mailto:veronapress@wcinet.com

Madison
Capitol Times
Dave Zweifel editor
mailto: dzweifel@madison.com

John Nichols, Associate editor
mailto:jnichols@madison.com

The Capitol Times Voice
mailto:tctvoice@madison.com

Wisconsin State Journal
mailto: wsjopine@madison.com