Women have fewer rights today than 50 years ago. Ongoing struggles that impact women include attacks on reproductive freedom, LBGTQ rights, public education, equal economic opportunities, gun safety, and voting rights.
Despite the need to raise awareness about these issues, only 26 percent of newspaper Op-Eds in this country are written by women. But we can change this, word after a word after a word.
By writing an Op-Ed or Letter to the Editor (LTE), you will:
Reach a larger audience than just your friends, family, and neighbors.
Get the attention of elected officials whose staffs closely monitor Op-Eds and LTEs.
Generate support for, or opposition to, an issue.
100yearsofthevote.org believes so strongly in the power of the pen, we are launching our Let’s Get Published Program to help women raise awareness about issues most likely to impact our future.
Here’s how you can get involved.
Participate in a group 45-minute Zoom tutorial on writing and submitting an Op-Ed or LTE.
Check out our Op-Ed Writing Tips and Publishing Tips. And our LTE Writing Tips and Publishing Tips.
Receive free proofreading and editing services by sending your rough draft to Laura Luckert at lmluckert@gmail.com
Don’t know where to submit your opinion piece? Click here for a list of major newspapers in eastern Kansas, the Minneapolis metro area, and Southwest Coastal Florida, including links to each paper’s editorial guidelines.
If your Op-Ed or LTE is published, we will promote it on our 100yearsofthevote.org website, including a brief synopsis and link to the publication.
Any “Let’s Get Published” Op-Ed or LTE not selected by a newspaper can be submitted and printed in its entirety on the 100yearsofthevote.org website.
Op-Ed
An Op-Ed is an essay written by someone who does not work for the newspaper. “Op-Ed” stands for “opposite editorial.”Op-Eds are sometimes referred to as Opinions or Commentary.
Writing Tips
Newspapers usually have a maximum word count. If not, keep it around 600 words.
In general, keep paragraphs short, about three to five sentences.
Tell a story, perhaps some personal experience you’ve had with the issue.
Edit your work for spelling and grammar. Have another person read and critique your piece.
First paragraph: Grab the reader’s attention early with a provocative statement. Our voting system is under attack.
Body of essay: Present several arguments that support your position, citing facts and evidence to back up your position. More than 33 million Americans were purged from the voter rolls between 2014 and 2018, according to the Brennan Center.
Final paragraph: Devote conclusion of the Op-Ed to drawing readers to your position. For democracy to survive, Americans need unfettered access to the polls.
Publishing Tips
Submit your Op-Ed to one publication, such as the Kansas City Star or the Topeka Capital-Journal. Newspapers want exclusivity and will not publish an Op-Ed that has been submitted and/or printed in another publication.
Consider submitting to a regional edition of a large metropolitan newspaper, such as the Johnson County Edition of the Kansas City Star.
Follow the publication’s instructions closely on how to format and submit your Op-Ed. These instructions can be found on the publication’s website and/or its editorial pages.
If formatting directions are not provided, use 1-inch margins, double-space your document, and select a common typeface, such as Times New Roman.
When submitting your Op-Ed to a publication for consideration, explain how you plan to promote it through social media once it gets published, i.e., through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Newspapers like social media exposure.
If the publication is interested in publishing your Op-Ed, it will request a one-sentence author bio, such as Jane Doe, a resident of Overland Park, is president of the Johnson County Chapter of the League of Women Voters. Hint:Newspapers prefer the author of an Op-Ed to be an authority on the essay’s topic or have some credible connection to the issue.
The publication also likely will want a photo (head and shoulders shot) of the author. It is good to have a professional photo taken and ready to submit.
Don’t be surprised if the newspaper makes changes to your Op-Ed. Trust its editors’ abilities in helping your Op-Ed be a better piece.
Letters to the Editor (LTE)
LTEs are easier to write and more likely to get published.
Writing Tips
Less is more. One to three paragraphs, or around 250-300 words.
Keep it simple, timely, and to just one main point.
Reference a news item from the publication. I read with dismay your article about Kansas possibly limiting ballot drop boxes.
No need to draw the reader to your position. You’re simply going public with your opinion.
Publishing Tips
Submit your LTE to your local newspaper, preferably one you subscribe to.
Some publications provide a form with which to download your LTE. If not, follow the written instructions that appear on the LTE page.
In General
Don’t be discouraged if the publication chooses not to publish your Op-Ed or LTE. Rejection is common. Try another publication.
If your Op-Ed or LTE is selected, wait a few months before submitting your next piece. Most newspapers limit how often an author can appear in its editorial section.
Think big. While most Op-Eds and LTEs are local in nature, there are national publications interested in regional issues, such as the 2022 Kansas Abortion Amendment Election.
Publications in the 100 Years of the Vote Geographical Sphere of Influence
Lawrence Journal World – LTEs250 words or less can be emailed to letters@ljworld.com. Letters must bear the name, address, and telephone number of the writer.
Topeka Capital-Journal – To submit an Op-Ed or LTE, contact editor Tomari Quinn, tquinn@cjonline.com
