Letters to the Editors Guidelines and Addresses: 
Writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper is an ideal way to share your opinion, not only because the letters page is among the most often read parts of the paper, but also because policy-makers look to it to measure public opinion.

Most letters received by newspapers are not printed.  However, it is important to write because a newspaper is more likely to print a few letters on a certain topic if they have received dozens of letters from people on the same issue.  So even if your letter doesnít get into print, it may help another letter with a similar point of view get published.

Some other guidelines include:

• Keep it short.  Long letters are rarely printed.  Letters should always be under 250 words.
• Type your letter.  Include your name, signature, address and phone number.
• Make one point (or at most two) in your letter. State the point clearly, ideally in the first sentence. 
• Reference the article, editorial or opinion you are responding to in the opening sentences.  Include the title and publication date.
• Make your letter timely. If you are not addressing a specific piece that recently appeared in the paper, then try to tie the issue you are writing about to a recent event. 
• Check the letter specifications of the newspaper to which you are writing. Length and format requirements vary from paper to paper.
• Keep it factual. If your letter is a response to an opinion piece by a journalist, make it factual, not rhetorical. Do not personally attack them, instead call on them to be responsible, professional, balanced and inclusive of diverse sources and viewpoints. 
• Support your facts. Reference any facts, poll numbers, quotes, etc. 
• Find others to write letters. This will show that more individuals in the community are concerned about the issue and increase chances of publication. 
• Follow up on your letter.  If your letter has not appeared within two weeks, call the editorial department of the newspaper.  Ask that your letter be printed and see if you can make any changes that will increase the likelihood of it being printed.l

Email Addresses:
Abilene Reporter News:   letter@reporternews.com
Amarillo Globe News:   letters@amarillonet.com
Austin American Statesman: letters@statesman.com
Bryan/College Station Eagle:  :letterseditor@theeagle.com
Dallas Morning News:  letterstoeditor@dallasnews..com
Denton Record Chronicle:  drc@dentronrc.com
Fort Worth Star-Telegram:  letters@star-telegram.com
Houston Chronicle:  viewpoints@chron.com
Longview News-Journal:   lnjletters@coxnews.com
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal:  jhughes@lubbockonline.com
Lufkin Daily News:   mmasferrer@coxnews.com
Marshall News Messenger:   platham@coxnews.com
Midland Reporter-Telegram:  letters@mrt.com
Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel:  gborders@coxnews.com
Odessa American:  oa@link.freedom.com
Plano Star-Courier:  norrism@dfwcn.com
San Antonio Express-News:  letters@express-news.net
Temple Telegram:  tdt@temple-telegram.com
Texarkana Gazette:  rburgess@texarkanagazette.com
Tyler Morning Telegraph:  opinion@tylerpaper.com

Website Submissions:
Brownsville Herald: http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/sections/contact/contact.shtml
El Paso Times:  http://www.elpasotimes.com/Forms/letters.html
Galveston Daily News:   http://www.galvnews.com/letter.lasso
McAllen Monitor:    http://www.themonitor.com/info/contact_us.shtml
Victoria Advocate:  http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/cobrand/submit.shtml
Wichita Falls Times-Record News:
http://www.trnonline.com/opinions2/letters/form.shtml
Waco Tribune Herald:
http://www.wacotrib.com/search/content/brandx-cgi/letter_editor.cgi