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Build Alaska's Future

Guide to Writing a Letter to the Editor

Writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper can be an effective way to influence public opinion and raise issues of concerns through a local, state, and national platform.

Writing the Letter

  • Keep it Short – Most letters should be around 150 or less. Most newspapers will not publish a letter over 200 words.
  • Stick to One Topic — No one likes to read a laundry list of issues. Pick your issue and make the case to your readers.
  • Make it Personal – Personal stories can make your writing more interesting than numbers and studies.
  • Make a Connection – Try to reference an earlier article or letter to the editor with which you may have agreed or disagreed.
  • Avoid Jargon – Avoid obscure words and try make your argument in one sentence. If your letter is difficult to understand, it is less likely to be published.
  • Check for Mistakes – Before submitting, proofread. Not only will your avoid embarrassment, but your letter will not be printed if it is filled with typos and other grammatical errors.

Submitting the Letter

Below is a list of Alaska newspapers. Every newspaper has unique guidelines that should be followed to ensure your letter will be considered. Please follow them carefully.

Anchorage Daily News
PO Box 149001, Anchorage, AK 99514
Phone: (907) 257-4305
Fax: (907) 258-2157
Email: letters@adn.com
225 words

Capital City Weekly
1910 Alex Holden Way, Juneau, AK 99801
Fax: (907) 789-0987
Email: editor@capweek.com
400 words

Chilkat Valley News
PO Box 630, Haines, AK 99827
Phone: (907) 766-2688
Email: cvn@chilkatvalleynews.com
Deadline: Monday 5:00 pm for Thursday’s paper
250 words

Cordova Times
P.O. Box 200, Cordova, AK 99574
Phone: (907) 424-7181
Fax: (907) 424-5799
Email: editor@thecordovatimes.com
700 words

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Submit LTE Online
200 North Cushman Street, Fairbanks, AK 99707
Phone: (907) 456-6661
Email: letters@newsminer.com
One letter per 30 days/person
350 words

Homer News
3482 Landings St., Homer, AK 99603-7999
Fax: (907) 235-4199
Email: letters@homernews.com
Deadline: Monday 5pm
300 words

Island News
PO Box 19430, Thorne Bay, AK 99919
Phone: 907-828-3377
Fax: 907-828-3351
Email: Islandnews@starband.net
Deadline: Tuesday by 5, for Monday’s paper
300 words

Juneau Empire
3100 Channel Drive, Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 586-3740
Fax: (907) 586-3028
Email: editor@juneauempire.com
1 LTE/op-ed per person per 30 days
400 words

Kenai Peninsula Clarion
Submit LTE Online
PO Box 3009, Kenai, AK 99611
Phone (907) 283-7551
Email: news@peninsulaclarion.com

Ketchikan Daily News
PO Box 7900, Ketchikan, AK 99901
Phone: 907-225-3157
Fax 907-225-1096
Email: news@ketchikandailynews.com
400 words

Kodiak Daily Mirror
1419 Selig St. Kodiak, Alaska 99615
Phone: (907) 486-3227 ext. 1037
editor@kodiakdailymirror.com

Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman
5751 E. Mayflower Ct., Wasilla AK 99654
Phone: (907) 352-2250
Email: info@frontiersman.com, heather.resz@frontiersman.com

Nome Nugget
P.O. Box 610, Nome Alaska, 99762
Email: nancym@nomenugget.com

Monti Bay Times (Yakutat)
Phone: (907) 784-3862
Email: monti@yakutat.net
Deadline: Tuesday by 5pm for Thursday’s paper
300 words

Petersburg Pilot
PO Box 930, Petersburg, AK 99833
Phone: (907) 772-9393
Fax: (907) 772-4871
Email: psgpub@gci.net
Deadline: Tuesday by 5pm for Thursday’s paper
400 words

Seward Phoenix Log
Email: Editor@TheSewardPhoenixLog
400 words

Sitka Sentinel
112 Barracks Street, Sitka, AK 99835
Phone: (907)747-3219
Fax: (907) 747-8898
Email: sitkanews@hotmail.com
500 words

Skagway News
P.O. Box 498, Skagway, AK 99840
Phone: (907) 983-2354
Fax: (907) 983-2356
Email: skagnews@aptalaska.net
Published 2 times monthly, usually 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month
250 words

Wrangell Sentinel
P.O. Box 798, Wrangell, AK 99929
Phone: (907) 874-2301
Fax: (907) 874-2303
Email: wrgsent@gci.net
Deadline: Monday for Thursday’s paper
250 words
Build Back Better Alaska (B3AK) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational and advocacy organization focused on the impact of federal issues and policies. B3AK aims to supply information and education about federal policies and initiatives affecting Alaska and create opportunities for dialogue between decision-makers and Alaskans.
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