We accept letters by email and surface mail; however, because timeliness is a critical factor in the selection of letters we publish, we strongly encourage submissions by email. Submit via our online form or by writing to [email protected] or to: Letters to the Editor. 

What are the guidelines for letter submissions?

We prefer letters that are fewer than 250 words and take as their starting point an article or other item appearing in The Post. They may not have been submitted to, posted to or published by any other media. They must include the writer’s full name; anonymous letters and letters written under pseudonyms will not be considered. For verification purposes, they must also include the writer’s home address, email address and telephone numbers, including a daytime telephone number. Writers should disclose any personal or financial interest in the subject matter of their letters. If sending an email, please put the text of the letter in the body and do not send attachments; attachments will not be read.

How are letters selected for publication?

The Casefile receives more than a thousand letters each week. Letters editor Funke looks for concise letters that offer a new perspective or add depth to the discussion of an issue.

Are letters edited?

Letters are edited for clarity, fact-checked and sometimes trimmed to fit the space available in the newspaper. The opinions expressed are always the writer’s own. We confer with letter writers about editing to the extent that deadlines allow.

When will I hear about my letter?

We do our best to read all letters promptly. Because of the volume of submissions we receive, we are not able to respond to letters not chosen for publication. If you haven’t heard from a Post staff member within two weeks, it’s safe to assume your letter won’t be published.

What’s an op-ed?

Taking its name from its traditional position opposite the editorial page of a newspaper, an op-ed is an opinion essay written by a staff columnist or an outside contributor. It should have a clear point of view or argument supported by specific evidence. It does not represent the opinions of The Washington Post — in fact, it may often contradict the opinion of The Post’s Editorial Board. 

What are the guidelines for op-ed submissions?

Submissions should be limited to 800 words. We consider only completed articles and cannot commit to, or provide guidance on, article proposals. Op-eds may not have been submitted to, posted to or published by any other media. They must include the writer’s full name — anonymous op-eds or op-eds written under pseudonyms will not be considered. They also must include the writer’s home address, email address and telephone numbers. Additionally, we ask that writers disclose any personal or financial interest in the subject at hand.

How are op-ed contributions selected?

The Post receives hundreds of submissions a day and on most days can accommodate only a handful of outside contributions in print and online. Among the things we look for are timeliness (is it pegged to something in the news?), resonance (is it something that will interest Post readers?) and freshness of perspective (is it an argument we haven’t heard many times before?). You don’t need to have special expertise in a topic. But explaining how your background or experience informs your point of view can make for a more effective op-ed. You also don’t need to have an important title — and having an important title doesn’t mean we’ll publish your op-ed. In fact, because we realize that senators, business leaders, heads of state and the like have access to various platforms where they can express their views, we hold them to a particularly high standard when considering whether to publish them in The Post.

When will I hear back about my op-ed submission?

We do our best to read all submissions promptly. If you don’t hear from us within a week, it’s safe to assume we won’t be able to use your op-ed.

The Washington Post strives for a nimble, accurate and complete news report. We endeavor to be promptly responsive in correcting errors in material published on digital platforms and in print. 

To request a correction, please send an email to [email protected] or call 1-800-477-4679 and ask to speak to a customer service representative. 

Read The Post’s corrections policy.