Submit a Letter or Opinion Piece

The Boundary Sentinel welcomes letters to the editor and opinion pieces from readers.

You don’t need to be a professional writer. If you have something to say about an issue affecting your community, we want to hear it.

Letters to the editor

Letters are best for responding to a recent story, community issue, public decision or debate.

As a general guide:

  • Keep it concise — ideally under 500 words.

  • Focus on one main issue.

  • Be specific about what you agree with, disagree with or want to see changed.

  • Criticism of governments, organizations, businesses, public figures and ideas is welcome. Personal attacks, threats, discriminatory material, defamatory claims and allegations that cannot be reasonably supported are not.

  • Include your full name and community.

  • Include a phone number or email address so we can verify your identity. Contact information will not be published.

Opinion pieces

Opinion pieces give you more room to make an argument, explain an experience or raise an issue you believe deserves attention.

A strong opinion piece usually:

  • Has a clear point of view.

  • Explains why the issue matters.

  • Uses facts, examples or personal experience to support its argument.

  • Is written in your own voice.

  • Is generally 600–1,200 words, although shorter or longer submissions may be considered.

Local experience is especially valuable. You do not need to be an academic, politician or spokesperson to have something worth contributing.

A few things to know

We may edit submissions for spelling, grammar, clarity, length and style. If an edit would substantially change your argument or meaning, we’ll contact you before publication.

Submitting something does not guarantee publication.

Please disclose any financial, professional, political, organizational or other connection that is relevant to the subject of your submission.

We do not publish anonymous opinion pieces except in unusual circumstances where there is a strong public-interest reason.

Letters and opinion pieces represent the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Boundary Sentinel.

How to submit

Email your submission to boundarysentinel at gmail dot come with Letter to the Editor or Opinion Submission in the subject line.

Include your name, community and a way for us to contact you.

Already posted your thoughts somewhere else — including on social media? That’s fine. If you think it would make a good contribution to the community conversation, send it our way.