Carson Now isn’t just a news organization, we’re a community hub. That means we want our readers to be just as involved in the topics that matter most as our news team. Whether it’s about the road budget, local politics, or the ongoing saga of the Ormsby House, we want to know what you think. 

Ready to submit? Use our reader submission form or email editor@carsonnow.org with the title of either “Letter to the Editor: [article title]” or “Opinion: [article title]”

Interested in writing a Letter to the Editor or an Opinion piece? Here are some how-to tips: 

Carson Now’s Guidelines for Submitting a Letter to the Editor

Letters to the Editor allow Carson Now readers to join the public conversation, offering kudos, critiques, or additional context to our news coverage. A well‑crafted letter can highlight overlooked facts, challenge assumptions, or share personal insights to broaden the debate.

  1. Stay concise (up to 200 words).
    A focused letter is more likely to be published and read in full.
  2. Open with the article you’re addressing.
    Begin with: Regarding “Article Headline” published [date of article publication]. This reference keeps the conversation clear for editors and readers alike.
  3. Make one main point and support it briefly.
    • Paragraph 1: State your viewpoint and why it matters.
    • Paragraph 2: Provide one persuasive fact, statistic, or personal example, then conclude with your key takeaway or suggested action.
  4. Use plain, direct language.
    Write in active voice, aka the subject first and then action (“The city must invest in roads,” not “Roads must be invested in by the city”). Active voice keeps sentences clear, energetic, and easy to follow.
  5. Disclose any relevant affiliations.
    If you have a financial, professional, or personal stake in the topic, include a single‑sentence disclosure at the end. Note: having an affiliation does not preclude you from sharing your opinion! But transparency is always best.
  6. Include your contact details for verification.
    Provide your full name, city, phone number, and email. We publish only your name and city, but we must confirm authorship before publication.
  7. Submit promptly.
    Letters responding to recent coverage are most effective when sent within 48 hours. Paste the text into the body of an email or use our web form—attachments are discouraged.
  8. Do not use generative AI to craft your Letter to the Editor. We will edit any typos on your behalf; but we want to hear from our human readers, not AI software. 

Following these guidelines will help ensure that your letter receives full consideration. We look forward to hearing from you! If you have any questions, please reach out to editor@carsonnow.org 

Carson Now’s Opinion Piece submission guidelines

Opinion essays (sometimes called “op‑eds”) give Carson Now readers space to argue a clear position on matters of public importance. A strong opinion piece presents a fresh perspective, is grounded in verifiable evidence, and invites readers to think differently about the issue at hand.

Think of an opinion piece as preparing an argument – and the point in an argument is to win! And in order to win, you need to present a strong point, back it up with facts, and anticipate what your critics will say, and counter-argue why they’re wrong. Then, once you’ve won your argument, tell us what should happen next. 

  1. Length and focus (700–900 words).
    One essay means one argument; resist the urge to tackle every angle.
  2. Original, exclusive work.
    We consider only material that has not appeared elsewhere (including personal blogs, Medium, or newsletters) and is offered solely to Carson Now. 
  3. Structure for clarity.
    • Hook (1–3 sentences): A vivid fact, anecdote, or question that frames the debate.
    • Thesis: State your position plainly. Readers should never guess where you stand.
    • Body (3–5 short paragraphs): Present evidence such as data, expert sources, or your own lived experience. Then, consider what the main criticism against your opinion would be, and respond to it. This is an argument, and you want to win!
    • Conclusion: Offer a concrete takeaway, solution, or call to action. Now that you’ve won your argument, what should happen next? 
  4. Source everything.
    Facts, statistics, or quotes must be linked to reputable, publicly available sources. 
  5. Write for a broad audience.
    Use active voice, everyday language, and short paragraphs. Active voice means the subject acts, not is acted upon (“Supervisors should create more parks,” not “More parks should be created by supervisors”).
  6. Maintain a civil tone.
    Challenge ideas, not individuals. We do not publish personal attacks, discriminatory language, or unverified allegations. 
  7. Disclose any potential conflicts.
    Financial, professional, or personal stakes related to the topic must appear in a one‑sentence disclosure at the end of the piece. Having an affiliation to the content does not preclude you from sharing your opinion! But transparency is of utmost importance. 
  8. Author details.
    Provide:
    • Full name (as it should appear in print)
    • City/state of residence
    • Phone number and email if we need to reach you (not published)
  9. Formatting and file type.
    Paste the essay into the body of an email or attach a .docx file. PDF submissions, Google Docs links requiring access, and heavily formatted layouts slow the review process.
  10. Suggested headline.
    Include a concise headline (8–12 words) that captures your argument. Editors may revise it for style or clarity. All opinion pieces should be submitted as “Opinion: [article title]”
  11. Editing and fact‑checking.
    We reserve the right to edit for length, clarity, and accuracy. Substantive changes are shared with the author for approval before publication.

Submit your opinion piece using our submission form, or by emailing editor@carsonnow.org with the subject line: Opinion: [Article Title]