This week in print
Libraries have to change with the times
Ambitious plans afoot for Pack Memorial Library
Policies & submission guidelines
Letters to the Editor
The Letters section seeks to promote thoughtful, diverse community dialogue. It is a forum where our readers may express opinions on issues – particularly those addressed by recent articles, commentary or other letters in Xpress. We welcome your submissions, subject to the following guidelines:
• Suggested letter length is 300 words or less. Longer letters are sometimes published, but they are subject to our abridgement. The writer's name, mailing address, daytime telephone number MUST be included, along with email address, if available. Only the name and place of residence are published with the letter; the additional information is for verification purposes and is not released.
• As a general rule, we do not publish open letters, anonymous letters, form letters (including Web-based texts), or letters also submitted to or printed in other publications. We do not publish poetry in the Letters section.
• We prefer to receive letters as plain-text email. (Our mail server may automatically reject HTML-formatted email.) Otherwise, we ask that letters be typed, if possible. If handwritten, please take care to make them legible.
• Xpress retains the right to edit all letters chosen for publication.
• Priority goes to writers from within our circulation area and letters on local subjects.
• Published letters appear both in print and online. Letters remain available in the archives on our Web site.
• Writers are generally limited to one published letter every 30 days.
• We cannot acknowledge or return letters that aren't used.
Send letters as follows:
• Email: letters@mountainx.com (plain-text email only; no attachments or HTML)
• Postal mail:
Letters to the Editor
Mountain Xpress
PO Box 144
Asheville, NC 28802
• Fax: (828) 251-1311 (marked "Letter to the Editor")
If you have further questions, please contact News and Opinion Editor Nelda Holder at (828) 251-1333, ext. 107, or letters@mountainx.com.
Guest Commentary
The Xpress Commentary section invites community members to contribute well-written, previously unpublished opinion pieces that promote thoughtful dialogue and enhanced understanding of local issues. All work must be original, and pieces also submitted to other publications will be rejected.
Commentary subjects should have strong, direct connections to Asheville, Buncombe County or Western North Carolina. (At the editor's discretion, pieces addressing statewide topics may occasionally be accepted.) Preference will be given to writers who have special expertise or in-depth knowledge of their subject. We also publish personal reflections by local writers.
Submissions being considered for publication will be reviewed and edited in accordance with Xpress standards. Writers citing facts will be expected to use them responsibly and to indicate the sources of the information; an editor will communicate with the writer concerning these and other questions. Unsolicited pieces not chosen for publication will not be acknowledged or returned.
Commentaries should be 700 to 1,000 words in length. Submissions must include the writer's name, mailing address, daytime telephone number, email address (if available) and a brief biography indicating relevant experience or education. Once a piece is scheduled for publication, a photo of the writer will be requested.
Off Limits: Commentaries that are national in focus or that advocate for a particular candidate or party will be rejected, as will "attack" pieces aimed at putting down those who disagree with the writer rather than at presenting a reasoned argument for the writer's point of view.
Submit prospective commentaries as follows:
• Email: We prefer to receive letters as plain-text email; HTML-formatted email or email with attachments may be automatically rejected by our mail server. Send to: opinion@mountainx.com.
• Postal mail:
Commentary
Mountain Xpress
PO Box 144
Asheville, NC 28802
• Fax: (828) 251-1311 (marked "Commentary")
If you have further questions, please contact News and Opinion Editor Nelda Holder at (828) 251-1333, ext. 107, or opinion@mountainx.com.
