Here's how you can submit a letter or guest column to The Florida Times-Union

Email letters to [email protected].

Tips: Letters have a better chance of being published if they include the following:

1. Brevity helps. An opinion column can run anywhere from 400-800 words, with an average length of about 600 words. For regular letters, we suggest a maximum length of about 250 words.

2. Cite sources for important facts and quotations so we can check them.

3. Avoid personal comments. Stick to the issues.

4. Be sure to list your name, address, and phone number for confirmation.

5. If you are especially interested in having your letter or guest column published, send an email to Community Editor Anne Hammock at [email protected]/. Also, please submit your guest column/letter as an attached Word document or typed directly into the body of your email (no PDFs or other file formats).

6. Only original guest columns and letters authored by residents of the Jacksonville metro area (Duval, Clay, Nassau, St. Johns or Baker counties) will be considered for publication. Please note, local guest columns are limited to THREE per week.

7. The Opinion section is only published on Sundays, with each edition planned and printed well in advance; the deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday ONE WEEK PRIOR to publication date.

More than political opinions

The editorial page is an opportunity to speak and to be heard.

It’s a place to lend an opinion that will help others understand and respect different perspectives.

It's not a place for name-calling or attacking others.

The editorial page isn't just for political opinions. We want to hear about neighborhoods, small businesses, sports, healthcare, the arts, development, homelessness and everything in between.

This is a place for members of our military, teenagers, 20-somethings, millennials, Gen Xers, baby boomers and retirees to share. All are welcome.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: How to submit a letter or guest column to The Florida Times-Union