Short answer: Email your finished op-ed to oped@latimes.com. Most Los Angeles Times op-eds run about 750 words (Sunday pieces can reach about 1,200), the piece must be exclusive to The Times, and it can be on any subject. If it’s accepted, an editor will contact you within five days; the paper doesn’t reply to every submission or give feedback on pitches. Letters to the editor go through the form on latimes.com and typically run 150 words or less.
This guide covers the LA Times submission rules, what Opinion editors look for, how to write a piece they’ll run, and how to get covered in the paper’s news pages. The rules below are as the Los Angeles Times has published them; check latimes.com before you send, as details change.
LA Times op-ed submission guidelines at a glance
| What you’re sending | Where it goes | Length | Exclusive? | When you hear back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Op-ed | oped@latimes.com | About 750 words (up to ~1,200 on Sundays) | Yes | Within 5 days, only if accepted |
| Letter to the editor | Letter form on latimes.com | Typically 150 words or less | Yes | Only if published |
| Story idea for a reporter | The reporter who covers your beat | A short pitch | Offer exclusivity if you can | Only if interested |
How to submit an op-ed to the Los Angeles Times
1. Write the whole piece first
The LA Times considers finished articles, not proposals, and it doesn’t give feedback on pitches or queries. Write the full op-ed before you send anything.
2. Aim for about 750 words
That’s the typical length. Going far over makes an editor’s job harder. If your argument genuinely needs more room, it may suit the Sunday section, which sometimes runs pieces up to about 1,200 words.
3. Paste it into an email to oped@latimes.com
Put “Op-Ed Submission” and your working headline in the subject line. Paste the text into the body of the email. Then add a two-line bio that says why you’re the right person to make this argument, plus your phone number, city and any relevant affiliation.
4. Keep it exclusive
Don’t send the same piece to another outlet while The Times is considering it. If you haven’t heard back within five days, assume it’s a pass and send it to your next choice.
5. Be ready to move fast
If an editor calls, they may want edits, sources or a quick turnaround to keep the piece tied to the news. Have your evidence and a clear schedule ready.
Is your story ready for Forbes, TechCrunch or CNBC?
Journalists cover news, not companies. In a free 30-minute call, a senior adviser will tell you candidly whether you have a story tier-1 reporters will want, which outlets fit, and what’s missing. You’ll also see what ChatGPT and Perplexity say about your company today.
Prefer to check on your own? Score your brand with the Trust Index in 3 minutes.
What LA Times Opinion editors look for
- A clear argument. One claim a reader could disagree with, stated in the first paragraph.
- A reason to run it now. A ruling, vote, report, anniversary or event in the news.
- Authority. Professional or personal experience that connects you directly to the issue.
- A West Coast angle when it fits. The paper has a national audience, but a Southern California or Western perspective often stands out.
- Evidence. Specific numbers, examples and sources, not general impressions.
- Your own voice. Plain, direct writing beats corporate language.
Common reasons LA Times op-eds are rejected
- Sending a pitch or outline instead of a finished piece.
- Going well over the typical length.
- Submitting to several outlets at once.
- Writing a thinly veiled ad for your company.
- Responding to a recent Times article; that’s a letter to the editor.
- Missing the news window by a week.
How to submit a letter to the editor of the LA Times
Letters are the right format when you’re responding to something The Times published. Use the letter-to-the-editor form on latimes.com. Letters typically run 150 words or less, may be edited, and become the property of The Times, which can republish them in any format. Respond quickly and make one sharp point.
Is your story ready for Forbes, TechCrunch or CNBC?
Journalists cover news, not companies. In a free 30-minute call, a senior adviser will tell you candidly whether you have a story tier-1 reporters will want, which outlets fit, and what’s missing. You’ll also see what ChatGPT and Perplexity say about your company today.
Prefer to check on your own? Score your brand with the Trust Index in 3 minutes.
How to get covered in the LA Times news pages
An op-ed puts your argument in the paper. News coverage puts your company there. They work differently: Times reporters choose stories that are new, matter to their readers and can be verified. Find the reporter who covers your sector or region from recent bylines and pitch them directly. Lead with the news, why it matters to Southern California or the West, and what you can offer that no one else has: data, access, a customer story.
For companies outside California, the strongest LA Times angles usually tie to the region’s big industries: entertainment and media, technology, aerospace, the ports and logistics, real estate, health care and climate. The same principles apply to every national outlet; see our guides to getting into The New York Times and getting featured in Forbes.
Why an LA Times byline is worth the effort
The Los Angeles Times is one of the largest daily newspapers in the United States, with a national and international readership online. A published op-ed shows investors, customers and other journalists that you have a credible point of view, and independent coverage in an outlet of that weight is the kind of source AI search engines draw on when they describe a company or an expert.
How 9-Figure Media helps
9-Figure Media is based in Laguna Beach, California. We help founders and executives earn bylines and coverage in tier-1 outlets. Our senior team includes former Forbes journalists with more than 20 years as reporters. We find the argument, pressure-test it, gather the evidence and edit the piece until it’s ready, then plan the outlet order so one pass doesn’t stall it. We don’t sell guaranteed placements. LA Times editors decide what runs.
Is your story ready for Forbes, TechCrunch or CNBC?
Journalists cover news, not companies. In a free 30-minute call, a senior adviser will tell you candidly whether you have a story tier-1 reporters will want, which outlets fit, and what’s missing. You’ll also see what ChatGPT and Perplexity say about your company today.
Prefer to check on your own? Score your brand with the Trust Index in 3 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I submit an op-ed to the LA Times?
Email the finished piece to oped@latimes.com. Most op-eds run about 750 words, the piece must be exclusive to the Los Angeles Times, and it can be on any subject. If it is accepted, an editor will contact you within five days.
What is the LA Times op-ed word count?
Most Los Angeles Times op-eds are about 750 words. Some are shorter, and on Sundays the paper sometimes runs pieces up to about 1,200 words.
How long does the LA Times take to respond to an op-ed?
If your op-ed is accepted, you will hear from a Times editor within five days. The paper does not respond individually to every submission, so no reply after five days usually means a pass.
How do I submit a letter to the editor of the LA Times?
Use the letter-to-the-editor form on latimes.com. Letters typically run 150 words or less, may be edited, and become the property of The Times.
Does the LA Times prefer California writers?
The paper accepts op-eds on any subject and has a national readership, but a Southern California or West Coast angle often helps a piece stand out to editors.
Can a PR firm guarantee an LA Times op-ed?
No. LA Times Opinion editors choose what runs. A firm can help you find the argument, gather evidence and edit, but acceptance is the editors’ call.
9-Figure Media is not affiliated with the Los Angeles Times. Submission details are as published by the Los Angeles Times and may change; confirm on latimes.com before you submit. Checked November 2026.