I don't know. I think the paper's policy makes sense. The letters to the editor pages (one of the few things that still makes a paper worth reading) is a public forum to comment on the news. I think it's a good policy to keep it from deterioating into a venue for free advertising.

Not only would it spoil the contents and purpose of letters to the editor, it would certainly go against their own self-interest (since if I'm understanding it right) they survive more on advertising dollars than they do from subscriptions or cover cost.

I don't have a problem with that. The place to mention his book, if they're interested, is in their book review section.

The guy's book pertains to what he wrote here, so I disagree.

Social security survivor benefits were started to keep widows who had stayed home their whole life-like most women did then-from starving upon her husband's death. Not to make life easier on whoever knew him and could claim it after he died. People who wish to care for others important to them at their death can buy life insurance. I think SS is on the way out anyway, we sure don't need to be enlarging it.

In fact, anyone can buy life insurance on anyone else, you don't even need their permission.

Doesn't matter, Amy. If they let him put it in the letter, it would still become an ad. And the letter stands on its own without the plug. Has he thought about inviting them to review it?

I read both the letters to the editor and the book reviews but I'd soon quit with the editorial page if it devolved to people who wanted to put plugs for their product in it. Our local does let them sign with a name of a local organization if they're writing representing said organization but that's about it and I'm glad.

momof3,

No, you can't. You must have a recognizable insurable interest in the person. The process, when an Agent is involved, requires viewing the person to be insured, medical questions, possibly medical testing depending on the size of the policy, and a signature. All of this to avoid fraud, among other things.

Funny. I was told different by my insurance salesman. It costs a bit more than one with a health check etc, but is doable.

Momof3,

Your insurance agent lied to you. You have to have all the things mentioned by Ariel. You also cannot insure children unless you are a parent or grandparent.
Of course, rules may differ by insurance company, but it usually is pretty standard across the board.
I would be extremely cautious of any insurance company that sells policies w/o those criteria. They are probably fly by night and you would never see a payout.

Never see a payout with state farm? Possible I guess. I suppose I could have misunderstood, it's not like I asked if I could take one out on Angelina Jolie. But I do know that there were 2 levels-with proof of health and without. And I didn't have to have my DH talk to them to get one.

Um, momof is right. Maybe it depends on the state or something. But Walmart takes out insurance on their employees. Just another reason not to work for them.

"Insurable interest" is a key definition in insurance law. A company has an insurable interest in its employees, just as you would in a spouse, child, or business partner. You have to be able to suffer a financial loss in order to insure the life of someone, otherwise it's just gambling. You can google this easily. I am not wrong on this.
Of course policies can be written with little information, and you get a policy that is limited by that lack of information in both size and features. Life insurance is based on complicated actuarial tables that calculate your expected longevity. An insurance company that ignores longevity will not remain solvent. Do you really think a company would price and/or underwrite a policy of any decent size without knowing whether you have Type 1 diabetes, apnea, MS, HIV, cancer, etc.? Really?
Now Term insurance may be easier with some companies, because they know that Term is so very seldom paid out versus Whole and its derivatives, which is one reason why it is so cheap. All of this info is available on the web.
And, quite frankly, I would never buy Life insurance from a company known for Property & Casualty. Or vice versa. Both are specialized, as are their Agents. You of course may do differently, as is your right.
Thank you, Amy, for your indulgence.

Thanks, Amy, for your mention of my book.

It's true--partly in regard to the Times not mentioning my book in the letter--authors are understandably a bit preoccupied about promotion about the time our books are coming out. Having them publish the letter without mention of the book is like kissing your sister. Your readers might notice that almost all the op-eds have book mentions--as did mine when I had one published with them. Without authors pumping their books op-ed submissions would dry up.

That said, I'd rather just be writing my next book and emulating the life of Thomas Pynchon or J.D. Salinger, but I'm not noteworthy enough to either be a recluse or make unreasonable demands. Of course, I'd like to become successful enough to complain that the champagne at my launch party is not only warm but the wrong brand.

For now, I'll just have to scrape along and hope for the best as would any relatively unknown debut age-62 debut author.