Snelling returned to Boston and entered the writing field. Over the next 20 years, he wrote pieces for "American Monthly", "Boston Book", the "Boston Herald", the "New England Galaxy", "New England Magazine", "North American Review", and "Token". Snelling expressed frank opinions on American society and proposed social reforms, earning him both praise and enmity. "" is an early example. The piece, written in 1831, satirizes American letters. As editor of the "New England Galaxy", Snelling initiated an anti-gambling movement among Boston's newspapers. He was sued for libel and fought back by publishing his editorials in pamphlet form, called "Exposé of the Vice of Gaming", in 1833. He used the proceeds to pay his legal costs. He later served four months in jail for drunkenness. The experience led him in 1837 to take on prison reform with his "The Rat-Trap; or Cogitations of a Convict in the House of Correction".