bash script not writing variables to file

[ScrewLooseSalad]

 I've written a basic bash script to test SSMTP,

SSMTP works fine, but the script I wrote doesn't send the message correctly

clear
echo "sending mail"
echo "who are you sending it to?"
read $to
echo
echo "excellent, now what is the subject?"
read $subject
echo
echo "marvelous, now write a quick message:"
read $message

echo To: $to > mail.txt
echo From: emailbox >> mail.txt
echo Subject: .$subject >> mail.txt
echo $message >> mail.txt

clear

echo "ok, I will send this message for you..."

ssmtp $to < mail.txt
echo "message sent successfully!"

thsi just creates the file without the variables in it for some reason

 

 

To:
From: Vicci
Subject: .
 

 

can anyone spot where I've gone wrong?

thanks

[trq]

Bash variables do not have the $ prepended when they are being set. eg;

 

read $to

should be

 

read to

[ScrewLooseSalad]

Bash variables do not have the $ prepended when they are being set. 

 

 

Oh, of course, thankyou trq