American Greetings

American Greetings

Write and Sell Greeting Card Verses

When you look at a greeting card, do you think: "I could write that!" 

Yes, you could definitely write that.

If you want to sell your greeting card verses, do not submit rhymed, metered verse.  If you submit flowery, Victorian era poetry in the style of Helen Steiner Rice, you won't stand a chance.

Do not submit drawings or photographs with your verse.  Editors only want the verse.  If your verse depends on a visual to get it's meaning across, then verbally suggest a visual.

Do not submit verses to Hallmark and American Greetings.  These two top card companies receive thousands of submissions weekly.  Wouldn't you rather submit your verses to the mid-size or smaller companies where freelance submissions are actually read and often acted upon in the form of future assignments or actual on-the-spot sales?

Some mid-size and smaller greeting card companies are Gallant Greetings, Leanin' Tree, Palm Press and Northern Exposure.

You will not find these cards in huge chains such as K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Rite-Aid, CVS, etc.

Pound the pavement and pick up card after card at niche stores such as craft stores, convenience stores, dollar stores, restaurant gift stores, pet stores, copy centers, specialty card stores, party stores, stationery stores, small-town grocery stores, gift shops, and small, non-chain gift stores.

Go to the card racks and spinners in these stores and really study what's out there.  Get to know the card companies you want to write for and contact them with a letter of request for their writer's guidelines.

If you're not one to pound the pavement, you can use the internet.  Most companies have a website, and many post their writing guidelines online, or you can email a request for them.

About the Author

Tanya Michalski is the owner of Story Lady Publications and a publisher of <a href="http://www.publications.yolasite.com">Magazines and other publications</a>

How do I use mu sub. to American Greetings?

When I go to send a sub only card will not allow me to do this. says my Yahoo password has not been shared with American Greetings.

You are still using a submarine to send greetings?? You could jsust buy a hallmark teddy bear and draw a love symbol on it and then go to the post office and mail it to your sweetie. That would save a lot of diesel fuel. Unless your sub is a nuclear sub then it basically has infinite fuel reserves, I guess. I am not sure. My knowledge of modern nuclear submarines is limited.

5pm: American Greetings to Westlake