How to Become a Greeting Card Author

Freelance authors with a knack for poetry and prose write many of the verses you read in greeting cards. You don't have to have a degree in Literature or English, nor do you have to be a professional writer to submit poetry to a greeting card company and get published.

Things You'll Need

• Poetry submissions

Instructions

How to Become A Greeting Card Author

1. Write poetry that is timely--and timeless. Focus your efforts on holidays and special events, and be prepared to submit specialty card ideas several months in advance of a particular holiday. There are no limits to the number of submissions you can send to companies at any one time.

2. Research greeting card companies. One of the easiest companies to submit to is Blue Mountain Arts. This company asks that you send submissions in the body of an email to their submissions' general inbox. If the company is interested in buying your work, it will notify you by email and/or regular mail.

3. Sign the contract. If your poetry is accepted, you will be required to sign an exclusivity contract granting the company the full rights to use your work in print and online. Blue Mountain Arts can also option your submission to be included in an anthology.

4. Collect your pay. Blue Mountain Arts pays an upfront fee for the use of your submission and does not pay royalties based on sales.

Tips & Warnings

• Have realistic expectations. Greeting card companies receive thousands of submissions every year and only the best will be chosen. Don't be surprised if you don't hear from the company or if only one or two of your submissions is chosen.

• Have an attorney review any contract to protect your rights as the author.

References

• Blue Mountain Arts: Writer's Guidelines