Product Description

Freelance Writing for Greeting Card Companies is a comprehensive guide for writers of all types with a desire to write for the lucrative and wide spread greeting card market. The book will show a writer how to enter the greeting card market. Writers will be taken step-by-step through the process of professionally preparing their work to be reviewed by editors. Writers will also be shown how to approach the greeting card market on a professional business level.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #964227 in Books
• Published on: 1992-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 57 pages

From the Publisher
Do Patrisha Stauss' methods work? Here's what one greeting card executive says:

"Patrisha Stauss tells writers everything they need to know about being professional--from researching greeting card companies and their guidelines to following correct procedures for submitting work. I wish everyone would read this book before submitting their cards--in all categories. If they did, our industry might be able to lengthen the list of successful contributors. I recommend Freelance Writing For Greeting Card Companies to anyone who aspires to writing for this market. Patrisha's book is outstanding."

--Norman Drittel, President of Love Greeting Cards, Inc. and noted Miami artist/photographer

From the Author
How many times have we wanted to express what we feel but couldn't find the right words to say it? How many times have we looked for a greeting card to say it for us? I've always been impressed by the many ways feelings and thoughts can be expressed to others by giving a greeting card. Isn't it amazing how we can find the right greeting card to say our words for us? I've always felt it easy to express my thoughts to others, but was amazed at how many couldn't. So, I began approaching greeting card editors to learn what their requirements were for those of us who wanted to be a part of the fascinating world of expressing thoughts for others. As I approached a variety of editors with their expectations of writers, I learned that there is more to freelance writing for this market than just writing a verse. I decided that other freelance writers needed to know what it really takes to break into the greeting card market. My two year research developed into my book, Freelance Writing for Greeting Card Markets. This book is the basics that every writer should have to get their foot in any editor's door.

About the Author
Patrisha Stauss received her BA in 1981 and her Special Education Credential in 1983. Between 1981 and 1989, she taught children and adults with a variety of learning disabilities. In 1987, she began freelance writing. Using her education, teaching experience, and research skills, she wrote as a hobby. In 1988, she co-authored her first educational book, Poems and Passages. Several of Patrisha's poems have been published. She is currently writing how-to, self-help and children's books. In 1989, Patrisha decided to leave her teaching career and use the realm of writing to teach others. Through her books, she hopes to decrease the level of frustration felt by many.

Customer Reviews

Useful Knowledge
I found this book well-written and by & large, accurate. Other books I've found helpful have been Molly Wigand's and especially a new book out by Sandra Miller-Louden, called Write Well & Sell: Greeting Cards. Armed with any of these books, a "newbie" can certainly break into the business of card writing.

An Interesting Potential Market
Now here's something you may not have considered writing ... greeting card messages. Just pause to think for a moment how many cards there are in gift shops, newsagencies, department stores etc. Squillions of 'em ... and someone has to write all the verses in them! Why not you?

Patrisha Stauss has been doing this for a number of years and has written an informative little booklet that explains how to go about researching the market, contacting publishers and protecting your rights. She also emphasises the importance of taking a professional approach to your writing. After all, if you hope to support your brood of starving children or keep your spoilt furred, finned and feathered friends in the manner to which they have become accustomed, you need to adopt a business-like attitude.

Many of the tips Patrisha gives in her book Freelance Writing for Greeting Card Companies would apply to any type of writing, not just greeting cards. She gives a list of the basic equipment you need to set up as a professional writer and some of the ongoing costs associated. Things we tend to overlook like paper, ink cartridges, discs and then visits from your friendly, local 'puter doctor.

Because greeting card verses and messages are brief, you need to submit multiple ideas to publishers, so you really need to have a foolproof system to keep track of your submissions, and Patrisha has some practical ways you can do this in her book.

Excellent Freelance Advice
The book helped me to better understand what is expected of editors &/or greeting card companies. The material in the book was well organized. It helped me to get more organized within the realm of preparing my work for the market. This is a good business type book to get one started in pursuing a possible career in writing for greeting card companies. I found it to be very informative and recommend it to anyone who plans to be a freelance writer for greeting cards.