Hi!

Welcome to the world of greeting card writing on Greeting Card Writing DOT com!  I'm particularly excited about my new website for several reasons. First, it's, a natural extension of the greeting card writing classes I've taught for several years-- both "live " and on the Internet.  It complements the book  I wrote on greeting card writing-- Write Well & Sell: Greeting Cards-- now in its 4th printing. It will help answer the extensive--and continually growing e-mails I receive about greeting card writing.  While this website will help organize those personal replies I give, it will still emphasize the interaction and PERSONAL feedback that would-be greeting card  writers have come to associate with my philosophy of giving back and helping others fulfill their writing dreams.

In 1986, I realized two important things--I wanted to stay at-home with my two children, both under the age of 4, and to do that, I needed to earn an extra income.  I was flipping through a greeting card catalogue one day and knew this was writing I could do--even with my small chunks of time.  I wasn't a former editor of a greeting card company; I had no insider contacts to call with a familiar, "Hey, how's it going?  What copy do you need?"  I sent out my first batch of ideas cold and didn't even know enough to write "ATTN: Editorial" on the outside of the envelope.  It's been a long path from there to a Louie Award, another Louie nomination, card work featured on Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee!, card clients including actress Stefanie Powers, and interviews in such places as Staples.com, The Christian Science Monitor, and International Radio's Voice of America.

These ordinary beginnings are why I can relate to the hundreds of people who write me constantly. They, too, have no clue how or where to begin. Some have always had the dream to write; others gave up that dream and are now returning to it. Some are professional writers who are looking for a completely different genre in which to express themselves; and yet others come to this with their only credential being a love of browsing the card racks and spinners.

Whatever your dream or motivation, I'm confident you'll find my website informative, accurate, and ALWAYS reader-friendly!  Whenever possible, reader-participation will be invited through such features as I Suggest... and In the Spotlight.   Colorful, fun to look at, and fun to read-- just like a greeting card!

Finally, I want to introduce my assistant, Melanie Heit Rivellese of Creativity Stew®.   Without Melanie, there would be no website. Period. Her expertise, professionalism, and creative insights have been invaluable. You'll want to read her regular column, Write On! Moms! , about her journey, tips and experiences on being a mom who writes for the greeting card world.  Soon, she'll  also be  introducing us to the exciting sphere of e-companies and  e-editors...which equals  "e-opportunities" for the savvy freelancer! These cyberspace organizations are certainly "out there", and Melanie will help you sort through them with typical wit and definite wisdom.

That's all for now.  Enjoy!

Creative Best,

Sandra Miller-Louden