One of the top consumer questions we hear at Hallmark is "Where can I submit my writing?" We care (really), and we know you're talented (truly).

So here you see the results of our sincere attempt to support your creative efforts and to give you a platform from which to speak. We are hoping you'll be as excited as we are about sharing your writing with the world.

Thanks for coming along on this journey. Please excuse any bumps along the road as we figure how to blaze the trail together.

It's like this:
1. You submit a great letter, poem, or short story to the contest. You can enter one piece of writing for each of the three categories.
2. We compile the best entries into a book for moms that will be sold online and in stores.
3. You win $50 and 2 books!

See the cards and get the scoop in the Winners' Gallery.

You'll always be able to see into the near contest future in our Up Next box

We provide lots of updates and will answer your contest questions on our Facebook page. Become a fan of "yourGreeting Card Competition," and the updates will go straight to your profile. On the page you can also share your entry and get feedback from other fans, if you'd like. 

Afraid not. We review all the entries electronically to make it speedier for everyone, so please don't shy away from submitting electronically. It's painless, we promise. You can enter at Hallmarkcontests.com.

We always announce a contest on the first or second Monday of the month. We’ll accept your entries at Hallmarkcontests.com for 3 whole weeks! Just keep an eye on the “Submissions Accepted” dates listed on our home page or contest page.

Each contest is open to all persons, age 18 or older as of the first day of submission. Current or former employees of Hallmark, its subsidiaries, its affiliates, all direct family members of those employees and employees of American Greetings or Recycled Paper Greetings are not eligible. More information.

Nope! You sure don't. The contests are open to our international friends, too! We'll accept submissions in English from all over the globe. If you're one of our international friends, here's what you need to know: You're definitely eligible to become a winner. You just won't be able to buy the book in stores in your own country or order it online if you do not have a U.S. billing address.

Yes, you can enter each of the three categories: short story, letter, and poem.

Why, yes! We'd be thrilled to see your winning entries keep coming our way! 

When we get your submission, you will receive an e-mail confirming we got it. Please add contestinfo@hallmark.com to your contact list in your e-mail address book, so your inbox doesn't mistake our e-mails for junk. Because junk they are not!

YES. We will not accept previously published writings. Your entries for this contest must be created for this contest only. 

Also, at the judges' discretion, entries including unsuitable content, non-English language entries, sexually explicit or inappropriate content, descriptions or images of people or animals in unsafe conditions or content that is in violation of third party rights (including, but not limited to, copyrights) will be immediately disqualified. Hallmark will use its sole discretion in determining whether an entry should be disqualified.

Why, yes. And here they are.

We're all about keepin' it real when it comes to your entry, however minimal editing may be necessary. Edits come into play for things like spelling errors, readability, etc. We won't go changing things willy-nilly. We want your creation to shine.

No, we're only looking for writings that fit the "Thanks, Mom" theme.

As you are creating your writing, ask yourself if it meets all the judging criteria:

1. Fits the Contest THEME (It's a short story, poem, or letter with the theme "Thanks, Mom" to your mom or someone who's been like a mom to you.)

2. COHESIVE (Your writing makes sense, and you've checked it for mistakes.)

3. WORD COUNT (Your writing doesn't exceed 2,000 characters, including spaces.)

4. Based on a TRUE STORY or event. 

A panel of Hallmark judges will choose a group of winners from all eligible entries. Entries will be judged based on whether they stick to the theme and need minimal or no editing.

We'll call you the week of judging! (It makes for fun videos on Facebook.) We'll then need you to fill out some mighty important information about yourself and get all your legal paperwork signed within a few days.

If you are pronounced a winner by our wise council of judges, they will call you up a.s.a.p. Keep tabs on the judging progress on our site and Facebook page. We’ll be sharing lots of behind-the-scenes tidbits, and you’ll know to expect a call. Be sure to keep your phone with you!

Some contests will have more winners than others. So just WOW us, and you'll have nothing to worry about!

If you are chosen as a winner, you will receive $50 (U.S. dollars), and your writing will be in a book with all the other winning entries that will be sold at Hallmark.com and in stores. You'll also get 2 free books from Hallmark.

Call us bleeding hearts, but we think you're all winners. We started thinking about how we'd rather reward more people than just one Grand Prize Winner per contest. For now, that means having more contests so more people can become winners—and get all the fame that comes with that.

You can always find it at Hallmark.com. If you're looking for specific stories, you can always ask us on Facebook. Then, it's just a matter of checking your local stores! For international folks, you'll have to get creative. You won't be able to buy the book at Hallmark.com or in Hallmark Gold Crown stores (unless you travel to the U.S. to do it). You could also have a U.S. friend get it and send it to you.

Stay in-the-know by checking our Facebook page for updates. We will be sure to shout loud and clear when it will hit the shelves. For those of you who are winners, we'll notify you early via e-mail and mail, so there's no chance you'll miss the news. You can start keeping an eye out in stores around March 2013.

Just refer to Hallmarkcontests.com for all the dates you need.

You can start by heading over to www.hallmark.com/careers to see the current employment opportunities.