If you enjoy writing heartfelt messages, personal reflections, or emotional poetry, Blue Mountain Arts might be the perfect outlet for your work.
They publish greeting card messages and short poems that express love, gratitude, encouragement, and all the real-life emotions people often struggle to say out loud — and they pay starting at $300 for every one they accept.
The kind of writing that makes someone say,
“That’s exactly how I feel.”
In this guide, we’ll go through everything you need to know — from the kind of content they’re looking for to how to send in your own submission.
Let’s get started.
What is Blue Mountain Arts?
Blue Mountain Arts is an independent greeting card and book publisher based in Colorado, known for its heartfelt, poetic writing and distinctive artistic style.
Founded in 1971 by poet Susan Polis Schutz and her husband, artist and physicist Stephen Schutz, the company started as a passion project — printing poems and paintings in a basement, then selling them on the road out of a pickup truck.
Today, they’ve grown into a respected name in the greeting card world, with products sold internationally and translated into multiple languages.
Their messages focus on:
- Love
- Family
- Friendship
- Healing
- Emotional connection
They still stay true to their roots: bold colors, expressive art, and sincere, soul-stirring words.
What kind of content do they accept?
Blue Mountain Arts is looking for authentic, heartfelt writing — either prose or poetry — drawn from personal experience.
They want pieces that express emotions people often feel, but can’t always put into words.
Popular themes include:
- Love
- Family
- Friendship
- Missing someone
- Encouragement
- Life’s struggles and celebrations
It helps to write with a real person in mind — as if you’re speaking to someone close to you.
That emotional sincerity is what they’re after.
They also accept writing for special occasions like:
- Birthdays
- Anniversaries
- Graduations
- Major holidays, including:
- Christmas
- Valentine’s Day
- Easter
- Mother’s Day
- Father’s Day
The key is originality.
They’re not looking for clichés or recycled messages —
they want new, creative work that stands out and feels genuine.
What are their writing guidelines?
There’s no strict word count, but your piece should be able to fit on a greeting card — typically between 50 to 300 words.
They accept both long and short pieces —
as long as the writing feels personal, sincere, and emotionally resonant.
Avoid:
- AI-generated or AI-assisted content
- Rhymed poetry
- Religious verse
- One-liners
Watch out for overused words and tired phrases like:
- “special”
- “gift”
- “sending you a hug”
- “birthday wishes for you”
- “angel”
They receive a large number of submissions on themes like mothers, sons, daughters, and love — so those pieces need to feel especially fresh and unique.
Avoid common lines like:
- “You were always there for me”
- “I remember when you were a baby”
- “I am so proud of you”
- “You are my dream come true”
The goal is to express something timeless…
in a way that feels new.
Who can write for them?
Anyone can submit to Blue Mountain Arts —
no professional writing background or U.S. residency required.
They accept submissions from writers all over the world, as long as the work is written in English.
Whether you’re a first-time poet or someone who just wants to express something personal and meaningful — you’re welcome to send your work in.
How much do they pay?
Blue Mountain Arts pays:
- $300 per poem for the worldwide, exclusive rights to use it on a greeting card or other products
- $50 per poem for one-time use in a book
If your work continues to be accepted, you may be eligible for higher payments — with some contributors reportedly earning up to $700.
They’ll go over all terms in detail before publishing anything, so you’ll know exactly how your work will be used and what you’ll be paid.
Note:
You do not get paid just for submitting.
You get paid if your piece is accepted and published.
Why should I write for them?
If you enjoy writing that comes from the heart — the kind that comforts, uplifts, or speaks to someone going through something real — Blue Mountain Arts gives you a rare chance to share that with the world.
You don’t need to be a published poet or professional writer.
You just need the ability to express deep, personal feelings in a way others can relate to.
It’s also one of the few paying opportunities for greeting card–style writing.
- No experience required
- No pitching necessary
- Just honest, emotional expression
Whether you want to honor a loved one, write through a difficult moment, or simply put something beautiful into the world — this is a place that values sincerity.
How do I get started?
You can submit your writing in two ways:
By email:
Paste your poem(s) directly into the body of an email — no attachments or links — and send it to:editorial@sps.com
Include your:
- Name
- Mailing address
- As many pieces as you’d like
By mail:
Send your poems (one per page) to:
Blue Mountain Arts – Editorial Department
P.O. Box 1007
Boulder, CO 80306Make sure to:
- Include your name on every page
- Add your mailing address and phone number
- Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want your work returned or to receive a reply
If your work is selected for further review, you’ll hear back within 8 weeks.
Before you submit:
Paid writing opportunities like these are limited — and they exist because editors are still willing to accept unsolicited submissions from writers around the world. To help keep these opportunities open, don’t submit AI-generated content or low-effort work clearly intended as spam. It wastes the editors’ time and takes away chances from real writers who care about the craft. Respect the opportunity. Respect the process. And respect the people reading your work.
Ready to submit your greeting card message?
Head over to their website to get started.
Final thoughts
Blue Mountain Arts isn’t just a greeting card company —
it’s a platform for real emotional connection.
If you have something personal to say — something that could bring comfort, joy, or encouragement to someone else — this is your chance to share it in a meaningful way.
It’s flexible, beginner-friendly, and offers fair pay for genuine writing.
Whether you’re an aspiring poet or just someone with a heartfelt message, this opportunity lets your words make a lasting impact.
No experience needed. Just heart.
And maybe a pen.
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START A BLOG ➤Looking for more sites that pay you to write?
Here’s a curated list of sites that pay writers.
You’ll find magazines, websites, and platforms in all kinds of niches, from poetry, fiction, and greeting cards to travel, lifestyle, parenting, and more.
Each site includes everything you need to know — from the type of content they’re looking for, to how much they pay, to how to submit your work — so you can confidently land your next paid writing gig.
SEE THE FULL LIST ➤
