Hallmark Launches World's First Twitter-only Romantic Verse Competition

Search for the UK's Best Twittermantic

BRADFORD, England, January 14 - Hallmark Cards is giving the UK's wannabe romantic poets, writers and
song-smiths the chance to show off their talents through a new national
creative writing contest, launching today. But there's a unique twist - it
needs to be done in just 140 characters on the popular social network site,
Twitter!

The competition - a world-first - is being launched by Hallmark's online
personalised card service (
cards.hallmark.co.uk/Cards/Seasonal/Valentines-Day/) as part of its
build up to Valentine's Day, with a luxury weekend break away* on offer for
the winning 'Twittermantic'…that's a romantic Tweeter to you and me!

The best entries collected before the end of this month (January 31st) -
whether they are funny, soppy or plain old romantic - will be judged by an
online public vote and by a panel of experts, including poet and published
author, Christine Miller.

Jon Taylor, from Hallmark Cards online (cards.hallmark.co.uk/),
commented: "It's really simple to enter; all people need to do is follow
'Hallmark Cards' on Twitter and then compose a verse in 140 characters or
less, making sure they include Hallmark in their tweet entry. Full entry
details can be found at Hallmark.co.uk.

"We want to see just how creative the great British public can be. We
don't mind if people want to use text speak or clever abbreviations to keep
it within the word limit, what's important is that it's original. We'll also
be publishing regular hints and tips on our Twitter page as well as attempts
from the pros. Remember anything goes, so get writing!"

The judging panel consists of seasoned limerick writer and author William
Clark, professional poet and published author Christine Miller, as well as
Hallmark's own editorial team.

The overall winning verse will be featured on a 2011 Hallmark Valentine's
Day (cards.hallmark.co.uk/Cards/Seasonal/Valentines-Day/) card which
will be available for the public to purchase through Hallmark.co.uk. The
lucky winner will also scoop a luxury romantic cottage break for two courtesy
of cottages4You [cottages4You.co.uk].

Christine Miller, author of The Secret Garden of the Soul, who
forms part of the expert judging panel, said: "Poetry is a way of
re-interpreting the world through fresh senses, making unusual and unique
connections, and can be a hugely liberating experience which really feels
more like play!

"More and more people are being inspired to write poems
themselves, and it can be a powerful exercise in how to express the most
meaning in the fewest words. This fits well with Twitter, where each
individual message or 'Tweet' at just 140 characters imposes a similar
discipline of brevity."

The Twitter Verse Competition aims to bring creative writing to the
masses with the contest open to everyone in the UK - from complete novices to
quality amateur writers. The only criteria is that the verse must be the
individual's own work.

William Clark, the panel judge and author of "700 Limericks
and How to Write Them", commented: "This competition puts a clever modern
twist on the traditional custom of writing romantic verses on Valentine's
Day.

"The original St. Valentine, whose feast day on 14th February
was thought to be when birds paired off, became associated with romantic love
during the Middle Ages when a young knight would show his love for a lady
through romantic verse. In the 12th century French poets and singers spread
the idea of courtly love with song and verse across Europe, and it was this
that led to Valentine cards containing a love-inspired verse. Who'd have
guessed it would evolve into this!"

Hallmark Cards offers more than 1,000 card designs covering
all occasions, including new and exclusive OK! Magazine Cards where you and
your friends or family can follow in the footsteps of Posh and Becks and be
cover stars, as well as Lego and Disney designs. Popular Hallmark brands,
including Forever Friends and Purple Ronnie, are also available on the site.

And here's some verses to get you started in 140 characters or less
(remember, you can use abbreviations to meet the word limit!)

    By William Clark

    - My love is a lady of fame, & herein is hidden her name.
      Relentless pursuit, is how I would put, every step of the game!
    - There's something I really must tweet: My true love is awfully
      sweet! She's sugar n spice/And ever so nice/To kiss her's a wonderful
      treat!
    - A rose is the symbol of love/And so is the purest white dove/My
     love it is true/And only for you/And falls like a dew from above.
    - When falling in love it is fun/To know what a true love you've
      won; But many a slip/ Betwixt cup and lip/Can leave you alone and
      undone!

    By Christine Miller

    - Love arrives/Warmly wrapped./A scarf/Of/Softest
      silk/Sensuously slips/Around/Our beating hearts,/Glowing embers/Set
      aflame/By your/Beauty:/Bliss//

Editor's notes:

Hallmark

Established in the UK in 1958, Hallmark Cards is the UK's leading
greeting card publisher. As well as greeting cards, Hallmark also produce
related products such as wrapping paper, gift bags, social stationery, and
gift products,

Hallmark Cards Facebook group can be found here:
www.facebook.com/pages/HallmarkUK/211973881681

Hallmark Cards Twitter profile can be found here:
twitter.com/hallmarkcards

For more information on Christine Miller, visit
twitter.com/christinemiller

For more information on William Clark, visit
www.clarkscript.com/how-to-twitter-limericks.html

Twitter Verse Competition -Terms and Conditions - available at
www.hallmark.co.uk

To request an interview with Christine Miller or William Clark, or for creative writing tips and hints on how to write your perfect romantic verse, please contact: Chris Norton or Will Ockenden at Moolah; T: +44-(0)113-243-1117; E: hallmark at lucre.co.uk