A New Way to
Share Stories
Summers’ Secret Sauce
Turning Short Stories Into Readers, Listeners, and Fans
Concept proposal by Jaron Summers © 2026
This describes a simple idea:
turning greeting cards into gateways to stories.
The Core Idea
Imagine a greeting card that does more than deliver a message. Inside the card is a single QR code. The recipient scans the code and is taken directly to a short story online.
At the top of the page the reader can either read the story or press a button to hear the narration. In a few seconds the greeting card has delivered a small piece of literature.
Why This Works
Greeting cards are already a billion dollar global market. People buy them because they want to give something thoughtful even if the gift is small.
But most greeting cards contain only a few sentences. This card contains a complete experience: a short story, optional narration, and a moment of entertainment.
The Sender Becomes the Story Giver
When someone buys the card and signs it, they become part of the storytelling chain. They did not write the story, but they selected it for someone they care about.
Inside the card a simple line could appear:
This story was selected especially for you by:
The sender signs their name and becomes part of the experience.
Reader Growth Advantage
Each card quietly leads readers to the author’s website.
After the story finishes the page may invite readers to explore more stories.
The Collectible Idea
Each card is numbered.
Story Card No. 1
Story Card No. 2
Story Card No. 3
Readers quickly realize there are more stories to collect.
Distribution Possibilities
These cards could appear in independent bookstores, museum gift shops, university bookstores, hospital gift shops, and coffee shops.
Hospital gift shops are particularly promising because visitors are often looking for thoughtful but gentle gifts.
Simple User Flow
A sender buys the card.
The sender signs it.
The recipient scans the QR code.
The story page opens.
The reader chooses to read or listen.
The reader may explore additional stories.
Revenue Possibilities
The same story can appear in multiple formats.
Website reading
Audio narration
Greeting cards
Story collections
Translations
One story can produce multiple streams of value.
Write good stories.
Share them in unexpected ways.
Let readers pass them along.
Stories travel well.
Sometimes the smallest ideas carry the farthest.
Jaron Summers
Phone: 310-995-3804
Email: jaronbs@gmail.com