Getting Your Music Published Part One

If you are interested in submitting one of your music manuscripts to a publisher for review there are several steps in ensuring this process goes smoothly. First, make a copy of the manuscript. Never send the original manuscript, send a legible photocopy. If your plans are to submit your work to more than one publisher, be sure to let the publisher know of your intent at the time of submission.

Since a publisher may receive literally thousands of music manuscripts every week, this is a tedious and time consuming process. The Editorial Department receives and reviews the manuscript. Each manuscript is reviewed and then registered by an editor. The work is evaluated for quality and practicability. If the work is deemed worthy, the next step is for the work to be review by the Publications Committee. If a work is rejected prior to reaching the Publications Committee, it is returned to the original author. A work that reaches the Publications Committee is evaluated further and a final decision to publish is then made. Prior to a work being published and distributed, permissions from both the publisher and the editor must be received. A contract is drawn up by the publishers Legal Department. An agreement is made between the publisher and the editor.

With much time involved in the selection process, it is not uncommon for the entire process to take anywhere from six to nine months. Do not get discouraged if your work has been submitted for six months and you have still not heard anything back. Chances are, your wait will just about be over and you will soon know if your work will be published.

After a contract is signed, the process of publishing begins. At this point, the work is registered with the Copyright Office. So that fees can be collected for performances of the work in the future, the work is also registered with BMI, ASCAP, or SESAC. These organizations are performance rights organizations. The main purpose of these organizations is to collect performing rights and royalties for those who publicly use the music of their members. Royalties are paid after organizational costs have been deducted.

ASCAPMike Doyle, Membership Relations2 Music Square WestNashville, TN 37203(800) 492-7227 (615) 742-5000(800) 910-7347 (615) 742-5020 faxBMIBradley Collins10 Music Square EastNashville, TN 37203(615) 401-2767(615) 401-2707 fax



SESACTimothy Fink, Writer/Publisher RelationsMandy Reilly, Assistant55 Music Square EastNashville, TN 37203(800) 826-9996(615) 320-0055(615) 321-6290 fax

A Copyright is where the owner of a work has all rights to sell, publish, and copy their protected works. Anyone who violates the copyright by reproducing, making duplicate copies, or selling copyrighted work under a different name is considered an infringer.

Under the Copyright Act, the moment a work is created, copyright protection begins. You are not required to register your work with the Copyright Office under the US Copyright Act. Prior to being able to sue an infringer however, you must register your work with the Copyright Office, located in Washington D.C.

When the published work makes it to print, it is now time to promote the work. Copies are mailed to people who may possible be interested in the work. Magazines are contacted and the promotion process begins. The work is sent to people who have high regard in the music industry. Sometimes the work is recorded by a hired professional, just to get sample copies out there to be heard.

A work is considered published at a time when it has been made available to the public for purchase. At this point you become eligible for royalties. Each time your work is used, based on the current royalty rate, you receive a profit.