AMERICAN SONGWRITER LYRIC WRITING CONTEST
Official Rules
1. An entry fee of $10 per entry (payable to American Songwriter) is required with each entry, and you may submit as many entries as you like for each bi-monthly contest. A form may be photocopied or printed from the web and one check for the total of all entries sent. Payment must be in U.S. funds.
2. All entries must be received by the deadline date, not the postmarked date. All entries later than date will be entered in the next contest.
3. The writer(s) of the winning lyrics for this contest will receive a DX1 Martin Guitar, valued at $699.00. Only one guitar per contest will be awarded. The annual winner will be chosen from the six bi-monthly contest winners and will receive a master production demo from Music City Music Production, Inc. valued at over $1,500.00.
4. The contest is open to any amateur songwriter, AS defines an amateur as a songwriter who has not earned more than $5000 from songwriting related royalties, advances, or works for hire.
5. Lyrics will be judged by a qualified group of professionals in the music industry. The decision of the judges is final. Winners will be notified in writing. By entering the contest, the entrant assigns rights to print entered lyrics in American Songwriter.
6. The winning lyrics, along with the four runners-up, will be published in the following issue.
7. Songs, other than the previous winners and runnerups, may be entered in future contests.
8. To qualify, the song must be an original, unpublished composition of the person or persons entering the lyrics. Entrants retain the publishing right(s) to their song(s). Your song(s) can be copyrighted, however this is not required. AS assumes no responsibility for uncopyrighted lyrics.
9. AS reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the rules herein outlined, and is not obligated to return any entry fee.
10. American Songwriter employees, their families, and advertisers are not eligible.
11. This contest is designed primarily to promote the art of songwriting and to give readers of American Songwriter the opportunity to become actively involved in songwriting.
12. DEADLINES
January/February contest - November 15
March/April contest – January 18
May/June contest - March 21
July/August contest - May 18
September/October contest - July 20
November/December contest - September 20
For more information click here

GREAT AMERICAN SONGWRITING CONTEST
Created by songwriters, this innovative contest offers a positive alternative to the hype and high cost of the "big-cash-prize" competitions.
The Great American Song Contest features opportunities to
1) have your songs heard by qualified professionals;
2) to win prestigious awards and useful prizes;
3) to advance your songwriting, promote your songs & open doors in the music business.
4) Low-cost & affordable entry fees.
Great American Song Contest judges listen thoroughly and respectfully to each and every song. Then they provide a detailed evaluation. Each participating songwriter receives the judges' written evaluations upon completion of the contest.For more information on the Great American Song Contest, visit http://www.GreatAmericanSong.com

NSAI SONG CONTEST
CMT and country.com are presenting the second annual NSAI Song Contest. If you write the winning song, you'll receive an all expenses paid three-day trip to Nashville for introductions to music industry executives, a radio appearance on Nashville 95, a guaranteed live Bluebird Cafe performance, a mentoring session with an award-winning panel of professional songwriters, and, last but certainly not least, an appearance on CMT Most Wanted Live. Everyone who enters will receive a scoring report for every song entered. The judging system will tell how each song performed, with tips on structure and commercial appeal. For more information on the NSAI and the NSAI Song Contest, visit http://www.nashvillesongwriters.com

BILLBOARD SONG CONTEST
Deadline for entry: November 16
Whether your style of music is pop, rock, country, jazz, gospel, Latin, blues, or dance, the 14th Annual Billboard Song Contest could offer you unparalleled professional exposure among some of the music industry’s most influential names. All songs receive a judging report. Our judging report will tell you how your song performed with tips on structure and content.
Our professional songwriting and music industry judges will be considering your music on the basis of originality, lyrics, melody, composition and commercial appeal, so you don't need to book studio time to produce your entry. Although production does make the song prettier, production values do not count. A homemade "track" is fine. Don't worry if you're not a great singer - after all, it's a songwriting contest!
If you've averaged less than $5,000 per year total royalties earned from music since 1992 (including prize winnings from previous song contests), you're eligible to enter. Here's how a star could be born! Enter your original song(s) in any of these categories: Country, Pop, Rock/Alternative, Contemporary Christian/Traditional Gospel, Latin, Jazz, Dance, or R&B/Blues. For more information, visit www.billboardsongcontest.com

INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
Deadline for Entries November 17.
The 2006 International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is now accepting entries. ISC gives away over $150,000 in cash and prizes, including an overall Grand Prize package of $25,000 (US) in cash and $20,000 in merchandise, unmatched by any other songwriting competition. ISC winners benefit from extensive press, publicity and increased exposure in an international arena. ISC welcomes original songs from musicians, artists, bands and songwriters at every level, from amateur to professional.

Judges include: Tom Waits, Brian Wilson, Sean Paul, Rosanne Cash, John Scofield, Robert Smith (The Cure), Jerry Lee Lewis, Frank Black (Pixies), Cassandra Wilson, Craig Morgan, Amy Ray (Indigo Girls), Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse), John Mayall, Mark Chesnutt, Charlie Walk (President, Epic Records), Monte Lipman (President, Universal Records), Mona Scott-Young (President, Violator Records), and many more. For more information and to enter, go to: http://www.songwritingcompetition.com