To mark its 30th anniversary, the USA Songwriting Competition proudly presents The Songwriting Competition Handbook by Scott Ashley. This is Ashley’s second book, following his #1 Amazon bestseller, How to Write Better Songs (2022). Inspired by frequent requests from competition entrants for guidance on succeeding in songwriting competitions, Ashley wrote this comprehensive guide to help songwriters improve. The Songwriting Competition Handbook offers practical strategies and inspiring stories from winning songwriters.
This book provides actionable advice for songwriting entrants at all levels, covering:
~Dos and don’ts for songwriting competition success
~Learn why having a long intro in your song may not a good thing to do for a songwriting competition submission
~Choosing the right category for your song
~Stories of entrants who progressed from non-finalists to winners
~Tips for collaborating with songwriters and producers
~Writing songs with backing tracks
~The role of AI (Artificial intelligence) in songwriting
~A must-have checklist for submissions
This book is an essential resource for anyone entering or planning to enter songwriting competitions. Whether you’re struggling to place in finals or aiming to improve your placement, this book is a guide that shares firsthand experiences from winners who overcame challenges to succeed. It’s the most thorough resource available for entering songwriting competitions.
Hear What Readers Are Saying:
“A treasure trove of success stories for songwriters… read carefully to see what’s possible.” —Peter Thomas, songwriter
“Great advice… we need to dig in, edit, rewrite, and chase it hard.” —Dee Meese, songwriter
“Helpful rules to follow and know.” —Paul Vines, songwriter
“Gives aspiring songwriters reassurance and confidence… their work has a chance to make something major happen.” —Jason Cosio Jr., songwriter
Perfect For:
~Songwriters entering competitions
~Those seeking to improve their craft
~Collaborators looking for effective strategies
No fluff, no jargon—just clear, actionable steps. No music degree required.
Featured Songwriters:
The book highlights award-winning songwriters like Diane Warren, Ken Hirsch, Ralph Murphy, Corey Lee Barker, Bill Diluigi, Steve Dean, Billy Montana, Jeff Roe, Kevin Stroud, Skylar Springer, Wayne Miller, Tom Saffell, Tess Posner, Cari Cole, Robin Randall, Will Carpenter, Joe Hogue, Sean Petersen, Nakia Reynoso, and more. For more details, visit Amazon listing at: https://www.amazon.com/Songwriting-Competition-Handbook-Winning-Songwriters/dp/B0F8C27BSV/
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Scott Ashley is a songwriter and graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. He is a voting member of the Recording Academy (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences). He is currently working as the Artist Relations director with the USA Songwriting Competition and IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards). For information on the USA Songwriting Competition, go to: https://www.songwriting.net
