Songwriting Contests

International Songwriting Contest is designed to help songwriters be heard. ISC has helped artists like Bastille, Vance Joy, Gotye, The Band Perry, and more, garner more recognition by industry professionals. In addition to giving away over $150,000 in cash and prizes, ISC has some of the most prestigious judges of any competition in the world. 2019 judges include Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Fleet Foxes, Kevin Gates, Cam, Tom Waits, Bastille, Tanya Tucker, Kaskade, Lukas Nelson, and many more.

The Great American Song Contest is open to domestic and international entries, with awards offered in 10 categories including Pop, Rock/Alt, Folk/Americana, and Lyric Writing. All entries receive a written evaluation from the contest’s judges. The contest offers cash prizes for winners, and emphasizes networking and educational opportunities for its contestants.

Presented by the Songwriters’ Association of Washington, the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest strives to give songwriters recognition for their work and opportunities to further their skills through education. Categories include Rock/Alternative, Pop, Folk Acoustic, Lyrics Only, and more. The Mid-Atlantic Song Contest also has a Young Artist Award for songwriters under 21, with candidates selected from songs in all categories. Entrants compete for cash prizes, music conferences, industry services, and gala performances.

SongDoor is an annual songwriting competition open to amateurs and professionals ages 16 and older. The contest's goals are to help songwriters have their music heard and make industry connections, and to help songwriters improve their skills. Entries are $10, and they offer an entry evaluation for an additional $15.