Contest Deadlines [Updated December 29th 2009]
**March/April Contest – January 18, 2010, 7:00 PM [Central]**
May/June Contest – March 18, 2010
July/August Contest – May 18, 2010
September/October Contest – July 19, 2010
November/December Contest – September 20, 2010
January/February Contest – November 18, 2010

**The currently running contest is the March/April 2010 Contest, which you can enter online here**

Official Rules

1. An entry fee of $12 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 one (1) Martin DX1 Koa Acoustic Guitar, valued at $719.00. Only one guitar per contest will be awarded. The annual winner will be chosen from the six (6) bi-monthly contest winners.  First place winners also receive one (1) legendary Shure SM58 Microphone and four (4) sets of Elixir™ strings (you choose flavor and gauge) and one (1) Elixir™ guitar cable.

4. The contest is open to any amateur songwriter, AS defines an amateur as a songwriter who has not earned more than $5,000 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 To qualify, the song must be an original, unpublished composition of the person or persons entering the lyrics.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.