5 reasons to enter Launch Your Lyrics

"I think songwriters are more related to fiction writers. The Odyssey was a story in song. To me, that's so beautiful, all those painted characters, all those travels and adventures."
- Regina Spektor

Happy New Zealand Music Month! There are still a couple of weeks left to enter our Launch Your Lyrics competition, and if you're not yet convinced that you should, then today's post is just for you. Aged 11-18 years old? Love music? Write your own songs? This is an opportunity you just can't miss, and is as easy as emailing us your lyrics along with an mp3 recording of them. Make sure to read the terms and conditions and, when you're reading, simply follow the instructions listed here: http://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/EN/News/NewsArticles/Pages/launchyourlyrics.aspx

If you need a few ideas to get started, or did get started and need a little help to carry on, try these on for size:

Songwriting without boundaries : lyric writing exercises for finding your voice by Pat Pattison

The art of songwriting by Casey Kelly and David Hodge

Get started in songwriting by Sam Inglis

Songwriting for dummies by by Jim Peterik, Dave Austin, Cathy Lynn

Songwriter's rhyming dictionary : quick, simple and easy-to-use : rock, pop, folk & hip-hop by Jake Jackson

What a great way to celebrate NZ Music Month. I can't wait to see the entries! As for me, I'll be celebrating by listening to one-new-to-me NZ CD a day. You'll see my recommendations on the tweetstream with the hashtag #nzmusicmonth. So look out! I'm raiding YOUR local library's CD collections. If you know anybody aged 11-18 who'd be interested, why not share this post with them? Here are 5 reasons to enter Launch Your Lyrics :)

How are YOU celebrating NZ Music Month 2012?



It's FREE to enter!
FREE GOOD is my lifelong philosophy. Well, that and 'CHOCOLATE BETTER.'

Two highly commended winners will receive a $100 music voucher


One runner-up will receive a $200 music voucher


First prize in each category is a recording session at Zeal Music Studios to record your winning lyrics


It's the beginning of the rest of your life as a songwriter
And how exceptionally cool is that?