[GreggB]

Hello,

My writing partner and I have got a collection of high quality songs together that we've been recording for the past couple of years. I'm currently gathering publishing contacts to approach. I'm also interested in submitting to music libraries, however reading the policy of AudioSparks it seems like they require a perpetual use of the songs. Does this mean that if we get a publisher interested, then they will pull the deal when they find out AudioSparks has a perpetual license on a recording of the songs?

Thanks for any help,

GreggB

[Boydie]

I think the answer is "probably"

A publisher will most likely want the "publisher's share" of a songs royalty (eg 50%, with the writers sharing the other 50% as the "writer's share")

When negotiating deals you can choose anything you want to negotiate so can technically have 10 different publishers sharing that 50% - but in reality this is really unlikely

For a publisher to take on your song(s) without any fees (which should always be the way) they are potentially putting in work and using their contacts to push your song - if they are sharing their split with even 1 other publisher then they may not be inclined to work as hard

It is difficult enough pitching to publishers - especially "unsolicited", which sounds like it will be the case if you are putting together your own list of contacts - so to pitch songs that may already be signed to a library could put you at a disadvantage

And if the library deal is "exclusive" you wouldn't be allowed

You therefore need to make sure that any libraries you sign with have "non-exclusive" deals

"In perpetuity" deals by libraries are often sited as "unfair" but I can understand why they need this as they are likely to send cds or hard drives of their catalogue to music supervisors etc. - so they don't want to have to keep telling them that certain songs are no longer available etc.

My advice would be to pitch everywhere as you only need to make a decision when someone is interested in signing a song so don't restrict any opportunities - just because you get an offer of a deal doesn't mean you have to sign on the dotted line if it isn't right for you or your song

I would avoid just putting your songs in libraries that don't have a really strict screening process - the best libraries are as difficult to get in to as getting a publishing deal

Finally, I would definitely suggest posting some songs here for review before pitching - we have some very experienced writers / performers / artists etc. that may be able to spot a few things you have missed to make your songs more "pitch-able"

I hope this helps and Good luck

[tone]

To echo and elaborate on what Boydie said,to my mind, getting accepted by a library is getting published. They're publishing houses; just ones that specialise in placing music with media as opposed to radio/ streaming/ whatever. I'd also suggest that there's a growing overlap between these worlds, so choosing the publishers you think would be best placed to find a home for your music should be your first priority. It's a lot of research, but worth it in my opinion.

[GreggB]

Thanks Boydie and tone, some great advice and info there! 
To clarify further the songs are intended to be recorded by other artists, however they are finished masters, not demos, so could also go into libraries. From your advice and from advice from another forum, I think the best plan is to try to scare up some interest from publishers/artists/ managers/producers before commuting them to any exclusive or in perpetuity libraries?

Say we were to place the songs in non exclusive and non in perpetuity libraries and they were actually used in various media. Would this encourage or discourage a perspective publisher?

[tone]

I can't say for sure because it would depend on the terms of your library contract, and the proposed contract, but I imagine a song being placed can't really be a bad thing as it proves its 'worth' in the market.

Good luck with it, and let us know how you get on