Lyrics Competition Offers Prizes And Valuable Industry Feedback

You have a notebook filled with powerful lines and clever turns of phrase, but maybe you’re not a performer or a music producer. This is a common hurdle for many talented writers, but a dedicated lyrics competition can turn that challenge into your greatest advantage. These contests strip away the production and performance, judging your work on its raw, literary merit—the story, the imagery, and the emotional core. Winning isn’t just about a prize; it’s about validation and a direct line to an industry that is always hungry for great writing.
This isn’t just a lottery ticket. It’s a strategic step toward getting your words heard, critiqued by professionals, and potentially placed in the hands of artists and publishers looking for their next hit.

Table of Contents

At a Glance: What You’ll Learn

The Key Difference: Understand when to enter a lyrics-only contest versus a broader songwriting competition.
Choosing Your Arena: Pinpoint the right competition based on your genre, experience level, and creative goals.
Your Submission Playbook: Get a step-by-step guide to preparing and formatting your lyrics for maximum impact.
Top Contests Compared: A breakdown of leading competitions that offer cash, gear, and priceless industry feedback.
Crucial Questions Answered: Clarify your rights, the value of entry fees, and what judges are truly looking for.

Why a Lyrics-Only Contest Might Be Your Best First Move

While most song contests evaluate a complete musical work, lyrics-only categories level the playing field. They are designed specifically for writers, poets, and lyricists who excel at storytelling and language. You aren’t judged on your singing voice or the quality of your home recording—only the words on the page matter.
This focus allows you to compete on your primary strength. It’s an opportunity to have your writing analyzed by industry professionals who understand the nuance of rhyme scheme, meter, and narrative arc. For many, it’s the perfect entry point into the competitive world of songwriting without the pressure of producing a full demo.

Lyrics-Only vs. Full-Song Contests: Choosing Your Path

Understanding the two primary types of competitions is crucial. Your choice depends on your skills and what you hope to achieve.

Feature	Lyrics-Only Competition	Full-Song Competition
What You Submit	Text file or copy-pasted lyrics.	An audio file (MP3, WAV) or streaming link.
Who It’s For	Writers, poets, lyricists without music.	Songwriters, bands, producers, artists.
Judging Criteria	Originality, theme, imagery, structure, word choice.	Lyrics, melody, arrangement, originality, production.
Typical Prizes	Cash, gear, co-writing sessions, demo recording.	Large cash prizes, publishing deals, festival slots.
Key Advantage	Pure focus on writing skill; no production needed.	Showcases the entire artistic vision; bigger prizes.
Making this choice is the first step in your strategy. While we’re focusing on the power of the written word, a full overview of how contests evaluate the whole package can help you decide. Explore contest prizes and exposure to see how grand prizes are structured across the board and what the industry’s biggest competitions offer.

A Curated Look at Top-Tier Lyrics Competitions

Not all competitions are created equal. Some offer life-changing prizes, others provide invaluable feedback, and a few are tailored to specific genres or age groups. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most respected options available.

For the Pure Play Lyricist: American Songwriter Lyrics Contest

If you want frequent opportunities to test your skills, this is your contest. The American Songwriter Lyrics Contest runs bimonthly, giving you six chances to win each year.

Frequency: Every two months.
Entry Fee: Around $15 per lyric.
What You Get: Winners are featured in American Songwriter magazine and receive high-end gear like a Gibson G-45 guitar and an AKG P220 microphone. The six bimonthly winners then compete for the Grand Prize: a co-writing session with a major songwriter and a professionally recorded demo session.
Best For: Lyricists who want consistent, low-cost opportunities to get their work in front of a respected industry publication.

For the Writer Who Craves Feedback: Great American Song Contest

This competition’s unique promise makes it a standout: every single entrant receives a written evaluation from the judges. It’s designed specifically for amateur and semi-professional writers, making it a supportive environment for honing your craft.

Frequency: Annually, with a deadline typically in November.
Entry Fee: Around $35 per entry.
What You Get: Besides the guaranteed feedback, the Lyrics category winner receives $1,000 cash and a professional demo production of their winning lyric. The overall Grand Prize winner gets $2,500 and a recording package.
Best For: Songwriters who see an entry fee as an investment in their education and want direct, actionable advice from industry insiders.

For the Aspiring Nashville Pro: NSAI Song Contest

Organized by the prestigious Nashville Songwriters Association International, this contest is a direct pipeline to the heart of Music City. It features both a Song and a Lyrics category, with prizes geared toward career development.

Frequency: Annually, typically with a fall deadline.
What You Get: Entrants receive a judging scorecard. Winners can expect cash prizes, one-on-one mentorship sessions, and coveted performance slots at venues like The Bluebird Cafe during the Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival.
Best For: Writers in any genre who dream of breaking into the professional Nashville scene and value mentorship and performance opportunities.

For the Ambitious Songwriter Where Lyrics Shine: International Songwriting Competition (ISC)

While the ISC is a full-song competition, its judging panel is packed with legendary recording artists (Mariah Carey, Coldplay, Tom Waits) and top-tier industry executives who place a heavy emphasis on lyrical quality. If you have a demo, this is one of the biggest stages in the world.

Frequency: Annually.
Entry Fee: Tiered, from around $25 (early bird) to $35.
What You Get: A massive prize pool of over $150,000 in cash and merchandise, with a $25,000 cash Grand Prize. The prestige and exposure from winning are immense.
Best For: Songwriters with a quality demo who are ready to compete at the highest level and believe their lyrics can stand out among the best.

For the Next Generation: Song Academy Young Songwriter

This UK-based international competition is exclusively for young writers, providing a nurturing and inspiring platform for talent to grow. It celebrates the craft of songwriting among those who are just starting their creative journeys.

Frequency: Annually, with a spring deadline.
What You Get: Age-specific categories (8-22) ensure you’re competing with peers. Prizes include home studio equipment, a recording session with a top producer, and a chance to perform at The Young Songwriter showcase in London.
Best For: Young writers (under 22) from anywhere in the world looking for encouragement, industry connections, and age-appropriate prizes.

Your Submission Playbook: A Checklist for Success

Submitting to a lyrics competition is more than just hitting “send.” How you present your work can make all the difference. Follow this checklist to avoid common pitfalls.

Read the Fine Print (Twice): This is non-negotiable. Check the rules for co-writer permissions, formatting requirements (e.g., copy-paste vs. PDF), and character or word limits. Some contests, like the Great American Song Contest, cap the number of total entries, so timing matters.
Format for Readability: Don’t submit a dense wall of text. Use clear, simple formatting to make your lyrics easy for judges to read.

Label your sections clearly: [Verse 1], [Chorus], [Bridge].
Use single spacing within stanzas and double spacing between sections.
Choose a clean, standard font like Times New Roman or Arial.
Proofread meticulously for typos and grammatical errors. A polished presentation shows professionalism.

Choose Your Strongest Work: It’s tempting to submit your newest creation, but it’s wiser to enter a piece you’ve had time to revise and perfect. Select lyrics that are emotionally resonant, tell a compelling story, and demonstrate a unique voice. Ask a trusted peer for feedback before submitting.
Follow Submission Instructions to the Letter: Contests receive thousands of entries. Any deviation from the rules is an easy reason for disqualification. If the form asks for a copy-paste submission (like the American Songwriter contest), don’t try to upload a document.
Keep Your Confirmation: After you pay the fee and submit your work, save the confirmation email and any transaction receipts. This is your proof of entry if any issues arise.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

Do I lose the rights to my lyrics if I enter a competition?

No. Reputable competitions will never claim ownership of your work. You are simply granting them a temporary, non-exclusive license to use your lyrics for judging and promotional purposes if you win. Always read the terms and conditions, but you should retain 100% of your copyright.

Is it really worth paying an entry fee?

Think of it as an investment in your career. Entry fees (typically $15-$45) cover the costs of administration and paying qualified judges to review your work. For contests like the Great American Song Contest, that fee guarantees you professional feedback—a service that could cost much more if sought independently.

Can I win if my lyrics don’t rhyme perfectly?

Absolutely. Modern songwriting values authenticity and emotional impact over rigid, perfect rhymes. Judges look for clever wordplay, strong imagery, and a cohesive narrative. A near rhyme or an unconventional structure that serves the story is often more impressive than a predictable, clichéd one.

What are judges really looking for?

Judges are looking for a spark. They want lyrics that are:

Original: Avoid tired clichés and offer a fresh perspective.
Emotional: Make them feel something—joy, heartbreak, intrigue.
Structured: Show a clear understanding of song form (verse, chorus, bridge) that builds to a satisfying conclusion.
Visual: Use strong imagery and sensory details to paint a picture in the listener’s mind.

Turn Your Words Into Your Next Opportunity

A lyrics competition is more than a contest; it’s a tool for growth, a deadline to motivate your best work, and a pathway to validation. The potential for prizes is exciting, but the real victory lies in the act of preparing, submitting, and putting your craft to the test.
Your next step is simple. Review the competitions listed here and find one that aligns with your budget and goals. Pick your most powerful piece of writing, polish it until it shines, and send it out into the world. Win or lose, the feedback you gain and the confidence you build are the prizes that will sharpen your craft for years to come.