Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are international submissions accepted?
A. Yes, they are.

Q. How long can the song be?
A. Five minutes max.

Q. What types of music files can be submitted? How large can the file be?
A. We only accept .MP3 files that are 4 MB or smaller.

Q. How do you compare to other songwriting contests?
A. Unlike other songwriting contests, the ISSA contest offers our contestants an opportunity to build new fans by allowing the fans to vote on some of our most important categories. By doing this, our contestants are not only entering a contest to be judged by an industry panel but are also introducing their music to buyers who may not have heard of them. If they are interested in voting for you, they may be even more interested in purchasing your music. We also give our winners an opportunity to perform their songs at industry trade shows and events throughout Southern California.

Q. Will I lose ownership of my song when I enter?
A. No. ISSA and its affiliates do not own any aspect of your song. You, the songwriter, own all rights to your song.

Q. May I submit more than one song?
A. Yes, you may submit as many songs as you wish, but each entry has a fee.

Q. How do I pay?
A. You may pay via online with a Visa or Mastercard on our secure server. You can also pay by mail via money order or credit card payment. Just print out our registration form and mail it in to:

ISSA
825 College Blvd, Suite 102-317
Oceanside, CA 92057

No foreign or personal checks are accepted.

Q. If I enter multiple songs do I need a separate entry form?
A. Yes, for each new song please fill out a separate entry form. If it's the same song but multiple categories you only need one form.

Q. What happens if I'm nominated for an award?
A. We will notify you with a congratulations e-mail. We will also ask for your contact information, photo and bio. We will then release the nominee list on our website, in a letter sent out to industry pros and in a press release. Your song will then compete for the title of the category you entered. The winners will be announced Nov 21st, 2008.

Q. Is production quality considered in the judging songs?
A. No. If your song is good it won't matter. So send it in.

Q. Do lyric submissions require music?
A. No.

Q. Can I get a critique on my song?
A. Yes, you can. The fee is $9.95.

Q. Can I get a critique of my song without entering the contest?
A. Yes, you can. You’ll just have to pay for the critique fee of $9.95.

Q. What is a critique?
A. A critique gives you the opportunity to have your song looked at by a music professional. They will not judge your song for the contest but they will evaluate your song for strong points and weaknesses as it compares to the music industry standards. This will help you better sell song material to publishers, be a better songwriter and potentially lead to respect from the music industry.

Q. When will the winners be announced?
A. Nov 21st, 2008 via ISSA official website, press release and Myspace page.