Midnight Tuesday Deadline for Session One Song Entries

EARLY DEADLINE MIDNIGHT 7 AUGUST
The deadline for entering songs in the first session of the UKSC 2018 is midnight Tuesday 7 August. After that date all songs entered will go into the second session. If you are planning to enter songs and you would like to have early results (Semi Finalist positions from session one will be announced soon in August) you need to enter them on or before Tuesday 7 August. Updates to your entries with their live position in the judging panels will appear in your personal dashboard.

TIP FOR SELF PROMOTERS
If you want to get exposure and media coverage for your work entering the first session is a good way to get it because if you make the semis you can post this early on Facebook and Twitter etc saying that your song is in the Semi Finals and has a chance to go on to the finals and win one of the major prizes, such as working with producer Stuart Epps (see below). This creates an interest and a story that people can follow. In past years many semi finalists from the first session found that they were getting good coverage that continued all through the second session until the end of the contest. (Search Google for some of these stories). 

THE PRODUCTION PRIZE
As part of the Grand Prize package in 2018 Stuart Epps has agreed to work with an entrant of his choice as part of the Epps Music Productions stable of songwriters and artists. Stuart has worked with Elton John, Oasis, Led Zeppelin, Robbie Williams and many more and this is a unique opportunity to work closely with, and maybe even co-write a song with, one of the top names in the music business! This year he has been in the studio with last year´s UKSC Winner Irina Barzykina (see photo above). She says: "Participating in the UK Songwriting Contest has been an incredible experience. It is beautifully run - no pressure, just music. Recognition of my work by professional judges has brought confidence and inspired me to create and to further pursue music, and wholeheartedly adore it. I was extremely honoured to have been given the opportunity of meeting legendary Stuart Epps, talking with him about the modern music industry and working together on my new song in his studio. Yes, singing into that famous microphone! Stuart’s impeccable musical advice helped me in understanding how to deliver a song and ultimately grow as an artist. Thank you ever so much for this unforgettable experience!"

SPECIAL OFFERS
This year there are FREE ENTRY add-ons to other major international songwriting events and special discounts (for the LOTY Awards for Lyrics, the CSC event and the ISAs International Songwriting Awards event). These are listed in the UKSC entry form so make sure you tick the boxes for the special offers and free entries that you want to receive. Full details are on the contest website at www.uksongwritingcontest.com

NEW PRIZES
There are also some great new prizes added this year in addition to the popular Mentoring (with chart topping songwriter Mark Cawley), Production and Studio Session prizes. This year selected entrants receive Honorary Diplomas in Music (Dip.Mus) from Music Aid International´s new Music Aid Academy and we will also be issuing up to 50 free Grade Music examinations (grade one to grade eight). There are also International Copyright Registration packages with the SCO for selected entrants. As usual there are UKSC Certificates and judges scores for every song from every entrant.

YOUR SONG DASHBOARD AND EARLY SUBMISSIONS
Every entrant this year gets a personal song submissions dashboard to list, check and track the progress of song entries. All songs entered before the 7 Aug deadline will soon be updated in your dashboard and you will able to see very early if they were selected for the Semi Finals or if they are being considered for other awards. For full details of this and all the great benefits on offer this year visit the official UKSC website at www.uksongwritingcontest.com

We wish you every success with your songwriting now and in the future,
Best wishes from the UKSC Team
www.uksongwritingcontest.com