What is the best way to copyright a song I have written and/or get it published?

Answer 1

Well... Copyright and publishing are TOTALLY different, so... To copyright a song, there really is ONLY ONE WAY, and that is through the Registrar of Copyrights, a federal agency [http://www.copyright.gov]. Anything you may have heard about mailing letters/tapes to yourself, yadda, yadda, yadda... Forget it. That ain't copyright.

As for getting published... Well, strictly speaking, you could publish a song yourself. But if you mean "published by an established music publisher"... You have to submit your work to a publisher and they have to believe enough in the work to think it's going to make them some money. The odds are slim, and many publishers no longer accept material from people who just mail stuff in. they want you to have an agent/manager, who should already be an industry insider, which means you now have to convince said agent/manager to believe in your work enough to represent you. If your material is good enough, it'll probably get someone's attention and you'll become a published writer. That's kinda what it boils down to. But there are MANY resources available to new songwriters, many of them online. Check 'em out!

Answer 2

Self-publishing could be a good option. Do a search online for "self publishing" & sites will pop up.

Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* The Self-Publishing Manual: How to Write, Print, and Sell Your Own Book, 14th Edition by Dan Poynter
* Complete Guide to Self Publishing: Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish, Promote, and Sell Your Own Book (Self-Publishing 4th Edition) by Tom Ross
* Smart Self-Publishing: An Author's Guide to Producing a Marketable Book, 3rd ed. by Linda G. Salisbury, Jim Salisbury
* Self-Publishing For Dummies by Jason R. Rich

There are lots of free informational resources out there as well. Check the source box for links to articles.

You can do this at the US Copyright Office – see the last 2 links in the source box. The application is fairly simple & the cost is $45 per application.

Despite what others state, a "poor man's" copyright is NOT the same as registering it. Here's what the US Copyright Office has to say:

"The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a 'poor man’s copyright.' There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration."

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 3

I don't know about copyrights but go to Taxi.com to see about publishing.

Answer 4

for copyright,send your song through mail and post it to yourself.don't open it.