I am an aspiring songwriter and I'd like to know how to protect, publish and profit from my songwriting?

Answer 1

First copyright your songs. See following link

http://www.jmipub.com/copyright_info.html

Then find more info:

http://www.songwritersresourcenetwork.com/

http://www.empiremusicco.com/

http://www.addictedtosongwriting.com/