How to Find an Instrumental Music Publisher
For months, maybe even years, you've been working on your composition. You have thoughtfully placed it on manuscript paper until every note is just right, and you've played the score numerous times via guitar, banjo or electric keyboard. Now it's time to sell your creation, but how, and to whom?
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Instructions
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Finding the Right Instrumental Publisher without Breaking a Fingernail
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Define the composition's style. Although there are as many music publishers for your masterpiece(s) as, say, take-out restaurants, problems arise in narrowing the venues that best fit your music style. Why spend time on a publisher who doesn't take jazz music, for example, when you could be spending that same time on a publisher looking for one? Random submissions rarely convince an editor to purchase music they are not currently wanting.
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Research different music publishers. Finding what a publisher wants may be as simple as googling. But instead of googling "instrumental music publishers," for example, type in "piano music publishers" if what you write is music for the piano. While doing an Internet search for a publisher, add "submission guidelines" to narrow the search results and directly find the submission page.
You may also want to visit a local music store or browse through your CD collection at home to see where others are publishing in your genre. This will give you a better feel for publishers who may take a liking to your work. -
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Follow publishers' directions and send as much material as you can. Some publishers may want you to send the work electronically as a Finale or PDF file; others may ask that the manuscript be prepared on 9 ½ x 12 ½ or 8 ½ x 11 manuscript paper. If the publisher wants the recording of your work, send it if available; pay attention to see if special treatment is given to typeset manuscripts over the handwritten variety.
If you're mailing a hard copy of the submission, go to the local post office and have your package weighed for the correct postage rather than trying to mail it at your own discretion. If your package comes back to you because of insufficient postage, more time and money will be spent on your part to resend it. Spending that extra time to make sure all package contents are together should make you look more professional. -
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Double-check the publisher's needs before submitting your work. If the publisher has a current need for string ensemble music, don't send them piano music because you've heard they have previously taken piano. Your focus on their greatest need(s) will greatly improve your chances of getting accepted for publication.
The bottom line: Send publishers what they want instead of what you feel is good for them, and send it at the time they want them, not at a time of your convenience. Considering these factors will improve your chances of getting your work published.
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Tips & Warnings
In general, typeset manuscripts are easier to read. See Desktop Music Service (in the Resources) for a visual on the difference.
Be wary of any publisher that asks money upfront to publish your work. If your work is good enough to be published, it should be good enough to stand on its own merits.
