The first session of American Songwriter’s 2027 lyric contest is open now and closes November 15, 2026 at 11:59:59 p.m. CT. It is a separate contest from the 2026 cycle that ended in September — the page says plainly that “a 2026 entry is not carried forward” — and it runs on the same six-session calendar: January 15, March 15, May 15, July 15 and September 15, 2027 follow.
A lyric sheet and $15; no recording. What the money buys is spelled out more carefully than the prize is. The page commits, for every 2027 session, that “a professional songwriter reads every lyric submitted”, that the top 15 go to a named judging panel, and that all 15 finalists are featured in the magazine in print and online, with first through fourth place having their lyrics published. The 2027 prize package itself is “announced in the coming weeks”. The standing terms still name a Gibson guitar for each session’s first place and, for one Grand Prize winner a year, a trip to Nashville to co-write with a hit songwriter. There is no cash anywhere in either.
The rights section is the same Section 5 this publisher uses across its contests: it disclaims ownership, then grants a non-exclusive licence bounded to “purposes of the Contest” with no end date. The heads-up on this card is about that missing end date, not about ownership.
The record
Source
American Songwriter’s lyric contest page (americansongwriter.com/lyric-contest), its Lyric Contest Terms and Conditions and the magazine’s contests index, all captured September 29, 2026.
Refunds
Entry fees are non-refundable — the refunds clause.
Who can enter
Any songwriter worldwide, 13 or older, with parental permission under 18. “Lyrics can be in any language” — the page recommends an English translation alongside. A lyric that has placed in the top four of a previous contest may not be entered again; honorable mentions may.
What it costs
“An entry fee of $15 payable to American Songwriter is required with each entry.” The contest page adds: “$15 per lyric. That’s one flat fee per submission, with nothing else to pay if you win.” No limit on entries, each at $15. Captured September 29, 2026.
The prize
No cash. For every 2027 session the page confirms that all 15 finalists are featured in American Songwriter in print and online, first through fourth place have their lyrics published and the 11 honorable mentions are named. The 2027 prize package and Dream Co-Write artist are “announced in the coming weeks”. The standing terms (Section 4) give each session’s first place “a Gibson high-end guitar and more in prizes”, and one Grand Prize winner a year a round-trip domestic flight to Nashville, a co-writing session with a hit songwriter, a full-band demo session and two nights’ hotel.
Who judges
A professional songwriter reads every lyric; each session’s top 15 go to a 2027 panel the page names in full — among them Skip Ewing, Greylan James, Caroline Spence (who won this contest in 2013), Kyshona, Amy Speace and Chris Blair of Nashville’s Listening Room Cafe. The terms: “All entries are judged based on the quality of the lyrics and their suitability for musical composition.”
Feedback policy
Stated: “Our judges don't give individual feedback, though a professional songwriter does read every entry. If you want notes on your writing, lyric critiques are included with a Diamond Membership.” A critique is a membership benefit, not part of the $15.
Rights, plainly
Section 5: “We do NOT claim ownership in the materials you submit in conjunction with the Contest”, followed by a grant of “a limited, non-exclusive license to use, stream, transmit, beam, store, publicly display, translate, reproduce, and distribute such Content… ONLY for purposes of the Contest.” The page’s FAQ puts it as “Your song stays yours.” Non-exclusive and purpose-bounded, with no stated end date.
The 2027 calendar
Session One November 15, 2026; Session Two January 15, 2027; Session Three March 15; Session Four May 15; Session Five July 15; Session Six September 15, 2027 — all at 11:59:59 p.m. CT. Session One winners are announced in January 2027. This card is Session One only.