Blog
Practical writing about the parts of the publishing business indie songwriters never get told.
Latest essay
August 3, 2026·4 min read
Unregistered royalties don't wait for you forever. Where the money goes, how long you have, and what the law says happens to it.
What a split sheet has to contain, why writer and publisher shares are counted separately, and the mistakes that stall payment.
A beat is a composition. What that means for producer splits, why a lease isn't a split sheet, and how to register the work correctly.
August 3, 2026·6 min read
Four US performing rights organizations, but only two you can actually join. Costs, payout timing, and how to choose between ASCAP and BMI.
May 5, 2026·10 min read
Publishing administration is the back-office work of registering and collecting publishing royalties. How it differs from a deal, self-admin, and a PRO.
May 5, 2026·8 min read
Mechanical royalties pay songwriters when a song is reproduced — streamed, downloaded, or pressed. How they work and why yours may be missing.
May 5, 2026·9 min read
Spotify Credits shows writers, producers, and performers on every track. Where the data comes from, how to fix yours, and why it matters for royalties.
May 5, 2026·5 min read
The MLC and HFA both collect mechanical royalties for songwriters, but only one is automatic. A clear breakdown of who pays what, when.
May 5, 2026·7 min read
ISWC identifies a song. ISRC identifies a recording. One song can have many ISRCs but only one ISWC. Why the distinction matters for getting paid.
How much does Spotify pay per stream? About $0.0017 per US premium stream in 2026 — the breakdown by tier, country, and who gets the money.
Do I need a music publisher? Usually not — most indie songwriters need a publishing administrator instead. How to tell the difference.