Official Rules and Instructions for
2003-2004 SIBL Songwriting Competition

Definitions and Perimeters

1. What is a SIBL?

A "SIBL" (Song Inspired By Literature) is an original creative work, NOT an author's words put to music. SIBLs must be inextricably linked to their sources of inspiration, connected though story-line, theme or character. See "famous SIBLs" for examples.

2. Your song must be inspired by one of the following books:

Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451
Octavia Butler's Kindred
Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior
Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird
Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye
Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried
Luis Rodriguez's Always Running
William Shakespeare's Othello
Sister Souljah's Coldest Winter Ever
Tobias Wolff's The Boy's Life

2a. You may enter a song NOT inspired by these 10 books. It will compete for one spot on the DVD/CD reserved for our 'wild card book'. A $20 entry fee will apply.

3. We are looking for music that inspires young people i.e. songs that are groove oriented. Entries in the genres of hip-hop, rap, rock, R & B, and heavy metal are strongly encouraged. We will indeed accept all genres into the competition.

4. Songs must be under six minutes in length. Please do not send music sheets or scores.

5. SIBLs need not be in publishable form. Judges are advised to judge a song solely on the content of the lyrics and the strength of the musical composition itself. Recording quality is not to be considered. However, you should make sure the lyrics and music may be clearly heard. If your song is chosen as a winner and is NOT in publishable form, you will be asked to re-record the song.

6. Up to ten (10) winners will be chosen. These winners will receive promotional prizes furnished by Artists for Literacy's partners (TBA). These winning SIBLs will be included on the SIBL CD/DVD Learning Tool, the first in a series of DVDs produced by Artists for Literacy. All writers and performers will be credited for their work and retain full ownership of their songs. Information about the songwriters will be provided on the SIBL Project website and in the credits of the CD/DVD.

7. SIBLs will be judged by a qualified group of music industry professionals for originality, lyrics, melody, and composition. SIBLs will then be judged by literary professionals to ensure the songs' inextricable link to the books that inspired them. The judges TBA. The decision of the judges is final. Winners will be notified by mail, by email, or by phone.

Entry Protocol

1. One entry packet per song. Entrants may enter as many SIBLs as desired, but each entry requires a separate entry packet or on-line entry process.

2. The on-line registration process will take you through all required steps of entry. If you are mailing in an entry, each entry packet should include:

a. Official SIBL entry form
b. Official SIBL release form
c. A recording or your original song on CD. Only CDs will be accepted and all CDs must be labeled with songwriter's name, SIBL title, source and author of literary inspiration, phone number, and email address. CDs will not be returned therefore please do not send Masters.
d.One (1) copy of the lyrics of original song. Lyric sheets should be typed in English, and should include the songwriterÿs name and address, phone number, email, SIBL title, and literary inspiration, including author and literary title.

3. If entrant is under 18 years of age, the signature of a parent or legal guardian is required on the entry form and on the release form. All signatures must be original.

4. Our mailing address is:
Artists for Literacy / The SIBL Project
2601 Mariposa Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Timeline

Submissions - on-line and through mail delivery - must be received by April 5, 2004 at 5:00 p.m., PST. Winners will be notified by August 1st, 2004.

Rights and Indemnification

1. Although not required, SIBLs should be copyrighted. Works shall not infringe upon copyrights or any other rights of any third party. Artists for Literacy assumes no responsibility for lyrics that are not copyrighted.

2. Writer(s) retain all rights to submitted SIBLs. However, if your SIBL is selected for the CD/DVD series, you agree that all proceeds of the sale of said DVD will be donated to Artists for Literacy. Artists for Literacy reserves the right to use winning SIBLs for promotional purposes.

3. All contestants hold harmless and hereby indemnify Artists for Literacy, its principals, employees, agents, and affiliates against all first, second, and third party claims arising from entries violating any contest rules and regulations. Artists for Literacy is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, or postage due entries. Artists for Literacy reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the rules herein outlined, and is not obligated to return any entry fee.

4. Employees of Artists for Literacy, their immediate families, subsidiaries, and affiliates are not eligible to enter.

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