Application Deadline
Early Bird: Aug 16, 2026
Final: Aug 23, 2026
Publisher Writer Experience
Courtney Crist, VP Publishing
Eclipse Music Group
Real Access. Real Guidance. Real Opportunity.
If your dream is to have your songs cut by major label artists—or to become a major label artist yourself—or write for tv and film, you need a strong connection with a music publisher. But breaking into that world is tough. Even with great songs, building those relationships can take years.
That’s where the Publisher Writer Experience comes in.
This one-of-a-kind, three-month program gives you direct access to a major music publisher who will mentor you one-on-one—offering the same kind of honest feedback, creative direction, and career insight they give to writers on their own roster.
Our next mentor is Halle Bartlett, Creative Director of One Riot Music Publishing she brings a unique blend of passion and industry insight to her role overseeing the music publishing roster.
About Courtney Crist
Courtney Crist is the VP Publishing at Eclipse Music Group. With many years successfully steering publishing activities and managing songwriters, Courtney's focus is on finding the next country and al-country songwriters and artists to sign for Eclipse.
About Eclipse
Eclipse Music Group provides a 360° ecosystem designed to support long-term creative and commercial success.
Capabilities include publishing, catalogs,
recording, and partnerships
Who's Been Signed?
Songwriters and artists they represent include: Jim McCormick (5x Grammy nominated Gabby Barett’s “The Good Ones"), Rob Hatch (Megan Moroney), Makayla Lynn, see more
Program Overview
1 Zoom 1-on-1 with the Publisher
2 In-Person Meetings with the Publisher
Through the Publisher Writer Experience (PWE), you'll meet an amazing publisher who will guide you just as they would any songwriter at their company.
Program activities include the following
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One (1) 30 minute 1-on-1 meetings with the publisher over Zoom
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One (1) 40 minute individual in-person meeting with the publisher in Nashville or Zoom
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One (1) 1 hour group meeting at the publisher's Nashville office or Zoom where we explore Music Business Fact or Fiction???
More On...
"Music Business Fact or Fiction???"
Packed with insider insights, the top publishers give you honest answers, actionable advice, and a better understanding of how business decisions affect the music itself. Don’t let misinformation hold you back! See the full list of questions we ask publishers here.
Couldn’t make it to Discover Sooner’s Publisher Writer Experience? 🎥 Now you can catch the replay everyone’s talking about. Go to Videos $
Photo Gallery
Program Details
7/13 OR 7/20 4-6:30pm : These dates are for your 30-minute 1-on-1 Zoom meeting with the publisher. During this get-to-know-you session, you'll get comfortable, learn about the publisher, share your goals, and play 1 or 2 of your best songs. Schedule your upcoming 40 minute in-person (or Zoom) at a time that works for both of you.
TBD: 40 minute 1-on-1 meeting at the publisher's office (or via Zoom).
7/20, 5pm @ Sony "Music Business: Fact or Fiction?": Visit to the publisher's office in-person (or Zoom). We'll delve into the world of the publishing company, gaining insights from the perspective of the publisher. Expand your knowledge of the music business and uncover the truths behind the scenes as we get all of your questions answered during our Q&A session.
*Dates are subject to change depending on publisher's availability.
More Publisher Info
Courtney Crist is the VP Publishing at Eclipse Music Group.
Crist had a long career working in both A&R and publishing, before landing at Eclipse. Crist, the 2017 AIMP Song Champion of the Year, has placed songs with artists including Jake Owen, Josh Turner, Darius Rucker, Brad Paisley, Scotty McCreery, Trace Adkins, Lee Ann Womack, Ryan Hurd, Jon Pardi, Chris Young and many more. She is Co-Chair of the AIMP Awards, The Hometown Pub Takeover and The Music Row Ambassadors for St. Jude, and serves on the AIMP Nashville Board.
Courtney attended Middle Tennessee State University, studying in their Recording Industry program. Throughout her college and post-graduation career, Crist worked for Lee Ann Womack and eventually did road management and A&R for the Grammy Award-winning country singer-songwriter.
A Champion for You!
Discover Sooner builds long-term connections between writers and publishers. Multiple writers have taken giant steps forward and are now writing with at publishing companies.
Whether that happens to you right away or not, we are your champion long after the program is over. We keep that connection between you and the publisher going.
At-A-Glance
Program Overview:
Participants: Limited to 9 writers
Location:
Location: Zoom and In-person in Nashville
Save These Dates:
Time zone converter here.
Application Early bird Deadline
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Sun August 16
Application Final Deadline
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Sun August 23
Applicant selection notification
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Mon August 24
Songwriter orientation (optional)
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Thurs August 27 (5-6pm ct)
Zoom Meeting (30 minute)
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Sept 1 (4-6pm ct) OR Sept 9 (430-6:30pm)
40 minute 1-on-1 In-person or Zoom Meeting with publisher
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To Be Scheduled at your first Zoom 1-on-1
Group Meeting in Nashville or on Zoom
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September 21, 5pm @ Sony Music Publishing
Price:
Application: $20
Early Bird Price: $357
Final Deadline to Register: $457
1. Prepare a link to 3 songs on SoundCloud, Songspace, Dropbox, etc. OR If you're in the Sooner Community: just use a link to a song in your Music List.
3. Receive email with your acceptance status 7 days before the program begins. If accepted, you'll receive additional program details and a payment link ($).
What Songwriters Say...
What Writers Say About Publisher Writer Experience
Application Deadline
Early Bird: August 16, 2026
Final: August 23, 2026
Apply HerE!
If you are a contemporary country songwriter or artist/writer OR you are a pop or country artist/writer looking for artist management, this program may be for you.
Spots always fill up fast. Those who wait till the last day may not get in.
You'll need links to 3 of your best songs: SoundCloud, Disco, Dropbox, Google Drive (any link) .
PWE FAQs
Do I need to be a member of Discover Sooner to attend?
No. Learn more about Sooner programs>>
What if I can't make it to one of the scheduled meetings with the publisher?
We'll schedule a make-up session.
I don't live in Nashville. What do I do about the in-person meetings?
You can do all of your meetins on Zoom. Consider coming to Nashville on the day of the group meeting. You can set up your 40 minute with the publisher on that date and make it a "2fer".
Is there an orientation?
Yes. We want you to set you up for success. If you've never met with a publisher before, there's an art to it! At orientation we will go over: time management, what to talk with the publisher about, pitfalls to avoid and get your ready to share your music. And we'll go over how to share your songs so it sound great on Zoom.
What should I talk with the publisher about?
A mentoring session is not about pitching songs; it's about making a relationship. Be ready to play some songs, but talk about your career in music, get advice on the challenges you face as a writer or artist and most importantly, get to know this publisher.
I'm in a duo. Can we be in the same mentoring sessions together?
Yes.
Upon selection notification, what does it mean to be "waitlisted"?
If there's not enough room in this group, you'll be invited to the next group with no need to apply again.