Application Deadline
Early Bird: July 6, 2025
Final: July 13, 2025
Publisher Writer Experience
Emma Kiefer, Group Projects
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.
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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.
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Our next mentor is Emma Kiefer is the Director of A&R at Group Projects, where she is spearheading the launch and development of Group Projects Publishing. In her role, she works closely with co-founders Anthony Manker and Cooper Anstett to bridge publishing and artist management, helping shape the company’s expanding creative vision.
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This is your chance to build a real relationship with someone who makes publishing decisions every day. Don’t wait years for a door to open—walk through it now.​
About Emma Kiefer
Director of A&R where Emma is spearheading the launch and development of Group Projects' publishing. She works closely with co-founders Anthony Manker and Cooper Anstett to bridge publishing and artist management, helping shape the company’s expanding creative vision for the publishing side of the business.
About Group Projects
Group Projects is a joint venture between Warner Chappell Music and Red Light Management, founded by industry veterans Cooper Anstett and Anthony Manke. The company maintains a roster of 4-5 full-time writers.
Focus areas include:
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Publishing: Contemporary Country
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Artist Management side includes sync (TV and film) and Pop writers
Who's Been Signed?
Group Projects has signed contemporary country artist/writers and songwriters AND their artist management group works with pop and country artist/writers writing for tv and film (sync).
“Meeting writers is so important because you go in thinking that you're giving back, but very quickly, you’re humbled realizing everything that they are teaching you. It's just the dose of reality you need to remind you why you do what you do.”
Emma Kiefer, Director A&R
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​​
Photo Gallery
Program Details
July 21 and 29: Select one of these dates 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.
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Date TBD: 40 minute 1-on-1 meeting at the publisher's office (or via Zoom).​
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August 18 Group Meeting "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.
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*Dates are subject to change depending on publisher's availability.
More Publisher Info
Emma Kiefer is the Director of A&R at Group Projects, where she is spearheading the launch and development of Group Projects Publishing. In her role, she works closely with co-founders Anthony Manker and Cooper Anstett to bridge publishing and artist management, helping shape the company’s expanding creative vision. Kiefer holds an honors dual degree from Boston College and Berklee College of Music.
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At Group Projects, Emma schedules co-writer, pitches songs to major label artists, mentors songwriters and regularly meets with up-and-coming writers and artists and music industry professionals.
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Prior to joining Group Projects in 2024, Kiefer served as A&R Manager at Boom Music Group, where she worked with top-tier writers including Jacob Hackworth, Micah Carpenter, Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, and Jimmy Robbins. During her time there, she helped facilitate major cuts with artists like Morgan Wallen, Luke Bryan, Megan Moroney, Bailey Zimmerman, and Tucker Wetmore.
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Group Projects is a joint venture between Warner Chappell Music and Red Light Management, founded by industry veterans Cooper Anstett and Anthony Manker—whose past management credits include superstars like Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson. The company's current roster includes: Sam Ortinez, Chris McKenna, Olivia DePont, and plans to sign a veteran writer in the near future.
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With a dual focus on publishing and artist management, Group Projects is dedicated to developing a diverse and dynamic roster of talent. The company’s mission is to foster meaningful, long-term careers by supporting artists and songwriters both creatively and strategically. The Company is poised to become a major force in today’s music landscape.
Emma Kiefer
"... it’s easy to get caught up in the data and analytics—but what keeps me here is the song, the music, and the songwriters behind it. In a world oversaturated with noise, sitting down one-on-one with a songwriter quiets everything else..."
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
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Location:
Location: Zoom and In-person in Nashville at Red Light Management Office
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Save These Dates:
Time zone converter here.
Application Early bird Deadline
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Sun July 6, 2025
Application Final Deadline
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Sun July 13, 2025
Applicant selection notification
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Monday July 14, 2025
Songwriter orientation
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Thur July 17 (4-5pm ct)
Zoom Meeting (30 minute)
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July 21, 2025 (4-630pm ct) OR July 29 (4-6pm)
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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August 18, 5-6pm ct
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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: July 6, 2025
Final Deadline: July 13, 2025
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.
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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) .
Testimonials
PWE FAQs
Do I need to be a member of Discover Sooner to attend?
No. Learn more about Sooner programs>>
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What if I can't make it to one of the scheduled meetings with the publisher?
We'll schedule a make-up session.
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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". ​
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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.
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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.
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I'm in a duo. Can we be in the same mentoring sessions together?
Yes.
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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.