Application Deadline
Early Bird: March 26, 2026
Final: March 29, 2026
Publisher Writer Experience
Halle Bartlett,One Riot Music Publishing
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 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 Halle Barlett
As Creative Director at One Riot, Halle Bartlett is a dynamic force within the Nashville music publishing community, recognized for her unwavering commitment to empowering songwriters and fostering creative excellence.
About One Riot
ONE RIOT IS A BOUTIQUE MUSIC in partnership with Reservoir Music, offering publishing and record label with offices in LA, Nashville AND NY. It's songwriters and artists specialize in roots music, country, pop, soul and indie rock – music with dirt on its boots and a story to tell.
Who's Been Signed?
Songwriters and artists they represent include: Margo Price, Jeremy Ivey, The Secret Sisters, Katie Pruitt, Paul Cauthen, Lola Kirke. Jon Decious, Delaney Ramsdell, Jack Van Cleaf, Daniel Nunnelee, Maggie Rose.
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.
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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
4/7 OR 4/13 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.
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TBD: 40 minute 1-on-1 meeting at the publisher's office (or via Zoom).​
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5/5, 5pm @ Reservoir 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
Halle Bartlett is a dynamic force within the Nashville music publishing community, recognized for her unwavering commitment to empowering songwriters and fostering creative excellence. As the Creative Director at One Riot Music Publishing, she brings a unique blend of passion and industry insight to her role overseeing the music publishing roster.
Halle's journey into Nashville's music industry began at Belmont University's respected Music Business program. During her time, she pursued internships at several renowned publishing companies, including Big Yellow Dog, Creative Nation, Round Hill, and was a proud member of the BMI Catalog Cast program. Bartlett was hired onto the Big Yellow Dog creative team, where she was a an ambassador for the company's esteemed roster of talent for two years. She demonstrated a keen eye for identifying emerging songwriting talent and forging meaningful partnerships within the industry. She's has since been a member of the One Riot Music Publishing team for two years.
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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Wed 3/26
Application Final Deadline
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Sun 3/29
Applicant selection notification
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Mon 3/30
Songwriter orientation
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Thurs 4/2 (5-6pm ct)
Zoom Meeting (30 minute)
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4/7 (4-630pm ct) OR 4/13 (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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May 5, 5pm @ Reservoir
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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: Nov 9, 2025
Final: Nov 16, 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.