The Secrets of Songwriting

“This book takes me back to the days when aspiring songwriters learned

by listening to the greats talk about their craft. From their mouths to your

ears.” Casey Kelly, hit songwriter and vice president of The Songwriters

Guild of America

“Reading this book is like the ultimate insider’s trip to Nashville. It makes

you feel a part of the songwriter’s community. It’s good stuff.” Don Cook,

publisher, producer, and hit songwriter

“As you wind your way through the creative woods trying to find your ‘Hit

Song Nirvana,’ there are so many conflicting, confusing voices claiming to

know what really works. Can you think of a better way to resolve the

conflict for yourself than to know what’s worked for successful writers? I

can’t. Susan asks the questions and gets the answers you’re looking for.”

John Dotson, manager/publisher

This exciting book goes one-on-one with some of the nation’s hottest

songwriters to reveal what it takes to build a career in the music industry.

Learn how Jason Blume, who has written songs for the Backstreet Boys

and Collin Raye, supported himself as a strolling mandolinist in an Italian

restaurant, and how all the words to Allen Shamblin’s hit “He Walked on

Water” came to him in a single moment of inspiration. Through a series of

in-depth interviews, find out what it’s like to write the songs that are

performed by some of the biggest names in music including Tim McGraw,

Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Faith Hill.

Through their anecdotes and advice, learn how to:

· Find activities that will nurture your creative thinking

· Tame your inner critic

· Develop your unique voice in the songwriting world

· Prevent career burnout

· Maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life

· Discover the working relations and environments that feed your creativity

· Stay positive in the face of rejection

For songwriters of all levels, musicians, and music aficionados, this is a

unique chance to eavesdrop on some of the most creative people in the

business. Includes interviews with: Brett Beavers, Jason Blume, Chuck

Cannon, Bob DiPiero, Stewart Harris, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Gretchen

Peters, Hugh Prestwood, Mike Reid, Steve Seskin, Allen Shamblin, Tia

Sillers, and Craig Wiseman.

Susan Tucker is a songwriter, music publisher, teacher and writer. She teaches

songwriting and creativity workshops for the Nashville Songwriters Association

International, Taxi and other songwriting organizations across the country. She is the

owner of Sage House Music Publishing, the creator, editor, and frequent contributor to

The Songwriters Connection E-Tip and author of The Soul of a Writer and The Secrets of

Songwriting. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee.