I finally broke down and entered a song into the John Lenon Songwriting Contest. My feelings about contests like these is mixed- though my viewpoint has been softening. At first, I thought that they must be a total scam- luring already financially insecure muscians into spending money that they will most likely never see a return for. My sentiments are best represented in this article by Derek Sivers.

However, my feelings changed when an acuaintence from back in college won a $10,00 prize in the contest. I started listening to winners' songs and thinking to myself "my stuff is this good". So I took the plunge and spent the $30 to enter myself. Even if nothing comes of it the potential to win is exciting. It's an ego boost knowing that you've entered a songwriting contest and that you may win.