Can an Author Submit Music with a Book?

Integrating music into a book can significantly enhance the reading experience and make it stand out. However, the success of such a submission largely depends on your approach and the specific requirements of the publishing industry. This article explores the possibilities, historic examples, and best practices for submitting music with a book.

Historic Examples and Current Practices

Historically, authors have found ways to include music with their books. For instance, Chansons et Rondes, a collection of French folk songs, came with a CD, making the book not only a perfect accompaniment but also a captivating reader experience. Similarly, Ursula K. Le Guin's Always Coming Home featured an accompanying cassette of Kesh music and poetry. These examples demonstrate how adding music can enrich a book's value, especially if the content naturally incorporates music elements.

However, current practices in the publishing industry have become more stringent. Most publishers and agents do not consider music as an additional plus in their submissions. In fact, some might even discard such proposals. This is because publishers prioritize the quality of the written content over supplementary media unless explicitly requested. Therefore, unless your publisher asks for an accompanying soundtrack, it is advisable to adhere strictly to the guidelines provided.

Unique Instances and Ignored Guidelines

There are occasional exceptions where music is included in books. For example, author Ursula K. Le Guin innovatively included examples of Kesh music and poetry in her book Always Coming Home. However, Le Guin was a multi-award-winning bestselling author, and her unique approach might not be replicable by other authors.

Other unique cases include Sourdough, which reportedly had a soundtrack, but the origin of this soundtrack is not widely known or discussed. These instances highlight that while music can be a valuable addition, it needs to align closely with the book’s content and genre.

Specific Case Study: When Music Became Part of the Manuscript

One author, who published an opera, seamlessly incorporated various forms of media into their manuscript. All components, including sheet music, the script, and the sound recording, were jointly copyrighted under the designation "Sound Recording." The Library of Congress handled this as they would for any multimedia content. This suggests that while uncommon, there are ways to include music in a manuscript if done strategically and with the explicit permission of the publisher.

Another example of an innovative approach is publishing Sound Recordings alongside a poem. This indicates that while traditional publishers are hesitant, there is flexibility in handling multimedia content if it strengthens the overall manuscript and is in line with the publisher's guidelines.

Key Takeaways:

Music can be a powerful addition to a book, especially if the content naturally incorporates musical elements. Historic examples such as Chansons et Rondes and Always Coming Home showcase the potential of integrating music. Current publishing guidelines are strict, and most publishers prefer to base their impressions on the written content alone. This flexibility is evident in unique cases and when using multimedia content as a marketing strategy. The Library of Congress handled multimedia elements such as music and scripts as part of a joint copyright, indicating possible pathways for innovative submissions.

In summary, while including music with a book can be a valuable addition, authors should understand the current publishing landscape and approach it with strategic creativity, ensuring that the content and media align seamlessly.