Multiple Forwards to Same Library?

[jacobotto]

Hi friends,

I have a noob question. I was put in touch with a library from my first Taxi forward and signed a contract with them. I am submitting material to them as I produce it, as well as submitting to various Taxi listings that seem up my alley.

What happens if I submit to a Taxi listing that ends up being forwarded to this same library I'm already contracted with? Am I just out my Taxi submission fee for something I could have submitted directly to the library? I'm not grousing, just curious!

Thanks!

[MBantle]

Hi friends,

I have a noob question. I was put in touch with a library from my first Taxi forward and signed a contract with them. I am submitting material to them as I produce it, as well as submitting to various Taxi listings that seem up my alley.

What happens if I submit to a Taxi listing that ends up being forwarded to this same library I'm already contracted with? Am I just out my Taxi submission fee for something I could have submitted directly to the library? I'm not grousing, just curious!

Thanks!

From my experience, I think it comes down to how you communicate with your publisher (i.e. if you tell them that you are happy to do more stuff in a particular genre they may send you a message so that you do not have to submit to an official listing) so you're able to submit material to them directly (which is kind of the whole point of having a contract with them...). One of the features (and I hope I do not violate any Taxi policy by saying this...) of the Taxi listings is that after a while you will be able to decipher Taxi listings as in - and I'm making up an example - "a highly regarded Asian library..." - and you know whom it is for...
Hope that makes sense.
Cheers,
Matt

[jacobotto]

Okay, yes. That does make sense. Do you have any more advice about how I should go about interacting with this library I have made contact with? I signed a contract and have submitted a bunch of songs but I haven't yet heard back from them about which songs they are accepting. Should I be more proactive or wait until they give me feedback before asking for assignments?

[MBantle]

Okay, yes. That does make sense. Do you have any more advice about how I should go about interacting with this library I have made contact with? I signed a contract and have submitted a bunch of songs but I haven't yet heard back from them about which songs they are accepting. Should I be more proactive or wait until they give me feedback before asking for assignments?

I can't tell you what the industry-wide 'best practice' is but after making an initial contact with a new library I'd always add a sentence along the lines of saying that I'd appreciate a notification on any upcoming requirements. Some libraries have a very organised process and regularly send emails to all their composers if they have a particular deadline/show/requirement. Others seem to be more general in their response when you ask them and simply encourage you to send them more in the genre you already submitted to them. I don't think there is a general answer to your question but 'good old' polite asking should get you the answers you are looking for. We've all been told that publishers are super busy and cannot be bothered but, from my experience, as long as you're polite and explain that you are new to this they will give you the short&sweet answer you're looking for.
Cheers,
Matt

[jacobotto]

Thank you, Matt. This is very helpful!

[ttully]

Hi,

I submit to Taxi listing all the time even when I am pretty sure I know which library the listing is for.
If I get forwarded great..if not...no problem.....next.

I NEVER send ANYTHING to any library ..if they did not ask me to.

My 2 cents,
Tim