The submissions deadline for the 2009 International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has been extended to December 2. Entries must be postmarked or submitted online by that date.

More than $150,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to 65 winners in more than 20 categories, including Americana and Folk/Singer-Songwriter. The grand prize winner and first place winners in all categories (except for lyrics only and music video) also will have their winning songs included on an ISC compilation CD to be distributed to music industry professionals.

Entries will be judged on the basis of creativity, originality, lyrics, melody and composition, without consideration for production value, recording quality or vocal ability. The competition is open to amateur and professional songwriters worldwide The grand prize winner and first place winners in all categories (except for lyrics only and music video) also will have their winning songs included on an ISC compilation CD to be distributed to music industry professionals.

Judges include such notable recording artists as Chris Hillman (best known for his work with The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers), Ray Wylie Hubbard, Robert Earl Keen and Loretta Lynn, as well as executives from such independent labels as Lost Highway, Putumayo World Music and Universal Republic.

Last year’s ISC winners in the Americana category were Kevin Meisel of Bellville, Michigan for “Cruising for Paradise” (first place); Ben Kyle (Romantica) of Belfast, Northern Ireland for “The Dark (second place); and Kim Beggs of Whitehorse, Yukon Territories, Canada for “Lips Stained Red with Wine” (third place). In the Folk category, the 2008 ISC winners were Gordie Sampson of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and Michael Logen of Nashville, Tennessee for “Davey Jones” (first place), Ane Brun of Stockholm, Sweden for “The Treehouse Song” (second place), which also captured second place in music video category; and Mark Erelli and Peter Nelson of Somerville, Massachusetts for “Volunteers (third place).” In addition, singer-songwriters Eric Schwartz of Los Angeles, California and George Wurzbach of Brooklyn, New York (and part of the trio Modern Man) won first and second place in the Comedy/Novelty category for “Clinton Got a Blowjob” and “Moe, respectively.

For entry forms and more information, visit www.songwritingcompetition.com.