Why Publish Your Music with Alias Press?

The last few decades have been a tumultuous time in music publishing. While plenty of publishers have closed shop, there are also many new avenues for composers to reach audiences with their works. We understand that you may have questions about what Alias Press may have to offer you and how our submission process works.  Hopefully the information below will be helpful, but also feel free to contact us with questions. 

 HOW LONG HAS ALIAS PRESS BEEN AROUND?

We first began operations in 2015 as an avenue for publishing the music of Stephen Lias. Two years later, Alias Press was approached by the Theodore Presser Company to suggest that we become one of their affiliated publishers.  Since 2017, this fruitful partnership has enabled us to dramatically increase our global distribution through Presser/Fischer’s long-established worldwide retail network.  2023 marks the first year that Alias Press has expanded to include other composers.

DOES ALIAS PRESS TAKE OVER COPYRIGHT OWNERSHIP OF ALL ITS PUBLISHED PIECES?

 Yes.  There are several legal reasons why Alias Press needs to assume copyright ownership, and this is generally standard among traditional publishing agreements in the United States.  We understand that some composers may be reluctant to enter into such an arrangement, so Alias Press includes a reversion clause in each contract, and this ensures that the composer has the ability to get back the rights to their piece after five years if they wish.

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF PRINT-MUSIC SALES DOES THE COMPOSER GET?

We pay 25%.  Most traditional publishers offer between 10% and 15%.  We also pay composers 25% of all licensing revenues. We don’t withhold dividends until printing costs are recouped (which some publishers do).

HOW OFTEN ARE PAYMENTS MADE?

 You may have had publishers in the past who had a high payment threshold of something like $50 which meant that you never received a cent from your work over many years.  We know this can be frustrating, so Alias Press makes distributions every six months for all applicable funds that exceed $5.  We also provide transparent data on sales quantities.

HOW DOES ALIAS PRESS PROMOTE ITS CATALOG? 

One of the main benefits of our status as an affiliated publisher of Theodore Presser is that it gives us access to their impressive marketing and distribution channels.  All works are listed on their website and promoted through their many activities including email newsletters, conference attendance, etc.  Alias Press also regularly exhibits at major conventions like the Midwest Clinic and TMEA, and we work to get appropriate pieces submitted to prescribed music lists.

 CAN YOU HANDLE RENTAL MATERIALS?

Yes!  If you have an orchestral work that you’d like to handle through rental agreements and would like the added prestige of having that handled through the experienced team at Theodore Presser, we can easily make that happen. 

WHAT ARE SOME OTHER BENEFITS OF PUBLISHING WITH ALIAS PRESS? 

As a company run by composers, we take a great deal of care to make sure that your music is well edited and printed with engaging cover art and quality paper stock. When possible, we also work with Presser to make digital sales available as well as physical scores. 

WHAT SORT OF MUSIC IS ALIAS PRESS SEEKING TO PUBLISH? 

We are open to all chamber and concert music, whether aimed at educational ensembles or professionals.  Our main priority is currently band, orchestra, and chamber music, but we are also very open to vocal/choral works as well.

WHAT IS YOUR SUBMISSION PROCESS? 

We accept submissions of works for consideration on an ongoing basis.  We will review it and get back with you as quickly as possible.  To submit, please email us a PDF of the score (parts optional) as well as a recording of the piece (no mockups please).  Feel free to send links to online videos or audio files.  Also include program notes, performance history (or upcoming performances), and what notation software it was prepared with.  Email materials to info@aliaspress.com. 

Let us know if you have any questions!