I was just wondering how to go about selling some lyrics that I have
written.  I have never done this before, so I know nothing about what
to do.

Typically lyicists seek out and find a composer for their words; then
the song is published or performed, garnering the lyricist and
composer royalties.

Kriswrite

Hi Tomshar,

Would you answer a question for me?

What is the difference between Country and Western?

Phil

Hiya Phil,
just for fun.........
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=country
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=western
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=country+and+western

Anne-Marie

Hi Tomshar and Anne-Marie,

Although your post was just for fun Anne-Marie, I think I understand
the answer from your third link. I thought that it was all one and the
same because it sounds the same. According to that site, "Country" is
from the southern states and "Western" originates from the western
states. I guess that makes "western" music "country" music with a
Smith and Wesson strapped to the guitar.

Tomshar .. Have you considered publishing a song book maybe with an
audio  cassette or CD? You say that you have written lyrics. Can you
also sing and/or play an instrument? If not, might you have contact
with a known country or western singer willing to put your's and their
name to an album? If so, do a deal pardner. It's called value adding.

Have you heard this one? 

What happens when you play a "Country and Western" record backwards?

The bank returns your truck, your wife comes back to you and your dog revives!

Good luck with the venture.

Phil

copyright it first..
http://www.copyright.gov/register/literary.html

there is also a poor mans copyright.. just mail it back to your self
certified mail.. and dont open it.

then you start sending it to record companys and artists with a
letting saying its for sale.

I have heard of a few places buying it for a few dollars.. just to have it.

if you are lucky they will use it without buying it from you.. and as
long as you still hold the copyright, you can go after them. =)

Greetings Tomshar,

Regarding copyright, the way to get the most value for your copyright
dollars is to copyright a collection of lyrics.  This way, you may
include as many separate lyrics as you want, and when you reference
the copyright, you name the collection as "[song/lyric title] from the
Tomshar Collection 1, copyright 200X, All Rights Reserved"

This will save you a ton of money and you'll have a genuine copyright
that will stand up in any court.

Best regards,
journalist-ga