Call for Submissions! Information on Publishing and Consignment Sales with Golden Hearts Publications

Call for Submissions! Information on Publishing and Consignment Sales with Golden Hearts Publications

by Shuhei Umemoto (Golden Hearts Publications / ONSA)

Golden Hearts Publications is a Japanese publishing brand (operated by ONSA) that publishes works by composers from both Japan and abroad. We also accept unsolicited submissions.

While my catalog focuses primarily on wind orchestra, wind / brass instruments, and percussion, I welcome submissions featuring other instrumentations as well. For instance, my Global Store currently offers sheet music for a wide variety of ensembles, including combinations involving piano, classical guitar, koto, harp, and other string instruments.

I do not prioritize a composer's or arranger's level of fame; instead, I evaluate submissions purely based on whether I like the work itself, without bias or favoritism.

There are two ways to distribute your work domestically and internationally through Golden Hearts Publications:

1. Publish the work directly through Golden Hearts Publications.

2. Commission Golden Hearts Publications to handle the printing and sales of a work you currently sell on your own website.

Option 1 is essentially the same as a standard publishing contract. I pay royalties based on sales, in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Reporting and payments are generally handled on a monthly basis. Royalties may be calculated as a percentage or a fixed amount; specific terms are confirmed at the time of the contract.

Regarding music engraving (typesetting), if you wish—or if I deem it necessary—I can arrange for a Japanese engraver to handle the work. Please note that in such cases, the engraver's schedule may affect the time required before sales can begin.

If you have already completed the engraving yourself and are satisfied with the result, the work can be published immediately. To proceed, please send me a PDF of the score and a reference audio file (MIDI is acceptable, but a recording of an actual performance is preferable.); I will then evaluate the submission and get back to you regarding a contract.

Option 2 is illustrated by the case of Ssu-Yu Huang (a Taiwanese composer based in the US): while she sells only PDF versions on her own website, Golden Hearts Publications handles the printing and sales of physical copies for both the Japanese and international markets. In this scenario, the composer is responsible for completing any necessary engraving work beforehand. Royalty terms are confirmed at the time of the contract. This option is ideal if you wish to publish under your own name but want to outsource the printing and sales of physical copies entirely. Of course, depending on the terms of the contract, you may also be able to sell the works yourself.

While I do not yet see the massive sales volumes typical of major publishers (which involve large-scale initial print runs), my sales figures are steadily increasing.

Golden Hearts Publications currently sells sheet music in the following formats:

For Wind Band works:
Large-format full score only (pages other than the cover use colored high-quality paper)
Large-format full score + set of parts (includes the large-format score mentioned above; all parts use colored high-quality paper)
A4-size full score only (pages other than the cover use colored high-quality paper)
A4-size full score + set of parts (includes the A4 score mentioned above; all parts use colored high-quality paper)

For Brass Band works:
A4-size full score only (pages other than the cover use colored high-quality paper)
A4-size full score + set of parts (includes the A4 score mentioned above; all parts use colored high-quality paper)

For Chamber Music (ensemble, solo) works:
Full score + set of parts (A4-size score + parts; all pages other than the cover use colored high-quality paper)

Key features of Golden Hearts Publications include the availability of large-format scores for wind band works; the ability to distribute products within Japan not only through my own direct store but also via "WBP Plus!" (an online store operated by ONSA); and the operation of a dedicated global store for international sales.

In addition to printed editions, I also offer digital downloads for international customers through my global store.

I do not accept every submission; I am specifically looking for works that meet international standards of quality. However, since it is impossible to predict exactly what will appeal to whom—or in which country—I may choose to carry a work if I judge it to be of high quality, if I personally like the piece, or if I determine it will be useful to a wide audience (or many ensembles).

Submitting a work to me is a suitable option for the following types of people:

・You wish to expand sales overseas, as the instrumentation makes it difficult to sell the work domestically.

・You were turned away by other publishers or found it difficult to submit your work due to factors such as a lack of name recognition.

・You want to entrust the printing and sales processes to us so you can focus more on composing and arranging, while still retaining the right to sell the work yourself.

・You want full scores for wind band works to be sold in a large format.

・You want to publish the work for sale rather than for rental.

・You want to sell full scores individually.

・You are capable of doing some of the music engraving yourself (or can arrange for the engraving to be completed and submit the finished files).
*Note: You do not need to be able to do the engraving yourself; I can commission an engraver for you.

There are a few points to note:

First, when printing in Japan, we typically go through JASRAC, a music copyright management organization. JASRAC collaborates with similar organizations worldwide; if a work is registered in their database, you can receive royalties for reproductions. However, since most works are not reflected in the database, printing often proceeds without a formal reproduction application. As ONSA (the operator of Golden Hearts Publications) is a sole proprietorship, I cannot register as a "publisher" with JASRAC (contracts generally require corporate status). Consequently, there may be cases where you cannot receive royalties specifically for reproduction (though you will still receive sales royalties).

Regarding arrangements: unless the work is in the public domain (meaning the copyright protection period has expired), it is a prerequisite that you have obtained permission to arrange the work from the copyright holder. Please note that even if permission to arrange is granted, permission to publish may not be; in such cases, we unfortunately cannot sell the work.

I may decline submissions, but please consider that a work rejected by a composition competition might still be accepted by Golden Hearts Publications. Conversely, a work that was selected by a competition but overlooked by other publishers due to instrumentation or other factors might also be a good fit for me.

Please direct inquiries to the following:

Golden Hearts Publications
ONSA
Contact: Shuhei Umemoto (Mr.)
s-umemoto@goldenheartspublications.com