Write 4 new songs in just 8 weeks — without waiting for inspiration.
Next Sprint: June 1 – July 20 2026
Creative prompts to spark ideas.
Simple deadlines to keep you moving.
A supportive songwriting community writing alongside you.
The Songwriting Sprint gives you the structure, accountability, and momentum to stop overthinking and start finishing songs — consistently.
What is a Songwriting Sprint?
The Songwriting Sprint is a focused, 8-week creative experience designed to help you write more songs — consistently, simply, and without overwhelm.
You’ll join a small group of up to 12 songwriters, receive a fresh songwriting prompt every two weeks, and use built-in deadlines, community support, and feedback to keep your songwriting moving forward.
This isn’t a course.
There’s no teacher.
And there are no live classes.
Instead, it’s a structured, supportive community space created to help you:
- Write regularly
- Finish more songs
- Stay accountable
- Learn through doing and feedback
Because the Sprint happens entirely online, you can join from anywhere in the world — with song deadlines based on your time zone.
(Wondering how the Sprint is different from the HTWS Community? You’ll find the full breakdown in the FAQ.)
Who the Songwriting Sprint Is For
The Songwriting Sprint is perfect for you if:
✔ You want to write more songs — but struggle to stay consistent on your own
✔ You love having structure, deadlines, and a clear creative focus
✔ You’re tired of waiting for inspiration and want a simple way to keep writing
✔ You’ve started lots of songs but want to finish more of them
✔ You enjoy being part of a supportive songwriting community
✔ You learn best by doing, sharing your work, and getting feedback
✔ You want steady creative momentum — without adding more live sessions to your schedule
Whether you’ve never finished a song before, or you’ve been writing for years and want a fresh burst of productivity, the Sprint gives you the structure and support to keep moving forward.
Who the Songwriting Sprint Is Not For
The Songwriting Sprint probably isn’t the right fit if:
✖ You’re looking for a traditional songwriting course with lessons and lectures
✖ You want live classes or real-time teaching each week
✖ You’re hoping someone else will “do the work” for you creatively
✖ You’re not ready to write and share songs (even rough drafts)
✖ You prefer learning only through theory rather than actually writing
✖ You’d like to receive feedback — but aren’t interested in giving feedback to others
The Sprint is built on participation, encouragement, and shared growth.
If you’re excited to write regularly, support fellow songwriters, and grow together through action and feedback, you’ll feel right at home.
How the Songwriting Sprint Works
Every two weeks, you’ll move through a simple creative cycle:
1. Receive a songwriting prompt
We post a new prompt along with a clear due date (Sunday night every two weeks).
These prompts are designed to spark ideas, focus your creativity, and get you writing quickly — not stuck overthinking.
2. Write your song
Use the prompt as inspiration (or follow your own idea if something else flows).
The goal is progress, not perfection.
3. Share your work
Post a recording (worktape or produced — both welcome) along with your lyrics inside the Sprint space.
4. Get feedback and support
You’ll exchange brief, constructive feedback with your Sprint group — with simple guidelines to make it helpful, encouraging, and actionable.
Everything happens inside the HTWS Community platform — no live calls, no scheduling stress.
The Simple Sprint Guidelines
- Submit your song by the due date
- Follow the Community Guidelines and Policy
- Show up, write regularly, and support each other
Some songs you’ll love. Some will be experiments. Both are wins.
The real goal is building a consistent songwriting habit — in a community that keeps you moving forward.
Join the Next Sprint
Pick your pathway:
Sprinter
$50 Early Bird
- 8-week guided songwriting sprint
- 4 inspiring songwriting prompts (one every 2 weeks)
- Clear creative focus for each song
- Built-in accountability & deadlines
- Private Sprint space in the HTWS Community
- Peer feedback on every song you share
- Supportive, motivating songwriting group
Sprinter Plus (Pro Feedback)
$149
- Everything in the regular Songwriting Sprint
PLUS:
- Personal expert feedback on one song during the Sprint
- Detailed notes on lyrics, melody, chords & structure
- Clear improvement suggestions you can apply immediately
- Professional songwriter insight from the HTWS team
REGISTRATION OPENS MID-MAY
Schedule of Songwriting Sprints
Mar 23 – May 18 2026
June 1 – July 20 2026
Aug 3 – Sept 28 2026
Oct 12 – Nov 30 2026
Live feedback
All Songwriting Sprints include two Live Song Feedback Sessions with Keppie and Benny at the end of the 8-week term.
Please note that by registering, you are confirming that you have read and agree to the participation policy (which has to do with guidelines on giving feedback, and comments that breach our basic policy of respect and inclusivity).
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions: keppie@howtowritesongs.org
Testimonials
Songwriters Speak
★★★★★
The opportunity to try so many different routes to starting song ideas in a safe place, giving yourself permission to maybe write a dud, time bound challenge and group motivation have led to some wonderful creations I am truly proud of.
Neil Smith
USA
★★★★★
I find it hard to say how much my songwriting has improved since I joined the HTWS community, and doing the 8 week group challenges with Keppie. I need the accountability to remain focused and active with my songwriting.
Mikey Fowler
West Virginia, USA
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Songwriting Sprint different to the Songwriters Community?
The Sprints and the Community are two different offerings.
The main feature/benefit of the Community is: getting feedback from Benny and Keppie regularly, and free workshops throughout the year. So it’s a great option if you are writing regularly, and the thing you really need and want is regular feedback from a trusted source. It is an ongoing subscription-based membership.
The main feature/benefit of the Sprints is the regular prompts, and the accountability of a peer-group. The Sprints are there if the thing you really need and want is to write more songs. Joining the a Sprint is a one-off cost.
With that said, when you join the Community, you will get discounts to join the Sprints – we know that there are people who want both!
Does my time zone affect whether I can join?
No! There is no live component to Songwriting Sprints, so there are no meetings or classes to miss. The only live event will be a Feedback Session with Keppie or Benny at the end of the 8 weeks. If you are unable to join, you’ll receive a link to watch the video replay.
I only write lyrics – can I still join?
Yes! You just need to be clear with your group as to what you are seeking feedback on. Eg, “Is it clear what this song is about?”; “What kind of music or production style could you hear this lyric going with?” The question really is: what kind of feedback would be useful to you? Simply make that clear to the group.
I am not a native English speaker – can I write my songs in my own language? How does that work?
If you are writing in a language other than English, you’d unlikely be receiving feedback on lyrics. With feedback, it would be about being clear with your group what you are looking for. For example: “is it clear which bit’s the chorus? Is there enough contrast between sections? What do you think the song is about, from the music itself?” There is so much valuable feedback you could get, almost because people can’t be swayed by the lyrical content!
But I would definitely recommend that you only join if you feel that the main benefit would be the structure, the deadline, and the accountability. In reality, I cannot force people to give feedback, so the motivation has to primarily be driven by your desire to be writing regularly, and the benefits of that accountability.
Will I definitely get feedback on my songs?
The intention of the group is 90% to give you structure and accountability to write more; and 10% about giving and receiving feedback. Because it’s not a university class, there’s no requirement to give feedback though it’s highly encouraged (and we give lots of tips on how to give great feedback). As with all groups, the dynamics will entirely depend on the individuals in the group. Some groups are very active in giving feedback; others are more focused on producing work to the deadline without lots of communication. Generally, we have found, the more willing you are to give feedback to others, the more likely they are to give feedback to you!
I’m not a very experienced songwriter – is this for me?
There’s no level or experience requirement for this one. The Songwriting Sprint is really for you – if you feel that you would benefit from the structure and accountability of a group, a deadline, and some feedback, then it’s the right thing for you.
The only requirement is that you commit to writing a song (which need only be 2 minutes long!) every 2 weeks. Again, that has nothing to do with level or experience, but rather your motivation and willingness.
Do I get feedback from Keppie or Benny?
There is a live feedback session at the end of the 8 weeks with Keppie or Benny. Our role is to host the group, to facilitate and coordinate. We won’t be participating or providing feedback during the 8 weeks. The function of this community is to produce work, and learn from your own work, listening to others, providing your own feedback, and asking questions of others.
How does the Live Feedback Session at the end work?
There will be a 60-minute live feedback session at the end of the 8 weeks. If you are interested in being considered to have your song receive feedback, you will need to upload your song to the relevant link that will be sent out. The session will only be 1 hour, which is enough time to review 3 or 4 people’s songs. If there are more submissions than time, songs will be selected using a lottery system on the night to give everyone an equal opportunity to receive feedback.
If I don’t get individual feedback but still want it, is there another way I can get it?
Yes! If you are looking for some more intensive 1-on-1 song work, all information for booking 1-on-1 feedback is right here. Make sure to read through it, and you can book in through the links on that page.
Song Prompt Examples
Write a song based on a place, where the place features as a central image of the song.
- Spend 10 minutes Sense writing about one of these places (got the PLACES section of the prompts); OR
- Pick a city or town that has special significance to you, and write about it; OR
Open a novel to a random page. Incorporate the first…
…full sentence on the page into your lyric, either in full, or adapted. Let it cross pollinate with you and your world. How does it connect? What does it make you think of? Does it…
