The Craft of Christian Songwriting
Born from eight years of teaching songwriting for the Academy of Gospel Music Arts, Robert Sterling’s The Craft of Christian Songwriting deftly tackles the much-overlooked subject of craft in the Christian songwriter’s creative process. The book challenges its readers to aspire to the highest level of excellence, providing chapter after chapter of practical insights into the Christian songwriting experience. All the way from “Getting Started” to “Building a Demo,” The Craft of Christian Songwriting shows the beginning writer how to make his next song his “best song ever,” all from the unique perspective of the Christian songwriter.
What People Are Saying About The Craft of Christian Songwriting…
Practical and realistic, The Craft of Christian Songwriting is a smart read for anyone with aspirations of becoming a Christian songwriter. With an impressive career in Christian music, Robert Sterling writes from experience with authority. And he has pulled together great commentary from some of the best writers in Christian music. If you’re serious about being a Christian songwriter this book will provide you with a firm foundation. While this book is written with beginning songwriters in mind, there is plenty here that some of us veteran writers can use. I highly recommend The Craft of Christian Songwriting to anyone who writes, wants to write, or simply loves to listen to Christian music.
—James Isaac Elliott
Songwriter; Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator – Songwriting Belmont University / Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business
The Craft of Christian Songwriting will guide the aspiring Christian songwriter and sharpen even the most experienced writer. This is a great resource that should be in every songwriter’s library. Thank you, Rob for sharing your heart and ‘trade secrets’” to help and challenge us all.
—Steve Smith
Pastor of Worship and Music, First Baptist Church Alpharetta
So, has the final book on songwriting been written? Maybe not, but Robert Sterling’s The Craft of Christian Songwriting goes a long way toward containing just about all you need to know concerning both the heart and the craft required to write great songs. If you write for a living, or if you’ve only dreamed of trying, I promise, this book holds something valuable for you.”
—John Mays
Vice President, A & R at Centricity Music
I’ve been writing songs professionally for 25 years and when I learned that Robert Sterling had written a book on songwriting, I couldn’t wait to read it. It is Robert’s passion for the craft of songwriting that sets him apart in a town crawling with successful songwriters. Not only does Robert know how to write a great song, he also knows how to teach you what he knows in a way that you ‘get it.’ He is articulate, funny, insightful and practical. If you’re a beginning Christian songwriter, you need to read this book.
—Ed Kee
Former Creative Director, Brentwood Benson Music Publishing
Robert Sterling is perhaps one of the best friends a song ever had. I am glad that his passionate, consistent advocacy of the well-crafted Christian song has found its way into your hands in the form of this book. Rob is an articulate teacher, a diligent student, a trustworthy veteran of the Christian music industry, a skilled craftsman at songwriting, a lover of Christ, an engaging storyteller and one heck of a funny man. He is the voice of the prophet in a wilderness of what passes for Christian music. For all these reasons, you should read this book.
—Karla Worley
Speaker, Songwriter, Recording Artist, and Author of Traveling Together and Growing Weary Doing Good?
Of all of Robert’s incredible contributions to the Christian music industry, this book may well be his most important yet. No stone is left unturned! From his thoughtful insights into the motives and heart of great songwriting, right down to his technical ‘how-tos’ on rhyme schemes and memorable melodies, The Craft of Christian Songwriting is a learning tool that no aspiring songwriter can afford to miss. A great read and powerful learning experience!
—Shelley Breen
Point of Grace