How are ASCAP royalties handled when a composer's music is published?

Question

I have listed myself as both Composer and Publisher with ASCAP because my music is self-published. That is to say, I find ensembles who might like my work, I sell it to them, they perform it, and ASCAP pays the full royalty to me. (If there is a lyricist, I split it with them.)

I'm looking into having my music properly published now.

I understand that the publishing company will offer me a certain percentage of sales in royalty - 10% seems to be about the going rate - but what happens with regard to ASCAP. Is the expectation that I list them with ASCAP as the publisher, and so 50% of performance royalties would go to them as well?

Answer 1

If your work is self-published your ASCAP royalties all go to you (possibly split with co-writers, lyricists, arrangers). Once your music is published the ASCAP royalties are also split with the publisher.
ASCAP royalties are paid on performances of your work (and sales of recordings). ASCAP has nothing to do with the royalties you get from the publisher on sales of sheet music of your work.

Answer 2

Hopefully this link will help. I do believe that ASCAP and other organizations don't take a fee from your royalty. They are not the publisher or distributor of your music. https://www.ascap.com/help/royalties-and-payment/payment/payment#:~:text=Most%20writers%20and%20all%20publishers,in%20a%20specific%20performance%20quarter.