As an excercise for lyricists to become melody makers and consequently self-sufficiant, I think a read performance could be a great start. Then lyricists could evaluate the flow and feel of their own lyrics, and could develop the reading further into melody making..

A starting point for collaborations?.. just maybe.. depending on the reading.. reading can easily turn into melody making. And don't get me wrong, that CAN be good for a lyricist. But, there's a chance the lyricist is not as talented in crafting melodies, at least not before they get more experienced, and why would a lyricist collaborate if they already have lyrics AND melody? This is all that can be copyrighted, so a "collaboration" on those terms, risk being reduced to a demoservice as work-for-half-a-copyright (aka work-for-hire), which is not really a collaboration, but a service.

Just sayin.. I've seen many lyricists asking to collaborate when they already have lyrics and melody, and personally, I would never enter a collaboration like that. If there's any need for composing, composers are the most experienced, after all. Eventually, lyricists will be composers, of course..

It's a good idea for lyricists to work with their words as hard as they can, though, and crafting melodies is certainly desireable. But my point is just that it's NOT per se an invitation to collaborate, at least not if the goal is professional standard songs aimed to pitch. I'm concerned if good lyricists would be held back from good collaborations this way.

Setting up a division of work with a musician/composer might be more appropriate, at least for ambitious lyricists that are just starting out with the other stuff IMO..

btw, this is NOT a comment based on your example, Donna. You sound great!