Frequently Asked Questions About Publishing

How long does it take to get a book published?
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On the average about a year. Six months to write a nonfiction book or revise a novel after a publishing contract has been signed and six months for production from editing the manuscript to finding your book in a bookstore.

Why does production take six months?
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The actual production process of revising and editing, copyediting and proofing the galleys could be quicker. But enough time has to be allowed for obtaining endorsements, distributing ARCs (advanced reading copy) and bound galleys to reviewers and promoting the book to booksellers, libraries and such. Many major review publications like Publishers Weekly, insist that they receive the review copy at least four months prior to publication. Many newspapers will not review a book currently available.

What is the typical advance and royalty?
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There isn’t one. The advance can range from $0 to over six figures. Royalties can range from 5% to 15%, based on the net price the publisher receives to retail. The percentage can also be on a sliding scale based on how many books have been sold, the more books, the higher the royalty percentage.



Dee

Getting a book published by a commercial royalty paying publishing house is a tremendous accomplishment. It has been said by Writers Digest that 24 million Americans consider themselves 'writers' and yet less than 5% have published anything.

When we surveyed literary agents (for our book) they said they agree to accept only one out of every 500 writers for representation. The most common reason they decline to represent a writer is poor quality of the writing. You know what didn't even show up on the radar as a reason to decline a new client? The fact the writer was unpublished.

About 15% of novels published by the commercial royalty paying publishing houses are debut novels. There is hope for new writers. There is no bias in the industry against new authors. There are just millions more writers trying to get published than the book industry can support. And it's not the publishers or even the booksellers who are holding back the flood gates. It's the writers themselves, they're just not good enough.

Before you flame me from here to h-ll and back. Think about it. There are millions of people who play golf, but only a handful of golfers who are good enough to be professional.

Millions of people sing, but only a few are good enough to sing professionally.

Millions of people dance, but few, very few, have the talent to dance professionally.

Having a book published is not an entitlement. Authors aren't published because they deserve to be published, because they worked hard or because they have survived misery and abuse. Books are published because the publisher has deemed there is a viable market for the work.

Does every good book get published? No. Are the best selling books the best telling books? No. Are authors who have been published better writers than those who haven't been? Not necessarily.

Don't sell yourself short. Hold out for a real commercial publisher.

Dee

http://www.BrianHillAndDeePower.com

Secured and Unsecured Credit Cards

Credit card spending is something that the majority of consumers actively participate in. For some it's a matter of convenience. It's easier to use a credit card than worry if you have enough cash. Credit card purchases offer some recourse to the buyer/consumer if they feel they didn't get what they paid for. The charge can be reversed by the credit card company. Some people use credit cards because they want to, while others find themselves doing it out of necessity just to make ends meet.

When it comes to credit cards, there are basically two types available today. They fall into these categories: secured and unsecured credit cards. The exact credit cards you are eligible for will be dependent on your credit history.

An unsecured card is issued to consumers with (at least) a good credit rating. The 'perks' that are attached to it, also depend on one's credit score. Financial institutions determine the credit limit on each card after reviewing things like: debt to income ratio, time on the job, number of open accounts, late payments and missed payments.

This type of credit card typically carries a lower interest rate and fewer miscellaneous fees than a secured credit card. You do not have to pay anything upfront, other than a membership fee, and that can often be waived, in order to be issued an unsecured credit card.

On the other hand, a deposit of some sort is required in order to get approval for a secured credit card. Usually, this deposit will be equal to the credit limit issued. Although, in some cases the credit limit will be higher. It depends on the applicant's credit worthiness. The deposit is not used to make any monthly payments. Don't expect the creditor to do so. It can't be withdrawn for emergencies as long as the credit card account is still open.

Secured credit cards are issued to consumers with a fair to poor credit history. Individuals who have gone through a bankruptcy are typically eligible as well.
These credit cards have very high interest rates and higher fees attached to them. But, most consumers are more than willing to pay these extra fees, in exchange for a second chance at building good credit. Sometimes a secured credit card is the only option.

Many banks refund the initial deposit, after a pre-determined number of on time payments have been made… usually between 12 and 18.
Making timely payments will go a long way, when it comes to re-building credit. It is recommended that a secured credit card be used sparingly, to avoid repeated problems. Use it enough to re-establish your credit but make sure you make the payments on time every month.

How to Refinance with Poor Credit

Mortgage interest rates have greatly decreased over the past seven or eight years, mainly due to the economy sagging. If you got your mortgage before the interest rates went down, you're probably envious of the people who have the same amount of mortgage you have, except their payments are far cheaper due to the lower interest rate. However, you don't have to be envious, as you can get the same interest rate they have—or perhaps an even lower one. All it takes is refinancing your mortgage, and you can accomplish this even if you have poor credit.

What Refinancing Is

Refinancing is can be used for debt consolidation, but also different. When you refinance your mortgage, you essentially take out a new loan to pay off the existing mortgage. This loan comes with a cheaper interest rate and—typically--cheaper monthly payments.

Refinancing can also help you to better your poor credit score, if you decide to refinance for more than the mortgage is worth and use that money to pay off other existing debt. This is known as wrapping your credit card debt into your mortgage, which is a bit like consolidation.

4 Steps to Refinance with Poor Credit

1. Shop Around. Many people believe that in order to get good refinancing, you need to have good credit. That's simply not the case, as in this economy, lenders are more willing to extend refinancing to those with fair or even poor credit. The key is to simply shop around and be willing to do a bit of research before you refinance.

2. Look for Lenders that Specifically Offer Refinancing to Those with Poor Credit. Some of the big name lenders only publicize that they refinance to those with good credit. But most of them also offer plans for refinancing for those with poor credit. Seek those out, and if you find a lender that says they only offer refinancing for people with good credit, ask them if they offer anything at all for people with poor credit. More than likely, they will, especially with how this economy is.

3. Don't Fear the Higher Interest Rate. Let's set one thing straight right now: you will not get the same interest rate refinancing as someone with a better credit score would. You should see a rate that is lower than what you currently have, though, and it's important to realize that even if it's a little lower than you'd like, you can always refinance again in a few years once you've bettered your credit score.

4. Apply Over the Phone or Via Mail. When you apply for refinancing over the internet, the application is usually reviewed by a computer, which can spell automatic bad news for refinancing if you have bad credit. That's why you should apply by the phone or via mail, as you'll be turning your application into an actual human being. Again, with how bad the economy is, and how desperate lenders to loan money, you'll have much more favorable results as the person who is reviewing the application will see that you are genuinely interested in getting a lower interest rate and in making your refinanced mortgage payments on time.

Hidden Credit Card Fees: Where to Find Them

If you have above average credit, you probably have at least one no fee credit card. Credit card companies reward individuals, who have good credit, with this type of card. Should you be appreciative? In a word no.

All credit cards have hidden fees. Financial institutions issue the cards to make money. Money is made on both sides of the transaction. The merchant pays a per sale fee and a percentage of the total sale as well as a monthly service fee. And of course the consumer pays fees as well. These hidden fees alone add up to millions of dollars each year. Some of them include:

Cash advance fees. There are very few credit cards that don't charge for obtaining cash from an ATM. In reality, these cash advances are considered loans. So, not only do you pay a fee for withdrawing the money but you are charged interest from that moment on. Rates vary, but typically range from 3% to 24%. Your payment usually goes to pay off the balance first before any cash advance is paid back. And that's because the interest rate on cash advances is normally higher than that on merchandise and services purchases.

Pay-by-phone fees. If you usually pay your bills by phone, you may be charged a convenience fee, by your credit card company. Some credit card companies charge an even larger fee if you are paying your bill on the actual due date.

International fees. If you travel abroad and use your credit card, chances are you will be charged an international or foreign transaction fee. The only good news is that this fee is typically lower (1% - 3%) compared to other fees.

Late fees. Don't assume that if you get your payment to the credit card company on the due date that it will be processed that day. Late fees are regularly assessed on payments that were received on time, that way you are not reported for a late payment, but that the company processes the next day or so, that way they can charge the late fee. Check your bill because the due date can change without notice.
Convenience check fees. If you use the convenience checks that are usually included as a perk with many major credit cards, you are probably in for a big surprise. These checks are considered another form of cash advance, so there are fees attached to using them.

Worse yet, in the event that the check is returned because your available credit balance won't cover the amount of the check, you will be charged additional fees, as well.

Look closely at the terms and conditions your credit card company offers and make sure you understand the fee structures so you don't get caught paying extra money.