Smart Money: Finding publisher for book is extremely difficult task

Bruce Williams is a national radio talk show host and syndicated columnist

Dear Bruce: I would like to write an in-your-face guidebook about the youths of America. As the father of five and mentor to more, I feel I could give parents another tool by writing this. How do I find someone to edit, print and distribute it? S.V. Pensacola, Fla.

Dear S.V.: There may very well be a place for a book such as you describe, but finding someone to put it together for you and, more importantly, distribute it is almost an impossible task.

I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't try, but be prepared for a great deal of discouragement along the way and very likely a lack of success.

Publishers rarely print books by people who have not made their mark in some area that is at least related to that which they are writing. Whether or not their credentials are first-class seems to make little difference.

You might enjoy putting this piece of literature together, but I would discourage you from self-publishing through a vanity press organization. You might consider desktop publishing to make a few copies available through friends. The commercial possibilities are extraordinarily limited. Those are the hard facts.

Dear Bruce: I'm in my 40s and wish to begin a new career. I would like to attend broadcasting school. Are there any financial aid packages for a school like this? B.D., via e-mail

Dear B.D.: I know of no special funding for broadcasting school, but, in most cases, that is not the way to go; relatively few folks are broadcasting school graduates. More often, they worked at a facility for a low salary and learned on the job. I have no quarrel with college programs that offer broadcasting as a major. The trade schools that encourage people to learn the craft of being a disc jockey, talk show host, etc., in my opinion, have relatively little value. I would discourage you from taking that road without a great deal of careful investigation.

Dear Bruce: We are senior citizens. This past March, we received a phone call telling us that we had won $50,000 in a "sweepstakes."

I don't remember entering any contests, but I was told that it was because I had a certain credit card. They never asked me for my credit card and said that they had just completed the first drawing, and the rest would take place in July. I haven't received any money. Can you help me? E.S., via e-mail

Dear E.S.: Anytime someone tells you that you have won something that you didn't enter, get nervous. Why they have not gotten back to you, I don't know. I doubt very seriously that you actually won anything.

When someone tells me that I have won something, I thank the person and then choose not to claim it and get off the phone.

They will try to keep you on to get you to change your mind. Just politely decline. I would not pursue this matter any further.