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So You Want to Write
for O’Reilly…
An Introduction for New Authors

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Who We Are and
What We Publish
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What topics are you interested in?
 Digital Photography,  Wireless Networking and
Digital Video, and Design Mobile Devices
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Applied Sciences  What We Don't Know…

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Publication Process
Overview
Doing the Right Things in the Right Order
http://oreilly.com/oreilly/author/index.html

+  Send an email query to
proposals@oreilly.com.
 Full proposals should include:
 Book summary and outline
 Technology summary
 Audience and market
I know what I  Your qualifications
want to write…  Tentative writing schedule
Sample chapters or articles
now what? 
The Proposal Phase  We consider your proposal, and
perhaps talk it over with others.
 Having decided to run with the book,
we sit down together and work out a
contract.

+  The Contract Covers:
 Description of the book
 The grant of rights
 Format of the book
 Delivery schedule
 Financial components:
 Royalty rates for various formats
What if you don't come through?
(What will my 
 When your royalties will be paid
contract cover?)  Free copies of the book
We know you had to ask.  Revised editions of the book
 You didn't plagiarize anything, did
you?
 Final legalese
http://oreilly.com/oreilly/author/
ch03.html

+ 

Start writing!
You use Microsoft Word or DocBook
XML—and our templates! Only-if-you-
must formats include:
 OpenOffice.org
 HTML
We signed a  Your editor is closely involved.
contract…
 We subject your book to a thorough
now what? editorial and technical review.
The Writing Phase
 You revise the book in accordance with
the critical commentary you receive.
 The book goes back to the editor as
a (nearly) final draft.

+  The production process includes:
 Copyediting
 Converting text to its final format
 Cover design and marketing copy
 Graphics and illustrations
 Interior design and layout
My manuscript is  Proofreading and indexing
Physical printing and binding
finished… 
now what?  You get to review copy edits, page
proof, index, and cover.
The Production Phase
 Production phase is about 3 months
(short for the industry).

+  We promote the book online through
OReilly.com and Amazon.com.
 We promote the book at conferences
and trade shows.
 We support your promotion of the book
at speaking engagements and events
with marketing materials.
How will my book  We target audiences through email
be supported? promotions, newsletters, and our User
Group program.
Our Marketing Strategy
 We leverage our extensive database of
reviewers to gather press reviews.
 We work closely with
our in-house sales team
as they present the
book to retailers.

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Congratulations, You’re
an Author—Now What?
Become a Big Mouth for Your Book

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Grow Your Community on OReilly.com
Book Forums

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Grow Your Community on OReilly.com
Author Blogs

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Grow Your Community on OReilly.com
Events Page

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Grow Your Community on OReilly.com
Webcasts and Video

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O’Reilly’s Author Portal
Manage Errata, Monitor Forums, Post Events & More!

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So You Want to Write
for O’Reilly…
Questions?