If you've ever wanted to write a technical book but weren't sure how to get started, this presentation will help introduce you to O'Reilly Media's products and processes.

1. +
So You Want to Write
for O’Reilly…
An Introduction for New Authors

2. +
Who We Are and
What We Publish
Expertise, Yes; Obscurantism, No.
http://oreilly.com/store

3. +
Popular O’Reilly Series
Nutshell Learning Cookbook Pocket
Reference
Other “Animal” Missing Theory-in- Head First
Books Manuals Practice

4. +
Safari Books Online
http://my.safaribooksonline.com/

5. +
Books on the iPhone or iPod Touch
Safari Bookbag

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Bookworm: Mobile ePub Books
http://m.bookworm.oreilly.com

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Books as iPhone Applications
Portable, Searchable, Affordable

8. +
O’Reilly Rough Cuts in Safari
Get Behind the Scenes to Stay Ahead of the Curve
 Access is gained through a Safari
Library account or a single Rough
Cuts title order.
 Readers sign up to receive Alerts
and read updated versions online
or in PDF at their convenience.
 Readers post feedback and respond
to comments from other users,
editors, and authors.
 Readers gain access to the final
version for up to 45 days.

9. +
Rich-Media Formats
Access to Experts on OReilly.com

10. +
O’Reilly Workshops
Brain Friendly Learning in Person
 Workshops are 1- to 2-day developer- focused,
hands-on training events offered 10-12 times a
year in various cities.
 Instructors walk participants through relevant
examples step-by-step with a focus on
interactivity, collaboration, and participants’
immediate needs.
 Workshops use a learning methodology based on
research in cognitive science and education.

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What topics are you interested in?
 Digital Photography,  Wireless Networking and
Digital Video, and Design Mobile Devices
 Consumer Applications  Big Picture Technology,
and Operating Systems Social Impact, and Geek
Culture
 Cloud Computing and
Big Data  Software Engineering
 Information Design and  Web Services
User Experience
 Security
 Bioinformatics and Other
Applied Sciences  What We Don't Know…

12. +
Publication Process
Overview
Doing the Right Things in the Right Order
http://oreilly.com/oreilly/author/index.html

13. +  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.

14. +  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

15. + 

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.

16. +  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).

17. +  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.

18. +
Congratulations, You’re
an Author—Now What?
Become a Big Mouth for Your Book

19. +
Grow Your Community on OReilly.com
Book Forums

20. +
Grow Your Community on OReilly.com
Author Blogs

21. +
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!

24. +
So You Want to Write
for O’Reilly…
Questions?