TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Elna Tymes wrote:
>
> I can second the bad experiences mentioned in dealing with computer book
> publishers. It wasn't always like that, but when I left the field some ten
> years ago, it was becoming like that.
>
> The basic problem is that the shelf life of a new computer book is maybe six
> months at best. And how well the book does usually is directly related to how
> well the program or device on which the book is based does in the market.
Writing computer books almost makes novel writing seem lucrative by
comparison. I've been in negotiation with a couple of companies,
both for myself and for business associates, and the churn and burn
mentality of the publishers makes clear that, whatever your
motivations, they shouldn't include money.
In the most recent example, a publisher wouldn't pay the person I
was representing for some introductory material, but refused a
request for an insert advertising a relevant service or any other
alternative form of payment. Apparently, busy professionals are
expected to donate their time for love of the subject.
--
Bruce Byfield 604.421.7177 bbyfield -at- progeny -dot- com
Director of Marketing and Communications, Progeny Linux Systems
Contributing Editor, Maximum Linux
"Theirs is a land of hope and glory
Mine is the green field and the factory floor
Theirs are the skies all dark with bombers
Mine is the peace we knew between the wars."
- Billy Bragg, "Between the Wars"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Develop HTML-Based Help with Macromedia Dreamweaver 4 ($100 STC Discount)
**WEST COAST LOCATIONS** San Jose (Mar 1-2), San Francisco (Apr 16-17) http://www.weisner.com/training/dreamweaver_help.htm or 800-646-9989.
Sponsored by DigiPub Solutions Corp, producers of PDF 2001
Conference East, June 4-5, Baltimore/Washington D.C. area. http://www.pdfconference.com or toll-free 877/278-2131.
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
