Although technical books are usually written by one or two authors, or no more than a very few, another approach to book creation is recruiting a team of experts to contribute book sections or chapters. Because this may lead to working with several dozen contributors, it greatly changes the publishing process. Assembling a contributed book can resemble the "Tom Sawyer" approach to fence painting--but it can also produce authoritative, broad, and deep works.

For those with no book publishing experience, who yearn to see their name as author on a book cover, joining a contributed project can be an important first step in getting a book contract. After contributing a chapter to a book project, Gabe Goldberg and a primary collaborator produced three comprehensive technical books for McGraw-Hill. Gabe has also used this same approach to produce editorial supplements for trade publications.

During this presentation, Gabe will describe the process used for these projects, along with insights gained, and a surprising lesson. The insights that will be shared are especially relevant for those interested in writing and publishing about their areas of expertise. They are also applicable to team-based collaborative project management.

Speaker: Gabriel Goldberg is a technology consultant, writer, and editor. He's one of two guides on AARP's Computers and Technology Web site, http://www.aarp.org/computers, writing feature articles and answering questions on its Web board. He has written for and edited an IBM technology magazine, contributes to trade and consumer publications such as The Washington Post, and has reviewed Web sites for several publications.

Gabe was co-editor of and wrote for The REXX Handbook, The VM/ESA Systems Handbook, and The VM/ESA Users and Applications Handbook, all three books published by McGraw-Hill. He has also written for newsletters including those of Computer Economics, Inc., and the "Editorial Eye" of EEI Communications. In addition, Gabe has been the author or editor of industry vendor white papers.

Gabe Goldberg previously worked for a small software company as Vice President of Technology and Business Development, responsible at various times for product planning, evolution, and development, along with documentation and customer support. He also managed and wrote the company newsletter, read by more than 20,000 subscribers around the world.

Location: One-half block south of the Cineplex Odeon Uptown movie theatre on Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. (There are many restaurants suitable for pre- or post-meeting gathering/networking/refreshment in the block north of the library.) 

Parking: Very small lot, off Macomb St., to left of library. 

Metrorail--Cleveland Park Station on the Red Line (on Connecticut Avenue, just 1.5 blocks north of meeting site) 

Free and open to all 

Several times a year a smaller group (usually about 8 to 12) goes to Nanny O'Brien's (directly across the street from the library at 3319 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 202-686-9189, open 2 pm Saturday to 2 am Sunday) or another local establishment for continued conversation, networking, and refreshment following the meeting. (Participants pay for their own beverages and food.) 

Join us! 

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