Not in stores or anything, but I got my author copy of Adapting to Web Standards from the very nice FedEx guy today. Christopher Schmitt had to convince me over IM to actually take the plastic wrap off and take a peek inside.\
There’s something really weird about seeing something I wrote in a real book… one that has my name on the cover, on the back of it… etc. But, here it is, sitting next to me on the desk – yep, still has my name on it.\
I took a look through it, and it’s gorgeous. New Riders went full-color with it, and it’s just plain lovely. My chapter’s been edited to the point it actually makes sense, and the other chapters are stellar (I wouldn’t say anything if they weren’t, but they are really good). What I like about the book is it’s not flowery. There’s real actionable stuff in it, and advice for how to solve not only the technical challenges of a project, but the human ones. There’s a ton of good stuff in there, and I’m not saying that because I wrote a part of it (the good stuff is in the other chapters anyway).\
I had a lot of help. Kevin Luman, Michael Richman and David Artz all sat through interviews (I’m sorry, guys), and Christopher Schmitt and Victor Gavenda (our editor) were always ready with an encouraging word or constructive feedback. And of course, Jen already puts up with a lot, with travel and long hours. She was very nice about letting me disappear for several weeks after getting home from work to go write.\
I can’t wait to have people read it and see what you all think. A lot of smart people worked on it, and I think it’s easily the best writing I’ve ever done (and then edited even more to make it readable!). I’m honored that Christopher asked me to help out, and I’m pretty damned proud of the result.
Congrats. Though there is some amount of irony…Mr.-Geek-online being excited about such an old fashion medium…”the book”. But you deserve your excitement. Congratulations. Enjoy…and I’m still holding you to your promise to autograph mine when it gets here (ordered…not delivered).
Congratulations, Mr. Lawver! I look forward to reading the book…and if I am not pleased I will ask you for a refund of the royalties you made off of my copy.
Congrats on being published, Kevin! Isn’t it funny what editing does to things that people write? Whenever I get a zealous editor, it’s like, hey, look at my ideas with someone else’s voice! Cool. They make me sound so smart. Yay for you.
Congrats, Kevin! Can’t wait to see it in person.
Congrats Kevin! I can’t wait to read the book.
I want my copy autographed as well. 🙂
Congratulations! I can’t wait to pick up a copy for myself. How much for your autograph?
Nerds will be lining up at bookstores around the country like it’s the release of the Phantom Menace, all dressed up in alien and robot costumes. Because thats just what they do.
Of course, I personally am going to wait until it’s available on amazon.
My congratulations 😉