[Python-authors] Author Python Book - Packt Publishing

[wesley chun]

this is a warning to all before jumping in without looking at the
waters first. i haven't worked with them before, but based on the
existing review of their Python books, i would be somewhat hesitant,
and i certainly wouldn't approach them without an agent. (i'm also not
sure of their marketing and PR... i doubt they have the same type of
staff as a more well-known publisher like Pearson [Prentice Hall,
Addison Wesley] or O'Reilly.)

the royalties they're offering seem abnormally high, and even scarier
is that they tell you over email when this is typically something
that's negotiated. the standard royalty rate is 10%, as O'Reilly
states publically:

http://www.oreillynet.com/oreilly/oreilly/author/ch03.html

i'm concerned that they offer a higher rate because they spend less
elsewhere, such as editing. read Alex Martelli's review very carefully
as well as others' here:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/184719494X

he is doing both the Python community *and* authors at-large a huge
favor by exposing this type of publisher behavior in the hopes that
anyone would jump at this project because they: 1) want to be
published, and 2) want higher royalties. as long as they sell enough
to cover their minimal costs. it is also strongly likely that the
editing, if there is any, is outsourced.

here's another one (check out the "most helpful review"):

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1904811841

anyway, i'm not telling you guys *not* to do it, but just be careful,
and have good English writing skills because likely, it won't be
edited much so you should be prepared to be practically camera-ready.

cheers,
-wesley


On Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 4:52 AM, Sunny Kansara <sunnyk at packtpub.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I represent Packt Publishing, the publishers of computer related books.
>
> We are planning to publish a new book on wxPython which will teach the
> Python developers who want to quickly use wxPython to create programs with
> high functional GUI's and currently we are looking out for some potential
> authors to write this book.
>
> We pay a royalty of 16% and an advance against it.
>
> An ideal candidate to author this book will be someone with an experience in
> wxPython. He/She should be able to communicate his/her thoughts clearly in
> English. Past writing experience will be an advantage though not mandatory.
>
> If you are interested in authoring this book, please write to me with a
> brief information about your experience with wxPython and any past writing
> experience you may have..
>
> Thanks,
> Sunny.
> --
> Sunny Kansara
> Author Relationship Executive
> Packt Publishing
> www.PacktPub.com
> Skype: sunnyk
> MSN: sunny_packt at hotmail.com

-- 
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"Core Python Programming", Prentice Hall, (c)2007,2001
"Python Fundamentals", Prentice Hall, (c)2009
    http://corepython.com

wesley.j.chun :: wescpy-at-gmail.com
python training and technical consulting
cyberweb.consulting : silicon valley, ca
http://cyberwebconsulting.com