A MODx book from Packt ?

Quote from: rthrash at Nov 07, 2007, 10:17 AM

It’s off-topic to this thread, but I think Packt will be doing a MODx book.

Since Ryan dropped a line about it, let’s pop the question : is there a project in the works ? ? ?

If so it would be better to make sure those who write the book are community and/or team members... I have read to much CMS books which are not so good, let’s make sure this one is

For the record, if there is a book I volunteer to translate and find a publisher here in France

Packt has their authors that will dedicate to a publishing schedule. I don’t know how we could force a community member to meet that (and there’s not a lot of money for authors I fear!).

They want to do a book targeting those that know html, css and a bit of javascript, but not a lot of experience with CMSes or MODx ... sorta a how to build this project type of book. I should be speaking with them more later about this, but we really have no editorial control over their publishing business (but that won’t stop me from making suggestions and I welcome everyone else to do the same ... perhaps we can get an editorial review team together to review and do a technical edit for them...).

Hmmm... too bad, that’s why so many CMS books are not so great IMHO

I hope we do get a little quality control over the final product...
Thanks for the update, Ryan

Good news guys, I have just been contacted by someone @Packt
Here is the email I just received :

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Viraj Joshi <[email protected]>
Date: 20 nov. 2007 12:50
Subject: Opportunity for authoring
To: [email protected]

Hi

I am an Acquisition Editor with Packt Publishing. I am considering developing a book on MODx. I am looking for someone interested in authoring a book on MODx. I can see that you belong to Marketing Design team. It would be great if you could pass this message in the community and see if anybody is interested in this opportunity.

I look forward to your reply.

Thanks

Viraj Joshi

Acquisition Editor | Packt Publishing | www.PacktPub.com
[Tel: 91 22 6698 7683/4 | Skype: viraj_packt | MSN: [email protected] ]

Sure we’ll need more details from them but who wants in ?
I think it’s great that we can make sure this gets written properly

Edit : I answered the guy that I’ll pass the info along and get back to him

I got a similar note last week. I personally am hesitant about doing anything other than writing our own MODx book and then worry about who’s going to publish it once we have the content. I don’t like the idea of book proceeds going to anyone other than the MODx project, so unless they are going to give us a great deal on publishing, I’m really not interested in this other than to keep in mind for when we’re ready to think about finding the best publishing deal. I mean, if they are going to put most of the effort into it development of the book, great, but these notes seem to indicate to the contrary.

I’m certainly willing to change my mind and contribute to this, but I need to be convinced that it will truly benefit MODx more than competing for the best publisher, or self-publishing our own efforts.

Pakt gives 15% minus a 25% "discount" (whatever they mean by that).

There are other options if we decide to write and publish our own.

I realize we don’t know very much from that email, and of course we have to get more info before anything happens.

My original concern was that someone who did not know MODx very well would end up publishing inaccurate content (yes, I’d rather we - the MODx team- were authoring it), and I didn’t have those figures Susan just posted nor do I have real experience as far as publishing is concerned.

At some point a book will help, can be an ebook, a real one, both... should there be a book before 0.9.7 is out... lots of questions !