From Inspiration to Publication: My Journey to Becoming a Tech Author

Embarking on the journey of becoming a tech author and writing a book is a path many dreams of but few dare to tread. It's a voyage that demands technical expertise, creativity, perseverance, and a passion for sharing knowledge.

In this article, I'll share my personal journey as a tech author of the Mobile DevOps Playbook and the incredible experience of writing a book with Packt Publishing.

Let's get started with the journey!

??The inspiration

Every incredible journey begins with inspiration, and mine was no different. I was inspired by the countless tech authors whose books had helped me throughout my career. I wanted to give back to the community and share the knowledge I had gained over the years. The spark of writing a book ignited when I realized that there was a gap in the market for a comprehensive guide on the mobile DevOps topic I was deeply passionate about.

For almost two years I worked as a Developer Advocate specialized in mobile DevOps; during these years I wrote almost 65 articles, spoke at more than 15 conferences, and attended different webinars and panel discussions about all the stages of mobile DevOps from building and testing to releasing and monitoring.

It's a challenging area because mobile development has unique challenges for many reasons already discussed in the book; because of that, I had the passion to write a book about mobile DevOps.

But honestly, I didn't know how to start, how to publish it and who can help me in the review, edit and refinement process.

???? Choosing the topic

Selecting the right topic for your tech book is crucial. It should be something you're knowledgeable about and enthusiastic to explore further.

8 months ago, Nayana John , a specialist at Packt Publishing who works with authors, contacted me. She offered me the opportunity to contribute to a book on mobile DevOps. I asked about the different levels of participation, such as being a tech reviewer or writing a chapter. However, I was thrilled to learn that I could be the book's author if I wanted to.

Because I knew the topic and had the passion already to do something like that, I didn't have to spend weeks researching market trends, audience demand, and my expertise before choosing a topic that interested me.

This is because the topic was already present in my mind, as I have stored all the details of my mobile DevOps journey in my memory.

Once I said yes to Packt Publishing, I outlined the book's scope and objectives, chapters creating a roadmap for the journey ahead.

???? Research and preparation

Conducting thorough research and preparation is essential to structure a book and provide valuable insights to readers. Start by scouring the web, reading white papers, and gathering as much information as possible about the chosen topic.

The writing process was a rollercoaster of emotions. There were moments of euphoria when the words flowed effortlessly, and there were times when I faced writer's block and self-doubt.

To stay on track, I set daily word count goals and weekly page count as well, writing on weekends and holidays established a writing routine, and kept myself motivated by envisioning the impact my book would have on readers. The support of my friends, family, and writing peers was invaluable during this phase.

Additionally, there were different challenges; as you are likely aware, I cannot incorporate any images from the internet due to copyright.

Furthermore, sometimes I need to reword sentences or paragraphs to ensure they are easily comprehended and written in the appropriate format and language.

Due to this, there are two main tools I rely on to assist me:

1. Canva : the popular online graphic design and visual content creation platform that allows users to create various digital and print materials, including social media graphics, presentations, posters, flyers, logos, and more.
2. Grammarly : a widely used online writing and grammar checking tool that helps users improve their writing by detecting and correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style errors. It also offers suggestions for improving clarity, word choice, and writing quality.

Additionally, I used different IDEs for the code files such as Visual Studio Code for the YAML files, Android Studio, and Xcode to have the correct code syntax.

?? Editing and refinement

After finishing the initial chapters, I had the honor of collaborating with a helpful team at Packt Publishing who assisted me in bringing the book to fruition.

Editing and refining were crucial in shaping the book; a professional editor collaborated with me to enhance the clarity of concepts, refine the prose, and guarantee consistency throughout the book.

This process was thorough but rewarding as it turned the manuscript into a refined and polished masterpiece.

We also had technology experts (Eslam Mohammed Anwar and Sergey Akentev ) who reviewed the book to ensure accuracy and suggest improvements to increase its value for readers. I want to express my sincere gratitude for all of their hard work.

??Publishing

Packt Publishing handled the publishing and marketing process while I collaborated closely with the marketing team to deliver the book to readers in various formats and on time.

?? The reward

The sense of accomplishment and valuable connections with tech enthusiasts are the true rewards, along with positive feedback.

???? Conclusion

Becoming a tech author and writing a book was a challenging yet immensely fulfilling journey. It required dedication, passion, and a willingness to learn and adapt. While the process had its ups and downs, the end result was worth every moment of effort.

If you have a passion for tech and a desire to share your knowledge, don't hesitate to embark on your journey as a tech author. Your book could be the key that unlocks new opportunities for both you and your readers.

Happy reading!

Moataz