[erlang-questions] ANN: Designing for Scalability with Erlang/OTP by O'Reilly

[Miles Fidelman]

Mark Nijhof wrote:
>
> It is not funny anymore how many people think that someone writes a 
> book for money. Even when self publishing there is not a lot of money 
> to be made, I use LeanPub and am very happy with the platform/service 
> they offer. And the royalties are good as well, but I need to pay for 
> the cover design, the website (if you want something else then the 
> default) and for editors to help me improve my content. So far it has 
> cost me money.
>

That does require a comment.  A lot of people DO write for money, though 
not necessarily looking for all that money to come from book sales.  
Academics "publish or perish."  Consultants as a marketing vehicle.  And 
yes, there are people who actually make a living from writing books.

But yes, there are also non-monetary reasons for writing a book - 
consolidating learning, as an excuse to do some personal research, 
putting experience or thoughts on paper, promoting a position, and so 
forth.  Even then, few have the luxury to do that without some means of 
support - we all have to eat.  If one is retired, has a job that 
includes writing as a part of it (can you say academia?), an 
understanding employer (or an employer who benefits from your writing), 
that's great.  Otherwise, a grant, a fellowship, or some form of income 
is required.
> Writing is a huge amount of work, and it is a shame writers don't see 
> more of the results.

Absolutely.  Writing is real work.  One of the reasons my next book will 
be self-published.

Cheers,

Miles Fidelman


-- 
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice, there is.   .... Yogi Berra