Several guys have asked me this question, How they can author a technical book. Just follow these steps and you will be on your way to become an author. Writing a technical book isn’t that difficult as long as you have expertise on a subject.
Before you start writing, you ought to ask yourself, why you want to write a book. Remember, it’s cool to be a published author but authoring book doesn’t mean you will make load of money.
1. Pick a Topic
First task to become an author is to pick a topic what you would like to write about. You need to be an expert on that topic. Ok, let’s say you are not an expert on that topic but by the time your book will be finished, you must have to be an expert on that topic. You must also have an interest in that topic. If you do not have an interest in a topic, it will be difficult to come up with some cool samples. For example, you like working with 3D graphics in WPF and XAML and have done lot of work and research. You may want to author a book in 3D Programming in WPF.
2. Research, Research, Research
Research is the key to success. More research you do to write contents of your book, chances are, more successful your book will be. You need to buy bunch of books on the topic, read online on MSDN or any other documentation you find. After learning from these books and documentation, you get the idea what is out there and what is missing. Your main focus should be on what is missing, not what is already out there. You may find small sample on each class in MSDN but how about some complex examples? You need to come up with your own authentic examples. Try to put your real life experience in your book and explain how you solved your problems in your real life programming.
3. Start Light
When you are doing your research, start writing small articles on the topics, which you learn during your research. Also, try to get some of those published on websites like C# Corner (www.c-sharpcorner.com). Also try to get some feedback on your articles to see how your writing style is and how people like it.
4. Delve Deep
After you started light, it’s time to delve deep into the topic and find solutions of the problems and explanations of classes and their members with samples which none of the documentation or books have. At this point, start writing some complex applications and samples.
5. Put a TOC and Sample Chapter
Now you know enough about a topic, have done a research, have developed sample applications and the last hard part is to put a TOC (table of contents) together with your chapters and all headings (first level and second level) of the chapters. Also, write a complete chapter with your sample applications.
6. Contact a Publisher
Once you have your TOC and sample chapter ready, your next step is to contact a publisher. There are several good technical publishers and my favorites are APress and Addison-Wesley.
7. Congratulations!
If a publisher likes your TOC and sample chapter, you will get a contract, book templates and other material and you are on your way to get famous. If you need more advice, you may contact me.