On November 15th, I posted about a potential… thing … that may drastically change my life for the next several months. I also stated that I didn’t want to mention it publicly until the contract was a sure thing. For any of you who crossed your fingers and thunk good thoughts, as I asked - I thank you. The contract is now, officially, a sure thing - and I’ve word from the Powers-That-Be™ that I can now make it public and official.
Back in March of this year, I was asked to attend the SXSWi conference in Austin, Texas to participate as a speaker for a panel called “How to make $$ with your blog design skills” (for anyone interested - you can listen to the podcast of that presentation by downloading it here. Proceed with caution and do NOT listen and drive - it has been known to put listeners to sleep!) At that conference, I had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to meet some very talented colleagues of mine who work in the same niche as I - designers who design blogs. Colleagues whose work I have both admired and been inspired by over the years. One of those people was Susie Gardner, author of “Buzz Marketing With Blogs for Dummies” and owner of Hop Studios. Susie must have caught on to my obvious passion for WordPress, because she asked me if I would be interested in assisting in writing a reference book on WordPress. At the time, I said yes - but then didn’t hear anything about it again.. until last month.
Last month, I heard from Melody Layne, an Acquisitions Editor for Wiley Publishing. She wrote to inquire about my interest in being the lead author on the soon-to-be-released “WordPress for Dummies” book. Wiley Publishing does all the “..for Dummies” books - and they were looking for an author for the latest WordPress edition. Did I say the lead author - - what I mean is the single, solitary author for WordPress for Dummies.
At first, my feelings were mixed. On one hand, I’m thrilled to be able to write about a topic that I both enjoy, and am very passionate about. In addition, it does feel rather good to be recognized, on such a level, for the work I have done with WordPress, and the knowledge and experience I have gained by providing technical support and design solutions to several hundreds of WordPress users over the past several years. It is also a very humbling sensation because I know so many folks out there today who are literal experts on Wordress, so to be asked to write this book is a pretty awesome feeling. Keeping in mind that a Dummies book is not meant to be overly technical - for instance, from a developers standpoint. A Dummies book is meant to be a reference guide for users new to the platform, or those users who want to learn more about it. I know quite a few developers who are PHP gurus and plugin developers - - many of whom have works that I will probably highlight in this book when I touch on “must have” plugins and themes that can vastly extend the possibilities of your WordPress blog.
On the other hand - - I’m saying to myself - “What on earth have I gotten myself into???” Can I really do this? I’ve never written a book before. Me? An author?
Let me just say, if my high school English teacher ever comes across this blog post - she may suffer a stroke brought upon by non-stop laughter and giggles. Never, in a million years, would I, or anyone who has known me, ever thought it was in my stars to author a book of any kind. And yet, the contract with Wiley Publishing is a done deal.
People I have spoken to have cautioned: “A WordPress for Dummies book will be obsolete the moment it hits the shelves” - due to the strong and active development behind the WordPress machine. While I do, very much, understand that sentiment, I also disagree, because there are some very fundamental elements to blogging with the WordPress platform that do not change, or have changed somewhat - but the basic concepts remain the same. I know by the time this edition is published - we will have experienced WordPress 2.1 and quite possibly even version 2.5. I’m excited to see the evolution of WordPress and its growth from the great platform that it already is today.
Who really knows what the future brings for WordPress and its vast community of developers and users. What I do know is that almost all technical ‘Dummies’ books come under review at least every 12 - 18 months for potential revisions and future editions. As the original author, I do have the right of first refusal on those future editions - - so this could become a regular gig for me - one that I would happily welcome.
Over the next several months, I will be hard at work clicking away on this keyboard, writing WordPress for Dummies, due to be in stores by August 2007. I’m very excited .. and very nervous, all at the same time. I thank Wiley for putting their faith in me as their author of choice for this book - - and I thank Susie Gardner for believing in me, and my passion, enough to recommend me for the job. And of course, I need to thank my family, in advance, for what is to be several months of writing, deadlines, editing and an exorbitant amount of coffee.
My daughter went to school today and proudly announced, “My Mom is a Dummies author!“, to anyone willing to listen. That, alone, is worth the price of admission.
Wish me luck, will ya? 
My husband often talks about moving to...
1:29 am on December 16th, 2006
Oh my goodness, that is so incredibly awesome!!! Congratulations, I am so proud of you!!! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again - Lisa, you ROCK!!!!!!
1:45 am on December 16th, 2006
Thank you, Linds! I’m pretty excited
4:33 am on December 16th, 2006
As a legitemate and full fledged “Dummy” I look forward to reading your book! At the moment I am plowing my way through “Blogging For Dummies” by Brad Hill, and whilst it does have a good section on WordPress I will definetely be purchasing your book too.
7:25 am on December 16th, 2006
Dang - haven’t even written the first page and already sold a copy. Ain’t that how it always goes for you?
Congrats!!
8:10 am on December 16th, 2006
Wooooo Hoooooo! How very cool! I am very excited for you. Where can we pre-order?
9:49 am on December 16th, 2006
Congrats and Good Luck. I am sure it will be great!!!
11:00 am on December 16th, 2006
UKStevieB - I read Brad’s book, as well . . I bought it to kind of catch that “Dummies” groove
He did such a good job with it, too.
Amy thanks! As soon as I have pre-ordering information, I shall post it.
Leanne: - - Thank youuuuuu
Haven’t even put pen to paper yet and already sold a copy?? No pressure, eh? lol
soapbox - - thank you. I know I’m ready for it… but are YOU ready for the next several months??? Mmmmmwwwwhahahaha
9:20 pm on December 16th, 2006
Congratulations on your book contract. You’ll do a great job at the writing — even for us dummies!
11:03 pm on December 16th, 2006
Congratulations! How exciting… I’m going to want a copy too, autographed even!
8:51 am on December 17th, 2006
[...] WordPress for Dummies Due out in August 2007. Though I share in her apprehension that the books will become obsolete the minute it comes out, it will also bring a lot of attention to WordPress and it would surely be used to some capacity by many people. Congratulations Lisa! (No Ratings Yet) Loading … tagged Blogging News, Business of Blogging, linkyloo, lisa sabin and wordpress for dummies If you enjoyed this post from Weblog Tools Collection please Subscribe to the RSS feed. Related Posts from the Past: [...]
9:30 am on December 17th, 2006
I’ll be sure to pick up a copy, since this thing is probably meant for people like me.
10:04 am on December 17th, 2006
Congratulations!
11:10 am on December 17th, 2006
Heather: Thank you so much! I’m planning on learning a few things along the way, myself
Michael: You’ve got yourself a deal on that.
Dave: I wonder if the term “Dummies” is considered politically in correct in this day and age? Heh.
Diamond dog: Thank you
11:37 am on December 17th, 2006
WOOOO HOOOO! I want a signed copy!
Way to go!
11:57 am on December 17th, 2006
You got it, Peter - thanks!
12:40 pm on December 17th, 2006
How do the rest of us dummies get a signed copy?
1:17 pm on December 17th, 2006
I’m sure there will be arrangements made at the time of release for signed copies
I’ll surely see what I can do for that, Scoop - thanks 
4:19 pm on December 17th, 2006
Very nice to see that the Dummies know you’re a perfect match for them.
I’m sure you’ll do fine, and I know what you mean about never considering yourself as an author until it happens. I still look back from time and time going “how did this happen?” and then laugh my butt off!
5:07 pm on December 17th, 2006
Do you realise that WordPress actually capitalises the P? It’s CamelCase.
WordPress
!=
WordPress
5:30 pm on December 17th, 2006
I do know that, yes!
I’ve been known to write it both ways - - however I suppose NOW I’ll need to pay more attention, eh? 
Thanks, Jeremy!
10:03 pm on December 17th, 2006
Count me in for a signed copy!
Plus, I don’t want to buy from Amazon or B&N; they take a slice off the top of your revenue, so make sure I can either paypal you direct or send a postal m.o. so you get more of the profit!
(yes, I am that convinced of your abilities and the book)
C:
10:08 pm on December 17th, 2006
Thanks, Lisa, and congratulations.
When I buy tech books, I go for the signed copies. Why? Because the down-and-hard geeks books get used and re-used. The others get read once, sit on the shelf, and gather dust. When someone comes along later and can use the book, it usually brings a smile to get a book handed to them that has the author’s signature. When ya make it big, **that** copy will be on my shelf, not being handed off to a friend in need.
Have fun writing. I spent 20 years in newsrooms, then walked away to the life of freelancing. I’ve ghosted a couple of books (yes, that means I wrote them, but Mr. John Somebody got the credit), so I know what it’s like. Have fun, it can be a great adventure.
11:02 pm on December 17th, 2006
Knowing you, Astro - - I’m sitting over here trying to decide if that’s a compliment….?
Certainly you’re not calling me a dummie, are you? Blonde hairs, notwithstanding. 
11:03 pm on December 17th, 2006
Charlie, that is very sweet - thank you
In the coming months, I will probably call on you for another shot of confidence like the one you just gave me .. I may need it! 
11:11 pm on December 17th, 2006
Scoop - your reasoning on the autographed books makes total sense. I don’t think we’ll ever have to worry about me making it *big* - I like my privacy too much.
My husband has requested a signed copy - - he said that it has to say “This is the very first signed copy of this book - Number One for my Number One.”
Can we hear a collective “Awwwwwww” Sickening, ain’t it?
2:16 am on December 18th, 2006
His comments sound like someone I know.
\ 
/
5:33 am on December 18th, 2006
That makes me so happy to hear!!! Good luck
10:34 am on December 21st, 2006
I refuse to learn more as my brain is just melting. I am looking forward to the holidays ending this year. Seems outr industry has slowed a lot this year.
12:49 pm on December 21st, 2006
[...] เป็นคนหัวทึบจึงชà¸à¸šà¸à¹ˆà¸²à¸™ …for Dummies ดีใจที่จะได้à¸à¹ˆà¸²à¸™ WordPress for Dummies จาภLisa ซึ่งจะวางจำหน่ายภายในเดืà¸à¸™à¸ªà¸´à¸‡à¸«à¸²à¸„ม ปีหน้า [...]
6:35 pm on December 25th, 2006
You must be very excited and anxious!!! From looking at all your work, you don’t need luck. You’ll do fine and it will be all over before you know it. You already have the knowledge, skills, and experience - all you have to do is put it on paper!!!
I can’t wait to read it! Oh, I like looking at the pictures in a book. (hint, hint)
12:27 am on January 5th, 2007
[...] I posted about the book deal on my personal blog when I was finally able to make the announcement after the ink was dry on the contract. The folks at Wiley have been great so far - - very helpful and encouraging. [...]
7:14 am on January 20th, 2007
Congratulations. That sounds wonderful. I love your site design and your blog and will be returning to read more.
10:17 pm on January 20th, 2007
[...] As you can probably guess - I’ve been spending large portions of my days writing like a fiend and working to meet the deadlines for the WordPress for Dummies book. I shall have 25% of the book completed in about another two weeks - of course, that is before my editors get their hands on it and whip out their red pens and send it back to me… but, at least, until then - I will have the satisfaction of at least feeling like it’s done and accomplished. I’ll just put the pending red pen edits out of my mind and pretend it’s all done and dusted… for now. [...]
5:35 pm on April 24th, 2007
[...] days to go on the book deadline - - will she make it? Or will she lose her sanity in the process? Time will tell. I have yet to [...]
10:35 pm on June 2nd, 2007
Hi Lisa - I’d like to write a Dummies book. Their web site says that I need to have an agent. I know you were solicited for your book/content. What do you suggest? Find an agent? Just send them a resume? I’d appreciate your opinion.
Lea
1:10 am on June 3rd, 2007
Hi Lea - thanks for stopping by. Wiley Publishing information about submitting a proposal on their website.
I was approached by Wiley, so I really don’t have any insight on the best way to go about contacting them. However, I would recommend putting together a proposal on a book you are interested in writing - including topic matter/content and spend some time doing market research on the topic so you can give Wiley some persuasive information on why your book would be a winner for them.
Best of luck!
8:50 pm on June 5th, 2007
A very inspiring story on the WP4D book developement. Since I’m a novice in this world of “blogging”, I can’t wait to have it in my hands and read from beginning to end. Buona Fortuna!
10:40 pm on July 6th, 2007
[...] needed to look for something new for ChrisHoyt.com. Lisa is currently finishing up work on, “WordPress for Dummies“, so I consider her an expert when it comes to Wordpress! I’m still using the XMark [...]
6:47 am on October 25th, 2007
Lisa,
Anxiously awaiting the book. Any idea on a firm release date?
Thanks.
Jim
6:34 pm on October 25th, 2007
Jim, thank you. All I know is what I’ve posted here in my most recent blog post. As soon as I have new information, I will surely update my site with it. Thanks!
8:45 pm on December 16th, 2007
Too funny, I just bought the book from coles here in ottawa today, I saw it and thought it would be a good gift if some one were to buy it then it just jumped into my hand and the next thing you know my bank card was in the swipey thingy.
Good stuff so far, just flipping pages right now!!
10:38 pm on December 16th, 2007
Shane - I guess I should have warned you about the bank card swipey thing.. it’s a side-effect of the book.. hahah
Hope you enjoy it!
12:06 pm on December 26th, 2007
Hi Lisa,
I really enjoyed your book, and I certainly learned a lot. I had no concept at all of WordPress. However, there’s been a couple of things I’ve tried that haven’t worked like the book said it would. I’m using the redie-30 theme. I added a static first page and named it “Welcome”. That page shows up correctly. The problem is, there’s a page up called “Home” with the exact same information as “Welcome” and it won’t go away. Do you have any pointers on this? Thanks for your help.
6:58 pm on December 26th, 2007
Debbie - your theme has the “Home” link hard coded in the header.php file:
Remove this part of that:
<li><a href="<?php echo get_settings('home'); ?>">Home</a></li>Glad you enjoyed the book - cheers!
7:42 am on December 27th, 2007
Good morning, Lisa! I made the change you suggested and the “Home” page went away, but now I have 2 more questions:
1. I went into my header.php file and removed this:
<a href=”"> before I found the one you instructed. Did I hurt anything?
2. In the list at the top of the webpage, the “Welcome” tab did not move into the position where the “Home” tab was but instead, is underneath in a second row and is cut off at the bottom. Can this be easily fixed?
Thanks again for all your help.
7:58 am on December 27th, 2007
Hi Debbie - I would suggest going back to the original designer of the theme you’re using and request assistance from them. I’m not overly familiar with that particular theme…. what you’re talking about sounds like a CSS issue.
6:01 pm on December 27th, 2007
Lisa,
I just spent about 2 hours looking around your various sites. What an experience! And what valuable information I found there! I signed up for your email newsletter (as ablemable, it wouldn’t accept my other one) and look forward to updates. I hope I get to the point I can hire your assistance with my blog. Thanks again.
7:38 pm on December 27th, 2007
Hi Debbie - thank you! And thanks for subscribing
2:09 pm on January 24th, 2008
[...] out the window the moment I upgraded to version 4. So I bought a copy of Lisa Sabin-Wilson’s WordPress for Dummies the next day, spent Saturday and Sunday reading the relevant chapters, and set up a trial WP [...]
9:03 pm on January 28th, 2008
[...] also discovered a handy little helper for those of us not coding in our sleep by way of For Immediate [...]
10:21 am on April 5th, 2008
[...] lidt om hvorledes jeg skulle agere for at fÃ¥ bloggen til at fungere. Derfor bestilte jeg “wordpress for dummies” via [...]
12:54 pm on May 9th, 2008
[...] neither Rob or I have any clue how to set such a thing up, we’ll be holed up with a copy of WordPress for Dummies. This is bound to result in some [...]
3:03 pm on June 6th, 2008
[...] site and trying new things. Ieven went so far as to purchase Wordpress For Dummies (written by Lisa Sabin-Wilson, who incidentally designed the current theme that I’m using). I’m stubborn and I [...]
4:29 am on June 24th, 2008
[...] have ordered my copy of WordPress for Dummies over at Amazon (including shipping) instead of getting it at my local bookstores because it is [...]
9:14 pm on July 30th, 2008
Great job! Celebrate!
That was cute about your daughter. Good luck.
3:15 pm on July 31st, 2008
Lisa, I forgot (well, too many things going on — don’t ask) to tell you I ordered your book just after it was released. It was even on my ToDo list! (I still have many, many things to cross off that list — you got precendence over many of those, even!)
It’s a great book and lots of good information. Planning an updated version?
12:39 pm on September 4th, 2008
[...] Many of you who’ve stumbled upon my About page know that I am a self-taught web/blog designer. I don’t have a degree in computer science, nor have I ever cracked open a book on CSS or WordPress For Dummies. [...]
5:28 pm on October 3rd, 2008
Hi Lisa,
I just picked up your book the other day at my local Chapters store. I’m pleased with what I have read so far and I am particularly interested in your section about using Wordpress as a full-blown CMS.
Even after reading that section about choosing a hosting provider, I’m having a hard time deciding on one. I’ve used GoDaddy for domain registration and I was thinking about giving them a try. However, GoDaddy is not on Wordpress’ list of recommended providers. AN Hosting is another possibility. I know you’ve been asked this a zillion times, but if you had to choose one of those two, which one would you choose? Feel free to email me the answer if you don’t want to publicly endorse one.
Anyway, good job on the book.
11:01 am on October 4th, 2008
Joe:
Don’t fret and worry too much about “recommended hosting providers.” I use 1and1.com and HostMonster.com for hosting seven blogs, four sites, as well as maintaining sites for several others. I’ve never had problems with either host.
Both have an implementation to install a WordPress blog, but I detest those packaged installers. I’d strongly suggest using a self-hosted installation of WordPress over a Fantastico or other install of the software. That way you’re always up-to-date (if you do the update), and not, at times, one to two months behind on current versions.
Hope that helps!
Dave J. (Scoop0901)
Philadelphia, PA USA
http://blog.scoop0901.net/
8:00 am on October 8th, 2008
Hi Lisa:
Just a note to say how much I appreciate your efforts to help us better understand the power and capabilities of WordPress.
I wish you luck with your new project and hope that you will be able to include some information about version 2.7 currently in development. Judging from the wire frames (http://wordpress.org/development/2008/10/wordpress-27-wireframes/), it looks like 2.7 will change things up in a big way. It must be terribly difficult to keep things relevant when the target is constantly moving.
I look forward to reading your new book.
Best regards,
Bob
1:14 pm on October 8th, 2008
Thanks, Bob! It is a bit of a challenge to keep the book up to date for the latest and greatest to come out of the WordPress camp… but it’s a fun challenge that I happily embrace
The second edition of the book is due out early December ‘08 and will cover the latest release of 2.7 (which is due to be released in November).
Cheers!
5:23 pm on October 12th, 2008
I have Vol. 2 on pre-order now. It’s shipping on Nov. 3. Hopefully, like many other books I pre-order, it will be hear that day, but if not, well, the world won’t end. Right?
No signed editions, though. hhhmmmm. I guess I’ll be waiting, so I’m packing a lunch ’til then …
3:32 pm on November 12th, 2008
Hello all,
I am glad I found Lisa’s blog. I was hoping she or maybe someone else here could snswer a question for me.
Will there ever be a time were we could get an up to date version of ‘Wordpress for Dummies’?
The book looks promising for people like me who want to know all about how to design blogs. The little bits and pieces about Wordpress that you find on the internet, the 20 page pdf documents and the 3 minute vidoes, just don’t cut it. I need real, thorough information.
But there is one problem with with Wordpress for Dummies. It is never up to date. I don’t doubt that it is probably hard to keep up to date on something like this, so I am not blaming the author or anything, but the first Wordpress for Dummies that I seen was when I first got the Wordpress bug, and Wordpress 2.5 was already the standard version, and Wordpress for Dummies was for a way earlier version if I remember correctly.
The latest version, which is suppose to address the 2.5 version, is due out this month, but Wordpress is alread at version 2.7.
The question I have is what good is an outdated book ever going to be to anybody? I mean, if people are using Wordpress 2.7, then how is Wordpress for Dummies that explains version 2.5, going to help anybody?
This isn’t a post to be critical of the author’s material, but it is a valid question I think.
I mean really. If you wanted to find out how to tune up your car yourself, would you go buy a book that showed you how to tune a Model T? I don’t think so.
Does anyone here know if there is another wordpress book that’s up to date what would be a good alternative?
The Wordpress for Dummies has been the book I have been seeing the most, ahd it has some good reviews, and I was almost going to get the earlier version until I noticed there was a later version, so I decided to wait for the later version, and now I find that even that one isn’t really up to date.
So now it looks like I am either going to have to find another book on Wordpress, or heaven forbid, maybe have to just grab all the bits and pieces of Wordpress info on the internet and see if I can assemble some resemblence of an up to date Wordpress document myself. I REALLY don’t want to have to do the latter. ;D
Sincerely,
Misato Katsuragi
3:50 pm on November 12th, 2008
@Misato glad you stopped by - and your questions are valid. WordPress development moves so quickly, we try to keep the bok as up to date as possible. The second edition coming out soon is up to date as of WordPress 2.7, not 2.5 - - Amazon.com hasn’t updated their description yet. In between book editions, I do release free bonus chapters to bring users up to date on the changes WordPress has made, and we’ve rewritten the book once a year to keep the book as up to date as possible.
Thanks for stopping by!
2:56 pm on December 12th, 2008
That’s pretty impressive to release a book on 2.7. I must admit that I am new to blogging and have yet to upgrade to 2.7. The release of your book should work really well with my timeline and that of many others.
In the product details it does list “2 edition” which I did not see before.