Writing a Book
March 28, 2007
After three months of laboring in relative silence, I'm able to explain publicly why the activity on this site has diminished so much. I'm writing a book.
Now, before anyone gets too excited, I should specify that I am writing a book on how to use the jQuery JavaScript library to enhance interaction design on websites. The book is an extension of the blog I've been running, Learning jQuery. When a publisher contacted me in November about the possibility of writing a book, I jumped at the chance.
Actually, I told them I would jump if they let me write it with a colleague of mine, Jonathan Chaffer, who is a much more skilled programmer than I am. They said that was fine, so Jonathan and I started writing. It turns out that Jonathan is also a talented technical writer as well.
The writing is progressing well. We're hoping for a publication date sometime this summer. Soon the publisher will have a page on their website with details about date, price, and so on. When they do, I'll post a link to it here, just in case anyone is interested. In the meantime, feel free to read the announcement at jquery.com.
Thanks to my family and close friends who have kept this a secret. Thanks to everyone for being patient while the English Rules site remains dormant.
Comments (10)
Once a teacher, always a teacher, I guess, but you've got to be one of the most diversified teachers out there. From teaching English to high school kids (and the rest of us) to teaching jquery to the geek crowd and writing a book about it is quite a leap, I think. It's testimony to your impressive intellectual abilities. I'm so very proud of you, Karl.
Mar 28, 2007 ; 4:07 PM
karl!
oh, this is exciting news! you are such an interesting man - i have absolutely no idea what jquery is. but! now that your project is finding it's place, after you get jason's quote for the dustjacket, i'll be there for the hair and makeup part of the photo shoot! and when you need someone for your press junkets to powder your nose, well, i'm your woman. :)
congratulations on this latest accomplishment. i hope the project continues to progress smoothly.
you are a true renaissance man.
Mar 29, 2007 ; 1:55 AM
Thanks for the kind words!
Tammy, my hair is getting downright shaggy, so maybe I'll take you up on your offer. :)
Mar 29, 2007 ; 8:39 AM
Just wait until you see the twist at the end!
SPOILERS:
Dumbledore kills Hermione
Mar 29, 2007 ; 8:39 AM
I agree with Tammy. I have no idea what a jquery is. But I won't cut your hair or powder your nose. Just a pat on the back. I'm glad you're done so I can get more blogs sent to me. When it goes on sale let me know so I can buy it. Most likely it will sit at my desk and not be opened just collecting dust, but I'll try to read it between everything else thats going on just because my little brother wrote the book. Also to understand what a jquery is. Congrats.
Mar 29, 2007 ; 8:49 PM
Thanks, Dean. Actually, we're not done yet, but we're getting close.
Mar 29, 2007 ; 9:01 PM
Kudos, Karl! Julian and I are quite proud! Forgive my ignorance, but are there any other books written on the program, or will you have a monopoly? Also, who exactly is your audience (other than those of us who will buy it simply to see your name)?
Again, congrats on all your hard work!
Nicole
Mar 31, 2007 ; 2:15 PM
Thanks, Nicole. Your ignorance is forgiven. In fact, it's expected. ;-) Seriously, the topic is a fairly arcane one, especially for those who don't make a living developing websites. I wouldn't expect anyone outside of the jQuery community or the computer book publishing industry to know about the availability of this type of book.
But to answer your question, no, there aren't any other books written about jQuery specifically. I hear that there is another one in the works, though. The intended audience is web designers and developers who want to add interactivity, animation, and other visual effects to their websites in an easy yet powerful way.
Thanks for the encouragement. It means a lot to me.
Apr 2, 2007 ; 8:02 AM
hey i just caught a ptraying mantis just yester day but do they eat Chocolate?
Sep 2, 2008 ; 12:24 PM
Wow! awesome Karl! Congratulations. Let me know if you need a quote for the dust jacket. :)
Mar 28, 2007 ; 1:05 PM