Writing a Tech Book: Navigating the Publishing Landscape

In 2019, I embarked on a journey to write a book about software engineering, expecting the project to take between six and 12 months to complete. However, it took four years to finally see the light of day. Fortunately, the book, “The Software Engineer’s Guidebook,” received overwhelmingly positive feedback from readers, becoming a #1 bestseller in two Amazon markets and selling around 40,000 copies in 24 months.

The experience taught me a great deal about the book publishing industry, including how to pitch a book and choose the right publishing route. In this article, I will share my learnings, covering the tech book publishing landscape, financials of publishing, and my personal experience working with a publisher.

Tech Book Publishing Landscape

The tech book publishing industry is diverse, with reputable publishers producing high-quality titles alongside others that are less authoritative. Each publisher has a specific area of expertise, ranging from mainstream topics to niche areas.

Highly Reputable Mainstream Publishers

Three publishers stand out in the tech book publishing sector:

O’Reilly: publishes highly referenced books with distinctive animal-themed covers.
Manning: offers a broad range of titles on specific and general tech topics, featuring historical figures on the covers.
The Pragmatic Bookshelf (Prags): founded by Andy Hunt and Dave Thomas, known for their best-selling book “The Pragmatic Programmer” and refusal to use digital rights management (DRM) on their ebooks.

Highly Reputable “Mainstream” Publishers

These publishers have strong reputations but are harder to pitch to due to their selective publishing process:

Addison-Wesley: a well-known brand in tech, publishing classic titles like “Clean Code” and “The Pragmatic Programmer.”
Pearson: owns the Addison-Wesley imprint and publishes tech books under its own name.
Wiley: formerly a prominent tech book publisher, now focusing on computer science textbooks.
Springer: a massive publisher with a small tech book division.
Morgan Kaufmann: a well-known tech book publisher focusing on academic topics.

Highly Reputable “Niche” Publishers

These publishers are renowned for their high-quality content in specific areas:

No Starch Press: specializes in geek entertainment, featuring fun visuals and high-quality content on specific technologies.
IT Revolution: publishes titles for technology leaders, including “The Phoenix Project” and “Accelerate.”
Artima: focuses on Scala.
CRC Press: publishes on technology, engineering, math, and medicine.
Stripe Press: covers technological, economic, and scientific advancement.
MIT Press: curates influential books for scholars and libraries worldwide.

Other Mainstream Book Publishers

Apress and Packt are reputable publishers with a lower profile, publishing a wide range of topics. While they may be more open to pitches, the quality of their titles can vary.

Financials of Publishing

When a publisher accepts your proposal, you will receive a contract offer that includes financial terms.

Advance: $2,000 – $5,000, paid in chunks (50% upon milestone completion and 50% upon full draft submission). The “big three” publishers typically offer $5,000, while smaller publishers offer around $2,000.
Paperback royalty: 7-15%, earned on book sales and taken from the net price. The net price is what the publisher receives after the retailer’s cut.
Ebook royalties: 10-25%, with some publishers offering higher rates.

It is essential to consider the financial implications of publishing, including the royalty rates and advance payments. Understanding these aspects will help you make informed decisions about your book’s publication.

My Book Pitch

I initially wanted to work with a top tech publisher, but the process was more challenging than expected. I learned a great deal about how publishing works, how to pitch a book, and how to choose the right publishing route.

Working with a Publisher

Working with a publisher can be a valuable experience, but it is crucial to understand their role and the publishing process. The publisher’s primary responsibility is to distribute and market your book, while you focus on writing and editing.

Breaking Up with a Publisher

In some cases, it may be necessary to part ways with a publisher. This could be due to creative differences, unsatisfactory contract terms, or other reasons. It is essential to have a clear understanding of your contract and the terms of your agreement.

In conclusion, writing a tech book can be a rewarding experience, but navigating the publishing landscape requires careful consideration. By understanding the different types of publishers, financial terms, and the publishing process, you can make informed decisions about your book’s publication and increase its chances of success.