Mastering SolidWorks Book Has Arrived!

The new book has arrived. I have 10 of these. Let me tell you, they are heavy. It’s about 3/4″ thicker than the 2013 version. 1210 pages. You get the bonus of seeing a bit of my desk clutter with this shot. It looks like Amazon will have their shipment on Nov 20. This is always a satisfying moment, getting to open the book and see the screen shots actually printed on paper in a bound book. I can’t help but think this may be my last actual printed book, since my next writing adventure has already begun, and it’s all digital.

I’m ready for somewhat of a different direction. Publishers and professional editors can really sap everything that’s enjoyable (and profitable) out of the act of writing unless you’ve got a name like JK Rowling or Stephen King or something like that. I recently had an offer to write a book, and the hourly wage figured out to $1.15/hr. For 2 months straight without weekends. Seriously. These folks made the offer with a straight face. The problem is that someone, likely someone reading this post, will jump at the offer and write that book for them, just because it seems glamorous to see your name in print.

Anyway, it’s a happy moment to see the work is all behind me for this, and I shouldn’t spoil it by drawing back the curtain on the publishing industry a little bit. Updating the book has been fun, working with Alin has been great, and I know the book will bring me into contact with a lot of end users with a lot of interesting questions. I’ve sold over 52,000 copies of all the various SolidWorks Bibles (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, Surfacing, Administration) that have been published (without counting electronic versions), and I’m looking to Mastering SolidWorks to sell about 10,000 more. Thanks to all those who have bought and read and suggested improvements for the new books.

Thanks to everyone for the support and answers to odd questions I’ve posted here and on the SW Forums, and maybe emailed some of you direct.