WordPress for Dummies

Dec 16 2006

A while ago, I posted about some exciting things brewing around here. I’ve slowly crossed things off my to do list as we head into the holidays. My new year is about to become very exciting and very busy! I’ve been sitting on this little bit of news for the last month, until I was positive that it was offical…

I’m happy to announce that I have been asked to author the “WordPress for Dummies” book, due to be in stores in August of 2007. The contract details with Wiley Publishing were finalized over the past few days and I’m excited about being given the opportunity to write a reference book on a piece of software that I love, and am very passionate about.

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.

There is also the very real feeling of: “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 (author of Buzz Marketing with Blogs for Dummies) 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 yesterday and proudly announced, “My Mom is a Dummies author!“, to anyone willing to listen. That, alone, is worth the price of admission.

For clients who are currently on my waiting list for January – I still do plan on providing design services and processing those design requests in the order that they have been recieved. I have some really awesome designers who are ready and willing to work hard in 2007, providing design solutions to our clients, and I will be taking on some design projects, as well.

2007 is looking to be a busy, productive and very exciting year so far! Wish me luck, will ya?

Lisa Sabin-Wilson is a creative designer and founder of E.Webscapes. She is the author of WordPress For Dummies and BuddyPress For Dummies, and is a regular speaker at national conferences on the topics of WordPress, blogging and design. Blog | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

Like what you see??

If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it with others using the social bookmarking site of your choosing. We appreciate it!

22 Responses to “WordPress for Dummies”

Aaress

16. Dec, 2006

What an awesome opportunity! Congratulations Lisa and I can’t wait to read the finished product!
Lisa Sabin-Wilson

16. Dec, 2006

Thank you, Aaress Great to hear from you!
Blogs About - Blog Hosting and Blog Design Solutions

17. Dec, 2006

… We are very happy, and proud, to annouce that our very own Lisa Sabin-Wilson has been asked to author “WordPress for Dummies” – due to be available in stores in August 2007. The “.. for Dummies” books are a product of Wiley Publishing. Lisa’s experience and knowledge of the WordPress blogging software will make this book a ‘must have’ for anyone with a desire to learn more about working with WordPress. You can read her own announcement on her Design Blog at E.Webscapes. If you’re interested in receiving updates on the progress and release of the book – please visit her Design Blog and subscribe to her RSS Feed …
susie gardner

17. Dec, 2006

w00t! glad to recommend you and looking forward to reading the book. remember you’ve got a ready resource if you run into any questions during the writing.

best,
susie.
Lisa Sabin-Wilson

17. Dec, 2006

Trust me, Susie – that particular ready reference is at the tippy top of my list.. and I thank you for that, and for the recommendation.

Happy Holidays!!
Svana Lyn

17. Dec, 2006

Waw! Congratulations!
Kristen

18. Dec, 2006

WHOOOO HOOOOO!!! CONGRATS!!! That is an awsome opportunity and I for one will be looking forward to it hitting the shelves
Joelle

19. Dec, 2006

Congratulations! I’m excited for you. You know who to IM when you’re freaking out about a deadline! hahaha.
Lisa Sabin-Wilson

19. Dec, 2006

Joelle – lol… careful, or I’ll just take you up on that! Thank you very much! Happy Holidays, Ho ho ho n’ all that!
Lisa Sabin-Wilson

19. Dec, 2006

Kristen – thank you! It is an excellent opportunity.. one that I’m really looking forward to.
Lisa Sabin-Wilson

19. Dec, 2006

Svana – much appreciated! Thank you for stopping by
Jeania

02. Jan, 2007

Well obviously since I was searching for some “how to” information on wordpress and came up with this blog I am thrilled to hear this! As a novice I have found waaaay too much jargon and not enough “how to” when it comes to Wordpress.

Congrats! Can you give me any hints on where to go for help until your book comes out? I’m going bananas!
Lisa Sabin-Wilson

02. Jan, 2007

Jeania – I’m happy to hear that your search for ‘how to’ on WordPress brought you here! I’m excited to be writing the book – and my goal is to simplify it as much as possible for new users

In the meantime, I think the best place to find detailed information on ‘how to’s’ with WordPress is the documentation provided by WordPress at http://codex.wordpress.org – - I can’t promise that it’s ‘jargon-free’ – but it is a very helpful place to start!

Good luck!
Iip Sarifudin

05. Jan, 2007

any instant software for create layout for wordpress ?
Jenny

29. Jan, 2007

omg congrats. i am so buying it when it comes out. ♥ good luck!!
girlseyeviewNU » Lisa of E.Webscapes Writes WP for Dummies

29. Jan, 2007

[...] WordPress for Dummies in August 2007! [...]
Lisa Sabin-Wilson

29. Jan, 2007

Hey Jenny – and thanks! With my first deadline looming on Feb. 1 – I’ll neeed that luck. and thanks for the mention on your blog, too . . much appreciated!
Panda Parade » Lisa of E.Webscapes Writes WP for Dummies

02. Mar, 2007

[...] Lisa of E.Webscapes Writes WP for Dummies WordPress for Dummies in August 2007! [...]
Hans

05. Mar, 2007

I would be happy to alleviate your bunch of design work since I offer my help to those willing some custom designed theme for free. I’ve just released a theme some days back and I ought to release more in the future.

I’m sure you’re going to provide us a great book since by reading your above post the language is easy to grasp and understand and I think that’s what makes a really good book not the amount of technical junkie in it… lol
Tina

16. Mar, 2007

Hey Lisa,

I’m a bit slow in getting the news, but wanted to say a HUGE congrats to you on your Dummies book. I have to say that the word is spreading, as I mentioned your name on a call the other day… and someone said “oh, that is the lady who is writing the Wordpress for Dummies book”. So very cool.
Lisa Sabin-Wilson

16. Mar, 2007

Hi Tina – great to hear from you, and thanks so much! I’m getting more and more excited the closer we get to publishing
Pajama Mommy » Blog Archive » Lisa of E.Webscapes Writes WP for Dummies

19. Mar, 2007

[...] WordPress for Dummies in August 2007! [...]