Published by Alpha Books

( A division of Prentice Hall )

By Pat Barrett

Author's comments:

This was an interesting project because I'd never before written a book for broad, consumer distribution across the U.S, although I had done a lot of technical writing for industry.

Then too, it's not every day that a major publishing house calls to ask me to do this sort of thing...

These folks know what they're doing!   They had completed a Market Survey and prepared a detailed Specification (which they called an "Outline").

They wanted a troubleshooting book written for average people; formatted as "problem: solution", yet enjoyable to read, with humorous illustrations.   It appealed to my sense of the challenge facing non-technical folks in a changing society.   And presented the opportunity to hone my communication skills for a new audience.

The project was also interesting because I never met the other players; we corresponded over the net.   My Editor was back East and the illustrations were done by a talented fellow in Colorado.

The book was originally targeted for the Christmas market, as part of a set.   It was so successful that sales continued long after the Holidays, eventually enjoying a 3rd printing.