Thomas Pettit and Scott Cosentino are the authors of The MySQL Workshop, we got the chance to sit down with Thomas and find out more about his experience of writing with Packt.
Q: What is/are your specialist tech area(s)?
Thomas : Software Development/Database Design, MS Access and SQL, MySQL
Q: How did you become an author for Packt? Tell us about your journey. What was your motivation for writing this book?
Thomas: I was approached due to my experience in the field, I wanted to help others trying to get into the field
Q: What kind of research did you do, and how long did you spend researching before beginning the book?
Thomas : My main research was 23 years of doing the work, I actually practice what I preach
Q: Did you face any challenges during the writing process? How did you overcome them?
Thomas : I had never written a book before, I did much research online and guidance from Packt
Q: What’s your take on the technologies discussed in the book? Where do you see these technologies heading in the future?
Thomas : For my contribution, MySQL is an excellent RDBMS and getting better all the time, its popularity is extreme. MS Access will be around for many years do to its popularity in business for quick development applications and once a business starts using it, it is difficult for it to move away
Q. Why should readers choose this book over others already on the market? How would you differentiate your book from its competition?
Thomas : The book is written by authors who use the technology to earn a living, it is simple in its approach, clearly explained and aimed at those with a little knowledge but wanting to expand their skills and technology base
Q. What are the key takeaways you want readers to come away from the book with?
Thomas : A good footing in how to use MySQL with different technologies and applications
Q. What advice would you give to readers learning tech? Do you have any top tips?
Thomas : Just jump in feet first and embrace it, you CAN do it
Q. What are your favorite tech journals? How do you keep yourself up to date on tech?
Thomas : Usually through browsing articles on the web, research, when I hear of something new or when I need to learn it.
Q. How did you organize, plan, and prioritize your work and write the book?
Thomas : A lot of trial and error, good guidance from Packt and a few rewrites 🙂
Q. What is that one writing tip that you found most crucial and would like to share with aspiring authors?
Thomas : After you have done your research and written your text, put some headphones on, sit back, close your eyes and let the word process read it to you, you pick up problems so much easier when you are listening to it.
You can find the book on Amazon by following this link: Please click here
