On Writing a Book, Pt. 2 – Outline and Schedule
This is part two of an ongoing series about my experiences while writing the MySQL Admin Cookbook for Packt Publishing. All previous parts can be found under the mysql-admin-cookbook label. While last time I focused on the initial contact with the publishing company (just referred to as "Packt" from now on), this issue is about the process of putting together an outline proposal and coming up with things to write about in the first place. As from this point on in the process Udo was involved with everything, I will be referring to "us" and write "we" most of the time from now on. The Publisher's Expectations The only thing we knew about the books would-be content was a chapter template for Packt's cookbook series as well as the general description provided by Sarah earlier: As I'm sure everyone is aware, MySQL is a relational database management system. Administrators of MySQL will be tasked with things such as maintaining the database,