About
I’ve written about computers and technology since the mid-80s. Twenty-five years later, I’ve written more than 50 books, and “Windows For Dummies” has become the best-selling computer book series of all time. With more than 15 million books in print, I’ve earned spots on bestseller lists from the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly.
My latest book, Motorola Xoom For Dummies, is now available for from Amazon.
Contact information
Follow me on Twitter! For computer- or book-related questions, visit my Mail page. I answer a reader’s question each week on my website.
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Media-related questions
For information about review copies, the “For Dummies” series, or Wiley Publishing, contact Eric Holmgren, publicity manager at Wiley Publishing. For anything else, feel free to ask me directly.
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Book contracts
I’m represented by Matt Wagner at Fresh Books Literary Agency.
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Magazine/online assignments
I occasionally write articles for websites, magazines and newspapers. For more information or rates, contact me directly.
Recent work
Here’s a sampling of my work that’s appeared outside of my website. For details about my most recent books, visit my Books page.
- Motorola Xoom For Dummies. Wiley Publishing, Inc., June 26, 2011.
- Upgrading and Fixing Computers Do-it-Yourself For Dummies. Wiley Publishing, Inc., September 22, 2010.
- Windows XP’s popular keyboard shortcuts. Dummies.com, January 28, 2010.
- Four-part Windows 7 interview on Let’s Talk Computers talk show. December 26, 2009 through January 23, 2010.
- Windows 7 For Dummies, DVD bundle. Wiley Publishing, Inc., October 12, 2009.
- Downloading and running Microsoft’s Security Essentials. Dummies.com, October, 2009.
- Upgrading Windows XP to Windows 7: Advice and Shortcuts. Datamation, September 28, 2009.
- How to Clean Install Windows 7 over Windows XP. Dummies.com, September 18, 2009.
- Windows 7 For Dummies. Wiley Publishing, Inc., September 9, 2009.
- Windows 7 Review: Why I Like Windows 7. Datamation, May 18, 2009.
- Tweaking Vista to Run on a Laptop. Datamation, April 24, 2007.
- Vista Expert: Why I Don’t Like Vista. Datamation, April 4, 2007.
- 53 Hardware Secrets. PC World, Nov. 1, 2006.
Longer Bio
I began fiddling around with computers in the early 1980s as a Comparative Literature major at San Diego State University. Because of all the writing involved, I bought a 26-pound Kaypro 2X CP/M computer and a WordStar word processing program. When the professor asked for an eight-page term paper and I could only muster up six, I’d subtly adjust the margins of my word processor, squeezing the words into eight pages.
Intrigued with the possibilities of PCs, I began freelancing in 1987 for my first computer magazine, a local biweekly called ComputorEdge. I soon began freelancing for CompuServe, PC World, and Shareware magazines, and ghostwriting for other computer book authors.
In 1992, I wrote the first edition of “Windows For Dummies.” As Windows grew more popular, more beginners began finding my books helpful. My books aren’t written for dummies, they’re written for people who feel like dummies when their computer or gadget doesn’t behave the way it should.
Today, I’ve written more than 50 books, and “Windows For Dummies” is the best-selling computer book series of all time. When not writing books, I enjoy cooking, bird watching with my wife, and playing ukulele.