About
Since the mid-80s, I’ve written about computers and technology. I’ve written more than 50 books, and “Windows For Dummies” has become the best-selling computer book series of all time. I have more than 15 million books in print and earned spots on bestseller lists from the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly. I’m currently writing Upgrading and Fixing Computers Do-It-Yourself For Dummies, which will be on sale September 17, 2010.
Contact information
Follow me on Twitter! For computer- or book-related questions, visit my Mail page. I answer many reader questions here on my Web site.
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Media-related questions
Feel free to contact Eric Holmgren, publicity manager at Wiley Publishing, to ask any media-related questions or for review copies of books.
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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 magazines, newspapers, and Web sites. For more information or rates, contact me directly.
Recent work
Here’s a sampling of my recent work that’s appeared outside of my Web site. For a complete list of my books, visit my Books page.
- 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 eighties as a Comparative Literature major at San Diego State University. Because of all the writing involved, I bought a 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 Windows doesn’t act 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. My latest book, Windows 7 For Dummies, is on the shelves now, and I’ve written a review of Windows 7 for Datamation.