Lots of questions in yesterday’s 37signals Live chat about what’s going on with the new version of Getting Real.
So here’s the deal: The book is well underway. First draft done actually, but there’s still plenty of revising to go. (Rewriting is key after all.) We’re drawing ideas from internal conversations, posts here at SvN, presentations we’ve given, Q&A sessions like yesterday’s chat, press coverage (it’s always interesting to see how an objective party tells our story), etc. It’s a great read already and is sure to get better!
The new version is quite different than the original. Most of the content is new and the focus is different too. The first edition was for a web technology audience. This new version broadens the scope to small businesses and entrepreneurs of all kinds. Inventors, restauranteurs, clothing manufacturers, MBA students, IT workers, retailers, designers, artists, crafts makers, and tons of other people will all find value in the book.
(Note: Someone asked yesterday if people who bought the original book will get a free copy of the new one. Due to the volume of new content in this edition, the answer is no. The name may stay the same, but it’s really a different book.)
We’ve hired a literary agent to represent us and hope to finalize a deal with a publisher soon. We’re looking forward to partnering with a company that really gets it and can help bring the book to a mass audience. If you’re an interested publisher, drop Jason a note at jason at 37signals dot com (subject line: Publish Getting Real). We’ll forward your interest on to our agent.
Also, a big shoutout to Seth Godin for his help and advice re: traditional publishers and agents. His advice for authors is a great read too. (Also worth reading for aspiring authors: Secrets of book publishing I wish I had known by Mark Hurst.)
We’ll keep you posted as things progress. Stay tuned.
Jeff Mackey
on 06 Aug 08Thanks for the update. Looking forward to the new book!
Juan Pablo
on 06 Aug 08Great news! Ill be waiting for the new book, the first one is just so clever and inspirational!
I hope that we can get a copy here in south america easy. Thanks
Tyler Kremberg
on 06 Aug 08Great news, can’t wait for Getting Real 2: Getting Realer!
Bill
on 06 Aug 08I’m in line. Can’t wait
Joshua Go
on 06 Aug 08Is it going to be different enough to consider calling it something else? Will it be confusing having two books out there with the same title covering very different subject material?
Bill Carroll
on 06 Aug 08Getting Real is a great book, bought it and loved it.
Quick comment/observation on the new version. If they (GR v1 to GR v) are 2 different books will you be selling them side by side? If not, then it seems you have an update on your hands and maybe a small discount for the upgrade from GR v1 to GR v2 might be in order.
Thanks and keep up the great work.
Chap
on 06 Aug 08Is there a place where we can watch yesterday’s Q&A?
Mark Holton
on 06 Aug 08“Getting Real” Book 1 is awesome. I have read it 2x and applying the principles in my goal to grok completely. Pragmatism abounds. ...it has a nice spot on my shelf. Thanks, guys, for the awesome reinforcing & positive insights-
Merle
on 06 Aug 08Mark, Thanks for using GROK. A fun word.
Alex
on 06 Aug 08If it would help for me to sign a petition or something saying I will buy the book when it comes out, I would be willing to do that.
romand
on 06 Aug 08Thank you for great book! Can I publish “Getting Real 1” on my site after translation it to ukrainian language?
Scott Brooks
on 06 Aug 08Glad to see that there is another rendition of the book coming. The first one was really important in our shaping of our product. When we were unsure of a direction we would always check back and get a sense of how you guys might approach a certain situation. It was great to have insight from people who do. cheers scott
JiPé
on 06 Aug 08Thanks for the links at the end of your post. It really worth a reading for the ones who may wish to publish a book someday or just as general knowledge on how the publishing business work.
Ben
on 06 Aug 08So… why is the name staying the same? If nothing else, call it Getting Real 2 (honestly, what’s wrong with that?). Else call it Getting Real, Volume 2 (or II, if you prefer). My point is, if it’s different enough not to be a real upgrade, I endorse a different title; the simpler the better… but you knew that, of course.
Joe
on 06 Aug 08If the volume of new content is that much different than the original version, then wouldn’t it make more sense to give it a different title than “Getting Real 2”?
Software has versions, but books have editions – some are revised, even significantly, but authors usually put significant amounts of new content into a seperate book, so that the original can stand on its own without confusion. Nowhere in the “book” world is the notion of a new version – only updated editions.
Wouldn’t it be wiser to stick within the bounds of established book naming patterns? If Customer expectations are such that “I bought GR1, I should get GR2 for free”, then maybe calling it “Getting Real 2” isn’t the smartest marketing notion.
Just a thought. I’ll probably buy it no matter what you call it, GR1 was too web-startup-focused for me.
Marcelo Ruiz
on 06 Aug 08It’s very interesting to read all the interesting things you guys do. When do you find time for doing all these??
Smarky
on 06 Aug 08What productivity system do you guys use? =P
I’ve been reading Getting Real lately as i’m looking on revising everything I am doing, it’s been a good model!
Rabbit
on 06 Aug 08Are you ditching the self-publishing route? Why?
Tim
on 06 Aug 08Rabbit asked it first: After the release of Getting Real, you made a point of how successful it was as a non-traditionally published book. Why the change in focus to a “published” book? Will you be making it available electronically at the same time?
JF
on 06 Aug 08Self publishing has been wonderfully lucrative for us. We’re good at reaching our audience, but this time around we want to reach our audience plus a whole new, broader audience. We believe a special publisher can help us do that. And if we don’t like it next time around we may decide to self publish again. In the end, everything is an experiment.
designslave
on 06 Aug 08@Tyler Kremberg
“Getting Real 2: Electric Boogaloo!”
someone had to say it.
Bennett Blank
on 07 Aug 08I love the idea of broadening your audience. I’ve used your original version in a variety of contexts (outside of software) with great success. As others have pointed out, the title could use a little work…
Jesse Andrews
on 07 Aug 08D00h! My copy of the first version just shipped from Lulu today! I hope that the changes are enough to buy both copies.
Rabbit
on 07 Aug 08@JF
Fair answer. I figured it was along those lines. I’d actually appreciate it if you did reach a broader audience. People need to wake the hell up. :)
William
on 07 Aug 08Is there going to be a free version of this book like there is of the first one?
Helgi Thor
on 07 Aug 08I’ve just realised, I’ve become addicted to your blog! Curse on you and all the interesting diversity always found on SVN!
Seriously, I’m a big fan of your products and philosophy. I love Getting Real and it’s format, I always come back to it once in a while and just select a chapter randomly. Even though it’s written for web development in mind, I always “transpose” the content to different sort of startups that I know of or plan to be a part of in the future. So GR2 sounds very promising indeed.
Keep up the good work and keep spreading the entreprenuer spirit!
andycamp
on 07 Aug 08Well, that went over a lot better than those videos of the thunderstorms!
Eric J. Gruber
on 07 Aug 08I’m in the camp that thinks this should get a different name if it’s going to be considerably different content than Getting Real.
Richard Chuo
on 07 Aug 08“(Note: Someone asked yesterday if people who bought the original book will get a free copy of the new one. Due to the volume of new content in this edition, the answer is no. The name may stay the same, but it’s really a different book.)”
Wouldn’t it be nicer to put “No, but…” here? ;-) I bought Getting Real when I studied my MBA. I love Getting Real and recommended lots of my friends to read it and buy it. I am looking forwards to this new edition.
Cheers,
Richard
Rabbit
on 07 Aug 08@Richard Chuo
Due to the volume of new content in this edition, the answer is no. The name may stay the same, but it’s really a different book.)
Steve Pilon
on 07 Aug 08”... the answer is no.”
Yeah, I was expecting a “no, but…” too.
Practice what you preach, kids!
David
on 07 Aug 08Is getting real v1 still going to be available after v2 is released?
Ernie
on 07 Aug 08I thoroughly enjoyed the Getting Real book, and have recommended it to a number of people at my current employer. Part of what really resonated with me, I think, is that you guys described a lot of the way I’ve approached projects all along. It was remarkably vindicating to read. :)
A few months back, I had an experience that prompted me to write a bit about the end result of following some of the practices recommended in Getting Real, and while it’s a bit of a lengthy read, you might get a kick out of it (particularly the definition of “enterprise-class software.” It’s right here if you’re interested.
I look forward to reading the new version!
Jacques Marneweck
on 09 Aug 08What about approaching the guys from Pragmatic Programmer and chatting with them about getting them to publish the book?
This discussion is closed.