Edward Corcoran is the author of Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Study Guide. We got the chance to sit down with him and find out more about his experience of writing with Packt again.
Q: What are your specialist tech area(s)?
Edward: Data Analytics & Data Governance.
Q: How did you become an author for Packt? Tell us about your journey. What was your motivation for writing this book?
Edward: My co-author asked me and I always wanted to write a book. Now I have.
Q: What kind of research did you do, and how long did you spend researching before beginning the book?
Ed: One of the reasons Orrin reached out to me was that I am already well versed in Power BI. I did research the exam topics and the types of questions that can appear on an exam.
Q: Did you face any challenges during the writing process? How did you overcome them?
Ed: Many, Some of them personal. I never really overcame them, but my co-author stepped up big time.
Q. What’s your take on the technologies discussed in the book? Where do you see these technologies heading in the future?
Ed: I think Power BI is awesome. I am also privy to some things on the roadmap that is really exciting. The future of Power Bi looks awesome and it should only grow in popularity.
Q: Why should readers choose this book over others already on the market? How would you differentiate your book from its competition?
Ed: Because the authors are well versed in Power BI and work at Microsoft. I meet with the product team almost weekly. Sometimes even more often.
Q. What are the key takeaways you want readers to come away from the book with?
Ed: You should go out and take the exam.
Q. What advice would you give to readers learning tech? Do you have any top tips?
Ed: The only top tip for learning tech is using it! Practice is the key to trying everything. If you can get a free trial do it. Learn everything that interests you.
Q. How would you describe your author journey with Packt? Would you recommend Packt to aspiring authors?
Ed: Rocky, but that’s because of me, not Packt. Or mostly me. Sure I’d recommend them.
Q. What are your favorite tech journals? How do you keep yourself up to date on tech?
Ed: Podcasts. YouTube, specially dedicated product channels.
Q. How did you organize, plan, and prioritize your work and write the book?
Ed: Not well. In my defence, it was my first book.
Q. What is the one writing tip that you found most crucial and would like to share with aspiring authors?
Ed: Better planning and just writing. I spent way too much time looking at blank chapters not even starting. Just start writing, then throw it away if it’s no good.
You can find Edward’s book on Amazon by following this link: Please click here.
