Madona Wambua is the author of Modern Android 13 Development Cookbook we got the chance to sit down with her and find out more about his experience of writing with Packt.
Q: How did you become an author for Packt? Tell us about your journey. What was your motivation for writing this book?
Madona: I Launched my first app in 2014, and seeing how far Android development has come, inspired me to write my first book. I never thought I would write my first book, but when the opportunity came, I had to try it and take a leap of faith. I decided to challenge myself and write my first book. The journey has been incredible, and I can’t wait to share the book with the world.
Q: What is the name of your book?
Madona: Modern Android 13 Development Cookbook: Over 70 recipes to solve Android development issues and create better apps with Kotlin and Jetpack Compose
Q: Do you have a blog that readers can follow?
Madona: Sure! You can check my website here -> https://www.techtalkswithmadona.com/
Q: What key takeaways do you want readers to come away with from the book?
Madona: This book is designed to cater to Android developers with 1 to 4 years of experience in the field. Whether you’re a junior developer looking to expand your knowledge or a mid-level developer seeking to refine your skills, Modern Android 13 Development Cookbook provides valuable insights and practical solutions to enhance your Android development expertise.
This book delves into more advanced topics and modern development techniques by assuming a foundational understanding of Android development concepts and familiarity with the Android ecosystem. It serves as a comprehensive resource to help you stay up to date with the latest advancements in Android 13 and learn how to leverage them effectively in your projects.
Q. Did you face any challenges during the writing process? How did you overcome them?
Madona: I did face challenges, Android is not easy, especially with it being done in many different ways. So I kept asking myself if what I was doing was right.
Q. How would you describe your author journey with Packt? Would you recommend Packt to aspiring authors?
Madona:I highly recommended it; the team was professional and helped me meet goals without pressure. Writing a book can be daunting if you are a first-time writer, but the support Packt offered me made me feel welcome, and I would highly recommend Packt.
Q. Why should readers choose this book over others already on the market? How would you differentiate your book from its competition?
Madona: The cookbook format offers a practical approach, presenting a series of recipes that address everyday development tasks and challenges Android developers face. In addition to a unique perspective, the book provides extensive and comprehensive coverage of the topic, ensuring that readers understand all relevant aspects deeply. It includes practical examples and real-world scenarios that enhance the learning experience.
Q. What is/are your specialist tech area(s)?
Madona: Android
Q. What advice would you give to readers jumping into this technology? Do you have any top tips?
Madona: First and foremost, it is a challenging journey, but you got this. Now any reader jumping into Android should first; start with the basics; that is, before diving into advanced topics, ensure you have a solid understanding of the fundamentals. Familiarize yourself with the technology’s core concepts, terminology, and principles.
Do hands-on projects, and utilize the documentation and reputable resources. In addition, embrace growth; since technology is constantly evolving, adopting a growth mindset and being open to continuous learning comes in handy.
Q. What’s your take on the technologies discussed in the book? Where do you see these technologies heading in the future?
Madona: Android moves very fast, I can not speak of the future; but I can say getting started with Android is a good option, since Android is now used in many places.
Q. Do you belong to any tech community groups?
Madona: Yes I do, The Android Community, Women Tech Makers, Google Developer Experts and more.
Q. How did you organize, plan, and prioritize your work and write the book?
Madona: It was definitely not an easy task, but I had always dreamt of writing a book, so when the opportunity came, I seized the moment. Some tips on how I planned myself included defining small and doable goals every week. The outline also helped me a lot in structuring the content; I admit a lot did change, but having that outline helped a lot. This was a roadmap for my writing process and helped me maintain a logical flow throughout the book.
Q. What are your favorite tech journals? How do you keep yourself up to date on tech?
Madona: Android Developers Blog; best for Android Developers out there.
Q. Would you like to share your social handles? If so, mention them below.
Madona: People can find me on Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/madona-wambua/ | Twitter : https://twitter.com/madona_wambua
Q. What is that one writing tip that you found most crucial and would like to share with aspiring authors?
Madona: One crucial writing tip I find valuable and would like to share with aspiring authors is “just start writing.” Often, aspiring authors may feel overwhelmed or need guidance about where to begin their writing journey. The key is overcoming hesitation and putting words on paper or typing them on a screen. Trust that you got this.
You can find Madona’s book on Amazon by following this link: Please click here
