Manuel Spigolon is the co-author of Accelerating Server-Side Development with Fastify we got the chance to sit down with him 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?
Manuel: I became an author for Packt by collaborating with Maksim Sinik on the book project. My motivation for writing this book was to make a positive impact on the developer community and contribute to the widespread adoption of Fastify.
Q: What is the name of your book?
Manuel: Accelerating Server-Side Development with Fastify: A comprehensive guide to API development for building a scalable backend for your web apps
Q: What kind of research did you do, and how long did you spend researching before beginning the book?
Manuel: During the research process for the book, I delved into various tests, scenarios, and codebases to gather detailed information. Along the way, I encountered and resolved around eight bugs in Fastify and its ecosystem, contributing to the stability and reliability of the framework. This hands-on investigation provided valuable insights and ensured the accuracy and quality of the content presented in the book.
Q: Do you have a blog that readers can follow?
Manuel: Yes, I have a personal blog where I regularly share insights, tutorials, and updates related to backend development, Node.js, and other tech topics: https://backend.cafe/
Q: What key takeaways do you want readers to come away with from the book?
Manuel: Key takeaways from the book include a deep understanding of Fastify and its core concepts. If you know how Fastify thinks, you will control your application with ease.
Q: Can you share any blogs, websites and forums to help readers gain a holistic view of the tech they are learning?
Manuel: I think the https://backend.cafe/ blog is the only one that covers advanced topic about Fastify and shows what you can do with it!
Q. Did you face any challenges during the writing process? How did you overcome them?
Manuel: Yes, we encountered challenges during the writing process, such as organizing the content effectively and ensuring it was accessible to readers with varying levels of expertise. To overcome these challenges, we adopted a structured approach, outlining the chapters beforehand, seeking feedback from technical reviewers, and refining the content iteratively to strike the right balance between depth and simplicity.
Q. How would you describe your author journey with Packt? Would you recommend Packt to aspiring authors?
Manuel: My author journey with Packt was a valuable learning experience as it was my first book. The review process was thorough, which helped me improve my content and refine the material. I would recommend Packt to aspiring authors as it provides a structured and supportive environment for honing writing skills and bringing valuable knowledge to the readers.
Q. Why should readers choose this book over others already on the market? How would you differentiate your book from its competition?
Manuel: Readers should choose our book over others on the market because it is the only one fully dedicated to Fastify 😀 Moreover, it combines in-depth knowledge and practical insights gained from our extensive experience as senior backend engineers. It offers a unique perspective on Fastify, presenting not only the core concepts but also advanced techniques and best practices that empower developers to build high-performance applications with confidence and efficiency.
Q. What is/are your specialist tech area(s)?
Manuel: My specialist tech areas are Node.js and backend development.
Q. What advice would you give to readers jumping into this technology? Do you have any top tips?
Manuel: My advice for readers is to start with a side project when diving into Fastify. By working on a smaller project, you can experiment, learn, and gain hands-on experience while keeping the scope manageable and allowing room for exploration and growth.
Q. What’s your take on the technologies discussed in the book? Where do you see these technologies heading in the future?
Manuel: The technologies discussed in the book, such as Fastify and Node.js, are highly promising and have a strong future ahead. Fastify’s focus on speed, low overhead, and extensibility positions it as a compelling framework for building efficient web applications. Node.js, being widely adopted, offers a robust and scalable platform for server-side development, and its vibrant ecosystem is likely to continue evolving and expanding with new innovations and improvements.
Q. Do you belong to any tech community groups?
Manuel: Yes, as a senior backend engineer with a focus on Node.js, I actively participate in tech community groups. I am a member of online developer communities such as Stack Overflow and GitHub. These platforms allow me to engage with fellow developers, contribute to open-source projects, and exchange knowledge and insights with the broader tech community.
Q. How did you organize, plan, and prioritize your work and write the book?
Manuel: The book writing process required dedicated effort, and to accommodate it, I had to sacrifice many weekends to ensure completion. On average, one chapter required a full immersion weekend to write, and the review process typically took at least half a day to incorporate feedback and edits. This commitment and time investment were essential to deliver a comprehensive and polished book.
Q. What are your favorite tech journals? How do you keep yourself up to date on tech?
Manuel: To keep myself up to date on tech, I rely on a combination of sources such as developer blogs, official documentation and social media. My favourites are “Node Weekly” and “Fullstack Bulletin”!
Q. Would you like to share your social handles? If so, mention them below.
Manuel: People can find me on Twitter here -> https://twitter.com/manueomm and on Linkedin here -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuel-spigolon/
Q. What is that one writing tip that you found most crucial and would like to share with aspiring authors?
Manuel: One crucial writing tip I would like to share with aspiring authors is to establish a consistent writing routine. Set aside dedicated time for writing regularly, whether it’s daily, a few times a week, or on weekends. This regular practice helps build momentum, fosters creativity, and ensures steady progress towards completing your writing project.
You can find Manuel’s book on Amazon by following this link: Please click here
