# 64: Making Making Embedded Whoops

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2014-08-21
- Length: 1h 14m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-08-21-64-making-making-embedded-whoops
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/embedded-ep64mp3

## Summary

Elecia White, author of 'Making Embedded Systems', discusses the process of writing her technical book with host Chris White. She explains that the book was inspired by a manager's need to train junior engineers who had gaps in their knowledge, leading her to bridge the divide between hardware and software disciplines. White details her proposal to O'Reilly, the rigorous editing process involving XML and technical reviewers, and the challenges of managing diagrams and deadlines. She reflects on the career benefits of authorship, including gaining credibility and opportunities at Xerox PARC, despite the financial returns being modest.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-08-21-64-making-making-embedded-whoops#t=6) Introduction: Elecia White and the origin of Making Embedded Systems
- [3:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-08-21-64-making-making-embedded-whoops#t=207) Identifying the gap in embedded systems education for junior engineers
- [9:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-08-21-64-making-making-embedded-whoops#t=565) Writing the proposal and navigating O'Reilly's slush pile
- [18:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-08-21-64-making-making-embedded-whoops#t=1125) Storyboarding the book and structuring technical content
- [26:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-08-21-64-making-making-embedded-whoops#t=1578) The writing schedule, XML workflow, and diagram challenges
- [38:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-08-21-64-making-making-embedded-whoops#t=2329) The editing process, technical reviews, and copy editing
- [53:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-08-21-64-making-making-embedded-whoops#t=3194) O'Reilly's animal cover art and marketing expectations
- [1:06:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-08-21-64-making-making-embedded-whoops#t=3973) Career impact, royalties, and the value of being an author

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Making Embedded Systems (product)
- O'Reilly (company)
- Pragmatic Bookshelf (company)
- NaNoWriMo (other)
- Hacker Dojo (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Elecia White - Wirewove Worshipping Wookieist?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-03-05-an-interview-with-elecia-white-wirewove-worshipping-wookieist) (The Amp Hour)
- [Work on it for 10 years...](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-12-30-work-on-it-for-10-years) (The Amp Hour)
- [John Taylor on the Embedded Systems Cookbook](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2025-03-05-john-taylor-on-the-embedded-systems-cookbook) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [Hipster Fodder](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-08-25-hipster-fodder) (The Amp Hour)
- [Christmas Special](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-12-22-christmas-special) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-08-21-64-making-making-embedded-whoops. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.