This presentation will draw upon this Dru Lavigne's experience as a technical writer dealing with open source topics. It will provide practical tips on how to break into the technical writing field, advance open source, and pay one's bills. The presentation will discuss:

• finding one's passion and an associated open source project
• getting your writing (and name) out there
• finding paid work
• when and how to get your first book deal
• things I wish I had known before writing that first book
• tips to ease the pain of writing a book
• working collaboratively
• promoting your favourite open source project through writing

Presentation slides are available from Slideshare.