Human Software 270 - Finding Something to Say

Three years ago, I started a podcast without much idea of its future. Before that, I'd started writing, wandering through automation, programming techniques, infrastructure, DevOps, and thoughts about management, leadership, and how companies are organised. Where was I going?

While I'd read a few books, it was clear that I was searching for something.

Was I just talking for the sake of it? It sometimes certainly seemed that way.

And then, about eighteen months ago, I started writing a novel. A novel about people who build and support software systems. Maybe, I thought, I just couldn't find a better way to express myself? And suddenly, a lot of the topics I had talked about, I'd read about, I'd written about came floating to the surface, where they could be arranged into a story.

I hope it's a good one. I've just finished the final major edits and sent it off for some more feedback from my editor. Publication edges closer.

So now I have to start marketing it. As a starting point, here are some of the themes the book covers:

• The effects of globalisation on local communities
• Mental health challenges and burnout in 24/7/365 operations
• Hiring and firing - what happens at a personal level on both sides of the equation
• Career progression in difficult times
• Do "safe" jobs exist and for whom are they safe?
• Enterprise agile bullshit
• Finding your own path in IT

I'm really excited to share more with you over the coming weeks.

Have a great break over the Easter weekend, whether you celebrate it or not!