Author to Author - with Michael Raithel

Michael Raithel is a senior systems analyst for Westat, an employee-owned contract research organization in the Washington, DC area. An internationally recognized expert in the use of SAS software in mainframe and UNIX environments, he is the author of over 25 SAS technical papers and is a popular lecturer at SAS Global Forum and at regional SAS conferences.

Michael is in the process of writing his third book with SAS Press on how to become a top SAS programmer.

1. Where in the publishing process is your book?
   I am just over the halfway point in writing the first draft; with seven out of twelve chapters written.
   
   
2. What advice would you give to other current or potential authors who are about to enter this same stage?
   Other current or potential authors should make sure that they rearrange their busy schedules so that they have the time to write. Find the quietest place in your home to write and be diligent about laying down words, sentences, paragraphs, sections and chapters on electronic paper. If it is available, post a copy of your prospective book cover on the wall for inspiration.
   
   
3. You attended SAS Global Forum 2012 recently. What did you learn there?
   There is still a great enthusiasm on the part of SAS users for new SAS Press books. SAS Users are still excited about the new books from SAS Press and eager to learn new ways to leverage their SAS programming skills.
   
   
4. How long have you been using SAS?
   Not long enough; only 25 years!
   
   
5. What do you think is the one thing that SAS users should know above all others?
   SAS users should understand that SAS is an amazing data weapon that can allow them to access, process, analyze, and present data in every format that they may come upon from XML files, to flat files, to HTML pages, to Excel and Access files, to tables found in relational databases. Consequently, SAS users should be supremely confident that they can address any type of data analysis challenge with SAS and the SAS skills they possess.