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Interview with Author Jack Shostak

Authorline catches up with Jack Shostak, the author of the new book- SAS Programming in the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Authorline (AL): What was your motivation for writing your book?
Jack Shostak (JS): I have spent a lot of time over the years educating people about SAS programming in the pharmaceutical industry, but there was no good training or reference manual out there for me to use. I thought someone should write a book describing what we do as SAS programmers in this industry. Interestingly enough, I have recently found myself answering work questions with responses like, "Oh yes, there is a program that does that in Chapter 6…. I need a copy of my book."
(AL): Who are you targeting with your book?
(JS): The book was written for the entry level to intermediate level SAS programmer who helps with the analysis and reporting of clinical trials data in the pharmaceutical industry. Although the book may prove useful to clinical trial statisticians, it is aimed more towards the statistical programmer that assists the lead trial statistician in producing the large amount of reporting required. The book assumes that the reader has no prior knowledge of clinical trials and perhaps little experience with SAS programming.
(AL): What features of the book are you especially pleased with?
(JS): I wanted the book to flow chronologically in the way that a SAS programmer works in the pharmaceutical industry, and I think I achieved that. I also love books with plenty of code examples, and I believe this book has that feature as well. Finally, I think the production staff at SAS took my material and made the book look fabulous in the end.
(AL): How will your book benefit SAS users?
(JS): SAS programmers in the pharmaceutical industry should be able to use this book as a reference for their day-to-day work. I also think this book will be of great benefit to individuals who want to get a job as a SAS programmer in the pharmaceutical industry.
(AL): What were some of the joys of writing this book?
(JS): I really enjoyed working with Judy Whatley and the production staff at SAS Press. They took the time necessary to work with me in order to make this book a quality effort. It was also fun to watch the book grow. I found myself thinking of it daily for well over a year, and I enjoyed the serendipitous moments when I thought, "Hey, that needs to be in the book."
(AL): How did you develop as a writer while you were creating this book?
(JS): I learned about writing a technical book, which is quite different than writing other prose. I also learned that writing a three-hundred-page book requires a higher level of organization and consistency of thought. You have to remember what you wrote two hundred pages back so that things can be tied together properly. Finally, I learned that my editors as SAS (Judy Whatley and Ed Huddleston) are much better writers than I am.
(AL): What did you learn while writing this book that would be important for other authors to know?
(JS): I learned that it is important to spend a lot of time on the book outline and to keep working on it throughout the book writing process. Also, the early sample chapters submitted are critical to the final direction of the book. It is from the sample chapters that the editors and early reviewers see where your book is going and provide you with early guidance for how to write the rest of the book.
(AL): How did you decide to publish with SAS?
(JS): A long time ago I saw that SAS Press was soliciting for book ideas. I contacted Judy Whatley about writing this book, and with her encouragement over time, I decided to write it.
(AL): Your book will be going to the printer in just a few weeks. How does it feel to be in the home stretch of such a long project?
(JS): It is quite a relief to see the book going to press. Writing the book was a large undertaking and I am looking forward to progressing on to some other projects that I had deferred until after this book was finished.
(AL): What advice would you give to potential authors?
(JS): If you have a good book idea and you are willing to commit to the writing effort, contact SAS Press with your ideas. SAS Press makes the process of writing a book enjoyable.
(AL): How were you able to balance your time between your career and writing this book?
(JS): I wrote the book in the wee hours of the morning, late in the evening, during vacation, and on occasion during weekends when my family was otherwise occupied. The typical work-family balance dilemma became a work-family-book balance dilemma. You find the time I guess with the support of those around you.
(AL): When you aren't writing or working, how do you like to spend your free time?
(JS): My family is the cornerstone of my life, so if I am not working I am spending time with my wife and kids. I like family outings, horsing around with the kids and acting half my age, and attempting to be a responsible parent. I also like to read about science, play with technology, and I skate to blow off steam.

Jack Shostak

Jack Shostak is the manager of statistical programming at the Duke Clinical Research Institute and has been a SAS user since 1985. He is the author of the chapter “Reporting and SAS Tool Selection” in Reporting from the Field, a coauthor of the NorthEast SAS Users Group (NESUG) proceedings paper “Macros Developed for Statistical Summary and Tabulation of Clinical Data,” and the author of the PharmaSUG paper “Implementation of the CDISC SDTM at the Duke Clinical Research Institute.” Jack is active in the Pharmaceutical Industry SAS Users Group (PharmaSUG) and SAS Users Group International (SUGI).

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Interview with Author Jack Shostak