In the last few years WordPress has been growing as an essential tool in the web designer toolkit. Between regular blog themes and the increasing number of themes that turn WordPress into anything from a portfolio site to a shop, its use as a general purpose CMS has made it a staple of web design tutorials and galleries.
So I’m very happy to announce that after many months of work, our latest Rockable Press book is on sale – How to Be a Rockstar WordPress Designer, co-authored by myself and Harley Alexander – whom you of course know from tutorials right here on NETTUTS!
The book covers pretty much everything to do with theming, with three main examples: a blog, a portfolio and a general purpose site. There’s lots of general knowledge, ideas for how to manipulate WordPress in other ways and the book comes with all three themes to use and dissect.
More Details & Purchase Online
Who’s it aimed at?
You’ll need a good knowledge of basic web design – HTML and CSS in particular – but the book doesn’t assume you know anything about either PHP or WordPress.
Is it up to date for WordPress 2.7?
It sure is, we’ve added a section about comment threading and updated general admin details to match the new interface.
Will it be available in print, or only online?
The book is currently a PDF Ebook only and is packaged with Photoshop PSD files, HTML, and the three themes. We’re looking now at getting a print version available with an accompanying CD, but it might be a little while.
XEROX CODEHow much does it cost? Is there a refund policy?
The book costs US$29 which is a bit of an investment, but I’m confident you’ll find it’s worth it. Still if you don’t we have a 100% money back guarantee, as I know in these tough economic times you don’t want to go spending money willy nilly!
What’s next?
With WordPress Designer out of the way, I’m now hard at work on our next title – Rockstar Blogger! I’m optimistically hoping it’ll be finished in the next couple of months, but since the last two titles took way longer than I predicted, you may wish to take that with a grain of salt 
We also have two minibooks on their way – one on networking, one on passive income! For updates on Rockable Press releases, just join our Rockin’ List, you’ll receive a free copy of Rockstar Personal Branding AND we send out discount vouchers and periodic promotions for the books – particularly at launch time!
A quick note:
Some of you may remember that a few months back I mentioned we would be giving this book away freely via ThemeForest as a promotion. Sadly that plan got ditched along the way when the book took too long to complete, and we instead ran Web Design Week.
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Rockstar WordPress Designer
Now updated for WordPress 3.0, this classic book on WordPress theming and design has sold over 3500 copies! Get yours now!
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You “instead ran Web Design Week instead”?
Cool, got to check it out.
The “Rockstar Freelancer” book was superb.
Thanks guys. This book should help a lot of people out who are just starting off with WordPress.
Great!
Nice.. Looking forward to reading it. Buying it now.. Maybe ill learn some new stuff..
)
Are any advanced techniques involved, or it is a comprehensive start-up point for WordPress wannabes?
Thanks
@Andy, you can download the table of contents and a sample chapter to get a taste for the book by visiting the link he provided.
I honestly cant believe WP gets so much buzz over such a mediocre system.
Good job on the book though.
Hey Collis, I have been waiting for this book to come out for about two weeks, very cool. I found this theme called the Hybrid framework. It is a Word Press framework. It has a blank index.php and everything is widgetized. I just wanted to know if you address totally widgetized themes in the book. Your Creativ theme was an great thing, thanks for all the time you put into the community.
I waited 9 months to get this for free. What a big waste of time.
Oh, and Miles, what do you mean by Word Press being a mediocre system? I think WP rocks the house to the ground, what do you like to code in?
@John – I code in PHP and MySQL / CakePHP. WordPress is trying to be something its not. Ive worked in WP for years and back then its code was garbage, its getting better but its nothing great.
I hate the fact that every “novice” in web, thinks that if they know CSS/HTML and or WP that they are a web developer. None of those qualify you as one. CSS/HTML is markup, not code or programming, and WP is a system with an annoying template system.
Been waiting for this for a while! Awesome!
@Miles – I think you’re mixing the term “Developer” and the term “Designer”.
I agree with Chris. This move was pretty classless, guys.
@Miles Sadly you’re right, WordPress gain popularity because is easy to use and with a bunch of HTML/CSS and a bit PHP you can make not only a blog but a great CMS System, I said sadly because that’s not programming, I mean is just code customization. I can’t said that WordPress code is garbage because i’m not an expert programmer, in fact i’m a WordPress user and this Blog System helps me a lot, but i’ll do my best to build my own CMS from scratch! Hopefully!!
@Chris 9 month to wait this for free? What are you talking about? 29 bucks dude…
… and to all Envato Team congratulations for such a great and amazing book.
Congratulations for taking so long to write this book. It was such a BIG news back then… but I am also disappointed about the fact that you are not releasing it for free as you mentioned. There was no word in between about this.. and when finally it came out, you changed your plans?
Good Luck!
@Ivor, Its not about 29 bucks.. I know theres hard work involved to write this book and the authors have all the rights.. but why was it mentioned as a free give away at first place? Thats the main concern.
Hope this book makes a lot of sales.
Heres what was mentioned before..
9 months ago, I started work on an ebook – How To Be a Rockstar WordPress Designer – and recently with the help of NETTUTS contributor Harley Alexander, the book is finally complete. I’m editing the last two chapters now and then as a very special promotion we’re going to offer it completely, totally freely via ThemeForest. All you will need to do is be an “author” on the site (which takes just a few minutes).
We’re hoping it will encourage more people to try out authoring themes. The book is 9 chapters long, includes 3 WordPress themes and is pretty extensive. After the two weeks of promotion it’s going to be on sale for $29. Naturally we’ll announce the book giveaway right here on NETTUTS!
Will there be a hard copy any time soon?
Without Colis and his crew, Envato network wouldn’t be here where it is now.
I do agree that they should have stick with their initial plan and offer the book for free, however as mentioned in his post, in this day and hard time, they have to re-evaluate their work.
Envato network is a great gift as it is, SO MANY useful tuts and articles.
You were waiting for the book to come out? that means you are enrolled on the rockablepress email list and only that gives you a $10 discount!
And even if you dont want to pay 20 bucks, then by just searching the envato network, you wil find good quality tuts to get you started.
Regards,
I’m sorry, but this time I’m really disappointed. You have changed your mind about the free distribution of this book for your most active users: as Chandra said, a sad decision. You’ve lost your credibility.
Yes just give it away freely, this site and their network already had enough income from advertising and template, flash sales.
its time to give something back for all the loyal readers..
just a suggestion…
@Chris – No im not. Designers work in photoshop. Developers build, code and program websites.
Anyone who thinks “Web Designer” refers to building websites is in the wrong work field, that term is so broad and overused its ridiculous. Those moronic kids who do myspace pages think they are web designers.
I bought the ‘Rockstar Freelancer’ book and thought it was quite good since a lot of the information contained within was new to me.
However, what I’m wondering about the new release is how does it differentiate itself from the many other WordPress books that are out there? Aren’t there a wealth of tutorials (some of which are on NETTUTS) that already show the way with WordPress? What could the book possibly add to this treasure-trove already accessible for free?
Looks, Good. I might decide to purchase as I’m looking to get more into designing WordPress.
Altho I think I’m right in saying that none of the sample ‘creatif’ themes seem to be supported by Internet Explorer 6…
Looks good and was hoping for a paperback version from the off but looks like im going to ave wait a little while longer!
I just prefer to read a book instead of it on the computer, i find it much easier to absorb the information that way.
Good job guys
Hey guys!! Thanks for the positive comments, with respect to the free/lack of freeness …
@Anonym, Chris, Eye_Roller, Chandra, Tom, ivan:
I’m really sorry if you felt misled. Sometimes I get a bit overenthusiastic when promoting things and let information slip that shouldn’t. You’ll notice this when everynow and then I announce something prematurely (anyone remember how long ago I said FLATUTS was coming … which it still is by the way
Anyhow by the time the book was finished (aka now) ThemeForest has been much more firmly established, and to be totally honest this book just took SOOOOO much work. I’ve been working on it for almost a year, plus Harley’s input, and at the end … I guess it just made more sense to sell it and bring in the cash instead.
In any case, as I say, I’m sorry if anyone was misled. It’s a good lesson for me to be more careful in my marketing!!
I do have apprehension about buying the book after checking the demos of the sample sites out and noticing they do not render properly in IE6. I am a graphic designer primarily and not that proficient a coder. This is just the type thing that frustates me and you cant ignore.
Ultimately a percentage of your websites base, not the tech-savvy crowd that goes here but unless your running a tech blog you have them, will run IE6. A large part of corporate america still uses IE6.
I cannot ignore the IE6 users.
I’ve instantly bought this book, i’m confident in design and css but just to read how someone might use wordpress as a blogging, cms or website is really interesting and so i will be coding up my first wordpress design very soon with aided help with the book so i know i have every important covered
I look forward to reading some of it tonight when i finish work.
Great work Collis & Harley
Hey Collis, great job and I think that once people realize who the book is meant for (Designers) they will see that it’s a great opportunity for not only committed TUTS users but for anyone who is looking to become familiar or expand their knowledge of theme’s and how WordPress works.
Also, I wanted to say that there are not a ton of good or even OK books written on the subject and furthermore none of them have your really easy to read writing style. Hell, I just read the first three chapters without even realizing it. Very easy to follow and tons of links to other resources that can save you hours upon hours of time.
When I started working with WordPress I wish there had been a book written on the subject at all. It wasn’t till recently that there was even a book available. Kudos to you.
Congratulations !!
purchased
– I’ll read it tonight.
Collis, please continue inserting your knowledge into my brain. Thanks.
This is not expensive book at all. For 29$ it’s good knowledge base!
Congratulations!
@miles blah, blah, blah. Thankfully, not everyone feels as insecure as you do by the fact that people have aspirations and dreams (like you I might add…dreamer and a “lover??”) to become better web designers or developers – even if they are just a “novice” and even they do just use WordPress.
@Collis: thanks for the reply and for your explanation, I really appreciate it.
Looking at getting this. I am interested in designing some WordPress themes. Just wanted to try and get some more feedback from others.
http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/7c564a0146874d4a9c4a0631c32c42c1?s=80
Looks like a great book especially for us novices, thanks.
Definitely going to check this out,its just hat I needed since more and more people are switching to wordpress.
@Bob – Still doesn’t mean they are one, in the least bit.
Perhaps they should learn some flash, some unix, some php, some mysql, some python, some apache, so on and so forth. Actually learn something that is web related.
@All those who were disappointed about the $29 price tag:
Sorry guys. I know that we initially said we were going to be giving it away for free but we decided it would be best to charge for it considering the time and effort that went into the book, and all the man power that went into it too. It wasn’t an easy decision, Collis and I had a long email conversation about it, and we decided that the Voucher would be the best way that we could give it away for less. We both had the right mindset and both struggled with the integrity to follow through on our promises, but it was needed. I once again apologise for any inconvienciences and upsets it’s caused you, I assure you it’s worth the $19 you’ll be paying
Thanks!
~Harley
Oh, I didn’t notice Collis had already addressed this issue. Also spelt inconveniences* wrong!
I buy and read, pretty good
I was a little surprised at $29 for an ebook; thought it was a little much, frankly. But when I downloaded it and saw all the example files and themes included, I was impressed. $29 is a bargain!
I asked a friend at a publisher how much of a $29 book went to printing and distribution (etc.) and he said “more than 50%”. You guys have really put your price point at $60+ dollars for a book that has about 40 words per page. You’ll make a killing. You guys are really good at making money.
I looked at the sample PDF, but I can’t image reading that way… as designers, were you aiming for the elderly? Is this a “large print” book?
I bought the book because I want a great tutorial about building a WordPress theme from scratch with not only the code snippets, but also the “why” you will have the code in a certain way and how WordPress works.
I have read lots of tutorials, examined lots of free templates, even bought a couple of premium WordPress themes earlier on the web. I always had the goal to be skilled enough to be able to built a unique theme on my own. even though I think I’m reasonable skilled this book is the missing peace of the puzzle for me! The final touch if you like.
Very well explained, easy to understand even for us with other than as English as our native language.
As a bonus, the pdf is really well made and works as inspiration on how to design a clean, professional, user friendly, easy to read e-book or what you like to call it. The quality of the pdf is really good, 303 pages with crisp pictures and it only weighs 7,3 MB! School-book example of very good design!
The setup of the complete concept with this book, example files etc is very well done. I can hardly find anything I want to change! If I’m really picky, I did find two minor typos in the text file readme.txt in the example files, that’s all!
29$ is a bargain! It will save you a lot of time! The book is also nice to have as documentation when you need to refresh you memory once in a while.
Awesome!
Got the book and am going through it now. Why is it secure pdf? brain is seizing up trying to get sample code working. comma missing here space between ? and > there. Wo! I’m a total newbie! Send me a password for pdf, go on you know you want to!