How to Write a Technical Book on Niche Topics: My O’Reilly Experience Documenting Coin Varieties

From Coin Collector to Published Authority: My Unexpected Book Journey

When I first spotted that distinctive dimple on an 1885-O Morgan dollar, I never imagined it would lead to an O’Reilly technical book. But here’s the truth I discovered: documenting niche expertise transforms collectors into authorities faster than any blog post or social media thread.

Let me walk you through my exact process – from stumbling upon the ‘Belly Button’ coin variety to creating what’s now considered the definitive guide. You’ll learn how to spot book-worthy gaps in technical knowledge and turn them into published works that last.

Why Ultra-Specific Topics Make Killer Technical Books

Early in my numismatic journey, I made the classic new-author mistake: wanting to write “The Complete Guide to Morgan Dollars.” Then reality struck. The market already had general references – what collectors desperately needed was deep documentation of specific varieties like our quirky 1885-O ‘Belly Button’ (named for that telltale dimple below the eagle’s breast).

The Exact Moment I Knew This Needed a Book

While moderating coin forums, I kept seeing the same frustrated questions:

• “Why don’t any books show clear die progression charts?”
• “How does the ‘Belly Button’ actually affect grading?”
• “Where’s the visual comparison between VAM-24 and common strikes?”

Your First Step: Become a detective in your niche communities. Those recurring pain points? They’re your chapter outline waiting to happen.

Crafting Technical Content That Actually Helps Readers

Technical books sink or swim based on their organization. For my coin variety guide, I created what O’Reilly’s editors later called “a forensic examination framework”:

The 4-Step Identification System

This mirrors how experts analyze rare coins:

1. Surface Examination → 2. Die Markers Catalog → 3. Strike Comparison → 4. Population Analysis

In practice, this meant Chapter 3 became the go-to resource for authenticating questionable ‘Belly Button’ specimens – complete with edge-case examples from my own collection.

Getting Visuals Right (My Biggest Publishing Battle)

Technical readers need crystal-clear images. I pushed hard for these elements in my O’Reilly contract:

• High-resolution macro photography inserts
• Die state progression diagrams
• Overlay comparisons of mint mark positions

Negotiation Tip: Bring finished sample images to publisher meetings. Showing beats telling when it comes to visual requirements.

The Book Proposal That Actually Worked

O’Reilly receives thousands of proposals yearly. Here’s what made mine stand out:

Concrete Market Proof Section

“PCGS population reports confirm 2.5-3.5 million surviving 1885-O Morgans in collectible condition. Even if only 1% of owners seek variety documentation, we’re looking at 25,000+ potential readers.”

I backed this with:

• Analyzed search patterns from VAMworld forums
• Sales figures for competing numismatic guides
• Documented collector demand via Heritage Auction records

Clear Gap Analysis

Behind the Scenes: Creating the Manuscript

Research Methods That Paid Off

Documenting technical details requires meticulous approaches:

• Source Cross-Verification: Matching VAMworld data against New Orleans Mint production logs
• Expert Conversations: Interviewing NGC graders (always get signed release forms!)
• Imaging Techniques: Developing custom focus-stacking methods for coin surfaces

Behind the Code: This Python script helped track auction appearances – crucial for establishing variety rarity:


import pandas as pd
# Load Heritage Auction archives
df = pd.read_csv('heritage_morgans.csv')
belly_button = df[df['variety'].str.contains('VAM-24', na=False)]
print(f"Pattern appears {len(belly_button)} times since 2015")


Publisher Selection: Finding the Right Fit

Why O’Reilly Won Out

After evaluating technical publishers, I chose O’Reilly because:

• Their distribution reaches university and corporate libraries (essential for reference works)
• Proven longevity with niche technical subjects
• Flexibility on specialized formatting needs

Key contract points I insisted on:

• Minimum 32 color plates (non-negotiable for coin books)
• Final approval on index terms
• Direct input on cover design

Unexpected Benefits of Technical Authority

Beyond royalties, publishing brought professional opportunities I never anticipated:

• Consulting role with PCGS for variety authentication
• Cited in Heritage Auction listings for premium specimens
• Featured presentations at major numismatic events

Lasting Impact: Five years later, collectors still email me photos asking “Is this a true ‘Belly Button’?” – proof that technical books maintain relevance.

Your Turn: Writing That Definitive Guide

Documenting the ‘Belly Button’ variety taught me three crucial lessons about technical authorship:

• Specific beats broad every time
• Publisher trust comes from demonstrated market need
• Technical rigor creates lasting professional value

Whether your niche involves antique coins or modern tech stacks, the path remains the same: identify unresolved questions in your field, validate the audience, and craft your solution with obsessive attention to detail. That manuscript gathering dust on your hard drive? It might just become your industry’s benchmark reference.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

• How I Built a $76,000 Online Course Empire Teaching Rare Coin Identification (Including the 1885-O Morgan ‘Belly Button’ VAM) – From Coin Nerd to Six Figures: How I Turned My Obsession Into an Online Course Empire Let me tell you a secret: your wei…
• How Becoming the ‘Belly Button’ Expert in Your Tech Niche Commands $300+/Hour Consulting Rates – Why Being the “Belly Button” Expert Commands $300+/Hour Want premium consulting rates? Stop solving common p…
• How the 1885-O Morgan ‘Belly Button’ Teaches Us to Build Smarter Cybersecurity Tools – Forge Stronger Cyber Defenses by Learning From Rare Coin Flaws Here’s a truth I’ve learned both as a develop…