Mortimer posted maybe two months ago on a Poser list asking for input, as I remember, in exchange for credit and a free book. Got some rude responses. Seems to have an agreement with the publisher to do the next book in the series. Staking a high profile early is probably aimed at discouraging other authors and publishers from doing one, if they assume the Poser market can't support another book. Some writers have an extremely close, established relationship with a company or a key developer(s) from the early days of a new version, some just get a beta copy a bit before release, and some rush that baby out as soon as they can after they get the released version. Folks who do creatures seem to like Shamms' books, those who do more realistic people (and those who read the manual and posts/tutorials here) don't. I don't know, but get the feeling Richard Schrand has more interaction with Curious Labs and people doing interesting things with Poser. I liked his Pro Pack book and would check out any he did on Poser. I expect someone selling a book about an application to have intimate knowledge of all its nooks and crannies, to be current on how it's being used on the cutting edge, and to teach at least a few techniques beyond what's available in the manual. Books on software upgrades are listed with a specific release date, but often come out a month or more later. If you preorder with them, you're less likely to cancel and buy it somewhere else.