What does Peter Economy do for a living?

He writes books -- a lot of books -- and he offers advice and guidance (and, sometimes, writing support) to people who want to write their own books.

Peter has written more than 35 books -- many have his name on them, but more than a few of the ghostwritten ones do not.  Here's a pretty complete list of the ones that do, not including the many foreign translations (Managing For Dummies, for example, is published in more than 17 different foreign-language editions around the world) and occasional bootleg or pirated e-book. By the way, if you've got a line on the Arabic or Serbian editions of Managing For Dummies, Peter would like to talk with you!

Anything else?

You bet.

Peter recently had the idea to write one book each year for free, with all proceeds going to the nonprofit of his co-author's choice. Interested in writing a book with Peter in 2009? Then be sure to check out www.booksforfree.org! The plan is to write at least 30 free books -- and to fund an equal number of deserving nonprofit organizations -- during the course of this long-term project.

Oh. And Peter substantially rewrote the best-selling book 40-30-30 Fat-Burning Nutrition by Gene and Joyce Daoust (Wharton Publishing, 1997, more than 600,000 copies sold).  Peter wishes he was receiving royalties for this particular book. Peter has also rewritten a bunch of other books for his clients, but he can't talk about those.

And magazines?

For sure.  Peter is Associate Editor for the Apex award-winning magazine Leader to Leader, past Consulting Editor for Bob Nelson's Rewarding Employees, and columnist for 1099 magazine.  He has written lots of articles for a wide variety of online and printed magazines (including Sailing World magazine and the Gallup Management Journal) and e-zines.

What kind of online experience does Peter Economy have?

Peter Economy was a featured expert for the AllBusiness.com small business Web site, and he was selected by Time magazine to be its staff management expert for the TIME Vista Boardroom website (along with such business luminaries as reengineering expert Michael Hammer, marketing gurus Michael Treacy and Jack Trout, and others), where he fielded hundreds of questions from managers all around the world (and a few who appeared to be from some other planet altogether!).  He has also done live online chats as a management expert for America Online, iVillage.com, Inc.com, Costco.com, and TalkCity.com.  Peter believes that he spends far too much time surfing the Net and playing with his website and blogs.  His wife and kids agree.

What about real business experience?

Peter Economy combines this wealth of writing and online-expert experience with more than 15 years of front-line business management experience.  In addition to his current position as Chairman and CEO of Peter Economy Incorporated (original name, eh?), he was formerly the director of administration for Horizons Technology, Inc., a San Diego-based software development firm, and vice president for project management and operations for a nationwide computer services firm (which, because it still upsets his stomach to reflect on his time there, shall remain nameless).

Nonprofits, too?

Indeed. In May 2007, Peter helped start up a new San Diego-based sports program serving athletes with developmental disabilities ages 5 through adult: SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes. He is currently the vice president of the board of directors. Peter also serves on the National Advisory Council of the Creativity Connection of the Arts and Business Council of Americans for the Arts.

How about education?

Peter has a bachelor of arts degree with majors in economics and human biology from Stanford University and he received his Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration at the Edinburgh Business School.

What does Peter do in his spare time?

Spare time?  What's that?  Aside from sending out proposals for a variety of interesting new projects, Peter lives in (sometimes) sunny La Jolla, California with his wife Jan, three children -- Peter J, Skylar Park, and Jackson Warren -- crafty cat Lola, affectionate ball python Poki, crazy boa constrictor Ralph, and an assortment of pet lizards, fish, crabs, and other animals.  Peter plays lead guitar with friends Peter Isler, Don Vonk, and an ever-changing cast of musicians in a local rock band, The Water Brothers (coming soon to a city near you -- okay, maybe not).  Peter also has a "thing" for fast cars and motorcycles.  But that's another story.