Recently, several members of the SAS Publishing team attended the Tools of Change Conference for Publishing, hosted by O’Reilly Media. A colleague of mine, Sandy Varner, and I were making our way through the San Jose airport, when we heard a familiar voice. There next to us at the check-in kiosk was one of our SAS authors, Art Carpenter. He was returning home after a consulting job in the area.

We were excited to see Art. Not just because he’s an important client, but also because he’s become a friend over the years.

Art is a long-time SAS user. According to Art, he’s been a SAS user longer than SAS has been a company. He published his first book with SAS in 1995, just a few years after SAS formalized its Books by Users program. Quick Results with SAS/GRAPH Software was a big hit and was followed by other popular titles, Carpenter’s Complete Guide to the SAS Macro Language and Carpenter’s Complete Guide to the SAS Report Procedure. Art also developed his own series through SAS, Art Carpenter’s SAS Software Series.

Working with such knowledgeable authors, like Art, and supporting SAS users through the materials they develop are some of the rewards of working with the SAS authoring program. You know what else is rewarding about working with our SAS authors? Getting to know them on an individual level. Over the years, we’ve gotten to know Art as the SAS expert that he is, and also as a friend. We’ve shared his treks with his kids through Alaska; heard about his rafting trips with the boy scouts; gotten to know his wife, Marilyn; worried over accidents that are part and parcel for people who lead adventurous lives; and celebrated the completion of his daughter’s first book.

The SAS Authoring community is its own microcosm within the vast SAS community. We share accomplishments and frustrations, births and deaths, dreams and aspirations, and goals, both professional and personal. Every day brings something new. While we focus on developing quality books for SAS users, our work is so much more meaningful through the personal bond we share.

For a perfect example, check out this souvenir photo of Art and his wife Marilyn from their recent trip to Disneyworld! He shared it with me recently and gave me permission to share it here!