More than fun and games: Local publisher No. 1 in strategy guides. (Focus Technology)

Indianapolis Business Journal, February, 2002 by Peter Schnitzler

Sometimes for weeks at a time, Dan Birlew can't write a word. But unlike most authors, he knows exactly when and why inspiration will strike. It happens every time he gets a call from BradyGames.

Birlew doesn't suffer from writer's block. He's one of the top authors for BradyGames, an Indianapolis-based division of publishing giant Pearson Technology Group. BradyGames' niche is video game strategy guides, the handy instructional manuals that teach players how to defeat the dragons, zombies and mutant aliens in today's increasingly complicated games.

In the last two years, Birlew has written 17 guides, including handbooks for the popular Final Fantasy series, all from his Las Vegas home. A video game enthusiast, Birlew's profession was once a hobby--until...