About Sean McManus - freelance technology writer, UK

My name is Sean McManus and I'm a writer based in the UK, specialising in technology and business-to-business. I have more than 30 years' experience as a journalist and copywriter. Since 1997, this website has been my online home for my writing and creative projects.

I began my career as a journalist on transport technology magazines. Today, I work as a freelance copywriter, freelance journalist and book author, covering a wide range of technologies. I've written for BBC News Online, Dorling Kindersley, For Dummies and many more leading publishers.

Copywriter specialising in technology and business

I work with technology companies and their agencies to tell their stories and explain their products. I've written for board-level, developer, sales, channel and user audiences, among others.

I worked as a senior copywriter in two specialist tech marketing agencies, over a period of 13 years, before I went freelance.

My copywriting work is informed by my experience as a journalist. I ask questions that get to the heart of the story, and help subject matter experts to express it. My editorial perspective means my copy is easy to read and puts the reader first.

I have a good knowledge of a wide range of technologies and learn new ones quickly. My programming experience gives me a deeper insight into how technologies work, and has been helpful while working on developer relations programmes for leading tech companies.

I've worked with many of the world's leading hardware and software companies. If you have a project that might be a fit for me, get in touch and I'll share my portfolio with you.

Find out more about my writing experience.

Photo ©Adrian Pope.

Business and technology book author

I have written or co-written more than 20 books. They have reached more than 1.7 million readers and have been translated into eight languages. I was shortlisted in 2017 for the ALCS Educational Writers' Award. Many children and hobbyists have learned to code using my books about the Scratch and Python programming languages, and about the Raspberry Pi computer.

My books have been published by leading technology and business book publishers including Dorling Kindersley, Wiley, In Easy Steps, Management Pocketbooks, and Pearson.

Here's an overview of my books in order of publication:

• The Basic Idea: Amstrad Programming Tutorial (Campursoft, 1993)
• Small Business Websites That Work (Pearson, 2001)
• The Customer Service Pocketbook (Management Pocketbooks, two editions from 2002)
• Earworm (Self-published, three editions from 2007)
• Social Networking for the Older and Wiser (Wiley, 2010)
• Microsoft Office for the Older and Wiser (Wiley, 2010)
• Web Design in Easy Steps (In Easy Steps, three editions from 2011)
• iPad for the Older and Wiser (Wiley, two editions from 2011)
• Raspberry Pi For Dummies (Wiley, four editions from 2013)
• Scratch Programming in Easy Steps (In Easy Steps, 2013)
• Raspberry Pi Projects (Wiley, 2013)
• The Interviewer's Pocketbook (Management Pocketbooks, 2014)
• Computer Coding for Kids (Dorling Kindersley, 2014)
• Super Skills: How to Code (QED Publishing, 2015)
• Cool Scratch Projects in Easy Steps (In Easy Steps, 2016)
• Coder Academy (Ivy Kids and Kane Miller, 2018)
• Mission Python (No Starch Press, 2018)
• Beginner's Step-by-Step Coding Course (Dorling Kindersley, 2020)
• 100 Top Tips: Microsoft Excel (In Easy Steps, 2022)
• Amtix CPC Annual (Fusion Retro, 2023)
• Coding Compendium (Self-published, 2023)
• Retro Compendium (Self-published, 2023)
• How to Make Money with ChatGPT (Anthem Publishing, 2026)

Business and technology journalist

I aim to write articles that are interesting, practical and inspiring.

After beginning my career on Euromoney's graduate training scheme, I worked as a staff journalist and technology editor for eight years.

Today, I am a freelance reporter for the BBC's Technology of Business and contributor to the Raspberry Pi Official Magazine.

Beehive News analysed 589,504 articles by 14,700 writers and named me the top technology writer 2025 for context and completeness. My article about sustainable web design was shortlisted for the best feature category in the 2023 Freelance Journalism Awards.

As a freelance and staff journalist, I have worked with a number of leading publications, including:

• BBC's Technology of Business: Practical and inspiring articles on topics including sustainability, AI, and skills and inclusion.
• Raspberry Pi Official Magazine (previously known as The MagPi): Feature articles, and Python and Scratch coding tutorials. Projects include ArtEvolver, Raspberry Radio, and Bedtime Stories. I write my own code for my Raspberry Pi and Python tutorials.
• TelecomTV: Conducting interviews at major industry events and chairing virtual roundtable discussions.
• Internet Magazine: Features, reviews and web design tutorials on topics including accessibility, usability, and JavaScript.
• ITS International, World Highways, Bridge design & engineering: News, features, and event reports on intelligent transport systems (ITS) and transport infrastructure.
• Making Music, Future Music, and Melody Maker: Tutorials on music promotion using the internet, artist interviews and gig reviews.

See my articles portfolio and my Raspberry Pi tutorials.

I have a certificate in photojournalism from the London School of Photojournalism, and have often taken photos for my articles.

Creative projects and other interests

• I am a Scout leader (Beavers, aged 6 to 8), and a Code Club leader.
• My electronic music album Artificial explores what happens beyond artificial intelligence, when the machines have emotions. No AI was used in its creation, though.
• I sing and was in the choir backing David Byrne's Atomic Bomb band at the Royal Festival Hall.
• I was a volunteer performer in the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony and have also performed several roles in immersive theatre production You Me Bum Bum Train.
• I helped to plant the poppies at the Tower of London.
• I wrote a novel called Earworm, about technology in the music industry.
• I enjoy photography.
• I still occasionally program my very first computer, the Amstrad CPC464. In recent years I wrote BAS Invaders and Anaglyph Aliens for retro magazines.

Join my newsletter list for occasional updates on new books, articles and creative projects!