I know both Shelley and "Meredith Macdonald" (a pseudonym). I known both for a long time, Shelley I met at my first SF convention, Maplecon I in 1978, and I met "Meredith" a few years later. Shelley has a doctorate in anthropology, and "Meredith" has one in sociology.

The book was conceived to be a beginners guide, with an idea that a more advanced volume to follow...but that second volume hasn't happened yet.

"Meredith" is on LJ, but hasn't posted in a long time.

ttyl