First off, thank you! Whether you’re a paid subscriber or a casual reader of Practical Data Modeling, I appreciate every one of you.
A quick update on the Mixed Model Arts book series. When I started this project, I thought it would be a single book. How naive. The deeper I went, the clearer it became that covering the entire universe of data modeling was far bigger than expected. What began as one book turned into a 600+ page Frankenbook. And it’s still growing!
To do this right, I’m splitting Mixed Model Arts into two volumes:
Book 1 (February/March 2026) - Foundations
This volume covers the fundamentals and building blocks of data modeling, plus the real-world issues that make or break modeling projects: organizational dynamics, selling data modeling, domain mapping, and more. My goal is to equip you with the skills and thinking needed to tackle any modeling problem.
Pre-orders will open in January 2026.
Book 2 (Late 2026/early 2027) - Applications Across Use Cases
This book shows how to apply those foundations across applications, events, operations, analytics, ML/AI, and multimodal data (text, images, video, etc.).
The hardest part here is covering data modeling for AI and AI-assisted data modeling, both of which are evolving rapidly. I’m actively working on it and collaborating with some of the world's top people to push this topic forward rather than wait for permission. This is the time to make things happen, so here we are in the driver’s seat.
Early Drafts for Paid Subscribers
Draft chapters from both books will be released on Substack exclusively for paid subscribers. Free subscribers will still get 1–2 weekly articles, updates, and off-topic posts.
Courses Coming in 2026
I’m also developing new data modeling courses that blend theory with hands-on practice across mainstream modeling approaches. These will launch around the time Book 1 is released.
A Thank-You to Paid Subscribers
To show my appreciation, and because the timeline has shifted, all paid subscribers will now receive:
- Free ebook of Book 1
- Free ebook of Book 2
- Free ebook of Book 3 (if needed)
- Free access to all upcoming data modeling courses
- Exclusive community events and office hours
- More awesome surprises coming…
I want to add a ton of value to you, and this is my way of saying thank you for supporting the work.
Price Increase in 2026
Subscription prices will increase by 10–20% at the start of 2026 to support course production. If you’re already a paid subscriber (or upgrade before the increase), you’ll be locked in at your current price.
Thanks again for being part of this community and project. It’s ambitious, and your support keeps me going. There are big things ahead, and lots more chapters coming your way soon.
Happy data modeling!
Joe Reis