Yes, it’s true. My friend and mentor Howard Lindzon, of Wallstrip.com. and Stocktwits.com fame is releasing his first book, The WallStrip Edge, on Feb. 18, 2009. Howard was my boss at my first job after graduating college and we worked together a few more times over the years. Most recently, in 2006, my PR firm, LAUNCH, represented Golfnow.com, one of Howard’s many successful investments. (The company was sold to Comcast in March, 2008.) When I returned from being off the grid on my sabbatical a few months ago, it didn’t take long to hear about Wallstrip.

Like most non-professional investors, I was hoping to get some solid investment tips from the book. Howard has a great sense of humor and the book was an easy read. Of course, although the current climate is radically unappealing, it’s still important to get the basics so that you’re ready to jump in when the time is right.

Howard shares practical ideas for new and non-professional investors to get started following trends and investing. He discusses the risks and the commitment level needed to manage your own portfolio including to do lists at the end of every chapter. He has a lot of ideas about trend following and uses examples like Crocs, Apple, and Chipotle to make his case. (Let me share my trend idea for all: privately owned Ed Hardy! Keep your eye on that brand, it’s been growing and just hit Costco.) Mid way through the book we learn Lindzon’s secret weapon – “The All-Time-High list.”

The book talks about using trends to make money. Howard starts with some basic and maybe surprising advice, “Turn off the T.V.” and explains why he will show a better, quieter and more peaceful way to invest. As on his blog, Howard freely shares stories of his mistakes through out the book.

The book is filled with gems that are pure Howard: “If you want to invest, be prepared to suck at times!” and “The market is a giant mood ring” come to mind. How says that money spent by consumers and flow from the institutions is all you need to follow to beat the market.

Through out the book he shares some of his rules:
• Never let trades turn into investments, but be willing to let investments become trades.

• Sell when you can

• don’t be a pig

• booking profits and paying taxes is fine.

• The trend is your friend.

As mentioned, each chapter is followed by a To-Do List that summarizes the information he’s shared. In fact, he devotes a whole chapter to doing homework, although contradicts himself when he later warns against doing too much homework, because the data can talk you out of any stock position. He shares four sources of information that he uses himself:

1. My own experience – am I excited, disappointed, indifferent?
2. On-line financial info web sites
3. Social networking and other web sites where I can gauge people’s involvement with products
4. A network of investors who think out loud on-line and whose opinions I trust

Most readers will be able to easily follow his ideas and suggestions. Some may even start the research and thought processes that Howard describes in order to put together a fitting plan. Personally, I felt inspired enough to log onto StockTwits.com and make a purchase after reading through the current threads on the company I chose – even in the current economy.