DENISE AND ALAN FIELDS have sold 2 million books, focused on navigating the consumer maze of life's biggest decisions: getting married, having a baby and raising children. But how do two seemingly normal people end up writing consumer books for a living?

The Fields met while attending the University of Colorado at Boulder. Denise was a history major specializing in Elizabethan England; Alan was in the business school, studying the marketing of products to Albania. We wish there was some fairy-tale story about how the couple met, but it is actually quite boring--they ran into each other in a dormitory during the infamous Bronco Blizzard.

Denise and Alan became writers because they couldn't find any other gainful employment. After college, Denise realized that the unemployment rate for Elizabethan England scholars was 132%. Alan's career as a college newspaper columnist and disc jockey fizzled out as well. Since they had a lot of free time, they authored a small book called Austin Weddings, about their travails planning their own wedding in the capital of Texas (where they had moved after graduating from CU).

Then something clicked. The Fields' consumer advice was a hit with brides and the book became a local best-seller. Realizing they had perhaps found a way to make a living without having to get real jobs, Denise and Alan turned out wedding guides to Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, San Diego and Denver.

By this time, the Fields recognized something most other so-called wedding experts refused to admit. Forget all this fancy etiquette stuff--what brides and grooms really wanted to know was how to get a good deal on the items for their wedding. Following that theme, the Fields wrote their first national book on weddings, Bridal Bargains.

To say the book was unpopular among members of the "wedding industry" was an understatement. The Fields were banned from attending bridal shows; an editor from a major bridal magazine lambasted the Fields in a letter to the Wall Street Journal. Fortunately, the Fields did have one fan in the media--a talk show host by the name of Oprah Winfrey. Oprah told her viewers to buy the book. 400,000 copies later, the book is the Fields best-selling title to date.

After Oprah, the Fields embarked on their next greatest adventure. They built a new home. And like everything they would do in their lives, the experience inspired a book of its own: Your New House, was picked as one of the top 10 real estate books in 1993 by the San Francisco Examiner. "This book is, by far, the best book available on how to buy or build a new home," raved syndicated columnist Robert Bruss, imploring his readers to buy the book. Your New House was revised for a second edition in 1996, and again in 1999 for a third edition.

Baby Bargains, the Fields' third book, was inspired by the birth of their son, Benjamin in 1993. The book (which debuted in 1994) was also featured on Oprah, the Today Show and in Child Magazine. The Fields scoured the country for the best deals on cribs, bedding, maternity clothes and more. Next, they interviewed more than 100 first-time parents across the country, who provided insights into which baby products were best buys-and which were wastes of money. Baby Bargains' editor's panel of juvenile products retailers provided crucial safety and technical background for the book's extensive list of recommended brands and products. The birth of the Fields second son (Jack) in November 1996 inspired the release of the 2nd edition of this book in March 1997. The 3rd edition of Baby Bargains was released in March 1999, with updated material, new bargains and more.

The Fields' latest book is Baby 411, co-authored by Dr. Ari Brown. Baby 411 is the ultimate FAQ for new parents. Written in an easy-to-read question and answer format, Baby 411 explores infant health from a fresh and non-judgemental approach.

If you liked Baby 411, you'll love Toddler 411---the sequel! All your questions on toddlers, answered! And now, Expecting 411 joins the 411 family, with detailed advice on pregnancy and child birth.

The Fields currently live in Boulder, CO with their sons Ben and Jack.

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for taking the time to learn a little bit more about me! When I am not writing books, I actually work full time as a pediatrician in Austin, Texas. Like every other graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, we all try to find a way to make it back to Austin and call it home. It took me over a decade to return to this very cool city.

I received my medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and also met my husband there. He helped out as a teaching assistant in my anatomy class. There's nothing like the smell of formaldehyde and a cadaver to set the mood...

We completed our residency training in Boston. He became an ear, nose, and throat specialist. I completed my general pediatrics residency at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children's Hospital. We had our first child shortly after residency, moved to Baltimore for jobs, had another baby, and decided to move back home to our native Texas.

After seven years of being a busy pediatrician, I realized that parents and parents-to-be wanted to be more involved and more informed about children's health issues. I applaud that. Informed parents are empowered parents! But, the parenting shelves at the bookstore were lacking the level of up-to-date, detailed information that parents needed. And the internet lacked reliability of sources and the ability to give parents a perspective on what they were reading (example: most headaches are NOT caused by brain tumors). Hence, Baby 411 was born in 2003.

I translated my passion to educate families into the best selling 411 Parenting Series. I now have three book titles: Expecting 411:Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy (co-authored with OB/GYN Dr Michele Hakakha), Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Baby's First Year and Toddler 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for your Toddler (both co-authored by consumer advocate, Baby Bargains author, and mom, Denise Fields). Each title is updated every two years to provide readers with the most up-to-date content out there.

Despite my many hours serving as a child health advocate being a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, child health expert for WebMD, and medical advisor to Parents Magazine, my most gratifying achievements are my two kids--who really are amazing. And now that I have a teenager living in my home, my next project may be Teenager 411--HELP!

Head over to www.baby411.com for book updates and the latest news on pregnancy and child health. Join the conversation!