Two knotty boys have the best books (i read my friend's rope books) i do believe they have some youtube things as well. . .
GrayDancer's Podcast and His work is lovely, He has events called GRUE. They are held all over the country, the next one is *drum roll*:jan 15th in cali. http://fetlife.com/events/7607 That's the fet life page for the event.
Midori teaches classes and is great as well. i know she has books, but i havent read them yet. (they are so on next year's xmas wish list, i'd better be good).
Lew Rubens is another teacher and great source of information about bondage, Right now i know He is setting up an east coast trip.
http://fetlife.com/groups/10631 That's max's fetlife page. He is hosting a Dinner with Midori coming up, that i'm sure if i could i would sell my soul to go to. (if ya couldn't tell i'm a rope slut and can't wait to go to events to see these Rope Tops work in person. *drools and gets a funny look in her eyes*.
All the "top" rope tops go to different events, some teach at them, some go to them to go. The good events you can tell are when those tops go because they want to go and not just because they are being paid to go.
i would suggest to get as much of the basics done as possible, learning the knots and safety ect. events are great because you can see first hand how it's done and such (speaking from what my Rope Top has said how He learned).
how i am learning the ropes is from Him hands on. i do have a hard time with some things so it's easier for me to go to the events and have Him show me what He 's talking bout when He raddles of 5 different ties at once.
Goodl luck, and be safe.
~j~