Events 'R Us

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V!VA List, Latin America: A New Spin on an Old Tradition

Scheduled for release next month, the new V!va List, Latin America travel guide is where Web 2.0 meets the Latin Travelogue. The guide is the first-ever armchair travel book created by an online community of travelers, writers and photographers. Packed with spirited essays and intense photographs, the 350-page book will carry readers to Latin America. V!VA won a contest for new publishers. That means the book will be distributed through a top notch distribution firm and that means you should be able to find it in your favorite bookstore.

Organized by country, V!VA List Latin America takes the virtual community’s writing and puts it in hard copy form. (Leaving your PC on the coffee table, on nightstand, or in the lav is a bit awkward, don't you think?) Through short essays, writers from around the world share their best adventures in Latin America. Their words pulse with their love of the history, the culture, the food, and the terrain that is Central and South America.

V!VA List sparked the passion of hundreds of travelers and writers across the world who, within minutes of announcing the project, nominated their Latin favorites for inclusion in the book. In a few weeks timethe V!VATravel Guide website registered more than 500 nominations. Then it received submissions of 450 essays and more than a 1,000 photographs. About one hundred writers made the final cut, and 150 photographs are set to be published. Authors and photographers varied widely among internationally established professionals and aspiring artists to V!VA Travel Guide community members who simply felt drawn to write about the places they love.

Some V!VA List contributors are being published for the first time. Others have written for publications as diverse as Mothering Magazine, iparenting.com, Americas Magazine, New Mexico Parent, MainelyKids, Library Sparks, Kipus, Time Out, National Geographic Magazine Online, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Martha Stewart’s Body+Soul, Fitness Magazine, Associated Press, Reuters, the Wall Street Journal, The Village Voice, California Chronicle, Rough Guide Books, Escape Artist, Transitions Abroad, International Living and Shecky´s.com.

Some contributors wrote about traditional Latin American venues such as the Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu and the Iguazu Falls. Others wrote of the culinary opportunities of Paraguay, paleo tourism in Argentina, myths of the Mountains in Bolivia, and traveling with kids all over the continent.

Community Grass-roots Through and True

Although traditional marketing tactics and a public relations campaign will be used to market the book, V!VA List will remain true to its roots and be promoted by the community of writers and photographers who made the book. Writers will sign books, host readings and hold workshops on travel writing. Photographers will exhibit photographs at local bookstores, libraries and community venues.

VIVA, Latin America will stir the imagination of the armchair traveler. For others, it provides the foundation a trip long or short in the region. It will fuel plans for an extended trip like a gap year, work sabbatical, study abroad or volunteer opportunity. VIVA List readers might even drag their kids from the comforts of home to a life changing Latin American adventure.

It is a Family (and Friends) Affair

Thanks to my extended family and friends for all your support and suggestions on book events. My mother has called local Barnes and Nobles and Borders and asked her bookseller friends (that would be you Beth) for help. My mother-in-law, scouted out a new independent bookstore in her hometown in Jackson. (I scheduled an event for last year that has been postponed til next year.) My husband's traveling family have been touting the book to a new travel bookstore in D.C. My great aunt in law has done the same in Nashville and offered free lodging. My husband and kids amuse themselves while I search for the events manager when ever we enter a bookstore. My friend Betsy suggested REI (who hosted the first book event) and my friend college friend Boris wins the traveled farthest to come to his friend's event. (He arrived almost straight from his flight from the Ukraine.)

So now it is time to really rev up! Where do you want to have an author(s) event?

Collaboration Continues--- What is your best story?

True to our roots as a community guide, I propose we work collaboratively to spread the word about V!VA Travel Latin Guide. As I begin to talk to travel editors, to talk to book store managers, outdoor outfitters, and my friends, I have been listening as much as speaking.

What does each audience find interesting about Viva Travel Latin Guide?

I have one formal book event under my belt, twenty conversations with book store managers, and 2 dozen social occasions where I have been asked to talk about the book.

Sure I have a short story about the book. I have a book coming out along with 150 collaborators. Yep, all those emails about all the far flung places I schlepped my kids are now coming out in print. I usually mention about how the V!va editors found out I knew about Paraguay and asked if I could write about a few sites there.

But my story has changed.

I used to launch into the how-to's of publishing writing about your travels. I offered sage advice that I cannot seem to adhere to in practice. Blah, blah, blah.

Then I tried closing my mouth. I found what people really wanted to hear were stories, stories about Claire being surrounded by a dozen penguins in Argentina, tales of cowardice in flying in a 12- seater over the Andes and into the Amazon, vignettes of the lusty 19th century leaders of Paraguay Madame Lynch and Mariscol Lopez, mini moments on side trips in the alleyways of Cuzco, La Paz, and Quito, accounts of Andrew and his transportation fixation, and counts of all the insects in Madidi.

So my first lesson is the stories in the book and behind the travels capture the imagination.

My second lesson is that many are fascinated with how the book came into being, and learning whether Latin America is the place for them (or their readers). But is is the web connection that intrigues them, not the nitty gritty details of writing.

My third lesson is that everyone likes a sneak preview. I worried that if I "gave away" tips and stories no one would want the book. Instead they keep asking when the book is coming out.

How does this translate to talking to book reviewer? Here is what I am saying:

• Web 2.0 Meets Travelogue--- Through the VivaGuide's website travelers from five continents came together to write a travel guide.
• Latin America is for everyone--- families, writers, adventurers, backpackers, volunteers, retirees, trekkers, cafe sitters you name it.
• You (and your readers) can have a sneak preview. there are 333 excerpts available for reprint and you can see what you are buying. It is short, quirky, varied. The stories are great. I give a sample of titles and topics.
• Nothing like a snap shot story: Everyone's favorite story is about hearing Claire, then 4, calling out, "Moooom they are all around me." I turned from the Atlantic ocean and saw her surrounded by 20 or a million penguins depending on where you stopped counting.
  

What's your best story?