As many of you know, when I set out to publish my Vanishing Cuba book, my objective was to create something exceptional and not just another book.
I would soon find out if my seven years of photography and two years of writing, design, and production were about to deliver on that promise.
With the arrival of the first few samples of my book, I boarded a flight to Miami for Art Basel, where the Reserve Edition of my book would be showcased for the very first time. But my real interest would be a very special meeting we had set up months earlier.
The meeting would take place at Miami’s premier bookstore, Books & Books. Specifically, their flagship store in Coral Gables, just a stone’s throw away from Miami’s famous Little Havana and Hialeah and home to 1.2 million Cuban Americans. The store’s unique layout encircles a wonderful outdoor cafe. Inside, there are rooms and rooms of books, including a showroom dedicated to Assouline handcrafted luxury photo books, not to mention a very nice collection of books on Cuba. Books & Books has seven locations throughout the Miami area.
At the request of the store’s head buyer, I would meet with Christina Nosti, Director of Events at Books & Books, who I would later find out is Cuban-American. After a brief introduction, Christina’s first words were, “So, show me the book!”
After running her fingers across the cover of the book, in what appeared to be a sign of approval, she opened the book and slowly began to turn the pages. There was silence. As she turned more and more pages, she said in one sentence, what I had been hoping to hear, “I’ve seen a lot of books on Cuba, but I’ve never seen a book quite like this. This is beautiful! Is this all your photography?”
I answered her with a big smile, a sigh of relief, and validation that we truly created something special. As we talked more about the book, I could further sense her excitement. As our meeting drew to a close, she asked if I could leave my only copies of the Silver Edition and the Deluxe Edition so the store could showcase them for pre-orders. I knew then that she was not just being complimentary. She was very excited about the book.
If you are in Miami, you can find the Silver Edition at the Coral Gables store and the Deluxe Edition at the Bal Harbour store.
As the book lands in more people’s laps over the next few weeks and months, it’s my hope that everyone will have the same impression as Christina. Thank you all for your patience and support.
The Books & Books flagship bookstore in Coral Gables, Miami, Florida.
Vanishing Cuba books (Silver Edition and Deluxe Edition) are being reviewed at Books & Books in Coral Gables, Miami, Florida.
The first-ever Vanishing Cuba books are being registered into the bookstore’s inventory. The Silver Edition is in the foreground, and the Deluxe Edition is standing at Books & Books, Miami, Florida.
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It was so lovely to discover that I was featured in the December issue of Get Lost Magazine, a Melbourne Australia-based independent adventure travel magazine. My Vanishing Cuba photography is highlighted in the EXPOSURE section, where they select just two photographers a month.
Founded in 2004 by Publisher Justin Jamieson, the magazine seeks out unique travel experiences around the globe for travelers wishing to explore and take unforgettable holidays that are not found in brochures.
VANISHING CUBA CHRONICLES – BOOK DELAYED DUE TO GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN CRISIS
Let me begin with my sincerest apologies regarding the delays associated with my Vanishing Cuba book. We had initially thought that the book would ship from Italy in early November, but unfortunately, this never materialized.
There are various reasons for the delay, but most notably, the pandemic initiated global supply chain problems that have created issues across the world. This includes the shortage of paper, semiconductor chips for cars, overcrowded ports, container ships waiting to unload, and basics like trucks and drivers to move goods through the supply chain.
MIAMI LIVING MAGAZINE FEATURES VANISHING CUBA
At the beginning of the 2021 Art Basel | Miami Art week, MIAMI LIVING Magazine featured my Vanishing Cuba book on their home page, Arts & Leisure section, and their Art Basel – Art Miami week guide. It’s a great read.
All of this is so very exciting! I’m not at all surprised by the reception the book is getting from a wide variety of sources. I’m really proud of your skill, expertise, and dedication to this amazing project!