My First Guidebook Credit
July 1, 2008 – 8:44 am | by nerd's eye viewWell, I’d forgotten all about that. But in yesterday’s mail, I got two copies of Travellers Vancouver & British Columbia. The cover credit still goes to the original writer but whaddaya know? That’s my name on the flyleaf. And somehow, it’s even more fun to flip through the images and say, “Hey, I took that picture!” Or, in some cases, to J, “Hey, you took that picture!”
We’ve done all of our previous work under my byline - J wasn’t physically present to sign the contracts and he shuns the spotlight, but his photos made the cut more often than mine for the Hawaii guide we have coming out under the same label. Next time, he’s signing the paperwork, too. It’s interesting to see what makes the cut - they’re not the photos I’d pick. That tells you how much I don’t know about commercial publishing.
And what do I think of the book? I have a love/leave relationship with guidebooks. I’m a big fan of them for armchair reading and planning. And I do like to read the background sections while I’m traveling - the history and culture overviews tend to be useful if sometimes a bit shallow - they do help you get the big picture.
But it’s the big picture I like guidebooks for only. A lot of space is dedicated to restaurants, hotels, details details details, and that’s the stuff I like to get on the ground. I prefer locals, fellow travelers, and the web for advice. Guidebooks are imminently fallible and they’re out of date so quickly - the long production lead time ensures that the cafe you loved has moved or closed, the hotel rates skyrocketed, the airlines gone out of business… any number of things can change in the nine months it takes to create a guidebook.
So sure, you could go ahead and get this one if you’re off to BC. But don’t rely on it alone. Oh, and if you’re going to go, go in August or September, the best time of year on this part of the planet. And go to Nelson. And camp in Burton. And spend a day at the hot springs in Harrison. And and and… see what I mean?
Live advice. It’s got something on guidebooks.
15 Responses to “My First Guidebook Credit”
By lilalia on Jul 1, 2008 | Reply
Congrats. How nice that must be to see it in real life form.
By Elizabeth on Jul 1, 2008 | Reply
Congrats! I agree- I like guidebooks for the broad view but prefer the internet for lodging, food, etc.
By Amanda on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
Congratulations! Sure, live advice is better, but seeing your name in print is pretty neat too.
By Ali on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
Mazel tov!
By UptakeInOH on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
Congrats! My favorite English prof in college once said that his dream was to have a book dedicated to him. I’ve always wanted to write something just to dedicate it to him.
Seeing your name in print is very powerful. Huzzah!
By eileen on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
congratulations, that’s just excellent! And I have maybe a similar relationship to guidebooks. I mean, if you arrive late and starving and exhausted, it’s great to have someone else’s idea of where to start, but for the most part, just ask someone on the street or see where all the cool kids are going, and you’ve got yourself a plan.
By Marilyn Terrell on Jul 3, 2008 | Reply
Three cheers, Pam! I’ve ordered up some fireworks displays this weekend to celebrate.
By Angela Nickerson on Jul 3, 2008 | Reply
Bravo! Well done! Huzzah!
From one who knows what it feels like…
By Claudine on Jul 4, 2008 | Reply
I also think that guidebooks are great to give you the big picture of things. I use them to give me a general overview of the area. Congratulations!
By christina on Jul 4, 2008 | Reply
Fantastic. I knew you’d be famous some day.
(6 days and counting!!)
By Nomadic Matt on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
every traveler’s dream. congrats!
By pam on Jul 8, 2008 | Reply
This is a lot of cheering! Woot! I want you all to know how happy it make me: Very. Yup, that’s it. Very.
By katrina Schwieterman on Jul 10, 2008 | Reply
Oh wait, more cheering! Congratulations…
By Mary Jo on Jul 12, 2008 | Reply
Yay! To both you and J!