Argentina: Words and images that speak to the soul

By Michael Collie, director of SPCK Australia
July 4 to 7, 2011

The cobblestone streets, historic cafes and tango bars of San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, have been home to generations of dancers, puppeteers, painters and poets. A local church here hosted a four-day workshop for Christian editors and designers. The July training was led by Argentine editors Silvia Chaves and Adriana Powell; literary consultant John Eames of the U.S.; Colombian illustrator Catalina Echeverri; and designers Pablo Ortelli from Argentina and Michael Collie from Australia.

Workshops required teamwork among the 24 editors and designers from Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Guatemala and Argentina. Subjects covered: the publishing process (from idea to reader), cultivating healthy working relationships and combining words and images that speak to the soul.

Editors brought manuscripts which they developed with fellow editors before collaborating with designers. Topics included marriage, training teachers, a series for adolescents about God and more. Argentine designer Pablo Ortelli led the designers through the process of creating e-books. Participants agreed on the importance of harnessing social media like facebook to market and connect directly with readers.

John Eames explained how manuscript acquisition and development results from editorial vision. Illustrator Catalina Echeverri (right photo) urged editors and designers alike to communicate with increasingly style-conscious and visually-literate readers.

“Christian publishers in Latin America produce books with excellent content. Unfortunately they are often dismissed because of their appearance. Books which are salt and light in both content and appearance will appeal to a broader audience and take the message of the Gospel to more readers.”
By Michael Collie, director of SPCK Australia

>>Please pray that Latin American Christian publishers will create vital reading material that is both attractive and accessible to those who most need it.

Photos courtesy of Michael Collie