In this edition of Endnotes, we take a look at Stephen G. Bloom’s The Brazil Chronicles (Univ. of Missouri, Nov.), which chronicles the author’s adventures at the Brazil Herald in Rio de Janeiro in his late 20s.

Here’s how the book came together

Stephen G. Bloom, Author

“I’ve long wanted to make sense of my two years working at a crazy expat English-language newspaper, the Brazil Herald, in Rio de Janeiro in my late 20s. My colleagues at the Herald included fugitives, drug dealers, CIA beards, and pornographers. No agent or commercial press editor wanted to sign the book, even though this will be my seventh. Newspapers and Brazil, they told me, were topics that made readers’ eyes glaze over. Still, I knew it was a hell of a story and refused to give up.”

Andrew J. Davidson, Editor-in-Chief, Univ. of Missouri Press

“When Steve first contacted me about signing this project, it baffled me why such a successful trade book author would approach the University of Missouri Press, and I told him point-blank I didn’t think we were the right house for his work. Once I gave in and read the manuscript, I was all in and took every step necessary to see it get published.”

Deanna Davis, Cover Designer

“Steve wanted to avoid clichéd shots of Brazil such as Mt. Corcovado, Sugarloaf Mountain, or beach scenes and was drawn to the abstract quality of this classic shot of the sidewalk at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. For the text, I first tried using typewriter and newspaper fonts, but nothing worked as well as the bold Cubano font with the orange background.”

Robin Rennison, Marketing Manager, Univ. of Missouri Press

“Steve has been a strong partner in promoting the book since day one. He is a dedicated journalist and a great storyteller whose love of his craft, infectious optimism, and dogged determination will, I believe, make his book one of our most successful titles.”