Viva Editions are books that inform, enlighten, and entertain. The very name, "Viva!", is celebratory. And while Viva Editions is a line of books that are as fun as they are informational, the intention behind Viva is very serious—these are books that are truly helpful and intended to enhance people's lives.


Thursday, September 13, 2012

The heart of the written word:

Viva Editions: Books for Vivacious Living!


Joseph Campbell described Phil Cousineau as a five-tool threat—a writer, photographer, filmmaker, editor, and teacher. As the great Huston Smith says, "Cousineau's love affair with words in contagious." From the medieval scourge of abbey-lubbers to the unpronounceable  floccinaucinihilipilification (considered the longest English word by the Oxford English Dictionary) to the Maori ghost-word zzxjoanw. Cousineau will clear up the bafflegab and pandemonium, and remind you that you too are a philomath (or at the very least a Phil-o-phile). And don't miss Phil Cousineau's Global Spirit on PBS, described by series host John Cleese as "the world's only internal travel show."
Phil's Bay Area Tour:
9/2: Bird and Beckett, San Francisco - 2pm
9/4: Books, Inc., Berkeley - 7pm
9/6: Mrs. Dalloway's, Berkeley - 7:30pm
9/7: Avid Reader, Davis - 7:30pm
9/8: Reader's Books, Sonoma - 2:30pm
9/11: Towne Center Books, Pleasanton - 7pm
9/12: Book Passage Marin, Corte Madera - 7pm
9/13: City Lights, San Francisco - 7pm
The Painted Word
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Deepak Chopra calls author Phil Cousineau a "word wizard" and NPR's Susan Stamberg hailed his Wordcatcher as a must-read "because it's fun." Cousineau, linguistic detective and dictionary delver, is back with a priceless treasury of word stories and literary obscura that will enchant any lover of language. The words themselves range from the commonplace like biscuit to loanwords like chaparral; from word-reversals such as silly, to words well worthy of revival, such as carrytale. Cousineau's journey through the history and mystery of words will enlighten as it delights.
"Cousineau makes us Argus-eyed…you definitely need this book."
—Lemony Snicket, author of A Series of Unfortunate Events
Phil Cousineau
Phil Cousineau
PHIL COUSINEAU is an award-winning writer and filmmaker, teacher and editor, independent scholar and travel leader, storyteller and TV host.

Express Your Words with Viva Editions!
WordcatcherThe Elements of ExpressionBetter Than GreatUse Your Words
And be sure to check out Phil Cousineau's other book Wordcatcher, as well as the ever expressive Arthur Plotnik's books The Elements of Expression and Better Than Great. And write down your true parenting stories with Use Your Words by Kate Hopper.
Viva Editions, an imprint of Cleis Press, 2246 Sixth St., Berkeley, CA 94710

Monday, September 10, 2012

Embrace Fearless Parenting


Viva Editions: Books for Vivacious Living!
Embrace Fearless Parenting
September 2012
Viva Editions is proud to announce Dr. John Duffy, author of The Available Parent, is Steve Harvey's parenting expert on NBC appearing nationally September 6th and 7th. Check your local listings. He discusses every possible concern for families, from back to school tips, to teens and social media, and even to boomerang children, the phenomenon of children over eighteen returning to live with their parents. Dr. Duffy is also the parenting expert for his local Morning Blend. Join the conversation on Twitter @VivaEditions, @DrJohnDuffy, and @IAmSteveHarvey. He is also featured in the current issue of Your Teen Magazine, and will be featured in "Just Between Friends" on Chic Galleria. Listen to Dr. Duffy's excellent advice in the audio book as you drive your kids to soccer practice!
The Available Parent
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Some parents have a tendency today to over-parent, micro-manage, and under-appreciate their adolescents. The Available Parent shows readers how they can begin to enjoy a healthy, satisfying, exciting new kind of relationship with their teenagers. The available parent of a teenager offers discussion, advice, and problem-solving, but not insisting on it. He or she allows the child to make some mistakes and sets limits, primarily where health and safety are concerned. The available parent never lectures and is available but not controlling, is self-aware, and keeps his or her own emotions in check. The available parent is fun and funny and can bring levity to the most stressful situation. All of that is to say, there are no conditions to his or her availability. With The Available Parenteveryone breathes easier as a 13th birthday approaches.
 Dr. John Duffy
Dr. John Duffy
John Duffy is a clinical psychologist and certified life coach with a thriving private practice in the Chicago area. Dr. Duffy works with both teens and adults and specializes in helping parents maximize satisfaction and minimize conflict in their relationships with their teenagers.
Tips for Parents and Families 
Every Day LoveHelp! My Baby Came Without InstructionsLiving Life as a Thank YouUse Your Words
Fill your relationships with love every day with tips from Judy Ford inEvery Day Love, learn how to survive the first year of parenthood with Blythe Lipman in Help! My Baby Came Without Instructions, read more of Dr. Duffy's tips in Nina Lesowitz and Mary Beth Sammons's Living Life as Thank You, and write down your parenting stories with Use Your Words by Kate Hopper.