Chocolatour Goes Indiegogo

Thanks to everyone who’s been with me on this wonderful journey of chocolate exploration over the past 3+ years. We have a lot more chocolate to discover!

chocolatour-cover-art

This will be the backdrop for the cover of Chocolatour. Thx to Mike Adam Photography.

As most of you know, I’ve been writing the first edition of “Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate” over the past year. I had no idea at that point in time that the book would take so long to write, or the breadth and magnitude of the research I had accumulated.  I soon realized that this was much more than one book, and so the plan was transformed into a trilogy that would be published in a series of three distinct volumes that would divide the world up geographically.

The 1st edition of Chocolatour will focus on Europe and the UK. Within that region, I have spotlighted six European countries that to me, epitomize the best that Europe has to offer in the world of chocolate. I have chosen Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Holland as each of these countries has played an important role in the modern evolution of chocolate. And I’ve included the British Isles (UK) in this volume as it is my opinion that Britain is making the best chocolate on the planet, and that Scotland and Ireland aren’t far behind.

Chocolatour has selected a small number of chocolatiers, chocolate makers and chocolate companies to profile from each of these countries. My goal has been to give you some travel tidbits on each location, and then introduce you to the men and women of chocolate who are doing something special. Those who are the most innovative. Those who are worth checking out –whether you decide to plan a trip and head overseas, or whether you decide to order some fine artisanal chocolate online and open your chocolate-loving taste buds to the world.

In addition to these profiles, Chocolatour takes you to some of the world’s finest cocoa growing regions including Peru, Ecuador, and St. Lucia, where we also had the pleasure of attending the Jade Mountain Chocolate Festival. We have a full chapter on chocolate events and attractions around the world, in addition to chapters on the health benefits of chocolate, the personalities of chocolate, and a global A-Z Guide for Chocolate Lovers.

Because I am a travel writer, and visuals have always comprised a huge portion of any stories I have written, Chocolatour will contain more than 50 full colour photos in the 1st edition to help you become immersed in the stories and feel that you have truly met these masters of chocolate and cocoa farmers from around the world. But as you can imagine, producing a quality book with a magnitude of full colour images is an expensive undertaking.

I therefore am launching an Indiegogo.com crowdfunding campaign to raise funds to cover the cost of a professional editor, designer, and printer to bring this beautiful book to you. If you have been enjoying this blog over the past 3 years, please consider donating a small sum or passing word about the campaign to others. If you are involved in the world of fine chocolate, please know that you are as much a part of this book as I am, and please consider supporting it in any way you can.

If you are a strong supporter of the arts and independent publishing projects, please consider supporting my campaign with a generous donation here. And if you are a philanthropist with considerable means, please blow my mind with a contribution that is beyond my wildest dreams to help me bring Chocolatour to the world.

Together, we can make this artisanal publishing project about the world of artisanal chocolate a reality.

Doreen Pendgracs

Known throughout the Web as the "Wizard of Words", I've been a freelance writer since 1993. I researched and wrote Volume I of Chocolatour that won a Readers' favourite Award in 2014. Always enjoy experiencing new destinations and flavours.

42 Responses

  1. I know one thing for sure. That’s going to be a delicious book..:)
    Christopher James recently posted…pokertrainingreport.comMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Definitely a delicious book, Christopher. Thanks in a very large part due to the support I rec’d from the Indiegogo campaign. A total of $8,000 was raised between the campaign and private donations, which paid for the first printing of the book, editorial, and design costs. You’ll find Chocolatour now available for purchase at https://chocolatour.net.

  2. The book cover really looks stunning.This is really a good artistic work.I am sure this book on chocolate will help the chocolate lovers to discover new items.Keep writing…

  3. Calra says:

    You tour the world for the love of chocolate? I envy you. I only taste chocolates from different parts of the world out of care packages from loved ones who live abroad. Keep it up!

    • Doreen says:

      Hi Calra: It is indeed my job to share chocolate experiences with chocolate lovers around the world. The goal of Chocolatour is to encourage people to travel with chocolate in mind. There’s a whole world of chocolate out there to discover and enjoy!
      Doreen recently posted…Cupping Specialty Coffee in Costa RicaMy Profile

  4. Kelly says:

    Looking forward to all your upcoming books Doreen. I can see how much heart, time, and effort you are putting into your project. Best of luck to you.

  5. Stacey says:

    Congratulations for your third year of being a certified chocolate aficionado. And youโ€™re a woman of many words, youโ€™re an achiever. Not everyone can blog about what they know about chocolate. And you did your very best Doreen. Keep it up!

  6. Emilia says:

    You never tire of writing and discussing about everything sweet and chocolate-flavored, donโ€™t you? I really adore how you entice readers on coming back to your blog again and again because many people share the same penchant for the dark, sweet, velvety treat.
    Emilia recently posted…New Years Eve Cruise in Sydney 2012 Harbour Fireworks Cruise!My Profile

  7. Sandra says:

    Please keep writing Doreen. i love everything you write about chocolate, and your blog opened my eyes to the wonders of it. I’m allergic to chocolate, you know, and the only way I could enjoy the treat is through smelling it and reading about it on your blog.
    Sandra recently posted…Gotye, A Recruiter I Used to KnowMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Thanks so much for your comment, Sandra. Your support means a lot to me.

      And remember. This blog is just as much about travel as it is about chocolate, so hopefully, you’ll get some good ideas of new places to visit. Cheers, and if you celebrate it, Happy Easter!
      Doreen recently posted…Cupping Specialty Coffee in Costa RicaMy Profile

  8. Kristine says:

    Hi Doreen! I love everything about your blog because youโ€™re a lady after my own heart. I love chocolate and even if it a little bit expensive to travel the world just to taste every countryโ€™s chocolate bestseller, you definitely did a great job blogging and traveling for the love of it.
    Kristine recently posted…Inspiration for two landscape designers at the Rainforest RetreatMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Thanks, Kristine! We’ve got a lot more chocolate travelling to do here on the blog!

      I’m just finishing up on the 1st edition of Chocolatour right now that will bring you a wide assortment of stories. Some will be familiar as having been introduced here at Chocolate Travel Diversions with Doreen as well as many others. And I’ve already begun researching the 2nd edition of the book, so stay tuned for lots more!
      Doreen recently posted…Cupping Specialty Coffee in Costa RicaMy Profile

  9. Veronica says:

    With all your chocolate posts, I would have thought that you are a chocolate connoisseur, if thereโ€™s such a thing like that by profession. I especially love hot chocolate although Iโ€™m not a big fan of candy bars. Thank you for posting this.

    • Doreen says:

      Hi Veronica and thanks for your comment.

      I do like t think of myself as a chocolate connoisseur. As a lifelong lover of chocolate, and someone who has really delved into the world of fine chocolate over the past 3+ years, I have learned much. Mostly how to taste and appreciate the difference between real pure handcrafted chocolate and mass-proficed chocolate candy in the form of commercial chocolate bars that I now can hardly stomach and find far too sweet.
      Doreen recently posted…Cupping Specialty Coffee in Costa RicaMy Profile

  10. Joy says:

    I could easily picture out how you’d document your travels to the countryside or to other nations while enjoying their best chocolates. Chocolatour, I love the title. I have never met a woman so engrossed on chocolate heaven like you before.
    Joy recently posted…Link Building Techniques You Should AvoidMy Profile

  11. Fatima says:

    Indeed it is one tempting book that I cannot wait for! Wish you immense success with the book and hope to find the best chocolate for myself ๐Ÿ˜‰
    Fatima recently posted…How To Use The Quick Access Toolbar in Excel 2013My Profile

  12. Jeri says:

    It’s been exciting to see your project take shape and you fully have my support!
    Jeri recently posted…Short Story Spotlight: Learn by ExampleMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Thanks so much, Jeri. You have been such a wonderful support to me thru the blogging journey and all.

      What a terrific resource the BHB group has been for all of us. ๐Ÿ™‚

  13. Aayna says:

    I love chocolates to the core and reading your posts is always a treat!! It gives me a feel as if I am diving into an ocean of chocolates. I am eagerly waiting for your book. Good luck for the same. Thanks.
    Aayna recently posted…Gotye, A Recruiter I Used to KnowMy Profile

  14. Geek Girl says:

    Wow… 3 books. Triple the pleasure! Congrats!
    Geek Girl recently posted…Top 100 Book Related Blogs To Follow In 2013 [Infographic]My Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Thanks, Cheryl. Yes, I’ve got to divide Chocolatour into a series as there’s just so much to cover! I’m already running about 6 months behind the schedule I’d originally had for myself, but that’s OK. The book will be bigger and better than I could have dreamed.

      Please subscribe to https://chocolatour.net if you want to keep up on updates for the book. Thx again for dropping by.

  15. Catarina says:

    How delightful to travel and taste chocolate. Your book sounds interesting and I am not surprised you have too much knowledge to fit into one book. Wish I had some Belgium chocolate next to me at the moment.
    Catarina recently posted…Could your visual presentations be better?My Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Hi Catarina: Actually it will be a series of 3 books! I’ve divided the world geographically, as there is so much chocolate out there to explore and share!

      Belgium chocolate is indeed fine. I have a full chapter on Belgium in the book. Cheers!

  16. Kelly Wade says:

    Congratulations Doreen! I’m sure all of the chocolate lovers out there (including myself) will be very interested in what your book has to offer. Because you’ve had the opportunity to travel to different areas and experience different chocolate adventures it makes you quite worldly in that area; something not a lot of people are.
    Kelly Wade recently posted…Exercises for People with Bad KneesMy Profile

    • Doreen says:

      Thanks so much, Kelly. I really do feel I’ve accumulated some fascinating and varied firsthand research that will make my book a welcome addition to the collection of every chocolate lover.

      Looking forward to being guest on your blog and talking more about it. ๐Ÿ™‚

  17. Jon Jefferson says:

    I am sharing this today. Your work in sharing the world of artisanal chocolate is greatly appreciated.

  18. Of course I’m donating! I was honoured to be part of your UK research journey (hey, someone has to do it)! Will be posting to Social Media too. ๐Ÿ™‚

  19. I absolutely LOVE chocolate and look forward to what promises to be a beautiful and inviting series of books. I will make my way to your donation page and tweet in support of this delicious project! Best of luck!
    Valerie Remy-Milora recently posted…Life On PurposeMy Profile

  20. Best of luck to you with this campaign Doreen. It is crazy how images raise the price of the book so much. Once you have one colour image in there you may just as well have 50. I did the same with my book (not the fund-raising) but as a result of the price, even without fantastic quality I can ill afford to keep stock. I do have stock from my first book which has 70+ illustrations! I printed in Hong Kong where the price was considerably less expensive and the quality multiplied by 4.
    Will tweet this out for you!

    • Doreen says:

      Thanks, Lesley.

      I wanted to use Friesens Printing of Altona, Manitoba as they are a local company and have created many jobs in the community. They are a real grassroots company and are extremely supportive of the local arts community. So they may not be the cheapest, but I am hoping that they will help me create a product of supreme quality that every chocolate lover on the planet will want to possess and cherish.
      Doreen recently posted…Chocolatour Goes IndiegogoMy Profile

  21. How awesome. I can’t wait for your first book. As soon as I can, I’ll be donating something to your campaign and spreading to word to others. ๐Ÿ™‚
    Susan Cooper recently posted…Irish Beef Stew: RecipeMy Profile

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