Alex Appella , originally from Oregon, is a writer and book artist. Alex began binding her written words on a boat in Alaska, with the idea that original literature should be accessible, both for the writer and for the reader. After traveling half-way around the world with a mini-bookbinding workshop on her back (including a typewriter), and selling her artists' books on the streets and plazas of Latin America, Alex now writes and binds from her home in the sierras of Córdoba, Argentina.

Magu, originally from Córdoba, Argentina, is a singer, musician and composer--besides being a bookbinder. When he is not doing this: he is making books. Experience his current musical odyssey here: Sombraitoro

Alex Appella on Transient Books as a business:
Transient Books came about as an online business in 2001 thanks to one of my brothers, and thanks to an economic crisis in Argentina.
My brother, a programmer, needed to learn a new website code, and offered to make Transient Books a site as a prototype for learning.
The frozen economy in Argentina meant selling books or journals locally was difficult, and an unreliable way to make ends meet. Selling custom bound books via the internet seemed like a crazy idea at the time. But we had nothing to lose, so Magu and I took the leap, and worked out the kinks along the way.
This crazy idea not only continues to work, it puts food on the table and shoes on the kids (among other things). We are grateful everyday that our commute is 50 steps out the back door where we go to work at a job that brings us no end of satisfaction and entertainment.  
Transient Books is made possible by many: our US distributor in Oregon (my mom, of course), my brother Rick Busch who set up the site originally (we’ve since become our own webmasters), the outstanding staff at the UPS office in Córdoba, Argentina, the USPS delivery guys in Salem, Oregon, not to mention a whole string of suppliers, supporters, family, and enthusiasts in both North and South America. Mostly, Transient Books is made possible by its varied and hugely interesting clients. We never cease to be surprised and humbled by the individuals who appear in our inbox with their memorable ideas and enthusiasm.

Transient Books on the road in Mexico. 1998

Transient Books Binding Studio. Sierras de Córdoba, Argentina. 2010

A window into living in the Sierras of Córdoba, Argentina: Independence Day Festivities.

DON'T WORRY, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN SOUTH AMERICA,
YOU ONLY PAY SHIPPING FROM OUR U.S. DISTRIBUTOR IN OREGON TO YOUR ADDRESS.
We take care of the cost of getting our books up to North America.

Transient Books has been registered as a Sole Proprietorship in the State of Oregon since 2002.
We gladly provide our Oregon address upon request.

Member of the US Guild of Bookworkers since 2008.
Member of the Argentine Association of Bookbinders (Encuadernadores Artesanales de la República Argentina) since 2003.

We've been lucky to be invited to amazing places to give bookbinding workshops:
Binding Workshops in Bolivia Of Teaching Bookbinding in mining camps in Southern Bolivia at over 10,000 feet.	Binding Workshops in Argentina Ecology, Expression & Bookbinding at rural schools in the high sierras of Córdoba, Argentina.