Dodecatheon jeffreyi - Jeffrey's shooting star

On:
In: book development, Green Gold

This week I was pleased to give a talk at WoodWords 2018, run by Sylva Foundation, about my latest book-in-the-making Green Gold: the Lost Journals of John Jeffrey. I’ve uploaded a recording of the talk which you can listen to here (13m39s). Here are some relevant images to enjoy while youContinue Reading

Jeffrey pine limited edition print

On:
In: art, book development

I’ve just released GREEN GOLD newsletter No.11, with news and features connected with the creation of my latest book GREEN GOLD: the lost journals of John Jeffrey. It’s now a little over a year since publisher Unbound launched the GREEN GOLD fundraising campaign, and I’m pleased to report that it’sContinue Reading

WoodWords2018-books

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In: art, book development, event, Green Gold, writing

In this issue of my irregular Green Gold newsletter, an announcement of a unique literary evening in May, a short book extract, more stunning botanical art including a new Subscriber offer of a limited edition print, and a short extract from the book. Here’s a few highlights. WoodWords literary eveningContinue Reading

Jeffrey pine painting in progress by Nicola Macartney

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In: art, books, Green Gold

A new Green Gold subscriber reward  has been released: a special, limited edition, botanical print of the Jeffrey Pine. Thanks to a collaboration with botanical artist Nicola Macartney, with links to Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, we are able to offer 100 readers the chance to own a print of Nicola’sContinue Reading

Jeffrey pine painting in progress by Nicola Macartney

On:
In: book development, books, Green Gold

No.9 of my occasional newsletter is now available, featuring stories linked to the creation of my  historical novel: GREEN GOLD – the lost journals of John Jeffrey. In this issue, a new extract from the book, more stunning botanical art by Nicola Macartney, how to gift a book patronage thisContinue Reading

Gift a book patronage

On:
In: feature

My latest book is to be published by Unbound, a specialist crowdfunding publisher. Why not gift a book patronage this Christmas for a truly unique present. Every supporter will have their name listed inside the book.Continue Reading

On:
In: art, book development, books, feature

Following visits to Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) and Benmore Botanic Garden, botanical artist Nicola Macartney (collaborating in my GREEN GOLD book project) has started work painting sketches of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) including foliage, cones and a section of bark. These elements will be included in the final paintingContinue Reading

On:
In: book development, feature, history

“Seek out gaps, as these offer opportunities for creativity”, said Hilary Mantel in her BBC Reith Lecture. I recognise this as the element which drew me towards my first biographical fiction novel. I hope botanists don’t rattle their vasculums, nor prospectors clatter their pans, in protest at my own version of history when they get their hands on GREEN GOLD.Continue Reading

On:
In: ecology, feature

In September 1852 young Scottish plant hunter John Jeffrey came across an attractive flowering plant in northern California. After samples were received by his sponsors at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh it was named in his honour.Continue Reading