Secret's out: I'm writing a book

I thought I'd finally tell you a bit more about the project I mentioned obliquely a few days ago.

I am writing a book about my allotment: not so much an instructional manual as an amusing seasonal romp through the pleasures and pitfalls of renting a plot and growing your own fruit and vegetables (or something like that ...).

It's going to be made up of new material, plus a few carefully selected highlights (there were highlights, weren't there?!) from the archives of Horticultural. And don't worry, I won't be giving up this blog either: it'll still be home to regular updates on my allotment and garden exploits.

Here's where you come in: I am keen to hear your thoughts. So if you have a favourite allotment anecdote or horror story, top tip for growing a particular vegetable or a great post from your allotment blog you'd like to share with the world, please drop me an email with your name and a few details about yourself. Of course, if I include your tip in the book, I'll credit you and list a link to your blog. Do spread the word to other allotmenteers you know, as I'd love to have as wide an input as possible.

It won't be out in the shops until some time next year, but I'll try to give you regular progress reports on how it's going here (so far: three chapters written, several more in the pipeline).

Comments

[Annie - London Underground Blog]

Hey, very well done you, sounds like a great idea and I'm sure you will make a fab job of it.

My old next door neighbours have an allotment in Kew and it looks like I will be moving back to Kew next year so I will pop round and ask them if they have any allotment horror stories!

[Amy Stewart]

Jane, this is so exciting! Of course, I'm curious about all the writerly aspects...or should I say business aspects...have you got a publisher lined up? Do you suppose it would come out in the US? (I would love to tell my US publisher about it!)

Anyway, keep us posted. I'm coming to the UK in August and would love to learn more about allotment gardens while I'm there. Would make a nice article or radio story for a US audience.

[Andrew]

Congratulations, I'm looking forward to hearing more about it and reading the final result. All the best.

[Andy hamilton]

I thought you might need some help with the allotment stories so I have posted something up on my forum. I will get my thinking cap on too, the couch grass with the worlds longest roots is one of my worst encounters!