Monkey reading

Aimee Selby, an editor at Black Dog Publishing is the editor of a forthcoming title, ‘Growing Stuff’, and wondered whether you would be interested in contributing.

Aimee is just beginning to work through the book’s format and content, but it will likely be close in format to a craft book they did entitled Making Stuff. This means that the book will probably have a ‘How to’ section at the beginning, with instructions on tools, pruning, deadheading, seasonal changes, etc., and then be followed with a series of project-based gardening activities. These will be along the lines of “How to grow mint in a pot/makeshift container, and how to make a mojito cocktail with it once grown.”

The projects will be in a step-by-step format, instructing on the necessary materials, time-frame, care instructions for growing the plant in question, and a recipe for the accompanying activity. They would also be illustrated by photographs, and possibly some illustrative diagrams. Other suggestions would be plants to grow and making scented candles, how to make a makeshift container and what to grow in it, spring flowers for indoor pots or window boxes, etc. Also ‘handy hints’ for weeding, preventing or getting rid of pests, encouraging wildlife, etc. I hope that the book will also have a leaning towards sustainability, recycleability, grow-your-own, and growing in an urban environment.

If you would be interested in contributing one or more project activities to the book, it would be very welcome. Any accompanying photographs would be very helpful, and as much information as possible. Please note that any projects you do put forward would be credited to you at the top of the page as part of the project’s title. There will be a ‘resources’ section at the back of the book where your website can be listed. Please don’t hesitate to forward this email to anyone else you think might be interested in contributing as Aimee is trying to generate as much interest as possible in what I think will be a really exciting and unique book project.

There are many rewards for seeing your name in print, but for this project, they are not financial. The deadlines are reasonably tight – you would need to submit your finished project by the beginning of December.

That’s all the information I have at the moment. If you would like more details, or fancy making a contribution, please contact Aimee directly (aimee[AT]blackdogonline.com).