Conservationist's 'enigmatic' debut to Penguin Press

Penguin Press is to publish building conservationist Tom Nancollas’ debut Seashaken Houses.

Penguin pre-empted UK and Commonwealth rights from Carrie Plitt at Conville & Walsh.

As a building conservationist, Nancollas has long been fascinated with the architecture, romance and lore of the rock lighthouses of Great Britain and Ireland. In Seashaken Houses, he explores eight of these desolate towers, "beautifully" revealing our relationship with the sea and with these remote maritime monuments that continue to speak to the coastal communities they were designed to safeguard.

Commissioning editor Cecilia Stein said she is "delighted to be able to work with such a uniquely talented author on this enigmatic subject".

It will be published under the Particular Books imprint.

Nancollas added: "[I am] thrilled that Particular Books is publishing Seashaken Houses - its ethos and the quality and eclecticism of their list makes them the perfect publisher for this book."

Seashaken Houses will be published in 2018.