Canongate swoops for 'wonderful' new title from Lister-Kaye

Canongate has acquired a new non-fiction title from conservationist and nature writer Sir John Lister-Kaye.

World English rights to Footprints in the Woods: The Secret Life of Forest and Riverbank were acquired by Simon Thorogood, editorial director, from Catherine Clarke at Felicity Bryan Associates. The book will publish in July 2023.

The synopsis reads: “In Footprints in the Woods, the elusive lives of otters, beavers, badgers, weasels, pine martens and more are rendered in John Lister-Kaye’s enchanting lyrical style. This family – Mustelidae – all live in the wild on the Aigas estate, in the woods, on the loch and river, and the fields and moorland, that fan out from John’s home. With the patient and meticulous care of a true naturalist John observes and records the lives, habits and habitats of these elusive animals.”

On acquiring, Thorogood said: “John is one of the greats of nature writing and a champion of conservation. I’m delighted to be continuing our publishing with him with this wonderful new book. It’s like ‘Springwatch’ in book form; a joy of nature watching.”

Lister-Kaye is one of Britain’s best-known naturalists and conservationists. He is the author of nine books on wildlife and the environment, including At the Water’s Edge (Canongate), and has lectured all over the world. He has served prominently in the RSPB, the Nature Conservancy Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Wildlife Trust. In 2003, he was awarded an OBE for services to nature conservation. He lives with his wife and family among the mountains of the Scottish Highlands, where he runs the world-famous Aigas Field Centre.