Ebury wins four-way auction to British rainforests memoir by Merlin Hanbury-Tenison

Ebury, a division of Penguin Random House, has won a four-way auction to a memoir set in British rainforests by Merlin Hanbury-Tenison. Editor Shammah Banerjee acquired world all-language rights to Our Oaken Bones: Reviving a Family, a Farm and Britain’s Ancient Rainforests from James Macdonald Lockhart to publish through Witness Books.

The memoir is a true story "about mental health, the healing power of nature and how we need to heal it in return—with a blueprint for restoring Britain’s endangered rainforests". Hanbury-Tenison is based in Cornwall, and has dedicated his life’s work to conserving and revitalising this rich habitat through his charity the Thousand Year Trust.

Banerjee said: "I am thrilled to be publishing Our Oaken Bones on the Witness list. Merlin is a talented storyteller, not to mention very well-respected in the nature and conservation space. The story he tells is so much bigger than just the habitat it’s set in, and I can’t wait to see this debut resonate with readers come the spring. With early reviews and support from Russell Crowe, Joanna Lumley, Isabella Tree and Guy Shrubsole, his book is set to be a major debut for 2025."

Hanbury-Tenison said: "I’m absolutely over the moon to be published by Ebury. They have been the most stupendous partners throughout the inception, writing and publishing of this book. I cannot wait to continue working with the incredible Shammah Banerjee to bring this book to life and launch it into the world."

Our Oaken Bones is publishing in Spring 2025, in hardback, e-book and audiobook.