Eye Books strikes a deal for Joanne Bourne’s ‘lyrical’ history of flint

Eye Books has struck a deal with archaeologist Joanne Bourne for a “passional lyrical history” of flint, in Flint: A Lithic Love Letter. 

Publisher Dan Hiscocks acquired world rights directly from the author for publication in September 2024. 

Bourne’s book is a history structured around her walks in the North Downs and the surrounding areas, “where  the stones made under the sea from the remains of plankton and sea sponges are strewn over the fields”. 

Simon Edge, senior editor, commented: “Curious readers have long had a fascination for apparently humdrum items that have changed the world. Flint is the ultimate example of that, because the human race could not have developed without it, so I’m amazed no one has written this book before. Perhaps it needed someone of Joanne Bourne’s calibre both as a lyrical writer and an archaeologist and geologist to write it.”

Self-proclaimed “flint addict” Bourne added: “I’m so fortunate to have found a publisher with a genuine understanding and appreciation of a subject so dear to my heart. Eye Books has worked swiftly, sensitively and collaboratively with me on my manuscript, and I very much look forward to seeing the book through to publication with the team.”