Footnote Press signs 'exquisite' anthology of nature writing by disabled and chronically ill authors 

Footnote Press has acquired Moving Mountains, described as a “first-of-its-kind” anthology of nature writing by disabled and chronically ill authors, edited by Louise Kenward.

Editor Rose Green acquired world rights in all languages, including audio, from Caro Clarke from Portobello Literary for publication in late October 2023, ahead of UK Disability History Month.

Moving Mountains began as a project funded by Arts Council England, including a programme of workshops, which were free to all and online. Working with a number of literary, nature and disability groups, this programme ran throughout 2022.

The book includes essays, art and poetry from 23 contributors including Barbellion Prize-shortlisted writer Khairani Barokka; Kerri Andrews, author of Wanderers; and poet and biographer Polly Atkin.

The publisher says the writers of Moving Mountains "offer a vision of nature that encompasses the close up, the microscopic, and the vast", going on: “The essays, poems and observations are not about overcoming or conquering, but about living with and connecting, shifting the reader’s attention to the things easily overlooked by those who travel through the world untroubled by the body that carries them."

Green said: “Moving Mountains is an extraordinary and exquisitely composed anthology, and one I am delighted to be publishing at Footnote. From a single drop of rain to vastness of the north wind, this is nature experienced wholly and acutely. Louise’s anthology marks a bold reclamation of space in the nature writing canon by disabled and chronically ill authors.”

Kenward, a writer, artist and psychologist, said: “I’m thrilled that Moving Mountains has found such a good home with Footnote Press. This anthology will broaden the field of nature writing while centring the experiences of those of us who live in sick and disabled bodies. I’m grateful to the enthusiasm and support of Rose Green and Caro Clarke in carrying this project into publication.”

She was Writer in Residence with Sussex Wildlife Trust (2021–2022) and is a postgraduate researcher at the Centre for Place Writing, Manchester Metropolitan University.