Harvill Secker lands nature writer Hamer's 'life-affirming' memoir

Harvill Secker has landed Tales of Spring Rain, a “life-affirming” memoir by acclaimed nature writer Marc Hamer.

Liz Foley, publishing director, acquired world English language rights from Robert Caskie at Robert Caskie Ltd. Publication is set for spring 2023.

The publisher said: “In Tales of Spring Rain Hamer, a writer and professional gardener, considers age and contentment and how we reconcile our sense of ourselves as children with where we have ended up as adults. Alternate chapters follow him as a child and his current life as a 65-year-old and what home gardens have meant to both. He weaves practical gardening knowledge through these two meditative memoir strands as he describes the planning and planting of his new small garden near Cardiff.”

Hamer was born in the north of England and moved to Wales more than 30 years ago. After spending a period homeless, then working on the railways, he returned to education and studied fine art in Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent. He has worked in art galleries, marketing, graphic design and taught creative writing in a prison before becoming a gardener. His first book, A Life in Nature: or How to Catch a Mole (Vintage), was longlisted for the Wainwright Prize.

The author, who will be blogging about writing the book, said: “I am delighted that Harvill Secker will publish my next book Tales of Spring Rain. It’s been the whole of my world for quite some time and I can't imagine a publisher I would rather hand it to!”

Foley added: “Marc’s writing about the natural world inspires ardent admiration and has been a balm for many during recent tough times. We couldn’t be more delighted to have this beautiful and unique memoir to look forward to.”

Caskie commented: “There is an elegant synergy between Marc and his publisher so I am delighted that this relationship will continue and grow with this latest book.”