Hello and welcome to the August 2025 Compendium.
1: Publication Day!
And so today, the book I wrote here, in your company, which you helped make happen, is published. I’m delighted with it. It’s my best book and I hope it brings you much pleasure.
Please excuse my enthusiasm for sharing with you some of why I hope this book is for you. I’ll be back to the usual - plus some other things - very shortly.
2: Where the idea came from and what it’s about
A few thoughts from the coast path the other day.
3: Others’ generous words…
Some people I greatly admire have said the kinds of things about the book that make your year:
Diana Henry: “His best book yet. Abundance is an absolute delight”
India Knight: 'This book is extremely special. Sublime writing, sublime recipes, sublime photography - it is a triumph. I'm buying it for myself and for everyone I love.'
Gurdeep Loyal:
4: Ears
Cooking, walking, music, gardening, thinking…it’s all part of the same thing, and so as usual, there is a rich seam of music running through ABUNDANCE - it is one of the ways in which I make sense of myself and the world.
I’ve made a playlist of songs I mentioned in the book, or that I played often when writing it. For obvious reasons, it may not be large on noisiness but it is soaked in the seasons and more besides.
I hope you enjoy it.
5: A delightful publication day surprise…
This ABUNDANCE Substack is the No.1 Rising Substack in the Literature globally - this is a huge deal, and I’m grateful to everyone of you who makes here what it is. Thank you.
6: A quick flick through of the book
7: Discounted Abundance
The excellent BookShop.org has kindly offered us 10% off their website price for ABUNDANCE - just use the code LOVEBOOKSHOPS in the discount code field as you go through the checkout process.
Valid until 30 September 2025.
8: Let’s meet
There will be more dates in the months that follow, but if I’m anywhere near you in the next month or so, please come along - it would be great to see you. I’m pretty sure there will be at least one cocktail taster at most of the events…
HONEY and CO - ABUNDANCE with Mark Diacono
9th SeptemberGARDEN MUSEUM LITERARY FESTIVAL
12-13th September - sold out but a waiting listLUDLOW FOOD FESTIVAL - click here for event details, and here for tickets for the day
12-14th SeptemberTOPPING & CO, ST ANDREWS - ON ABUNDANCE, eating and living well with the seasons
15th September - early bird tickets availableTOPPING & CO, EDINBURGH - ON ABUNDANCE, eating and living well with the seasons
16th September - early bird tickets availableYEO VALLEY ORGANIC GARDEN FESTIVAL
18-20th September - part of the 3 day festival, with many great guests
9: The Sunday Times Magazine
The Sunday Times published an extract of three recipes from the book a couple of weekends ago, which are also online. Click below to read, if you fancy.
More soon…in the meantime, happy end of August to you
Mark
will you be making a NYC stop on your book tour??
Congratulations on your publication of Abundance. Linking it directly to Nature, the seasons, your landscape and your Substack is very unique and personal. Love the colourful, bountiful cover too.
Thank you for reminding me of your Abundance playlist. Will be perfect for this coming last weekend of August, rolling into Autumn and the harvest season ahead.