Some Big News
Abundance is going to become a book
A physical book, that is, in bookshops.
A year ago, I started writing my new ‘book’ here, live, in weekly instalments. There was a huge positive response. Thank you for being here, reading it, and giving it a point.
My intention was just to write it here, but before long I’d been approached by four publishers keen to make it an actual book. So it will be published in the old fashioned way next August. It’s going to be beautiful.
It couldn’t have happened without you reading and commenting, and paid subscribers meaning I could dedicate the time to it - thank you for the enthusiasm with which you welcomed Abundance into your home, mind, inbox and life - they saw it had personality and, equally importantly, a lively, engaged readership.
There’s no way I can match the price of the book you’ll find online or where you live, so by way of a small thank you:
if you are a paid subscriber on 20 October (a year after the first instalment) and on 31 December, you will have your name included in the book1
if you are a paid subscriber and buy the book from wherever, I will send a signed/dedicated card/adhesive plate to go in your book2
if you are a free subscriber and buy the book from wherever, I will email a signed/dedicated card/adhesive digital card to go with your book
Going forward
I love writing Abundance and have no intention of calling it to a halt. It is a living book.
As much as the physical book will mark a beautiful passage of time - a complete year spent cooking and growing and all it brings up - mine is an ongoing life of washing fingers clean of soil before cooking or typing. I will carry on writing it here, and hope you carry on enjoying it, and I will keep recording an audio version of each instalment as I know some prefer to listen.
Also: I’m going to write my next book here, live
I’m really excited to tell you that in the new year, I will start writing my next book here, live, in monthly instalments. The idea has been burning a hole in my mental pocket for a while and now is the right time. I hope you’ll be here and enjoy that book too.
More about that soon. I can’t wait to begin.
The future
There will still be 4-5 offerings a month3. These will be made up of:
2-3 x instalments of Abundance
It’s become part of my life, and I can’t help but continue.
1 x Compendium
Before Abundance, I used to write a coming together of all the things that had switched my brain on that month. That stopped with the weekly involvement of Abundance, but have had many emails asking if I intend to reincarnate it. I do.
It will include a recipe or two, a plant that has taken my attention, links to exceptional writing, there will be a playlist or two, recommendations for great Substacks, and more.
The first will appear in your inbox this week. I really hope you enjoy it.
1 x Gathering/Event
There will continue to be a gathering, an event, a conversation, a workshop or whatever once a month. This may be with just me, or an author, a commissioning editor, with someone who can throw some light on how to make Substack work better for you: whoever can help you navigate the writing and publishing process.
And in the new year…when I start the new book here in monthly instalments, it will replace an instalment of Abundance each month.
If you know someone who might enjoy the book, having their name inside and a personalised card to go with you can gift them a subscription, below.
Why subscribe?
Thank you for being part of this lively community, for helping to make this happen, for giving it a reason to be. Every comment, every share, every like makes a difference and I greatly appreciate it.
Depending on how you subscribe, this is what you will get.
Free subscribers
Each month, you will have access to
1-2 instalments of Abundance
1 Compendium
From the new year, some instalments of the next book, written live
Paid subscribers
Each month, you will have access to all my words here, and more
2-3 instalments of Abundance
1 Compendium
1 Gathering/Event
From the new year, every instalment of the next book, written live
Plus:
access replays of past Gatherings/Events
25% off plants and seeds at the Otter Farm nursery (UK only)
a signed copy of my book Spice/a cook’s companion (RRP £25) for only £3.50 +p&p from my website (UK only)
a digital PDF of my book A Taste of the Unexpected, which won Food Book of the Year in the UK
10% off mentoring fees for annual subscribers
More about how to claim 2, 3 and 4 here
Thanks again, and more coming your way very soon,
Mark x
I will email you to ask for your name, permission and to give you chance to opt out if you’d rather not have your name in the book
More details on how nearer publication date
Amazing news … it’s a bloody good read and funny too. Right up my alley.
It's wonderful news for you, but news that so many of your readers were 100% rooting for as well, not least this one. Many congratulations, Mark: really looking forward to seeing it in physical form.