New British fungi foraging book in the pipeline

[Geoff Dann]

You heard it here first...

The book will be published by a young and ambitious company currently making some of the classiest out-doorsy books around. They are called Wild Things Publishing and their mission is to "create inspiring books (and apps) that get people out, experiencing and enjoying nature, and our wonderful, often local, world.… back to where the Wild Things are" http://www.wildthingspublishing.com. Words and photography by yours truly.

The book has a working title of "The Mushroom Forager" and will come out in July next year. In 300-ish pages it will mention every known edible species in lowland Britain, all the toxic species/groups and few other bits and pieces. It will contain detailed information and high quality colour photos of around 200 of the most important species - well over twice as many as the most comprehensive existing book on this topic (John Wright's river cottage handbook).

 

[Macaroon]

This is good news! I really look forward to seeing this in print; well done indeed

I've just had a look at their website and they seem like good people, some interesting stuff there. I wish them and you much success!

 

[Geoff Dann]

This is good news! I really look forward to seeing this in print; well done indeed

I've just had a look at their website and they seem like good people, some interesting stuff there. I wish them and you much success!

Cheers, and yes they are well in tune with the sort of people who hang out on this board.

 

[bushwacker bob]

Cheers, and yes they are well in tune with the sort of people who hang out on this board.

I hope they have some other stuff then.


Congratulations Geoff, I shall look out for it.

 

[Clouston98]

Congratulations! Great stuff and I'll keep my eyes peeled for it

 

[Toddy]

It sounds like such a useful book Geoff
Very best of luck with it, and it might be worth having a word with the Boss about it nearer publication date.
It really does sound like something that folks on here would be really interested in.

atb,
M

 

[baggins]

Ooo! sounds interesting! look forward to having a look through.
How does it compare to Rogers?

 

[Geoff Dann]

Ooo! sounds interesting! look forward to having a look through.
How does it compare to Rogers?

Mine will be a completely different book to Roger Phillips. I wouldn't even think of trying to compete with the master! Phillips' book is on fungi, not fungi foraging. It covers 1,250 species, but the information on edibility is minimal and in some cases inaccurate, and it also covers hundreds of species that are no interest to a forager. My book will be about fungi foraging - at most it will cover in detail less than one fifth of the species in Phillips, but those 200-250 are the ones that are of most relevance to a forager - the best edible species, the worst toxic ones and the extremely common ones. And for those species, there will be much more information on edibility and toxicity than in Phillips. The book will also contain sections on different habitats, how to find good locations and a whole bunch of other stuff.

 

[Wayne]

Interesting. I have lots of books on foraging and coastal edibles. Another tome to add to my collection. Well done on getting yourself published. I look forward to using your book with my students.

 

[Geoff Dann]

Some examples of the quality of photography to expect, and an extract from the text: http://www.geoffdann.co.uk/the-book/

 

[nephilim]

Looks good Geoff. I'd add that a close up of the fungi would be a good idea. My Mrs who has poor eyesight (don't say a word about her picking me!!!), would do better with a close up of the fungi in the book for better identification...otherwise...it's on point.

Also what price are you selling at?

 

[Harvestman]

This will be eagerly awaited Geoff. Looks great.

 

[Stew]

Looking forward to it!

 

[Geoff Dann]

Looks good Geoff. I'd add that a close up of the fungi would be a good idea. My Mrs who has poor eyesight (don't say a word about her picking me!!!), would do better with a close up of the fungi in the book for better identification...otherwise...it's on point.

Also what price are you selling at?

The photos should be a good size and the aim is to show them in sufficient detail to allow identification. I can't tell you the exact dimensions...that is the job of the designers employed by the publisher. My eyesight isn't that brilliant these days either...

Price hasn't been decided yet, but probably about £18

 

[Geoff Dann]

Some more information available about this now:

http://www.greenbooks.co.uk/edible-mushrooms

 

[awarner]

Will you do any signed copies? always a bonus for my book collection

 

[Robson Valley]

Geoff: While I feel that I'm half a world away, please make a big splash about the publication date.
I have family in NYorks and this would be a definitive work for their activities.

 

[Geoff Dann]

Will you do any signed copies? always a bonus for my book collection

Yes. Signed copies will be available at a book launch in Brighton on October 14th, and by post for contacts via this website.

 

[Geoff Dann]

Will do.

 

[Paulm]

Looking forwards to this coming out, a must have for me