Nature’s Acre

It’s almost five years since I published a story here about an Irish gardener and his two sons. Little did I know that one day I’d be working alongside him on an intriguing project!

Out of the blue, Ciaran De Buitlear sent me a first draft for what he hoped could become his first book.

Would I read his manuscript? he asked.

I did, and was bowled over by the charm, beauty and pull of the storytelling. Whole pages felt lyrical. It had that “show, don’t tell” style we authors aim for. And “the music” – that rhythm that casts a spell over its readers. Better yet, there was an unexpected revelation at the heart of the story.

I fell in love with it.

“This is a diamond in the rough,” I realized.

My next thought: “He needs a strong editor who will preserve his voice and make the book the best it can be.” So I sent him tips on potential next steps, including how to choose an editor.

~~

Ciaran is new at book writing, but he’s well-known in the world of environmentally friendly gardening. His love for gardening and Nature – and his concern over climate change – show up in his small home garden, and in his work with schools, his community, and online.

During the pandemic, he and his young sons Sam and Zack started a YouTube channel and website as part of Gardening Well. Now, between Gardening Well’s many social media activities and media coverage, they have a large following. And that’s not all. There has been another big development – but you’ll have to read his book to learn about it.

~~

Ciaran had read my books, including my own gardening memoir, Twigs in My Hair. He also liked the advice I gave him about next steps.

Would I be his editor? he asked.

I gulped. I had a full schedule already.

“What is your deadline? I asked.

He said he’d love to have the book on the market before the Christmas holidays, but realized this may not be realistic. He would wait for me if it took longer.

I made no promises about a deadline.

~~

My focus this last year has been on coaching other writers, especially memoir authors. But I’ve quietly edited other books over the years. I could do this, I thought, if my coaching colleague Fran Kolesnikowicz would work alongside Ciaran and me as Story Consultant. In addition to her literary skills, Fran has a way of reeling me in when I get in over my head.

Long story short: Fran said Yes. So I said Yes. And we three started work to make Ciaran’s book the best it could be.

We will not tell you the long hours that were involved – nor the weird schedule we three kept, what with Ireland and Canada being in different time zones. But what a joyful and interesting experience it was.

This week, both paperback and Kindle editions of Nature’s Acre by Ciaran De Buitlear were published. As the book description says: “His writing blends sustainable gardening with expressive storytelling and a wry sense of humour, drawing together plants, a sense of place, and a personal recovery.”

If you want a gem of a book that’s charming, short, and compelling, check out Nature’s Acre. It’s beautifully-written, powerful, and deserves to be a bestseller.

Congrats, Ciaran. May this be your first of many books.