The story of a breathtaking kayak journey along the weather-ravaged coasts of Atlantic Britain and Ireland, undertaken by a leading historian and nature writer. In a book of staggering range and beauty, read how wind, rock and ocean have shaped the diverse communities of coastal Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Cornwall. Over the course of a year, leading historian and nature writer David Gange kayaked the weather-ravaged coasts of Atlantic Britain and Ireland from north to south: every cove, sound, inlet, island. The story of his journey is one of staggering adventure, range and beauty. And one which reveals how the similar ingredients of wind, rock and ocean have been transformed into wildly different Atlantic cultures in coastal Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Cornwall. For too long, Gange argues, the significance of coasts has been underestimated, and the potential of small boats as tools to make sense of these histories rarely explored. This book seeks to put this imbalance right. Paddling alone in sun and storms, among dozens of whales and countless seabirds, Gange and his kayak travelled through a Shetland summer, Scottish winter and Irish spring before reaching Wales and Cornwall.
Sitting low in the water, as did millions in eras when coasts were the main arteries of trade and communication, Gange describes, in captivating prose and loving detail, the experiences of kayaking, coastal living and historical discovery. Drawing on the archives of islands and coastal towns, as well as their vast poetic literatures in many languages, he shows that the neglected histories of these stunning regions are of real importance in reconceptualising both the past and the future of the whole archipelago. It is a history of Britain and Ireland like no other. Gold title * FOR READERS OF HISTORY, TRAVEL WRITING AND NATURE WRITING: Those who enjoy the writing of Adam Nicolson, Roy Foster, Helen Macdonald, Neil Oliver, Thomas Williams, Robert Macfarlane, Richard Fortey and John Lewis-Stempel will love this book. Success of The Outrun and The Salt Path also good comps. * NEW VOICE IN NATURE AND TRAVEL WRITING/DEBUT WRITER: This will be David Gange''s first trade book. There is a real opportunity to position him as a debut writer within this area of publishing. * SOCIAL MEDIA SAVVY/DIGITAL AUDIENCE: David Gange has an online media presence and is a Twitter user (4k followers).
He is web savvy and prior to this book was writing the following blog where he has a captive audience: https://frayedatlanticedge.wordpress.com * INDIE AND NATIONAL PRESS APPEAL ACROSS THE BRITISH ISLES AND IRELAND: David is also a keen photographer and has documented a lot of his experiences visually. Because of the national outlook, there are PR opportunities across England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. There will also be excerpting opportunities for publications such as The Observer, Granta, and Wild magazine. * THE FIRST PERSON TO PERFORM THIS JOURNEY IN A KAYAK: It''s the inspiring story of someone doing this journey in a kayak for the very first time. This will appeal to any water sports enthusiasts, anyone interested in sailing, boating, canoeing, kayaking. It could also be pitched to magazine dedicated to these disciplines.
* PERSONAL MOTIVATION TO GET INTO KAYAKING: His partner was hit by a car while they were in their 20s. Kayaking became one of the only ways she could be out in the world despite her serious leg injuries. This could be discussed during publicity campaigns. His partner is now part of the Team GB paralympics canoe team in the run up to Tokyo 2020. * PRIZE POTENTIAL: Obvious contender for Scottish literary prizes and nature and travel prizes (e.g. Wainwright nature writing prize, Edward Stanford travel writing prize). Competition: Seabird''s Cry, Sea Room, H is for Hawk, Underland, A Short History of England, The Salt Path.
Adam Nicolson, Robert Macfarlane, David Attenborough, Helen Macdonald, Julia Blackburn, Dan Richards, Raynor Winn.