It's Publication Day!

My book, 'Slow Seasons', is out in the world 📖

I’m delighted to announce that my debut book, Slow Seasons: A Creative Guide to Reconnecting with Nature the Celtic Way, has been published by Bloomsbury today! If you haven’t already, you can order a copy from your favourite bookshop here.

Slow Seasons is filled with seasonal crafts, recipes, nature notes and celebrations divided into eight chapters following the Celtic Wheel of the Year: the Solstices and Equinoxes and their rough midpoints. The book follows the progress of the year through each mini season, from Imbolc at the start of the year to Yule at the end. Slow Seasons has been beautifully illustrated throughout by Holly Ovenden.

Each chapter has nature notes explaining what to look out for as the days get warmer or cooler and the nights longer and shorter alongside corresponding activities, things to make, flowers and fruits to forage, seasonal recipes to enjoy and modern takes on traditional celebrations. It is absolutely packed with projects from start to finish: my go-to marmalade recipes, candle-making, homemade scalloped bunting, picnic recipes, flower crowns, seaweed pressing, Autumn foraging, wreath-making, pumpkin feasts, pine sugar shortbread, sustainable gifting… The list goes on and on!

Thank you so much for all your pre-orders, which mean my book is already a number one best-seller on Amazon as well as one of their top new releases. I know it’s Amazon, and those who have been following a while know I’m a massive supporter of independents, especially bookshops. But the ripple effect this will have on the reach of the book, meaning it can help even more people, is just brilliant. It is truly an honour and privilege to write a book and I want to get it into as many of your hands as possible so it can help you to slow down and reconnect with nature and nostalgia in the same ways it helped me.

Yesterday was my launch at Elliott’s, and it was beyond my wildest dreams - just the loveliest group of supportive readers, so thank you if you came along. I took guests step by step through some of my crafting and baking highlights from the Autumn chapters of the book (some of my favourite parts of Slow Seasons!). They were greeted with blackberry shrub, which I then demonstrated how to make, before I led everyone through a hand-poured scented candle demo. We then stopped for a cake break - apple & star anise cake from the book, baked by me! - before I demonstrated how to make an Autumn wreath with the most beautiful foliage from local growers, Ochre Botanical Studios. Guests then made their own wreath to take home, and they were all so beautifully different. It was honestly such a joy! I’m looking forward to seeing more of you on the start of my book tour - please do come along if you’re in Scotland:

20th October - Toppings St Andrews, in conversation with author Jess Elliott Dennison

27th October - Autumn Wreath workshop at Guardswell Farm with The Bookhouse Broughty Ferry and Flowers by the Brae

28th October - Kilduff Farm in conversation with author Helen Cross at the Pumpkin Festival.

And more dates to come…! Watch this space.

Today was very surreal seeing the book out in the world in real bookshops! My lovely Editor Kitty Stogdon came up for the book launch and we spent publication day today doing a wee tour of some Edinburgh bookshops, signing some books and meeting booksellers - who are just the kindest people! It was incredibly surreal and I don’t think it will sink in for a while… If you’re in Edinburgh there are signed copies at Golden Hare Books, Blackwell’s, Lighthouse Books and The Edinburgh Bookshop. Toppings had sold out but will have more books soon! And I’ll be signing some more in some other shops shortly. Thank you booksellers for all your support!

Here are lovely things that some brilliant authors I look up to have been saying about Slow Seasons:

'Slow Seasons is a charming, thoughtful book that brings to life the importance of seasonal reflection. Rosie combines personal insight, craft and ceremony in a direct, approachable way that encourages us all to reconnect with nature across the year' ― Mo Wilde, author of ‘The Wilderness Cure’

'This is a reflective, inspiring guide to a life lived in harmony with the seasons. It is brimming with fascinating insights into the Celtic Wheel of the Year, as well as tempting recipes and practical projects. Slow Seasons is the perfect read for anyone who wants to connect with the natural world and live more intentionally. It is a beautiful, heartfelt, comforting book' ― Laura Pashby, author of ‘Little Stories of Your Life’

'A brilliant guide to embracing the wonder of nature, slowing down and celebrating simple everyday joys' ― Willow Crossley, florist, author and designer

'A heart-filling book to keep close throughout the year. I love Rosie's pilgrimage through the Celtic wheel of festivals, showing us how to embrace seasonal joys and ancient rituals in our everyday. She shares her secrets for a slower life and encourages us to celebrate and marvel at the little things that shine light, even in the darkest times. A constant companion of wonderful stories, crafts and recipes' ― Lucy Brazier, author of ‘Christmas at River Cottage’

'A truly beautiful book. Rosie's writing makes me want to close my laptop, step outside, and appreciate the magic that each season brings' ― Jessica Elliott Dennison, author of Lazy Baking’

Thank you so much for all your support! Do follow along in my subscriber community to see more book behind the scenes. Rosie xxx