***Warning:�waffly caffeinated intro alert***

The rain is rattling relentlessly on the roof of my shed and I�d quite like to be on a beach in Bali instead. But, I�remind myself, this is also brilliant weather for getting out on runs � splashing and slithering through the season�s changing colours in the woods feels so good once you�ve overcome�the doorstep mile�challenge of actually getting out and beginning.

To be serious for a moment though:

I�m nervous about�Local. It marks a change in direction for me from encouraging my readers to�go on adventures�towards encouraging readers to�go on adventures AND realise that the environment is in crisis AND that we each need to take responsibility for sorting that out.

It therefore is a book that will probably anger some readers over issues like land use, food, rewilding, and land access. It�s a nature-writing book about searching for nearby nature and wildness.

On the plus side, it�s a book that I�ve been working on for three years. I�ve done more research for this book than all my others put together.

It�s got 170 photographs in it (which makes me happy), and it�s 368 pages long (which makes me wince a bit, but at least there�s a decent kg:� ratio for the bargain-conscious reader).

I�ve also received lovely quotes from two authors I�respect who have read the book:

Local�is available to pre-order�now:

***(�Finally!� I can hear you hissing with exasperation! )***

Let me know if you have a relevant project that my readers would appreciate. Here�s what you guys have been up to recently:

50 Newsletters Ago�

�A few quick snippets to start things off:

Here�s how�Austin Kleon�puts his newsletter together.

I like the�Five Books�newsletter.

BecomingX�is, bizarrely, going to feature me once everyone�s bored of Roger Federer and Julia Roberts.

David Attenborough has written an important�book.

And here�s a book of�Tough Women�Adventurers who are fearless, intelligent, compassionate and curious about the world.

OK, now onto some longer things�that I hope you�ll enjoy (after getting in an early plug to�recommend my books for Christmas. As a consumer I hate early Christmas messaging. As a writer it feels critical. Sorry!)

I�ve realised this newsletter is an easy medium for me to�help people get the word out�about their projects.

Hit �reply� if you�d like to put yourself forward for a shout-out.

First up:�Campbell�has started a blog about becoming a professional adventurer, and�Mountain Training�are looking for people to take their Mountain Leader courses.�(I was doing mine back in 2000 when the country went into lockdown due to Foot & Mouth. I had been hoping to become an outdoor instructor. Instead I went for a long bike ride. Sliding doors�)

And finally� please listen to my�podcast�if you haven�t already tried it!

Alastair

(If you�re seeing this newsletter for the first time, you can subscribe�here.)

Cheers,

Alastair