Biography
Jane is a non-fiction writer and editor with over fifteen years’ experience working in publishing. She first came to North Wales in 1995 as a seasonal assistant for the Youth Hostel Association walking in the mountains and writing in her spare time. Settling on the coast in Aberystwyth in 2004, she joined Honno, Welsh Women’s Press promoting their Classics Series, before going freelance in 2008. Whilst at Honno she edited one of the first collections of women’s contemporary writing on nature in Britain, In Her Element, launched at the Hay Festival and serialized on BBC Radio 4.
With a BA degree in Classics from Oxford University and an MA in International Human Rights from the University of Essex, Jane went on to work at Schumacher College, an international centre for ecological studies, where she developed her special interest in writing on nature and our relationship with the more-than-human world. Named after E.F. Schumacher, author of Small is Beautiful, the college’s holistic philosophy and practice are at the heart of her writing.
Her essays, travel articles and book reviews have appeared in numerous publications including Resurgence & Ecologist, New Welsh Review, LandLines, BBC History and BBC Countryfile, The Great Outdoors, LandScape magazine, The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain and On this Mountain: Essays on Ten Welsh Mountains.
WRITING
Selected essays and articles
- ‘Borscht without Tears’, New Welsh Review, 34 (October 2019), a tale of a shared love of food.
- ‘Land Ho!’, New Welsh Review, 32 (July 2019), the circle of the sea’s horizon in Joseph Conrad’s memoir. Read more…
- ‘Chips and Cherry Blossom’, New Welsh Review, 31 (April 2019). What do we mean by a ‘small life’?
- ‘Seeds of Hope’, Land Lines Nature Writing Project (March 2019), the extraordinary character of Jean Giono’s shepherd. Read more…
- ‘Wild Greens’, New Welsh Review, 29 (February 2019), foraging for wild garlic on the Welsh coast.
- ‘The Buddha and the Pear’, New Welsh Reader, 118 (Winter 2018), on open hearts and open doors during a visit to Aberglasney gardens. Read more…
- ‘The Eider Duck’s Mating Call’, New Welsh Reader, 117 (Summer 2018), 6-12. A winter journey through Scotland.
- ‘Llandeilo: Valley of Hidden Treasures’, LandScape, 47 (May 2018), 92-100
- ‘Walking Back to Happiness’, Resurgence & Ecologist, 295 (May/June 2016), 26-28
- ‘Walking up a Thirst: the Mawddach Estuary’, BEER (quarterly magazine of CAMRA – Campaign for Real Ale), 28 (Summer 2015), 22-29
- ‘Patience: Learning to walk again’, New Welsh Review, 105 (Autumn 2014), 51-54
- ‘A Meditation on Mountains: A celebration of Nan Shepherd’s The Living Mountain’, Resurgence & Ecologist, 277 (March/April 2013), 58-9. Read more…
- ‘Persistence: A response to William Condry’s Welsh Country Diary’, New Welsh Review, 97 (Autumn 2012), 30-37
- ‘Yes and No: on grief and belongings’, New Welsh Review, 94 (Winter 2011), 45-50
- Contributor to The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain Wales section, (2010)
- ‘The Illogical Religion of Economics: On E.F. Schumacher’s On The Edge of the Forest’, Resurgence & Ecologist, web exclusive, 257 (Nov/Dec 2009)
- ‘Darkness, Light and La douceur de vivre: Nature and spirituality in the writings of Eiluned Lewis’, New Welsh Review, 83 (Spring 2009), 17-24
- ‘River of Wisdom: Afon Doethie and the Elenydd Wilderness Trust’, The Great Outdoors, (Feb 2009)
- ‘A Sense of Place: Flight Paths on Skomer’, Resurgence & Ecologist, 252 (Jan/Feb 2009)
- ‘Dinas Brân: Llangollen’, On This Mountain: Essays on Ten Welsh Mountains, Gomer (2008), 54-63. Read more…
- In Her Element: Women and the Landscape – An Anthology, Honno (2008). Read more…
- ‘Walks with History’, Footsteps, BBC History magazine. Regular monthly contributor on walks throughout Wales (2004 – 2008)
Selected book reviews
- ‘A Kind of Hope’, Rutger Bregman, Humankind: A Hopeful History, Resurgence & Ecologist, 323 (Nov/Dec 2020), View Online
- ‘Living in the Shadow of Winter’, Horatio Clare, The Light in the Dark: A Winter Journal, Resurgence & Ecologist, 312 (January/February 2019), 58, View Online
- ‘Living on the Edge’, Madeleine Bunting, Love of Country: A Hebridean Journey, Resurgence & Ecologist, 303 (July/August 2017), 60, View Online
- ‘Meditation on the Move’, Peter Owen Jones, Pathlands: 21 Tranquil Walks among the Villages of Britain, Resurgence & Ecologist, 291 (July/August 2015), 65
- Long Time Coming: Short Writings from Zimbabwe, ed. Jane Morris, New Welsh Review, 88 (Summer 2010), 94-95
- ‘Aspiration or Taboo? The meaning of kindness in a selfish age’, Adam Phillips and Barbara Taylor, On Kindness, Resurgence & Ecologist, 260 (May/June 2010)
- Once, Andrew McNeillie, New Welsh Review, 86 (Winter 2009), 87-88
- A Rope of Vines: Journal from a Greek Island, Brenda Chamberlain, New Welsh Review, 84 (Summer 2009), 96-97
- ‘The Language of Life’, Jeremy Moore (with words by William Condry), Heart of the Country, Resurgence & Ecologist, 227, (Nov/Dec 2004)
EDITORIAL SERVICES
Jane’s portfolio focuses primarily on literary non-fiction with special interests in nature, social, economic and cultural history, local, seasonal food and slow travel. She offers a range of editorial services from standard proofreading to copy-editing and substantial editing, as well as project management and critical assessments of unpublished manuscripts.
Jane has developed successful creative partnerships with numerous organisations, publishers and individual authors over the years including: The Books Council of Wales/Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru, Literature Wales/LLenyddiaeth Cymru, Resurgence & Ecologist, Little Toller Books, Wild Things Publishing, Y Lolfa, Honno, Carreg Gwalch, Atebol and Duncan Gough (travel writer).
Having worked with Jane for many years I have great respect for her and appreciation of her skills, approach and work ethic, not to mention her warm personality. She consistently achieves good results and delivers all expectations and I have no hesitation in recommending her.
It’s been wonderful to work with you. Your knowledge, insightful comments and attention to detail are all of the highest standard. Your friendly and helpful approach did not go unnoticed and it made working with you so easy and enjoyable. Thank you!
I worked with Jane on one specific project for a short period of time and realised immediately that she was a pleasure to work with. Professional, efficient, with attention to detail, and so friendly in all my dealings with her – I would certainly recommend her without any reservations.