I am excited to announce that Wild in Seattle: Stories at the Crossroads of People and Nature is now on sale in bookstores. My first thanks goes to Mountaineers Books for all of their hard work in creating this beautiful book. My second goes to Elizabeth Person for her wonderful, whimsical watercolors. The book is worth buying simply for her illustrations.
Wild in Seattle is an outgrowth of my first three years of the Street Smart Naturalist newsletter. It brings together 48 of my favorite essays about natural history in Seattle and her surroundings. They include classics such as “Dead Trees Tell No Lies,” “Birding at Sixty (MPH),” “The Memory of a Tree,” and “Hope is a Baby Orca.”
Divided into three sections—geology, fauna, and flora and habitat—the essays illustrate many of my passions: curious facts, attention to detail, connections to place, word play, bad attempts at humor, and celebration of the nature of place. As with all of my books, my main goals are to encourage people to get outside and explore the world around them and to develop stronger connections to home.
Some of the cool things that excite me from the book:
• Stalactites at Light Rail stations
• Coast Salish Woolly Dogs
• Voracious teredo clams
• 3.5-billion year old building stone
• A big old erratic
• Seattle superblooms
• Hope, humor, and inspiration
• A convivial list of local terms of place
• A wonderful illustration of our dog Taylor
• The science of otter poop, aka spraints
In many ways, Wild in Seattle is my paean to the singular natural world of my hometown. I am continuously amazed by the life that I find and the stories that I learn, whether in downtown Seattle, on a neighborhood stroll, or in our backyard. We are truly blessed by this place. Although focused on Seattle, I like to think that the essays will provide inspiration to people living in other areas: stories are all around us we if take the time to slow down, pay attention, and observe.
I have a favor to ask. I am trying to spread the word about Wild in Seattle and was hoping you might be willing to share this newsletter with your community via email, social media, semaphore, a letter writing campaign, or however you like! Thanks kindly.
In case you are interested in purchasing the book directly from me, here’s a link. Cost is $28.00, which includes shipping, taxes, and my signature. Thelink takes you to a Square page. Shipments only in the U.S.
– April 16, 2025 – Burke Museum – 6:00 P.M. – Wow! Join artist Elizabeth Person and me for a conversation and book launch for Wild in Seattle: Stories at the Crossroads of People and Nature. Registration link.
– April 18, 2025 – Brick and Mortar Books – 6:00 P.M. – Redmond – Join artist Elizabeth Person and me for a conversation about Wild in Seattle: Stories at the Crossroads of People and Nature.
– April 26, 2025 – Edmonds Bookshop – 11:00 A.M. – I will be stopping by the store during Indie Bookstore Day. In the words of the bookstore website, I will be wearing my new book-themed vest as part “of a ‘vest-dressed’ contest! to celebrate and compete with all of David's amazing bespoke vests. Do you have a fancy vest? or any garment with an amazing theme that can compete with David's vests? We look forward to seeing it!”
– April 28, 2025 – Elliott Bay Books – 7:00 P.M. – I will be in conversation with the wonderful Claudia Castro Luna, former WA State Poet Laureate and Seattle Civic Poet. We’ll be talking about Wild in Seattle: Stories at the Crossroads of People and Nature.
– April 29, 2025 – Third Place Books – 7:00 P.M. – I will be talking with the wonderful Laurie Frankel, author of Family Family and One Two Three. We’ll be talking about Wild in Seattle: Stories at the Crossroads of People and Nature.
– May 22, 2025 – Edmonds Bookshop/Edmonds Waterfront Center– I will be in conversation with the wonderful Tony Angell, sculptor, artist, and author of The House of Owls. We’ll be talking about Wild in Seattle: Stories at the Crossroads of People and Nature.
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