While you're here, have some links to my short fiction.

What's the best way for readers to reach you?

By using the feedback form, or by snail mail at POB 38190, Tallahassee, FL 32315. I personally read all incoming email generated by the feedback form. I can't promise a response to every email, however, but always appreciate hearing from people.

Who is your agent?

My literary and film/TV agent is Joe Veltre of the Gersh Agency. For all queries for blurbs, reprint rights, foreign rights, or movie/TV rights, please use the contact form and I will respond or route the query to my agent or other appropriate individual.

Who do I contact to book you for an appearance?

Please contact Rachel Zeidman at the Gersh Speakers Bureau via email or phone. [email protected] | t: (212) 634-8115

Are you currently booking personal appearances and what kinds of gigs do you usually accept?

I am booking personal appearances, both in-person and remote. I have a wide range of experience that includes: readings; keynote speeches; creative writing talks or lectures; rewilding talks; humorous yet informative career "an evening with Jeff VanderMeer" events; book-to-movie presentations; and much more.

I have spoken at the Library of Congress, MIT, Columbia, Yale, the Key West Literary Seminar, and many more. Events at universities have included invites from English, Creative Writing, Environmental Science, and Biology departments. Writer-in-residence experiences have ranged from two-week stints to full semesters. I typically do not teach writer workshops as these are intensive and, for me, include considerable time on the front end and follow up after the workshop.

How do I get signed, personalized copies of your books?

You can order them through my local bookstore, Midtown Reader. I visit periodically to sign and personalize all orders. Usually, you'll also get little extras, like exclusive VanderWild postcards. If your country isn't on their dropdown list, query the bookstore.

How can I help support your rewilding efforts?

There are two main ways besides buying my books.

--You can subscribe to the VanderWild YouTube Channel, which posts exclusive video content of the wildlife in our backyard.

--You can buy VanderWild merch at our Threadless store.

The profits from both enterprises go back into environmental projects or support St. Francis, our regional wildlife rescue organization.

Do you have any advice for people who want to re-wild their own yard?

You can find some information at the yard section of this website. This Audubon profile by Jessica Bruder may also provide some sense of what a rewilding journey can look like--and if you live in an apartment, this Esquire piece I wrote on rewilding your balcony may also be of use.

It's important to realize that all herbicides, pesticides, and chemical, store-bought fertilizer kill organisms in your yard that you don't intend to kill. For example, fireflies live in the ground the first two years of their lives. Also, raking up dead leaves kills countless moths and butterflies plus the creatures that live in the thin layer of leaves. Use of native plants and understanding the balance in your yard should mean you don't have to use these harmful products or engage in harmful activities.

My best advice is to consult a native nursery in your area or an online expert in native plants familiar with your area. Most garden centers and regular nurseries do not provide proper advice. A native nursery will know what's best for your area. Without native plants, birds and animals have no food. You can find more general information and my tips for re-wilding in this Guardian article.

Can you tell us more about the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, inspiration for the Area X trilogy?

It's an amazing place and the refuge's online store sells an Area X t-shirt (ships internationally) to help fund things like their endangered salamander project. But maybe it's better to see the place for yourself, via this brief video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5stee_pAAU&feature=emb_logo

Can aspiring writers send you their manuscript?

Although I do sometimes blurb forthcoming books, I unfortunately cannot read book manuscripts at this time.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

If you really love writing, never stop. Endurance, resolve, and a commitment to put in the hard work of practice, practice, practice can carry you very far. Also, a commitment to exercise will carry you through rough patches, or some kind of physical activity that energizes you and gets you out of your head. Otherwise, most of my advice can be found in my books Wonderbook and Booklife. The Wonderbook website is free to use as well.