The dead snail diaries - Jamie McGarry

A beguiling collection of observational poems and literary parodies which explore and celebrate snail culture, as told by a prematurely-crushed snail poet.

Jamie McGarry of Scarborough and Valley Press writes with infectious verve and his poems are frequently romantic and always very funny. Several poems examine snailkind's unhealthy adoration of slugs - the rebels without shells of the kitchen garden - and highlights include a thrilling travel account ('A Snail of Two Cities') and a poignant account of moving house ('A Shell of My Former Self'). This book features a number of joyous homages to human poets including Robert Frost, John Betjeman, T.S. Eliot and Gervase Phinn, and was previously published by Valley Press.

Jamie McGarry founded small publishing operation Valley Press in 2008, which he continues to run to this day. Uncovering and translating the original 'snail diary' in 2009, Jamie made it his mission in life to honour the author's memory, and spread the word of his literary prowess far and wide.