The Bookseller – Rights – Canongate snaps up a “carefully researched” book about sexuality and the natural world

Canongate has Sexual evolution by evolutionary biologist Nathan H. Lents.

Senior editor Helena Gonda acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Antony Topping at Greene and Heaton, while US rights went to Matt Harper at Mariner Books. Both Canongate and Mariner will publish in spring 2025.

“Amusing, insightful and carefully researched, Sexual evolution is full of unexpected examples – from mute crickets to lesbian albatrosses to tongue-kissing bonobos – that show how the human construction of gender and sexuality emerges naturally from animal reproduction and sexual behavior,” the synopsis reads. “Why do aspects of our sexual behavior mirror behaviors across the animal kingdom? Because the theme of sex and gender is that diversity wins, a truth that has served animals well for millions of years and that humans are finally beginning to appreciate.”

Lents commented: “In the public discussion about sex, gender and sexuality, the field of biology deserves a bigger place at the table. With this book, I am emphatically taking a seat.”

Gonda added: “Nathan is such a compelling writer and a born storyteller, not to mention very, very funny. This book offers fascinating insights into the history of animal sexuality and makes a compelling argument that many of our supposedly modern ideas about gender and human sexuality are actually deeply rooted in our animal ancestors.”