Word Power Books: Edinburgh

Abstract

photo : kay williams 80 World Literature Today outpost W ord Power Books, Edinburgh , is a secret engine room for Scottish literature . I suggest this because Word Power is not generally acknowledged by the “cultural management industry ” or included at all in the special cultural supplements of the mainstream press. Well placed close to the university in Edinburgh, the bookshop tends to be “discovered” by individuals rather than recommended regularly by teaching staff. For some, their discovery may come too late to benefit their studies, but that will always be part of the nature of serendipity. Word Power is a center of energy because it is human and not bureaucratic ; it is not dependent on outside sources for its funding, policies, aims, and activities. The contained space it occupies on West Nicholson Street compacts this energy so that it is all the more effective. It could be seen as “autopoetic” in that it is self-generating, self-developing, and self-supporting. Word Power is important for Scottish literature because it is unreservedly national and international in its stock, which is carefully chosen, again because of limited space. Word Power’s staff understands that literature must be of its time, in terms of involvement in social and political struggles, as well as beyond time in terms of its art and skill. Literature must be experimental and traditional , controversial and philosophical, tragic and comic, female and male, new and old, academic and general. The first readings by Scottish pamphlet poets were held at Word Power. This movement was initiated by myself at the millennium to encourage people to publish their own poetry independently in pamphlet form, at a time when this was considered a lesser form of publishing . (These days, many poets have adopted this medium.) Word Power not only encouraged these readings but also stocks the poets’ pamphlets, while other bookshops do not. At Word Power book events, people talk with and meet one another. Everyone is made to feel welcome. Its program of events during the Edinburgh International Festival in August and at its Radical Book Fair in October is “alternative,” concentrating on quality and content , ignoring celebrity and fashion. Its own publishing list is likewise individual and authoritative, inviting further thought and discussion, as is exemplified in its most recent publication, Unstated, essays by various Scottish writers on the future of Scotland. Although Edinburgh won itself international status as a unesco City of Literature, that is more or less seen as a marketing tool for tourism and festivals. Word Power tends to be below the horizon of those who promote the City of Literature. For these reasons, I highly value Word Power and consider that it plays an essential part in the continuing vitality of Scottish literature in its contributions at home and abroad. – Tessa Ransford The author of sixteen volumes of poetry, Tessa Ransford founded the Scottish Poetry Library in Edinburgh. Word Power Books Edinburgh ...