The creative spirit of Leith is alive and well The 5th Anthology of Leith Writings, The Silence in Between, was celebrated at a well-attended launch event on Monday evening at the Port of Leith Distillery.
This latest collection brings together 32 pieces of prose and poetry, showcasing a wide range of local talent, from seasoned scribes to emerging young talents.
The driving force behind the project, local author and Trainspotting scholar Tim Bell, was delighted with the success, reflecting that reaching a fifth edition is a substantial achievement, especially given the difficulties community-based publications often face. Maintaining the initial burst of enthusiasm is often tough: the Leith Writings team has pulled it off.
A true Leith collaboration
I caught up with Bell as he stopped off from cycling through the damp streets, distributing copies of the beautiful book. It’s printed in the project’s signature Riso print style, using rice ink on 100% recycled paper, by the brilliant local team at Out of the Blueprint—a truly Leith collaboration. The front cover artwork, created by ECA student Norman Oyoo, features a submerged figure inspired by Anthony Gormley’s 6 Times installation, which inspired one of the anthology’s poems, ‘In Spate’.
Showcasing young talent
Bell was particularly proud of the “parade of talent” manifested by contributing school pupils from Trinity Academy and Leith Academy. A feature of Leith Writings is that that the work of youngsters sits proudly alongside that of established authors, helping to break down barriers between creative groups. Bell hopes this experience plants a creative seed, demonstrating to the pupils that they are capable of producing something substantial for a wider audience.
Bell confirmed that all submissions go through a thorough selection process, with difficult decisions involved. As Bell put it, “you shouldn’t be too disappointed” if your work has not been selected. “Don’t stop writing”. He highlighted Sophie Arthur’s powerful poem, ‘The Quiet in Between,’ calling it “a hell of a poem for a 13-year-old.” It was this piece that inspired the title for the entire collection, with ‘silence’ deriving from the reflective character of a number of the submissions.
Reflecting an evolving area
Local historian Stephen Dickson, who wrote the volume’s introduction, notes that the contents reflect an “evolution in the thoughts of the area,” particularly acknowledging how “New Leithers” have arrived and changed the landscape. Dickson believes the area has been “reborn” since the 1980s, affirming that the collection demonstrates Leith’s “character that is unequalled.” Even Edinburgh Makar Michael Pedersen weighs in, celebrating the “parcel of words” contained within the 87 pages. The high energy at the launch event was infectious, with talks already turning to the next collection! Early title contenders include Leith Distilled.
Get your copy
To pick up a copy of The Silence in Between, readers should visit Argonaut Books, Leith Library, McDonald Road Library, or the Out of the Blue drill hall on Dalmeny Street. Those picking up a copy are encouraged to make a contribution online (at leithwriting.com) or via cash or card at Argonaut Books.
Potential writers for the next volume should look out for the submission invitation coming in January 2026. Submissions can include poems, haikus, short stories, and reflections up to 3,000 words, so get scribbling.
