Word Power Books is an independent radical bookshop and publisher based in Edinburgh, Scotland. They have published works by both established and lesser known writers in Scotland including James Kelman, Tom Leonard and National Collective. They also organise a regular Book Fringe festival during August and the annual Edinburgh Independent Radical Book Fair.
Contents
History
Word Power Books first opened in 1994 by Elaine Henry. in the 1980s Henry had worked in a feminist bookshop in Edinburgh named 'Womanzone'. After Womanzone closed in 1986 Henry felt there was still a need for a radical bookshop in Edinburgh and so began working towards establishing Word Power. The shop opened in November 1994, with a formal opening in December by Booker Prize winning novelist James Kelman.
Since opening it has gained a reputation for supporting non-mainstream writers and ideas.
Publications
Word Power Books has published a number of releases by Scottish writers, including, James Kelman, Tom Leonard and National Collective.
Book Fringe and Radical Book Fair
Word Power organise a radical Edinburgh Book Fringe alongside the Edinburgh Festivals each August.
Since 1996 Word Power have organised the Edinburgh Independent and Radical Book Fair each October in Leith, with the aim of supporting small and independent presses who struggle to gain space in bookshops.