One City Books

When it was suggested that the next book should be an anthology of crime stories, we decided to do something a little different and approached an eclectic range of authors from the Scottish crime writing community, and from far beyond, to see if they would like to write a new story, set in Edinburgh, and featuring a crime. The result is an astonishing line-up, showcasing some of the very best contemporary writers. The contributors each responded differently – some comically, some politically, some historically – but all unexpectedly. 

It is often said that crime fiction holds a mirror up to society; and what we see when we look at Edinburgh is a city full of beauty and potential, but divided by inequality. The OneCity Trust is committed to tackling the poverty that causes exclusion – the poverty of resources, of expectation, of opportunity, of care and understanding – by funding grass-roots projects which empower individual communities to work for social justice. One of the great benefits of literature is that it can open our eyes to lives beyond the narrow compass of our own, and expand our sympathies for those on the margins.

A girl discovers a magical world of storytelling beneath a secret trapdoor in Muirhouse Library. An ancient piper emerges from the sea at Portobello, to challenge the City Council. Three hapless witches circle above the Old Town, failing to do good deeds. And at school, a bully is tricked into taking the blame for a crime he didn't commit.

Familiar and fantastical, comic and thought-provoking. Our City brings together ten of Scotland's top children's writers, with specially commissioned stories inspired by Edinburgh.  Our City is published in support of the OneCity Trust, Edinburgh's leading social inclusion charity. The Trust's ambassadors include Ian Rankin, Irvine Welsh and Alexander McCall Smith, and the Lord Provost of Edinburgh is a member of the Trust's Board.

To launch Our City Edinburgh schools will be taking part in an 'Our City Day' of creative writing activities with the contributing authors. Edinburgh actor James Mckenzie, known to children as the character 'Raven' of the popular children's television programme, will be the special celebrity guest on the day and has also written the introduction to the book. 

Scotland's capital city enjoys immense international prestige for its cultural and artistic excellence, but it is also a city of stark contrasts. Edinburgh is the inspiration for this humorous and imaginative short story collection from three of its finest contemporary writers.

Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin and Irvine Welsh offer radically different takes on Edinburgh life: a homesick biologist from Delhi comes to a startling conclusion; two Homeless World Cup players become entangled in a magical world of illusion; and tiger-related mayhem breaks out in Murrayfield.

J.K. Rowling introduces these intriguing perspectives with a thoughtful account of her move to Edinburgh and her life there.

'I am proud to live here, and proud that my home city is committed to becoming a more inclusive place. OneCity Trust seeks to unify: I cannot think of a better goal, for Edinburgh, Scotland or the world.' - J.K. Rowling

All proceeds from the book will go to the OneCity Trust, which campaigns for social justice in Edinburgh.

THE AUTHORS

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of numerous novels, including the prize-winning No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus novels have made him a leading crime writer. He was awarded GQ Wtiter of the Year 2005.

Irvine Welsh's debut novel Trainspotting was published in 1993 to huge critical and commercial success; he continues to write novels, short stories, stage and screen plays.