Bearing Witness: Conversations with Malcolm Guite
“When a writer is in the midst of their work, when a poet is following the fine thread of his vocation, poem by poem, he may not fully see all the threads of connection, the common themes that are gradually unfolding over a life-time’s effort. He is so concentrated on writing a poem about the tree in front of him that he misses the shape of the whole wood and the pathway he has pioneered through it! In this book, and in the course of the nearly two decades of conversation and friendship which form its substance, Lancia E. Smith has brilliantly drawn out the themes, mapped the wood, and delineated the path that I have been following my whole life. I feel sure it will be as helpful to all my readers as it has been to me.” -- Malcolm Guite
For sixteen years, acclaimed English poet Malcolm Guite and American writer-photographer Lancia E. Smith have engaged in a series of interviews and portrait sessions. Through those conversations, threads have repeatedly emerged: meaning and mystery, depression and courage, time and eternity, literature and language, truth and grace, past and poetry, grief and love, and the living quality of words. These realities carry a question with them: in all the aches and wonders of life, how do we faithfully bear witness?
"Bearing Witness" is a thematic retelling of these conversations, richly illustrated with portraits made over this sixteen year period. Lancia E. Smith offers a deep look at how to understand Malcolm Guite in a way that goes beyond what the public eye can see and what media can show. Deeper still is her universal invitation to see one another in new and truer ways, and to bear witness to the wonder of what it means to be human in our beauty and potential.
This November 2026 we are honoured to present the limited run of first edition paperbacks of the landmark book - "Bearing Witness: Conversations with Malcolm Guite." This limited run series is signed by author and photographer, Lancia E. Smith and beautifully designed by Ned Bustard of "Every Moment Holy" acclaim, with design support by Jacoby Elliott. It features images of Malcolm by Lancia both widely known and never shared in public before, a Foreword by the Irish poet and editor Andrew Roycroft, and an Afterword by Diana Pavlac Glyer, author of "Bandersnatch," "The Company They Keep," and "Write Like You Mean It." Additionally, this edition will offer something dynamic in the world of publishing, a link to a unique ongoing resource feature rich with material and connections to continue engaging in the content.
This groundbreaking book will be widely talked about and sought after. An an ideal gift as a stand-alone volume or paired with any of Malcolm Guite’s works, including "The Coming of Arthur" also due out in early November, these will not be in stock long. Don’t miss the opportunity to get your own first edition copy!
Preorder today! You will receive notice when we ship and always with our gratitude.
