Description

Di Sylvester’s debut poetry collection takes us on a journey; a post-covid reconnection with a London in which a death mask awaits its maker, a plinth stands stripped of its slaver, and Marcus Aurelius meditates under sea-foam curls. But it also takes us further north—to the makings of a laureate, to sanctuary knockers, to monochrome tartans, to fearless birches, and a winter-empty laddie shop.

Outside the Laddie Shop draws us into contemplation of both our place in the world and our own unknowing.

Di Sylvester has produced a stunning first collection, remarkable in its strong, assured voice. These are masterfully crafted poems that move effortlessly between precise observations of landscape, cityscape and art—a travelogue suite of poems exerting, at times, an almost incantatory spell. —PETER LACH-NEWINSKY

Di Sylvester’s first full-length collection is mature, taut, spare—and delicious. It uses irony, anachronistic juxtaposition and rich detail to engage with history: refracting our experience of the here-and-now through what remains to us of what has gone before. —ANNA KERDIJK NICHOLSON

Di Sylvester writes poems and short stories. She lives on Gundungurra country in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. She holds a PhD in history from the University of Sydney and an MA (Creative Writing) from The Open University (UK). Di is a keen jigsaw puzzler.

Product details
ISBN: 978-0-6459294-7-8
Published: 8 June 2025
Pages: 67
Cover: paperback
Weight: 156 grams
Dimensions: 135mm (w) x 208mm (h) x 7mm thick
Printed & bound in Australia

Click here for samples pages:
Outside the Laddie Shop sample pages.pdf