Virginia Betts is a tutor, writer poet and actor from Suffolk, bringing you a bit of ink to inspire your creative fire.
I don’t know about you, but my to-do list never seems to get any shorter. As soon as I cross something off it, another two things are added on the end! It’s like some kind of organic life-form, multiplying tasks. One thing occupying a lot of space on the list is the Felixstowe Book Festival. The festival is going to be the highlight of my week, as I prepare to give a live chat with Georgy Jamieson about my book, Burnt Lungs and Bitter Sweets, in Felixstowe Library on 26th June in the evening, and then gear up for a gig at 2 Sisters Arts Centre on 27th with musician Paul Armfield as one of the guest poets. I also have news: I’m now an editor with Urban Pigs Press, so I have plenty of subs to read in the coming weeks.
I am really missing Primadonna festival this year, and hope it’s back in 2026, so I’m going to make the most of seeing The Reverend Richard Coles, Robin Ince and Ian Collins speaking respectively about ‘cosy’ crime, infinite monkeys and Ronald Blythe.
The two other Festivals I’ll be going to are the Foreword Festival, THE literary fringe Festival, (August) and the NEW Ipswich Book Festival (October). Dial Lane Books have already started kicking things off with a visit from actor Larry Lamb with his Debut novel, All Wrapped Up, and he’ll be in Stowmarket for the Foreword Festival.
Mini-Interview: Local Suffolk author, Muriel Driver.
When did you start writing?
Growing up on a remote farm in North Norfolk, I greatly enjoyed my parents reading to me from their eclectic collection of books. I felt sad that our animals had no books of their own, so as soon as I could put pencil to paper (including baking paper!), I wrote stories and drew pictures for the geese, ducks, chickens, rabbits, pig, dogs and cats to enjoy. When I started school, playtimes brought me an attentive audience!
Tell us a bit about your work
Now, I write fantasy adventure stories for the young and young-at-heart, and short collections for grown-ups. In Zondor the Magnificent and The Mystery of the Missing Stick, a collie dog and her friends are summoned to another world inhabited by mythical creatures. Cosy Armchair Tales is a selection of humorous stories to lift the spirits, whilst Chilling Armchair Tales is a colelciton of spine-tinglers.
What do you like to read?
I especially enjoy fantasy adventure, spooky who-dunnits and thought-provoking reads. Favourites are: Brian Jaques, Dickens, Richard Adams, C.S. Lewis, H Rider-Haggard, Elisabeth Sheriff and Virginia Betts!
Top tips?
One is never too old or too young to start writing; Always ask ‘What if’? throughout your writing journey; Writing is the easy part but marketing can be frustrating; Just write; Give honest reviews for every book you’ve read – it’s a great way to help authors.
What would you say to your younger self?
Write down all those family tales; believe in yourself; don’t hide your light beneath those farm bushels!
Brilliant advice! Find Muriel Driver on Facebook.
That’s all folks,
See you in July,
Virginia x
Virginia has written numerous articles and fiction, written for stage and radio, and published four books, The Camera Obscure, Tourist to the Sun and That Little Voice and a Punk Novel, Burnt Lungs and Bitter Sweets, published by Urban Pigs Press.
Find Virginia at virginiabetts.com
Photo: Framlingham author event, 2025.