Virginia Betts is a tutor, writer poet and actor from Suffolk, bringing you a bit of ink to inspire your creative fire.
At the end of June, I was ‘Book of the week’ at Felixstowe Book Festival, culminating with a weekend listening to the inspirational words of such as The Rev. Richard Coles, Robin Ince and Ian Collins. Coles’ book is the latest in his Parish Priest crime series, Collins has written the definitive biography of Ronnie Blythe, whose friendship with Patricia Highsmith formed the basis of a play I was in, and Ince (pictured) of ‘The Infinite Monkey Cage’ fame, with Prof. Brian Cox, has written all about his neurodiversity. Being in the ND gang, I talked with him non-stop, and we swapped books. I hope he tells me what he thought! This month I completed a 10K swim for Cancer research, been part of a poetry café, and became an editor at Urban Pigs Press. You can read about our prison visit here. I’ll be re-releasing my first book with them, and my second novel is going well currently at 46,000 words.
I’ll be touring with ‘Operation Radar’, a play about Radar at Bawdsey in September, (ticket link here) so I’m rehearsing in August, and in that PENspiration, I’ll be focussing on the younger generation for my interview. But July brings an interview with Nathan James from Softwood Books, in Stowmarket. Softwood recently published a book by actor, Larry Lamb, who is at The Foreword Festival in August. I’ll be ready to report on my time at the Festival this year in Stowmarket (details here.)
How did you get started in this field? Where did it all begin for you?
Softwood Books was founded by my wife, Maddy, in 2017 but I joined when the pandemic hit, with a marketing background. The business grew following lockdown as many memoirs were written - and my role became full-time.
Do you write? Not since the days where I would embellish minutes of meetings that I would take at university societies! I have huge admiration for anyone who has the discipline and commitment to sit down and write a book.
What was your favourite book as a child?
I was brought up on Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl - and yes, I tried to recreate 'George's Marvellous Medicine' and killed a large proportion of my parents' lawn when I tipped it out... I quickly gravitated to the novels of P.G. Wodehouse.
What is your favourite genre and what book could you never live without?
As an aviation enthusiast, I'm a sucker for any books about aircraft or their pilots, particular those from the 1940s. I'm very fortunate to have met and worked with many veterans in my early career and grateful for the conversations I had with that incredible generation. Books I could never live without? – the Tintin books! The blend of story-telling and stylish illustration continues to appeal, forty years after picking up my first copy!
Any advice for people interested in publishing?
Be clear about what you want to achieve. Not every publishing route suits every author and there are too many individuals and outfits who are keen to accept your money in return for an inferior product. I spend much of my week on video calls with would-be authors and I hear some horror stories. The publishing process is not without hiccups, but it's often how these are dealt with by your publisher that is key. Before you sign any contract, make sure you do your research. Look at Google reviews; what is their ethos regarding ownership and royalties? Also, examine Amazon KDP! Publishing should be an exciting and enjoyable journey; there's nothing more rewarding than holding a physical copy of your book. Publishing is the most accessible it’s ever been - so go for it - someone WILL want to read your story!
(The Softwood Books team with Larry Lamb)
See you in August,
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
Feature photo: Felixstowe Book Festival with Robin Ince.