I had a look back when I was sorting out my biography, and I can’t believe the things I have done in a short space of time. Here’s a sample of my journey so far:
I am a writer, tutor and actor. I graduated from Essex University, (UK) with a degree in Literature, and later gained a postgraduate degree in teaching English. I am also LAMDA trained. I taught English for 15 years, then in 2013 I set up a tuition business, Results Tutoring, in Ipswich. I am an advocate for neuro-diversity, particularly as I am neurodivergent myself. I have contributed several articles to the National Autistic Society Magazine, Spectrum, and Your Autism. I made my publishing debut in The Weird and Whatnot, (July 2019) with my short story, The Rented Room.
Following this, a poem, An Afternoon Walk, was published in Acumen Literary Journal and I have since had poems published in print or online in a variety of journals: (Acumen; Minerva Rising, Breath and Shadow; Pure Slush; A Thin Slice of Anxiety; Bristol Noir). I was also shortlisted for The Latin Programme’s inaugural poetry prize with ‘Lost Property,’ which was published onMarch 4th 2021, and subsequently published in an anthology.
In September 2021 I collaborated in writing a professional theatre production, Lullaby, for Hightide Theatre Company, with the Wolsey Theatre, for which I also wrote the music, contributed to sound and lighting, and song lyrics. I have won short story prize in the Felixstowe book festival, been shortlisted for other poetry prizes and won a flash fiction Prize for the Foreword Festival 2023.
I joined the Suffolk Poetry Society and performed the lead role in a play in Verse, All Change! By Peter Sandberg. I am a member of Troop and Neurodelicious Launch pad where I performed my poetry and also played Kate Bush. This was supported by The Arts Council. I am also a member of Black and White Productions and have played numerous roles. I’m a member of Equity and The Writer’s Guild.
I have been a regular guest on BBC Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex radio shows and my work has been regularly broadcast since 2020.
I published a collection of poetry, Tourist to the Sun and a collection of short stories, The Camera Obscure, in Summer 2022. They are both available in local bookstores, on Amazon and at Waterstone’s. My work is also available in various anthologies, the latest of which is A Tapestry of Poetry by The Suffolk Writers.
I have just completed my third book, That Little Voice, which is my second poetry collection. It will be launched shortly and the cover designed by artist Lynn Stuart.
This will be followed, hot on its heels in early 2024, by my fourth book, the series ‘Burnt Lungs and Bitter Sweets’, a series of gritty urban noir stories featuring a group of the same characters from their past in the late 70‘s/early 80’s to the present. For a taster, hop onto Urban Pigs Press https://urbanpigspress.co.uk and Bristol noir https://www.bristolnoir.co.uk/submission-guidelines/
And finally, also in early 2024 my fifth book, a collection of gothic and supernatural short stories, (as yet untitled), featuring some sequels to stories in ‘The Camera Obscure’, will be released.
Apart from my fiction, I am also contributing to a one act play and writing a full length play, Faces, which I hope to be funded for rehearsal and performances, and looking to producing my poetry show again with ‘The Dead Poets Theatre Company’ towards the end of the year.
You can see me in performance again around Easter with Black and White Productions, and, of course, I continue to tutor English with my company, Results Tutoring and I head up the David Lloyd Book Club each month.
Virginia Betts 