Category Archives: urban grit
Prison, playacting and performing!
On March 19th, I returned to HMP Warren Hill to spend a day talking to prisoners about their experiences of prison life, from sentencing to release, and to understand some of the process, as well as hearing first-hand about their day-to day experiences. If you think that Warren Hill, a Category C prison, is anContinue reading “Prison, playacting and performing!”
‘March’-ing on in March!
It’s been a while since I wrote a blog here, on my website. There are a number of reasons for this: firstly I wrote two other blogs/article on a monthly basis. You may be aware that I write a monthly post for the award-winning Felixstowe Magazine App in the form of a column called PENspiration.Continue reading “‘March’-ing on in March!”
Hello 2025!
Well, the year ended on a really high note! Just before Christmas, Dial Lane books in Ipswich were kind enough to host my book launch. The book, Burnt Lungs and Bitter Sweets, is a tale about four punk friends from 1976 to the present day. It’s a tragicomedy in the same sort of category asContinue reading “Hello 2025!”
Book launch is imminent!
Only a few days to the launch at DIAL LANE BOOKS on December 20th, so despite it being the final night of the Christmas show I am in, and despite being on stage in about 2 hours’time, I thought I had better update the website with a quick post. I have had the excitement ofContinue reading “Book launch is imminent!”
2024 is exciting far!
I have somewhat neglected to write here, as I have now got a regular spot writing a blog article each month for the Felixstowe magazine App https://thefelixstowemagazine.com This is a wonderful local app, which showcases local talent, event, venues – always an interesting read. I write PENspiration! (click to reveal my January article and clickContinue reading “2024 is exciting far!”
A few great books to read!
Arcanum Fabulas by Bam Barrow The book I’d like to talk about first is the fabulous debut by Bam Barrow. A writer after my own heart, he has had several stories published in Grinning Skull Press and Punk Noir magazines and is a champion of occult fiction and folk horror. I was honoured to writeContinue reading “A few great books to read!”
A taste of things to come!
As well as the imminent publication of my second poetry collection, That Little Voice, (copyright Virginia Betts, 2023) being on the horizon, I have also been busy putting together the second collection of stories. The amazing Lyn Stuart is once again illustrating for me. I’ve got the usual gothic, ghosts and other supernatural tales, butContinue reading “A taste of things to come!”
Book events coming up!
Please join me to grab a copy of Tourist to the Sun, my poetry collection, and/orThe Camera Obscure, my gothic story collection. This follows being one of the winning authors for the inaugural fringe event. Come and meet me – I’ll be in festive mode and obligatory funny hat, signing copies and having a chat!Continue reading “Book events coming up!”
New story: Dead Swan.
I’d like to herald the dawn of the new press Urban Pigs who have published my brand new story Dead Swan. Please see this link to have a read. I include a warning for the faint hearted – this story includes drug and crime references. I was inspired by the finding of a real deadContinue reading “New story: Dead Swan.”
Virginia Betts 