Virginia Betts

Virginia is a writer, tutor and actor from Ipswich and the author of four books. She is a passionate advocate for neuro-diversity, particularly as she is autistic and ADHD herself, so recognises the challenges of neurodivergent conditions. She has contributed several articles to the National Autistic Society Magazine, Spectrum, and Your Autism. She made her publishing debut in The Weird and Whatnot, (July 2019) with her short story, The Rented Room. Following this, a poem, An Afternoon Walk, was published in the September 2019 volume of Acumen Literary Journal. She has since had many poems either published in print or online, (Acumen; Minerva Rising, Breath and Shadow; Pure Slush) and been shortlisted and won literary and poetry prizes. She has written for professional theatre and is a member of Black and White Productions Theatre company and her work has appeared on radio and stage. She has published 2 poetry collections, Tourist to the Sun, and That Little Voice, and a collection of Gothic and supernatural stories, The Camera Obscure, and was a winner at Felixstowe Book Festival's short story Prize 2022 and Foreword Festival 2023. She is also book of the week 2025 with her debut novel Burnt Lungs and Bitter Sweets published 2025 to some critical acclaim. She writes online blogs for Author's Electric and Felixstowe Magazine App and enjoys taking her creativity to work with prisoners.