A Captive Audience!

                                                    

I find myself in a very exciting position this November and December: I wrote a novel and it’s about to enter the world! It’s not my first book – I have written three before it: The Camera Obscure, (a collection of gothic stories), Tourist to the Sun, (a poetry collection) and That Little Voice, (another Poetry collection). However, Burnt Lungs and Bitter Sweets is my debut novel, and I found a new, exciting and distinctive voice. I am not really sure where this voice came from as it’s probably the last book you’d think I would write. If you know me though, then maybe you would expect me to invent my little bunch of misanthropic, disaffected punks. If you know me well enough, you’d definitely expect me to give the whole book a ‘soundtrack’ to play along with it, because, after all, imagining the soundtrack to the film of my ‘lives’ is what I do best! Didn’t you ever do a mix-tape? I am the queen of mix-tapes, and home-made covers too. Now I am the queen of digital playlists, and you can find the one for my novel on Spotify. Back to the voice – let me explain: The story takes us from the present day, back to 1976, and through several decades of mis-adventures for my leading heroes, Hoagie, Toad, Jonesy and Toggie. It is fiction, but there are a few realities in there – exaggerated or merged together. There are some urban myths, and the evidence of undercover research and a lot of observation and listening. I love the absurd, I love watching people, and I love a tragi-comic anti-hero. I hope mine has enough heart for you to root for him even when you feel you shouldn’t. I should warn you at this point – there is a LOT of swearing, absolutely in context, but if that’s not for you, at least you have been warned. My book launch is at Dial Lane Books on 20^th December, hosted by the wonderful Andrew Marsh and Jonesy, and my 'agent and publicist', Georgy Jamieson; the book release date is 15^th. Lots to do before then, but I have some incredible endorsements already, including from the Britpop legend that is Jane Savidge. Here’s the link to my incredible publisher, Urban Pigs Press so you can read a bit more about it. These guys, James Jenkins and Bam Barrow are incredible and brilliant authors in their own right (or should I say 'Write?') https://urbanpigspress.co.uk/2024/11/12/upcoming-release-2/

 

Now, you may also wonder about my title here. I’ll tell you. On 24^th October, I went to prison! Dramatic pause.

 

Don’t worry! They let me out again – in fact I went for a poetry day with the Suffolk Poetry Society to spend time with the inmates and staff of HMP Warren Hill. We entertained them and they also read their poetry and stories to the audience in a hugely well-attended open-mic style event. The men’s work showed a great deal of talent, and I was very impressed. We mingled with the prisoners and it was very obvious that they really wanted to support this event, sharing some powerful words. I loved the way they sat in solidarity and applauded the efforts of everyone involved. There was a sense of camaraderie and support for the work performed. To me, it felt a little bit like being back as a teacher in a school. I’ve taught some all-male classes before, and when these men first entered the room to listen to poetry, (of all things!) the atmosphere did feel similarly charged. You felt like you might have to win them over, no matter how supportive and courteous they were. It was very different to the more sedate Aldeburgh Festival which came hot on its heels, where the audience were not sure when to clap - these folk were very enthusiastic! I did a humorous, ironic performance poem, called The Unhealthy Stuff, which some of you have heard before. As usual when I do this for an audience, I invited ‘hecklers’, as the poem usually encourages people to interact. I got a few cheers; I felt like Johnny Cash. I was under no illusions – the prison does house some ‘lifers’, and you certainly have to pass through some rigorous security to get in and out, but the atmosphere in that setting seemed to be fairly peaceful, with a good deal of mutual respect between inmates and staff. I was impressed by the way it ran so smoothly. We had a great lunch made for us by inmates, who were keen to please and accommodated my gluten free request, and I certainly felt inspired by their words. The organisers asked me if I would like to go back again, and particularly had in mind the aforementioned book. So, it looks like I might be joining Warren Hill’s book club in 2025 to see what the group thought of it. Hmm - this may be a ‘Captive Audience,’ but it could be a tough crowd. I really hope I got the ‘prison chapter’ in my book right!

 

Well, at the time of writing, I am about to leave for a little break in my old haunt, Amsterdam. I even speak Dutch! There is a chapter in my book set in this amazing city, but I really don’t intend ending up in a canal like my characters…

 

If you want to hear some of my comic (and serious) poems in performance, come to hear me on stage with James Dom Estic at The Two Sisters Arts Centre in Trimley on May 23^rd. https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on?q=two%20sisters%20James%20domestic%20 ticket link.  

 

Until December then,

 

Virginia.xx