In today’s spotlight we meet Victoria Bennett. Victoria is a disabled writer, carer and mother; her writing spans both poetry and non-fiction, and has received several awards, including the Northern Debut Award. The founder of Wild Women Press, she is a firm believer in everyone’s right to write their own story, and has dedicated much of her working life to nurturing spaces where people can do just that.
Her debut memoir, All My Wild Mothers: motherhood, loss and an apothecary garden, is published by Two Roads (2023), and was long listed for the Nan Shepherd Prize. She lives in Orkney with her husband and son. When not juggling writing, care and chronic illness, she can be found where the wild things grow, tending her apothecary garden.
Have you ever been to Islay before? What are you most looking forward to on your visit?
I have not visited Islay before, though I came close recently when visiting the Colonsay Book Festival. I live in Orkney, so this is a bit of an island hop for me. I am really looking forward to participating in the festival and meeting everyone, and also to exploring the beautiful beaches. As a regular sea swimmer over here, I am excited to try out the western waters!
What would you like people coming to the festival to know about you or your book before your session?
All My Wild Mothers was slow grown, like the apothecary garden within it, over a decade of grief and care. It is a story of loss — both the big and smaller, unspoken losses of our lives — but it is also a story very much of love, and of the hope and joy that can grow in broken places, and a celebration of this wild and precious life that we each hold fragile in our hands. At a time when things can feel overwhelming for many, I hope that it can offer a space of comfort and courage — whether you are someone who is grieving, or caring, or just wanting to grow a little wild in your life.
Is there another author you are looking forward to hearing from during the festival?
It is a great programme and my only worry is how to fit it all in AND get to soak in the inspiring island of Islay. I am really looking forward to sharing events with Mollie Hughes, Alicia Pirmonhamed and Tracey Hunter. As my literary life is rooted in poetry, and bridges the gap into memoir, I am also really looking forward to hearing Nadine Aisha Jassat and Clive Myrie talk about their work. It will be a real treat to hear Linda Nicleoid as well.
You can find out more about Victoria at her website.
Victoria’s latest book is All My Wild Mothers.
Victoria will lead an event at Gortanvogie Care Home on Saturday morning. She will also take part in the Welcoming Nature panel on Saturday afternoon at the Gaelic College, and will be in conversation with Tracey Hunter on Sunday morning in Bruichladdich Hall.
I am intrigued to read All My Wild Mothers as a now recently disabled Physiotherapist.
The current world is reluctant to accept that we are not all perfect and may require assistance on occasions for many aspects of daily living.