Betsy Cornwell's Avatar

Betsy Cornwell

@betsycornwell.bsky.social

NYT bestselling author, teacher at U of Galway, Markievicz Award, IWC mentor. Immigrant single mother. Agents: Sara Crowe & Dara Kaye. BetsyCornwell.com / OldKnittingFactory.com

855 Followers  |  645 Following  |  259 Posts  |  Joined: 01.12.2024  |  2.2826

Latest posts by betsycornwell.bsky.social on Bluesky


Green background with cover of Ring of Salt by Betsy Cornwell. White text with title, author, and general information 
Coming out soon: September 2025
Genres: memoir nonfiction 
Setting: County Galway Ireland
POV: first person she/they/he
Review: 5 stars
Strawberry graphic in corner

Green background with cover of Ring of Salt by Betsy Cornwell. White text with title, author, and general information Coming out soon: September 2025 Genres: memoir nonfiction Setting: County Galway Ireland POV: first person she/they/he Review: 5 stars Strawberry graphic in corner

Green background with white text synopsis:
At 24, Betsy Cornwell runs away to Ireland. Amid the beauty of the Irish countryside, her life takes on the glow of a fairy tale when she meets a charming horse trainer and elopes. Five years later, her happy ending has twisted into a nightmare and Betsy finds herself trapped in an abusive marriage, isolated and afraid with a baby.
On her son's first birthday, she runs away, turning to the women around her for help. On sleepless nights, she scrolls through real estate listings and fosters an impossible dream: What if she could use her writing to buy a home of her own? One that might become a haven, not just for her family, but other single parent artists and writers, too? Then she discovers a historic knitting factory on the coastline. She spends the next two years working to crowdfund the purchase. But as the deadline nears, she will have to reckon with everything she believes about family, survival, and what happily-ever-after truly means for her dream to have any chance of coming true.
From GoodReads
Strawberry graphic in corner

Green background with white text synopsis: At 24, Betsy Cornwell runs away to Ireland. Amid the beauty of the Irish countryside, her life takes on the glow of a fairy tale when she meets a charming horse trainer and elopes. Five years later, her happy ending has twisted into a nightmare and Betsy finds herself trapped in an abusive marriage, isolated and afraid with a baby. On her son's first birthday, she runs away, turning to the women around her for help. On sleepless nights, she scrolls through real estate listings and fosters an impossible dream: What if she could use her writing to buy a home of her own? One that might become a haven, not just for her family, but other single parent artists and writers, too? Then she discovers a historic knitting factory on the coastline. She spends the next two years working to crowdfund the purchase. But as the deadline nears, she will have to reckon with everything she believes about family, survival, and what happily-ever-after truly means for her dream to have any chance of coming true. From GoodReads Strawberry graphic in corner

Green background with white text review:
This memoir was a masterpiece. I truly have no words for how beautiful this book was. Betsy Cornwell went through so much in her life, and she laid it all out in this memoir. My heart ached for her and everything that had happened to her. Yet at the same time she infused the entire story with so much hope and joy, and it warmed my heart. She reflected on her pain and came out happier for it some how, still so optimistic about the world. Just for that alone this deserves five stars. But Betsy Cornwell is also an amazing writer all around. Her prose was stunning, imbued with the essence of fairy tales and fables. She included so many references to her own work and other's books, and very helpfully attached a reading list to the end that I will definitely be making my way through. And I would love to visit the Old Knitting Factory some day; it sounds like a paradise. So all of this is to say that this memoir is moving and emotional and inspiring and hopeful, and I think everyone should read it. I truly cannot recommend it enough.
Strawberry graphic in corner

Green background with white text review: This memoir was a masterpiece. I truly have no words for how beautiful this book was. Betsy Cornwell went through so much in her life, and she laid it all out in this memoir. My heart ached for her and everything that had happened to her. Yet at the same time she infused the entire story with so much hope and joy, and it warmed my heart. She reflected on her pain and came out happier for it some how, still so optimistic about the world. Just for that alone this deserves five stars. But Betsy Cornwell is also an amazing writer all around. Her prose was stunning, imbued with the essence of fairy tales and fables. She included so many references to her own work and other's books, and very helpfully attached a reading list to the end that I will definitely be making my way through. And I would love to visit the Old Knitting Factory some day; it sounds like a paradise. So all of this is to say that this memoir is moving and emotional and inspiring and hopeful, and I think everyone should read it. I truly cannot recommend it enough. Strawberry graphic in corner

I have only read two books by Betsy Cornwell, one fiction and one memoir, but both books were five star reads. She just writes so beautifully.
Thank you Avid Reader Press for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
#booksky

26.08.2025 15:59 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Ring of Salt by Betsy Cornwell | Review Ring of Salt by Betsy Cornwell (Renegade/Hachette) is a compelling account of pure tenacity and courage against so many obstacles

On @maireadhearne.bsky.social

#BookReview of #RingOfSalt by Betsy Cornwell www.swirlandthread.com/ring-of-salt...

19.11.2025 16:57 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Krimis generell wirklich sehr viele, aber bei "feministische Krimis" fรคllt mir zunรคchst "The Five" von Hallie Rubenhold ein, das die Opfer von Jack the Ripper portrรคtiert. Und "Reader, I Murdered Him" von Betsy Cornwell รผber female rage und queere Liebe.

09.01.2026 20:54 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Thank you so much! I got to meet Patrisha last week for an event in Maine and she's so fabulous. Really looking forward to the book club!

09.02.2026 10:29 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

@betsycornwell.bsky.social I just this moment finished reading โ€œRing of Saltโ€. What a wonderful, heartbreaking book. As a retired domestic violence advocate, it touched me deeply. Iโ€™m very much looking forward to next monthโ€™s webinar through Finding Our Voices, when we can hear from you directly.

08.02.2026 22:35 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

"Extraordinarily moving, exquisitely written, and socially revolutionary...RING OF SALT glows with what we need."

Thrilled to see this rave review in the Irish Times for @betsycornwell.bsky.social's new memoir RING OF SALT!

24.11.2025 15:06 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Thanks so much for this post and for coming to the class -- I'm glad to have met you!

15.10.2025 11:10 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image Post image

Went to #scbwimetrony โ€˜s first in-person event since the pandemic! @betsycornwell.bsky.social is a fantastic teacher and gave us so fun ways to get more deeply into our characters. #TBR alert - Betsy has a #memoir out now called Ring of Salt. www.betsycornwell.com/ringofsalt @lisaanchin.bsky.social

13.10.2025 13:44 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image 12.10.2025 15:15 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 225    ๐Ÿ” 42    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4    ๐Ÿ“Œ 5
Post image Post image Post image Post image

This October Geraldine Walsh guides to through the art of Self-Editing, Mark Hennigan teaches the tools of structure, Betsy Cornwell tends to your first draft & Nandi Jola inspires new voices, not only to literature, but also to Ireland.

Explore our courses here irishwriterscentre.ie/courses/

26.09.2025 13:34 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 7    ๐Ÿ” 4    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

After fleeing an abusive marriage with her child, Betsy Cornwell transformed a historic knitting factory on the rugged coast of Ireland into a residency for writer-mothers like herself.
@simonandschuster.bsky.social

02.10.2025 02:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
SCBWI NY Metro Character-Based Writing Workshop Stories Like Friends: Character-Based Writing Join New York Times bestselling author Betsy Cornwell and Crystal Kite Award-winning author and illustrator Lisa Anchin for a workshop on creating unforg...

NYC folks--Want to write a children's book with characters that leap off the page?

Join this workshop at 92Y on Saturday, 10/11

Taught by NYT bestselling YA author Betsy Cornwell and multi-award-winning picture book author-illustrator Lisa Anchin

www.scbwi.org/events/scbwi...

02.10.2025 12:56 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Thank you, Tracy! I am flying tomorrow and it still feels super surreal!

30.09.2025 22:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 2    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Happy happy publication day to @betsycornwell.bsky.social on "Ring of Salt"! Just got the email that my copy is in!

Worcester and central Mass, come to hear Betsy talk about her amazing new book at Tidepool Bookstore on October 8 at 6 PM!

(still can't believe she's coming to Massachusetts!!)

30.09.2025 19:04 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 2    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

2015! itโ€™s really gone downhill over there without me โ€ฆ

30.09.2025 11:09 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I have been full of exhausting anxiety about my trip to the US but today it occurred to me that itโ€™s going to be worth it because I can eat a corn dog

28.09.2025 15:33 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 5    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Preordering books is both free and an absolute good. Not free in terms of money, probably โ€” economists are divided on that point. But if you can do it, you should.

04.08.2025 20:54 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 105    ๐Ÿ” 8    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 7    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
a very interesting excerpt positing that the Halloween witch โ€œis a distortion of history and perhaps a disservice to women in their struggle for equality.โ€

a very interesting excerpt positing that the Halloween witch โ€œis a distortion of history and perhaps a disservice to women in their struggle for equality.โ€

got this interesting 1970s childrenโ€™s book of Halloween symbols and it whips so much ass

20.09.2025 16:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 92    ๐Ÿ” 15    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

5. Make food for friends and not just yourself. It will make the experience more joyful and will push you to try to perfect your recipe and processes

6. Make what you like, not what you think you should like.

21.09.2025 00:46 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 19    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

Pause a while, and read...

โ€ข Elizabeth Jennings โ€ข

13.09.2025 17:15 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 50    ๐Ÿ” 14    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

if youโ€™re an isolated, angsty, strange young man, please know that you can become a Kierkegaard scholar instead of joining fringe online communities

12.09.2025 23:30 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 4463    ๐Ÿ” 825    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 93    ๐Ÿ“Œ 130
Post image Post image Post image

A big OGOM thank you to @betsycornwell.bsky.social for her insight into the Selkie myth and how it can be adapted into fiction and memoir #SeaChanges. A beautiful and memorable reading for everyone attending the online day. So glad you could stay for days 2 & 3 Betsy!

10.09.2025 16:01 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 10    ๐Ÿ” 3    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Thank you so much โ€” I had such a great time, and the whole conference was fabulous.

12.09.2025 05:52 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

If I found my child dead by suicide and this Chat GPT response on his computer, Sam Altman would have to worry about a lot more than a lawsuit.

26.08.2025 18:43 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 93    ๐Ÿ” 20    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

"dark academia" do you mean middle school

26.08.2025 12:12 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 1818    ๐Ÿ” 271    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 8    ๐Ÿ“Œ 4

I just read Lolly Willowes and fell totally in love.

28.07.2025 23:02 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 0    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

"That the universal doctrine of the inferiority of woman has ever caused her to distrust her own powers, and paralyzed her energies, and placed her in that degraded position from which the most strenuous and unremitting effort can alone redeem her."

--19th c. Suffs calling out imposter syndrome

18.03.2025 15:00 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
An image with a pale yellow background reading "25% off RRP On Upcoming Books, Pre-order now with code: SUMMER25 28-31 July / Online Only" and the book cover image for Ring of Salt: A Memoir of Finding Home and Hope on the Wild Coast of Ireland" by Betsy Cornwell

An image with a pale yellow background reading "25% off RRP On Upcoming Books, Pre-order now with code: SUMMER25 28-31 July / Online Only" and the book cover image for Ring of Salt: A Memoir of Finding Home and Hope on the Wild Coast of Ireland" by Betsy Cornwell

Preorders are pretty much the best thing you can do for an author, and I am grateful for every one. waterstones.com/campaign/jul...

28.07.2025 19:45 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 3    ๐Ÿ” 1    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Be gentle. They haven't grown up facing the the constant criticism, failure and persistent mental recovery involved in actually making an effort to develop artistic skills over a lifetime, so the precious flowers don't have the thick skin that naturally comes with the skills they've bypassed.

28.07.2025 10:14 โ€” ๐Ÿ‘ 87    ๐Ÿ” 17    ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2    ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

@betsycornwell is following 20 prominent accounts