A Conversation with Victoria Springfield
Wendy reviews books set in Italy. For more articles like this one, subscribe to her Substack channel Italy Writers and get in touch via Sunflower Publishing. Read more.
Meeting Victoria Springfield is rather like stepping into one of her novels—warm, inviting, and brimming with the promise of adventure. Victoria, a Kent-based author with roots in Essex and years spent in London, has become known for her uplifting contemporary women’s fiction, each story steeped in the atmosphere, flavours, and rhythms of Italy. Her latest novel, Invitation to Italy, transports readers to the enchanting island of Procida, and I was eager to learn how this setting—and the story itself—came to life.
The Island That Sparked a Story
Victoria’s affection for Italian islands is evident from the outset. She’s visited Ischia five times, often staying in the north of the island, and it was during these trips that Procida first caught her eye—a short ferry ride away, yet a world unto itself. What began as a day trip soon became something more: “I particularly like islands as settings for books,” Victoria explained. “You’ve got this self-contained kind of community—its own feel, its own secrets.” Her research was hands-on and immersive, from navigating post-pandemic travel restrictions to filming short videos in the very spots her characters would later inhabit.
Inspiration in Everyday Moments
Sometimes inspiration strikes in the most ordinary places. For Victoria, the seed for Invitation to Italy was planted during a train journey, overhearing a group of women discussing summer plans. One mentioned her daughter would be spending the holidays with her father and his new wife. “What would happen if you weren’t that happy about it?” Victoria wondered. This fleeting moment became the heart of her story—a tale of family, change, and the emotional complexities of letting go.
Crafting Characters and Setting
For Victoria, setting and character are inseparable. Sometimes the landscape comes first, sometimes the people, but both must fit together seamlessly. On Procida, she mapped out imaginary homes, hotels, and piazzas for her characters, overlaying fiction onto real streets. “It wouldn’t be the same book if it was set somewhere else,” she noted, highlighting how the island’s close-knit community and sense of secrecy shaped the narrative.
Capturing the Essence of Italy
Authenticity is paramount for Victoria. Though she doesn’t live in Italy, she returns to her chosen settings repeatedly, observing local life and talking to residents. “I try to get a flavour of where it is,” she said, describing how she imagines her characters moving through the landscape—sitting on benches, entering churches, living in apartments she’s assigned to them in her mind. This attention to detail infuses her writing with a vivid sense of place.
A Standalone Story With Familiar Threads
Invitation to Italy stands alongside Victoria’s earlier novels—The Italian Fiancé, Farmhouse in Tuscany, and The Italian Holiday—united by their Italian settings and themes of transformation. This latest book, however, narrows its focus to two main perspectives: Abby, the English protagonist, and Loretta, the Italian hotelier. “I actually sneaked in a chapter from Flavia’s point of view and one from Chloe’s,” Victoria admitted, “and I felt so much happier for it.” Her stories often feature reluctant travellers—English characters sent to Italy by fate, expecting little, only to find their lives transformed.
Contemporary Women’s Fiction—With Heart
Victoria embraces the label of contemporary women’s fiction, though her books are sometimes described as romance as well. “Romance is a part of them, but there’s a lot of friendship and relationships,” she explained. In Invitation to Italy, the focus is as much on mothers and daughters, ex-wives and fiancées, as it is on romantic love. Her real interest lies in exploring the full spectrum of relationships, always with a generous helping of romance.
Complex Characters, Real Emotions
No novel is complete without a touch of conflict, and Victoria’s characters are far from perfect. She admits to being a little irritated with Alex, Abby’s ex-husband, but wanted readers to see that Abby is ultimately better off without him. Marissa, the new fiancée, is written with nuance—seemingly perfect, but with her own hidden depths. “If everyone was Miss Perfect, there wouldn’t be a story,” Victoria observed. “Everyone has issues—we just don’t always see them.”
A Lifelong Storyteller
Victoria’s love of storytelling began early. As a child in the 1970s, she entertained herself with pencils, paper, and endless imagination—drawing, writing, and inventing plays. This creative spirit continues to shape her work, inviting readers to escape to Italy and discover new perspectives on life and love
An Invitation to Escape
By the end of our conversation, I found myself longing to visit Procida and experience the world Victoria so lovingly describes. Her novels are more than escapist fiction—they’re invitations to taste, see, and feel Italy through the eyes of characters who feel wonderfully real. If you haven’t yet discovered Victoria Springfield’s books, now is the perfect time to let her stories whisk you away—no passport required.
