University of Suffolk celebrates launch of new anthology book Suffolk Haunts, inspired by spooky stories and landmarks from across the county, including Bury St Edmunds, Lavenham, Lowestoft and Stowmarket

A new book celebrating Suffolk’s landmarks and spooky stories has launched ahead of Halloween.

Suffolk Haunts is the fourth and final book in a series of anthologies and marks the end of a project launched in 2020 offering Master’s Degree students on the University of Suffolk’s Creative and Critical Writing course a chance to see their work published.

The book hit shelves last month and was officially launched at a reception at the university’s Ipswich Waterfront campus yesterday.

The latest volume features the work of 27 contributors and tells tales of a friendly ghost in a Lavenham pub; a mystery letter in Bury St Edmunds; a movie star ghost in Stowmarket's Regent Cinema and the story of a woman meeting the ghosts of her family in places she thought she’d forgotten, in Lowestoft.

Roy Haddock, an Ipswich-based student, contributed to the book.

He said: “I am a mature student and at the age of 62 I didn’t think contributing a story to a published anthology was something I would ever see.

“This has given me the opportunity to work with incredibly talented people – not only the lecturers but also the fellow students.”

Another student who contributed to the book, Sarah Waterson, of Washbrook, said it was a lovely opportunity to explore an idea she had.

Each anthology had a student editor, and Sarah took up this role for Suffolk Haunts.

She said: “I have such deep roots in Suffolk, and I think a lot of people that have contributed stories to the anthology have profound connections that they have celebrated in their stories.

“The MA is a wonderful course that has changed the way I think and write.”

The first book in the series, Suffolk Folk, was published in 2020, which focused on local folk tales. It was followed by Suffolk Arboretum, a story about trees and nature, and Suffolk Reflections, detailing waterways, lakes and rivers, which was released last year.

Dr Lindsey Scott, course leader for the MA Creative and Critical Writing, said: “Seeing our students apply their imagination to form dramatic and compelling stories around landmarks in our county is a huge pleasure.

“With each anthology we have been able to celebrate their successes, and we couldn’t be more proud of the hard work and dedication they put into their work.”

Suffolk Haunts is available from Waterstones and independent stores up and down the county.