9th-16th August 2025 – Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK
Poetry and Spoken Word Night
Don’t miss a feast of performance poetry at this special event! Featuring award-winning poet and Battle Rapper Mark Grist, plus James Domestic, Amy Wragg, Sam Marsh and Lorna Mackinnon, all MC’d by AJ Deane.
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Larry Lamb Author Talk
Please welcome Larry Lamb to the festival! The ‘Gavin and Stacey’ actor will be telling stories from his career and talking about his new book, ‘All Wrapped Up’, live and in person at the Regal Cinema. Tickets selling fast!
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Romance Authors in Conversation
Join four of East Anglia’s best-loved writers of contemporary, historical, and romantic fiction in conversation, live and in person, at the Regal Cinema. Tickets selling fast!
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Love Your Local Authors Book Fair
A literary feast, celebrating East Anglian authors and small presses. Discover your new favourite author, and pick up signed copies of their books. Entry is free, and there will be a pop-up cafe!
I’d love to come!
Fringe Literature Book Fair
Meet a colourful and diverse host of amazing authors and small presses from around the country. Find all kinds of fiction, non-fiction, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Poetry, Graphic novels and more! Entry is free, and the cafe will be open.
This sounds amazing!
Children’s and YA Market Stall
Discover books for children and teenagers at the free Family-Friendly Market in Stowmarket! Meet the authors, find your new favourite story, and take home signed copies of their books!
Show me the books!
Author Talk: Jackie Carreira
Meet Jackie Carreira – writer, playwright, musician, co-founder of the Foreword Festival, and author of the first novel set in Stowmarket for 120 years (we Googled it!). Entry is free – donations are welcome.
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Author Talk: Russell Webb
Have you ever wondered what makes someone start writing a book? Join retired firefighter Russell Webb as he tells his personal story of writing, healing, and mental health in an inspiring free lunchtime talk.
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Author Talk: Dr Michael J Walker
Join us for a special talk from historian Dr Mike Walker, and discover how an historian works – using a case study that brings to life the little-known but crucial local events of 1173 in Haughley and Fornham! Tickets free.
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Children’s Poetry: Elisabeth Sherriff
Join Elisabeth to create your own wild and wonderful words, be it on your pet dog, doughnuts or your favourite dinosaur. You choose – your imagination is the limit! Free event, suitable for children of any ability aged 5-10, including those on the autism spectrum.
I’d love to join in!
Children’s Talk: Lynda Brignall
Join Lynda to learn all about hedgehogs! Lynda volunteers at Suffolk Hedgehog Hospital, she will be using some of the beautiful graphics from her second book about hedgehogs in this interactive talk. Free event, suitable for 3 years and up – all ages welcome.
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Writing Workshop: Rachel Churcher
Give your creative writing a glow-up at this free writing workshop for teens and young adults aged 12-16! Join award-winning YA author Rachel Churcher to explore the power of person and tense in your writing, develop your stories and engage your readers.
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Flash Fiction Competition
The Foreword Festival Fast Foreword Flash Fiction Competition winners have been announced! Winning stories will be perfomed live on August 9th at the festival by actors from Quirkhouse Theatre.
About Fast Foreword
Publishing Workshops
Our festival sponsor, Stowmarket-based Softwood Books, will be running three publishing workshops during our book fair on August 9th. If you’re thinking about editing, publishing and publicity for your book, this is a great place to start!
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Writing and Art
Artists Josh Sutton and Colin Latter bring their distinctive styles and subject matter to the Old Fox Gallery for an exhibition of art inspired by writers, books, and typewriters. Free exhibition – original art, prints and postcards will be for sale.
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About Us
Meet the team behind the Foreword Festival, and find out where it all started. Plus meet our sponsors and supporters, and find out what else we’ve been up to!
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Find Our Venues
How to get to Stowmarket, where to park, and how to find the Foreword Festival venues.
See you there!
Foreword Festival Beer
Don’t miss our limited-edition Foreword Festival Beer! It’s a zesty, summery pale ale, perfect for drinking while you sit and enjoy your new books in the sunshine.
Buy limited edition beer!Don’t miss out – join our mailing list for festival updates and news!
Our Sponsors
Sponsorship Opportunites
We’re looking for businesses in and around Stowmarket to support our not-for-profit, volunteer-led event. We’re a Community Interest Company, run by volunteers, and we believe in working together to make sure everybody benefits from their involvement in our events.
If you would like to add your logo to our publicity, and sponsor an aspect of the festival, we’d love to work with you!
Latest News
Foreword Festival Beer
We’ve teamed up with the wonderful Roughacre Brewery to produce a limited-edition Foreword Festival Beer! It’s a zesty, summery pale ale, perfect for drinking while you sit and enjoy your[…]
Read moreWondering how to get to the Foreword Festival?
The Foreword Festival doesn’t operate from a central venue. Instead, you’ll find us in locations all over Stowmarket! Head to the Find Our Venues page to plan your visit by[…]
Read moreAnnouncing the Fast Foreword Winners!
. We’re delighted to announce the winners of the Fast Foreword Flash Fiction Competition! Actors from QuirkHouse Theatre will be performing the stories on our Storytelling Trail for grown-ups on Saturday August[…]
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Foreword Festival UK C.I.C.
Company number 16233911