Stowmarket, Suffolk, UK
9th-16th August 2025

Judging in Progress!

The closing date for our Fast Foreword Flash Fiction Competition has passed. Thank you to everyone who entered – the judges are looking forward to reading your stories! The judging panel will chose ten stories to be performed across five venues at the Foreword Festival 2025, by actors from the Quirkhouse Theatre Company. We’ll announce the times and venues on the…
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Flash fiction competition deadline day!

It’s the Fast Foreword Flash Fiction Competition deadline day! The competition closes AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT – May 31st 2025!  . We’re looking for stories of 400 to 500 words. Quick, punchy narratives that you can sit and read in the time it takes you to enjoy a cuppa. Stories can be on any theme, in any genre. Entry is…
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Flash fiction competition – enter by TOMORROW!

Don’t forget to enter our Fast Foreword Flash Fiction Competition for 2025. The competition closes TOMORROW – May 31st 2025!  . We’re looking for stories of 400 to 500 words. Quick, punchy narratives that you can sit and read in the time it takes you to enjoy a cuppa. Stories can be on any theme, in any genre. Entry is completely free!…
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A Window on a Word

We are really excited to announce that we are working with Fox Yard Studio to bring artwork inspired by writing and authors to the Foreword Festival! A Window on A Word will run 9th-16th August, featuring two amazing artists – Josh Sutton and Colin Latter. Both artists will be exhibiting word-inspired paintings in the Fox…
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Flash fiction – time is running out!

Don’t forget to enter our Fast Foreword Flash Fiction Competition for 2025. The competition closes THIS SATURDAY – May 31st 2025!  . We’re looking for stories of 400 to 500 words. Quick, punchy narratives that you can sit and read in the time it takes you to enjoy a cuppa. Stories can be on any theme, in any genre.…
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One event, FOUR best-selling authors!

HOT NEWS! We’re bringing four of East Anglia’s best-loved and best-selling writers of contemporary and historical romantic fiction to Stowmarket’s Regal Cinema, live and in person, as part of this year’s Foreword Festival! . Join best-selling and award-winning authors Heidi Swain, Clare Marchant, Jenni Keer and Rachel Hore, in conversation about life, love, and their…
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Announcing Two New Author Talks!

FREE tickets are now available for two more Foreword Festival author talks at Stowmarket Library! History in Haughley and FornhamOn Tuesday 12th August, join us for a special evening talk from local historian Dr Mike Walker. Discover the fascinating story behind the events of 1173 in nearby Haughley and Fornham, and find out why this…
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Larry Lamb is coming to the Foreword Festival!

We are very excited to announce our first author talk for 2025 – please welcome Larry Lamb to the Foreword Festival! The Gavin and Stacey star will be telling stories from his career and talking about his new book, All Wrapped Up, at the Regal Cinema in Stowmarket on Sunday August 10th. All Wrapped Up…
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Foreword Festival Poetry Night

We are really excited to announce the Foreword Festival Poetry Night at the John Peel Centre, Friday 15th August 2025! Check out our line-up, and keep checking our blog and social media for ticket announcements. Put the date in your diaries – tickets available soon!

Fast Foreword is back!

Our flash fiction competition, Fast Foreword, is back for the 2025 festival! We’re looking for stories of 400 to 500 words – prose, not poetry. Quick, punchy narratives that you can sit and read in the time it takes you to enjoy a cuppa. Stories can be on any theme, in any genre. Just remember that this…
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