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

Blog

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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We did it!

We had an amazing day at the Young Adult Book Festival on Saturday! A huge THANK YOU to Stowmarket Library for hosting the event, and to all the staff, volunteers and authors who spent the day making our celebration of Young Adult books and readers happen. There are more photos on the YA Book Festival…
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Young Adult Book Festival TODAY!

It’s TODAY! Join us at Stowmarket Library, 10.30-4pm, for our very first Young Adult Book Festival – a day of meeting authors, author panels, interviews, activities and a YA book fair. The Mayor of Stowmarket will be opening the event at 10.30 – don’t miss your chance to take part. The festival is for readers…
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Young Adult Book Fair – don’t miss out!

If you’re not in the target audience for tomorrow’s Young Adult Book Festival at Stowmarket Library, don’t despair! You are very welcome to join us in the library for our FREE Young Adult Book Fair, running alongside the festival events. Meet our fantastic authors, ask questions, pick up signed books, and find your new favourite…
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Young Adult Book Festival

We’re running a YA Book Festival TOMORROW! Join us at Stowmarket Library, 10.30-4pm, for a day of meeting authors, author panels, interviews, activities and a YA book fair. The festival is for readers aged 11-16 – tickets are FREE and available now! Book your FREE ticket! We’re welcoming eight Young Adult authors to Stowmarket, to bring…
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