Are you a reader aged 11-16 in Suffolk? The Foreword Festival team is organising a festival just for you – and best of all? It’s completely free!

This is your chance to meet YA authors, take part in writing activities, ask questions, listen to author interviews and panels, meet other teenage readers, and discover new books to buy or borrow from the library. If that sounds too scary, don’t worry – you’re just as welcome to listen quietly from the back row!

Whether you’d like to ask challenging questions, meet fellow YA readers, sit with a friend, or bring a book and a notepad for your own thoughts, the organisers would love to welcome you to Stowmarket Library on September 14th.

If you’re an aspiring writer, bring your creativity! The event will feature a flash fiction competition with a book token prize for the festival team’s favourite story.

You’ll also have the chance to write a recommendation for your favourite YA book or series, and share your must-read books with other readers. If it’s in Stowmarket library, the staff will find it and add it to the YA book display, where you’ll also find other people’s favourite books.

Taking part in both activities is optional, so don’t feel pressured into writing anything. You’ll still have a chance to read the best stories and pick from the recommended reads. Don’t forget to bring your library card!

The Foreword Festival team has gathered nine local YA authors for the festival book fair! Meet Annaliese Avery (‘The Immortal Games’), Pam Smy (‘Thornhill’), Rachel Churcher (The Battle Ground Series), Ally Aldridge (‘Ocean Heart’), Julia Blake (‘Erinsmore’ and ‘Mage Quest’), Rebecca Fox (‘Leaping Beauty’), KA Hayton (‘The Other Side of the Whale Road’), Ian Hornett (The Quarton Series), and MT McGuire (The K’Barthan Series).

You’ll find most of these books in Suffolk Libraries, so you can read them in advance – and you’ll have the chance to buy paperbacks signed by the authors at the festival.

“It is definitely a challenge to plan an event to suit every teenage reader,” organiser Rachel Churcher explains, “but we’ve talked to students, teachers and librarians across Suffolk to make sure every reader feels welcome. Whether you prefer to sit quietly in the back row and listen to author talks, ask burning questions from the front, meet published authors one-to-one, tell everyone about your favourite YA books, or take time out to demonstrate your writing skills, this event is for you.”

Tickets for the festival are free thanks to generous support and sponsorship from Suffolk Libraries, Paul Wright Estate Agents, the East of England Co-op, the Foreword Festival and Taller Books.

To join the festival, you’ll need a free ticket (book online via the Foreword Festival website at www. forewordfestival.uk/ya-lit-fest-2024/), a packed lunch, your library card if you’d like to borrow books, and cash or card if you’d like to buy signed books from the authors. See you there!