We hope you will join us for the exciting next chapter of our festival’s story for our 10th anniversary festival in 2027

 

2026: our biggest festival yet

Thank you to everyone who joined us this October. Here’s what we achieved together.

In 2026 we…

• Nearly doubled the size of the festival, with 63 events across seven venues in the heart of Bury St Edmunds.

• Offered almost 60% more seats and sold nearly 50% more tickets than in 2025.

• Reached 20 local schools — five times as many as last year — through our schools event and Creative Writing Competition.

• Donated more than 300 books, worth over £2,600, to local school libraries, with thanks to Chassis Cab, Harris & Harris Books and Usborne.

• More than doubled our free tickets for children and young people.

• Provided live captioning for d/Deaf and hard of hearing audiences at 10 events (up from two last year), enjoyed by 312 people, a hearing loop at 18 events (up from two), and wheelchair access at every venue — with thanks to Suffolk County Council for supporting our captioning.

• Raised £1,255 through our raffle — every penny of which will go towards next year’s schools outreach.

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“Everyone, from bestselling writers to each and every audience member, feels part of something big and special.” — Michael Warren, author

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“From witches to cooking and on to climate change and 19th-century misogyny – I defy anyone not to find something here to grip the imagination.” — Audience

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“The room was full of interesting and engaged readers, who asked thoughtful questions, then bought books!” — Robert Ashton, author

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