Felixstowe Book Festival

  • Home
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • About
    • About Felixstowe Book Festival
    • Your Visit
    • Festival Team
    • FbF Book Club
    • Archive
      • 2024 Festival
      • 2023 Festival
      • 2022 Festival
      • 2021 Festival
      • 2019 Festival
      • 2018 Festival
      • 2016 Festival
    • Ticket Information
  • Support us
    • Become a Friend
    • Volunteer
  • Gallery
    • Gallery 2023
    • Gallery 2022
  • Events
    • 2025 Programme
    • 2025 Schedule at a glance
  • Sponsors
    • Our Sponsors and Funders
    • How to sponsor

And the winners are….

2 July 2019 By CA

The festival is over and it started with a bang as the winners of the Short Story Competition were announced at our launch event. The judges told us that the 21 entries ‘were stronger than ever’ (Ruth Dugdall). However, there had to be winners and the overall winner was:

Ms Gillian Greenslade with ‘The Green Door Opens’ 

The judges really enjoyed this story – it is fresh and surprising. The story revolves around Royston, who is rescued from his grey world of office, commute and MacDonald’s coffee, by the mysterious Tara, who works in the payroll department. She opens the door to her green world of painting and creativity where he finds beauty and peace. A very powerful and completely absorbing story.

Mrs Greenslade received a £ 50 book voucher, an annual subscription to the Suffolk Magazine and her story will be published in the August edition.

The runner ups, who both received a subscription to the Suffolk Magazine, were:

Ms Morag Liffen with ‘Make Do and Mend‘

The judges thought this was a sweet story, a real heart-warmer – very genuine and not contrived. The writing style is very easy and unselfconscious and the judges liked the way the changing the world in this story lay in small things: daily economies, neighbourliness, engaging a child’s understanding of his wider world.

and Mr Alan Stafford with ‘Biodegradable’.

The judges loved the clever word play and verbal dexterity in this story, and its almost gleeful, dark humour. They also enjoyed the central dance metaphor, and some wonderful imagery which radiates through the story. This is someone who can really write with originality. Their only quibble was that the theme of ‘green’ is rather less defined than in other stories and for that reason they awarded it ‘runner-up’.

We congratulate all three winners and thank all of the authors for their wonderful contributions to the competition!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

TIME FOR PRE-BOOKING IS RUNNING OUT

27 June 2019 By CA

The internet ticket booking line will close on Friday, 28 June at 4 pm. For most events you will be able to buy tickets at the venues (Orwell Hotel & Library, depending on event location) in person (subject to availability, cash & cheque only please). Events that have sold out already are marked as such on the website.

So make the most of the last 24 hours to secure those tickets!

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Dear Friends of the Festival,

8 October 2018 By CA

It has been an exciting but difficult few months and we know that we have neglected you throughout the summer. Most of you will probably already know that our Friends co-ordinator, Mairead, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly just before the festival. Unfortunately we have not been able to retrieve her files and are therefore faced with the impossible task of finding all contact details. We do apologise. We are aware that this is highly unprofessional and we have learned our lesson!!

We are glad to announce that two wonderful ladies, Mrs Viv Aspall and Mrs Joan Bostock, have come forward to take up this challenge and they are eager to reconnect with you all and make it up to you by organising some fantastic festival related treats.

We managed to obtain access to some of the emails and so some of you will receive communication soon. But you could make Viv and Joan’s task easier by dropping them a quick note to Felixstowefriends@aol.com. Your help would really be appreciated.

Again, we really do value your friendship and support and hope this unfortunate situation does not let you doubt that.

Kind regards, Viv, Joan and all of us at the Felixstowe Book Festival.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Event cancellation – Nikesh Shukla

29 June 2018 By CA

Unfortunately, Mr Shukla had to cancel his attendance to our festival for personal reasons.

Any tickets can be returned to the Wolsey (if bought from there) or to our box office at the venue, where you can either exchange them for a different event (subject to availability) or obtain a refund if applicable.

Why not come and hear Humphrey Hawksley and Iain Maitland instead? It promises to be a really interesting event.

We apologise for the inconvenience and disappointment.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Michael Arditti – event cancelled

28 June 2018 By CA

Unfortunately, Mr Arditti had to cancel his attendance to our festival for personal reasons.

Any tickets can be returned to the Wolsey (if bought from there) or to our box office at the venue, where you can either exchange them for a different event (subject to availability) or obtain a refund if applicable.

We apologise for the inconvenience and disappointment.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Discovering New Voices – Thrillers and Crime

26 June 2018 By CA

The chance to discover new writers and new windows on the world is why I love book festivals – there’s so much on offer. With many of our more famous writers now sold out, this is the perfect time to branch out. Here are some explosive thriller and crime writers you won’t want to miss – they’ll send you away buzzing with excitement.

(Click on the red type to get straight to buying tickets for each of these events.)

Alongside Sir Vince Cable (Click here for tickets: Open Arms, 30 June 11.30-12.30 – very few tickets left for this event as I write!) we have a leading lights of the crime world, Mark Billingham. Mark takes us through the dark world of his intriguing detective, Tom Thorne, and is a fantastic speaker who leaves audiences as hooked in person as he does on the page – he is a world-wide bestseller and The Killing Habit (Sunday 1 July 1.30-2.30pm, Elizabeth Suite, The Orwell Hotel £9 (£7) ) is the 15th in the Tom Thorne series.

Events in Alaska that could trigger World War III (Man on Ice) and a father trying to reach his son (Sweet William), are the diverse settings for ex-BBC Correspondent Humphrey Hawksley and Aldeburgh-based author, Iain Maitland (Sunday 1 July 12.15-1.15pm, His Lordship’s Library, The Orwell Hotel £9 (£7) )

Humphrey Hawksley left school and joined the Merchant Navy, then the BBC in the 1980s. It is his direct experience of tense situations around the world that has provided the inspiration for his hugely entertaining political thrillers. Suffolk-based Iain Maitland brings the drama home to a father desperate to evade capture and find his young son. Two very different reads, each one dramatic and thought-provoking.

This will be the second time Oggy Boytchev has been to the Felixstowe Book Festival – he was a big hit the first time around, and Festival Director, Meg Reid, was delighted when he approached her about his new book The Unbeliever (Sunday 1 July 10.30-11.30am, Elizabeth Suite, The Orwell Hotel £9 (£7) The Unbeliever is a stunning debut novel which drops us deep into the paranoia of the Cold War. Based on true events, this spy novel carries you through four decades of intrigue and drama during the time of the Iron Curtain.

Iceland, Turkey and East London, are the settings for two of Britain’s most popular crime writers, Quentin Bates and Barbara Nadel – Crime Writing as a Window on the World (Sunday 1 July 3.15-4.15pm, His Lordship’s Library, The Orwell Hotel £9 (£7) ). Together these two authors explain how international settings create mystery and drama in their hit crime novels. This joint event is hosted by radio presenter, Rachel Sloane.

We hope you have a thrilling time!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

SECURE YOUR TICKETS NOW

22 June 2018 By CA

Several events are already fully booked so if you are thinking of buying tickets – don’t wait!

Online ticket sales will stop at midnight the day before each event.  After this time you can buy tickets at our cash and cheque only ticket desk at the Orwell Hotel from 8.30 am to 8 pm.

Children event tickets can be bought at the library from 9 am on Saturday and 10 am on Sunday during the event weekend.

All tickets are subject to availability.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Friends of Felixstowe Book Festival

17 June 2018 By CA

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that Mairéad, our Friends coordinator, is no longer with us as she passed away unexpectedly on May 23.  The Felixstowefriends@aol.co.uk email address is therefore currently out of service and any messages to it will not be read. Please direct any communication to Felixstowebookfestival@hotmail.com instead.

Mairéad is greatly missed by friends and family. Please click this link to her obituary for more information.

We apologise for the inconvenience and hope to get the Friends back on track as soon as possible.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

‘Don’t wait to book!’ is the message from Felixstowe Book Festival organisers

13 June 2018 By CA

STRONG TICKET SALES FOR FELIXSTOWE BOOK FESTIVAL 2018
With a fantastic range of events on offer, festival goers will be inspired by favourite authors at this year’s Felixstowe Book Festival, but with events selling fast, and several already sold out, the festival team is advising fans not to wait to buy tickets – we wouldn’t want you to be disappointed!

“As an avid book festival goer, I know what it’s like to plan your weekend only to find there are no tickets to hear an author you’ve wanted to see for months,” says Felixstowe Book Festival director, Meg Reid. “Now that the festival approaches, we’re encouraging everyone to book their tickets in good time. The excitement is growing by the day and I am so looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Orwell Hotel in Felixstowe at the end of the month,” she says.

Recently featured in a number of national newspapers, The Felixstowe Book Festival is a weekend in the company of some of the UK’s most inspiring writers, hand-picked by festival director, Meg Reid, for their ability to engage audiences. If you’re less familiar with an author, with Meg’s stamp of approval you can be confident they’ll send you away buzzing!

Why not try something new? Buy tickets to five events or more, and get £1 off each ticket! Book 1o or more and get £2 off the event price.

NOT SURE WHAT’S ON?
Our programme will help you to plan your weekend of books by the sea.
Find our full programme by clicking here.

HOW TO BOOK
When you have made your choice, click on the date of the event on our website (www.felixstowebookfestival.co.uk).
This will take you to the booking page, where you can pay online.

If you have any questions our wonderful ticket partners at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, will be pleased to help. Just call their box office on 01473 295900.

Alternatively, buy tickets from Felixstowe Library on Tuesday 19th June, and Tuesday 26th June from 10am–12 noon – cash sales only.

SPECIAL OFFERS
We also have an 2 for 1 ticket offer with Greater Anglia. Quote code GREATFBF241 at the checkout, and bring a valid train ticket to show at the festival door. You’ll get into your second event for free, or why not take a friend? Your tickets will work out at about £5 each!

Get more information about our Greater Anglia train offer by clicking here. 

With the festival hosted in the Edwardian elegance of the Orwell Hotel, just over the road from the town’s station, and Felixstowe only a 25 minute ride through the Suffolk countryside from Ipswich, the train is a great way to immerse yourself in a weekend of books and writing.

BUY TICKETS FOR FIVE EVENTS AND GET A £1 OFF
Book 5 events or more and get £ 1 off each ticket. Book 10 or more events and you will even get £ 2 off each ticket!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

FBF on Facebook – not only for young people

7 June 2018 By CA

Best-selling children's author Peter Bunzl is coming to the Felixstowe Book Festival!This animation workshop will give…

Posted by Felixstowe Book Festival on Thursday, 7 June 2018

Filed Under: Uncategorized

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next Page »

Blog

  • ‘Tickets are selling even faster than last year!’ 29 April 2025

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Join the conversation…

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Registered in England number: 10503186
Registered office: Suite 9, Orwell House, Ferry Lane, Felixstowe, IP11 3QL.
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • About
  • Support us
  • Gallery
  • Events
  • Sponsors

Copyright © 2025 · Graphics by Rebecca Pymar · Site Policies · Log in