Barking and Dagenham Libraries Podcast newsletters

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Hello We hope this email finds you doing well and ready to continue on your literary listener journey — This week's episode of Write On! Audio is now live!⁠ Our 'Write On! Audio Interview' for June is with historian, travel writer and journalist Tharik Hussain. Tharik has contributed to many travel writing anthologies and guidebooks and is the author of the multi-award winning Minarets In The Mountains; A Journey Into Muslim Europe. Tharik's latest book is Muslim Europe: A Journey In Search Of A Fourteen Hundred Year History and for this interview, Tharik is in conversation with author Nick Burdett.  Click here to discover more about Tharik and his work. We want to remind you of all the amazing episodes you may have missed. From writing tips to author interviews, our podcast has something for everyone in the writing community. So, if you haven't listened to all of our past episodes, now is the perfect time to catch up! Listen to Write On! Audio Subscribe to Write On! Audio Listen to the new episode on podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pentoprint or your favourite podcast player. Write On! Audio is available on every major podcast platform, from Apple Podcasts, Spotify to Google Podcasts! Simply search ‘Pen to Print’ or ‘Write On Audio’ to discover a world of literary inspiration. If you want to explore the medium of audio and get involved with Write On! Audio, we are always open to submissions! For more details on what we’re looking for and to submit, visit: pentoprint.org/submit-to-write-on. We hope you enjoy today’s episode of Write On! Audio.

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London Borough of Barking & Dagenham · London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, Barking Town Hall, 1 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7LU

Hi Welcome to your latest chapter of Pen to Print inspiration! Well, it’s turning out to be a month full of exciting announcements. Two of them we can share with you now and the rest you’ll have to wait until our Awards Night on 23 July! - Good luck to all the finalists in our competitions! Our first announcement is that Lena Smith, Library Programme Manager at Pen to Print, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Public Libraries in Barking and Dagenham in the King’s Birthday Honours List.  Twelve years ago, Lena undertook and delivered what was once a dream project (Pen to Print) and what an achievement it has become. This is a remarkable accomplishment for Lena and our small team at Pen to Print, whose work has changed lives for the better through the power of writing, while also putting Barking and Dagenham firmly on the literary map. In Lena’s words: "This recognition truly belongs to all the wonderful people I’ve worked with and learned from along the way. I would just like to thank you all for your support and encouragement." ❤️ Congratulations Lena! 👏 Next, we’re excited to announce that our Book Challenger, Nick Burdett, has published his debut novel after successfully completing Pen to Print’s 12-month mentoring programme. Huge congratulations Nick! Click here to purchase your very own copy or wait until Awards Night, where you may even be able to ask the author to sign it. You can also borrow a copy from the library. We will be announcing the overall Book Challenge winner on the night. More challengers will be publishing soon, so watch this space! Now, back to business. South Asian Heritage Month in July is a nationally observed programme that brings communities, institutions and individuals together to explore, celebrate and deepen understanding of South Asian heritage across the UK and beyond. Our contribution to this programme is that we are hosting a workshop series, Decolonising Through Creative Writing led by Preetha Chockalingam, more details below. In the meantime, to see some of things we have in store for you in July, please do read on... Visit our website The National Year of Reading 2026 is a UK-wide campaign designed to inspire people to make reading a regular part of their lives. We all understand the benefits of reading and how it expands our minds, builds confidence and fuels creativity, yet fewer people are doing it. With growing distractions and limited time, reading for pleasure is declining across many groups. This national campaign aims to change this by reconnecting reading with everyday culture. It is not about guilt or obligation, it is about showing that stories, ideas and imagination have a place in everyone’s daily life. Click here to find out more! Write On! Together If you would like to get involved, either to be a part of our talented Write On! team, partner with us as an advertiser or sponsor an issue, uncover a host of opportunities in our Write On! Together booklet. For more information email: pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk Learn More Write On! Issue 29 Sponsored by London Writers' Salon, this issue features an exclusive interview with award winning travel writer, Tharik Hussain. Pick up a free copy in libraries and selected venues or read it free online. Click here to submit your poetry, flash fiction, short stories & artwork. View All Issues Pen to Print Upcoming Events Introduction to Write On! Magazine Workshop with Madeleine F White Wednesday 8 July, 6pm to 7pm (Online) Tickets: FREE Please note this is an online event only Editor Madeleine White introduces the process of making and publishing a magazine. As Issue 30 is planned, she invites anyone interested in contributing to Write On! Extra or Write On! Magazine to join the session. If you're unable to join the session, click here to find out how to submit to Write On! Book Tickets Writers' Group Saturday 25 July, 10.30am to 12.30pm at Dagenham Library Tickets: FREE  Please note this is an in-person event only In response to growing demand in Barking and Dagenham, Pen to Print now hosts a Writers’ Group that meets every two months on the last Saturday. If you are a local writer and interested in leading one of the Writers’ Group sessions, email us directly at pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk to express your interest. Book Tickets Poems & Feelings Poetry Group with Amaka Obioji Saturday 25 July, 1pm to 3pm at Dagenham Library Tickets: FREE  Please note this is an in-person event only Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, this warm and inclusive space is for anyone who loves words and wants to grow through poetry. The group meets every two months on the last Saturday, offering a regular opportunity to connect, share and develop your skills in poetry writing. Book Tickets Decolonising Through Creative Writing with Preetha Chockalingam Thursday 30 July and 6, 13 & 20 August, 12.30pm to 2.30pm (Online) Tickets: £1.99 Please note this is an online event only This series, led by Preetha Leela Chockalingam, explores decolonising through creative writing, with a focus on South Asian history. Through guided exercises, participants will use their emotions to create meaningful and powerful writing. Book Tickets Pen to Print's Competition The Book Challenge Have a novel idea or a finished book but unsure what’s next? Submit your idea for a chance to be mentored by a professional writer and get your book ready for publication. Selected writers will receive 12 months of free mentoring in 2027. Deadline to enter: 30 September 2026, 12pm. Click here for full details including how to enter. Pen to Print's Regular Classes Writing for Performance Class with Kelly Jones Saturday 4 July, 10am to 11.30am at Barking Learning Centre & Online (This course will restart on 12 September) In-person Attendance Tickets: FREE           Online Attendance Tickets: £1.99 Please note this event can be joined either online or attend in-person at Barking Learning Centre Session Eleven: General Writing and Q&A A series of dynamic and engaging workshops that explore the art of scriptwriting for both stage and audio. Designed with flexibility in mind, participants can join at any point during the course. This course covers a broad spectrum of performance and creative writing, including theatre scripts, radio dramas, performance art texts, digital storytelling, podcasts and stand-up comedy. Book Tickets Creative Writing Class with Ian Ayris Saturday 4 July, 12pm to 1.30pm & Saturday 18 July, 10am to 11.30am at Barking Learning Centre & Online (This course will restart on 12 September) In-person Attendance Tickets: FREE           Online Attendance Tickets: £1.99 Please note this event can be joined either online or attend in-person at Barking Learning Centre Session Ten: How to Write a Synopsis Session Eleven: How to Write a Fantastic Dialogue If you've always dreamed of writing a book but didn’t know where to begin, or if you're an experienced writer wanting to revisit the foundations of storytelling, this course offers the perfect opportunity. Over eleven monthly sessions, our expert tutor will guide you through the essential elements of creative writing. From structure and dialogue to description, point of view and beyond - you’ll explore every key aspect of the writing process. Book Tickets Poetry Writing Class with Mab Jones Saturday 4 July, 3pm to 4.30pm at Barking Learning Centre & Online (This course will restart on 12 September) In-person Attendance Tickets: FREE           Online Attendance Tickets: £1.99 Please note this event can be joined either online or attend in-person at Barking Learning Centre Session Eleven: Poetry as Play - Imagination, Spontaneity and Mischief If you're just beginning to explore poetry and want to build your skills and confidence, these sessions are perfect for you. Learn the fundamentals and receive guidance on how to shape your ideas and develop your poetry writing style - whether you're writing for personal enjoyment or aiming to enter poetry competitions. Our poetry classes welcome participants of all levels, from complete beginners to published poets, you can join at any point of the course. Book Tickets Check out Write On! Extra Monday Moments is about sharing stories and ideas that help us understand the present and shape the future. Click here to discover more Thoughtful Tuesdays is about ideas and ideals drawn from a variety of communities that can be shared to inspire us all. Click here to discover more On Wednesdays, Write On! Showcase highlights poetry, short stories, flash fiction and book extracts you send us. Click here to discover more Thursday Connectors is for sharing culture and heritage through the art of writing from writers of all backgrounds. Click here to discover more On Fridays, Write On! Features welcomes opinions and essays from the writing community. Click here to discover more Saturday Spotlight celebrates new book releases from a diverse range of authors. Click here to discover more On Sundays, Write On! Interviews hears from writers and creatives about their work, ideas, and lived experiences. Click here to discover more Every Tuesday, Write On! Audio shares readings, conversations, advice and insights from writers and creative partners. Click here to listen and subscribe The Digital Storytelling Trail The Pen to Print Digital Storytelling Trail is an ongoing project to record and share stories about Barking and Dagenham. Using new technology to help read, watch or listen to stories new and old. You can add your memories and creations, send us photos, drawings, audio recordings, video, poems and stories fact or fiction about anywhere in Barking and Dagenham and add to the trails now! We will be adding a Becontree Estate Trail and a Trewern/Hay Trail soon. Scan the QR Code to view our Digital Storytelling Trail Click here for more details and how to submit your story. Other Barking and Dagenham Culture and Heritage venues can also be discovered on the platform, so if you want to explore Valence House Museum and Eastbury Manor House, from the comfort of your home, scan the barcode now and download the App.

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London Borough of Barking & Dagenham · London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, Barking Town Hall, 1 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7LU

Hello We hope this email finds you doing well and ready to continue on your literary listener journey — This week's episode of Write On! Audio is now live!⁠ In our Write On! Audio and Friends episode for June, we’re sharing an original audio drama, Notes from Dad’s Room by Carole Pluckrose. Notes from Dad’s Room was written by Carole Pluckrose and stars Carole and Roa Knowles. We want to remind you of all the amazing episodes you may have missed. From writing tips to author interviews, our podcast has something for everyone in the writing community. So, if you haven't listened to all of our past episodes, now is the perfect time to catch up! Listen to Write On! Audio Subscribe to Write On! Audio Listen to the new episode on podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pentoprint or your favourite podcast player. Write On! Audio is available on every major podcast platform, from Apple Podcasts, Spotify to Google Podcasts! Simply search ‘Pen to Print’ or ‘Write On Audio’ to discover a world of literary inspiration. If you want to explore the medium of audio and get involved with Write On! Audio, we are always open to submissions! For more details on what we’re looking for and to submit, visit: pentoprint.org/submit-to-write-on. We hope you enjoy today’s episode of Write On! Audio.

Website  |  Contact us

London Borough of Barking & Dagenham · London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, Barking Town Hall, 1 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7LU

Hello We hope this email finds you doing well and ready to continue on your literary listener journey — This week's episode of Write On! Audio is now live!⁠ Our listener contribution for June is a short story, Tactical Advance to Battle, written and performed by Sarah Frideswide. Sarah is a lifelong writer with a First Class Honours degree in Literature and Creative Writing. Her poetry has been published by OSP Review and Dust Poetry. She was selected for the 2025 Poetry School/TLC Free Reads Scheme and shortlisted for the 2025 Malorie Blackman Scholarship. She is currently working on her first novel and first poetry collection. Disclaimer: The short story carries a content warning for strong language and some sexual references. Click here to find out more about Sarah Frideswide. We want to remind you of all the amazing episodes you may have missed. From writing tips to author interviews, our podcast has something for everyone in the writing community. So, if you haven't listened to all of our past episodes, now is the perfect time to catch up! Listen to Write On! Audio Subscribe to Write On! Audio Listen to the new episode on podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pentoprint or your favourite podcast player. Write On! Audio is available on every major podcast platform, from Apple Podcasts, Spotify to Google Podcasts! Simply search ‘Pen to Print’ or ‘Write On Audio’ to discover a world of literary inspiration. If you want to explore the medium of audio and get involved with Write On! Audio, we are always open to submissions! For more details on what we’re looking for and to submit, visit: pentoprint.org/submit-to-write-on. We hope you enjoy today’s episode of Write On! Audio.

Website  |  Contact us

London Borough of Barking & Dagenham · London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, Barking Town Hall, 1 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7LU

Hello We hope this email finds you doing well and ready to continue on your literary listener journey — This week's episode of Write On! Audio is now live!⁠ Our writing tips this month come from Matt Trinetti and Parul Bavishi from the London Writer's Salon, an organisation promoting and fostering writers by establishing communities and promoting mental health across London and beyond.  Matt and Parul were alongside writer Sarah Frideswide for this chat which offers several useful pieces of advice for authors. We want to remind you of all the amazing episodes you may have missed. From writing tips to author interviews, our podcast has something for everyone in the writing community. So, if you haven't listened to all of our past episodes, now is the perfect time to catch up! Listen to Write On! Audio Subscribe to Write On! Audio Listen to the new episode on podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pentoprint or your favourite podcast player. Write On! Audio is available on every major podcast platform, from Apple Podcasts, Spotify to Google Podcasts! Simply search ‘Pen to Print’ or ‘Write On Audio’ to discover a world of literary inspiration. If you want to explore the medium of audio and get involved with Write On! Audio, we are always open to submissions! For more details on what we’re looking for and to submit, visit: pentoprint.org/submit-to-write-on. We hope you enjoy today’s episode of Write On! Audio.

Website  |  Contact us

London Borough of Barking & Dagenham · London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, Barking Town Hall, 1 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7LU