ReadFest Barking an Dagenham's Literary Festival and Pen to Print Podcasts

 Here are the latest Pen to Print Podcasts/newsletters and details of ReadFest:

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 September listener contribution welcomes back writer, poet and publisher Peter Roe with his long poem, A Field Guide to Wonder. Peter is a member of the Jawbone Collective, a group of writers based in Dorset. Click here to discover more about their work and events. 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 a new chapter inspired by Pen to Print inspiration. Barking & Dagenham’s annual literary festival, ReadFest, organised by Pen to Print, makes a welcoming return to our libraries and the full programme is now live. 📚 What is ReadFest? ReadFest is a celebration of literature, giving you a great chance to meet authors, discover new genres and enjoy the pleasure of reading through a wide range of events. ✨ This year’s exciting line-up includes: Write & Shine with The London Library The Book Challenge Panel Putting a Pitch Together with Alysoun Owen (Editor of Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook) Aspiring Writers’ Day Panel and Tea & Talk with Industry Experts Independent Author Book Fair...and much more! All in‑person events are completely free to attend, and we invite everyone to come along and take part. Whether you want to join a writing workshop, hear from an author or try something new, ReadFest offers plenty of opportunities to get involved across our libraries. This is our final call to all aspiring authors. There are now less than four weeks left to enter The Book Challenge. If you’ve ever dreamed of publishing your own book, this is your FREE opportunity, subject to being shortlisted. More details below. We hope you enjoyed the summer break and found a moment to relax, recharge or even gather a few new experiences to write about. As we move into our new theme for 2026/27, Identities, keep reading to discover what we have lined up for you in September. 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 30 Out on 11 September! Sponsored by Love Reading, this issue features Gillian McAllister, a British bestselling writer on both the Sunday Times and New York Times lists. Pick up a free copy in libraries and selected venues or read it free online. View All Issues Upcoming ReadFest Events Below are some highlights from this year's literary festival. Click here to discover the full list of events we have lined up. Debut Writers Finding an Identity chaired by Lucy Popescu Tuesday 15 September, 5pm to 6pm at Barking Learning Centre & Online In-person Attendance Tickets: FREE           Online Attendance Tickets: £1.99 Debut writers Connor Hutchinson, Kuba Shand‑Baptiste, Lisa Smith and Richard Tyrrell talk to Lucy Popescu about their debut novels and the stories that helped shape them. Connor explores masculinity and working-class communities, Lisa investigates race and class, Kuba confronts belonging and the politics of visibility, while Richard follows one man’s journey of self-discovery. Together they consider how fiction can illuminate the different nuances of identity, challenge them, and explore new possibilities. Book Tickets Writing Poetry with Tour of Barking Abbey Ruins Wednesday 16 September, 10am to 4pm at Barking Learning Centre Tickets: FREE Poet and author Eithne Cullen leads a creative poetry workshop welcoming both beginners and experienced writers. Over the course of the day there will be many opportunities for writing; in poetry or prose. Participants will need to bring pen and paper, comfortable shoes, comfortable clothing (loose if it’s warm, layers if it’s cool) and a bottle of water. You can also bring a light lunch, or there is a cafe available on site. Book Tickets The Book Challenge Panel Wednesday 16 September, 5.30pm to 6.30pm at Barking Learning Centre & Online In-person Attendance Tickets: FREE           Online Attendance Tickets: £1.99 Join Book Challenge finalists Lee James Broadwood, Gulnaz Aybenk, Nick Burdett, Ruth Frendo and Yana Yanovich as they share their experience in an inspiring discussion on being new to the publishing industry, the process of writing, and how it feels to see their book in print. Perfect for aspiring authors, emerging writers and anyone interested in publishing their first novel. Book Tickets Finding Your Voice Through Zine Making with Leilah Odayan Thursday 17 September, 12.30pm to 2.30pm at Dagenham Library Tickets: FREE Everyone has a story. Not everyone has been told it matters. Join writer and facilitator Leilah Odayan for a creative workshop exploring authentic voice through writing and DIY zine-making. Discover the rich history of zines as spaces for independent publishing, experiment with creative prompts, and create your own handmade publication to take home. Participants can write, draw, collage or combine different forms of expression in a welcoming, trauma-informed environment where creativity matters more than perfection. Book Tickets The Little Feast of Stories with By The Book Thursday 17 September, 5pm to 6.30pm at Women's Museum Barking Tickets: FREE Attendees will work towards developing a short story based around the themes of food and community. The workshop will champion diversity and pay attention to the importance of nourishment, both physical and emotional, across boundaries and borders. By the end of the session, attendees will have experienced the pleasure of sharing their words in a life-affirming community of fellow writers, and will go away with the first draft of a story that has been part of the feast. Book Tickets Write & Shine with The London Library Friday 18 September, 8.30am to 10am (Online) Tickets: £1.99 Start your day with a burst of creativity in a 90‑minute morning creative writing workshop. Drawing inspiration from the women of the London Library, we’ll explore writers who brought women’s inner lives to the centre of their work while, through guided prompts and exercises, experimenting with voice, memory, observation and character to create new pieces of writing. You won’t be expected to share your writing, giving you the freedom to explore ideas and let unexpected thoughts emerge. Book Tickets Visual Storytelling for Book Covers with Stuart Lee Friday 18 September, 11.30am to 1.30pm at Dagenham Library Tickets: FREE This session offers a step by step guide to book cover design, using examples of Stuart’s recent work to show how each stage of the creative process comes together. Stuart will walk you through research and moodboarding, early sketching, optional 3D development and the final presentation or mock ups that bring a cover to life. The session is designed to give you clear insight into how a professional cover is created and there will be time for your questions at the end. Book Tickets Independent Author Book Fair (Drop-in) Saturday 19 September, 10am to 3pm at Dagenham Library Tickets: FREE Join us at Dagenham Library for a vibrant showcase of Independent Authors from across the community. Discover fresh stories, meet the writers behind the words and explore a diverse range of genres - from fiction and poetry to memoirs and children’s books. Whether you're a passionate reader, aspiring writer, or just curious, this is a fantastic opportunity to connect, be inspired, and support local talent. Book Tickets Bookbinding for Beginners Craft Workshop with Becky Wash Saturday 19 September, 11am to 1pm at Dagenham Library Tickets: FREE Make your own hardback sewn journals from scratch! The journals will be made using board, colourful recycled papers and glue. During the workshop we will discuss intentions and the purpose of how we could use the book – poetry, short stories, note taking, journaling etc. Participants will be encouraged to express their own style and design and be shown how they can refill their books at home. Book Tickets Putting a Pitch Together with Alysoun Owen Saturday 19 September, 12pm to 2pm at Dagenham Library & Online In-person Attendance Tickets: FREE           Online Attendance Tickets: £1.99 Do you have a fully formed idea for a new novel? Are you making the finishing touches to your manuscript? Have you already tried pitching to literary agents but without success? Are you at sea when it comes to preparing a pitch to an agent or publisher? If you identify with one of these questions, then this practical, in-depth workshop is for you. Come with questions and experience you are ready to share with the other delegates. Bring pen and paper to engage with a series of hands-on exercises. Book Tickets Aspiring Writers Day Panel Saturday 19 September, 3pm to 4pm at Dagenham Library & Online In-person Attendance Tickets: FREE           Online Attendance Tickets: £1.99 Drawing on decades of experience across bookselling, reader engagement, digital publishing and author branding, this panel will offer practical guidance to help aspiring writers navigate the journey to publication. Panellists: Alysoun Owen, Writers & Artists Isabelle Knight, Build Your Author Brand Deborah Maclaren, LoveReading Rob Prime, Publishing.co.uk Stu Grant, Digital Authors Tool Kit Share insider perspectives on how the different parts of the industry connect and what writers can do to position themselves and their work effectively. Book Tickets Tea & Talk with Industry Experts Saturday 19 September, 4pm to 5pm at Dagenham Library Tickets: FREE Drop into our friendly Tea and Talk session and have a one to one chat with Industry Experts offering insight, guidance and real world knowledge for writers and creatives. A rare opportunity to gain advice and demystify the publishing world, whether you are writing your first novel, publishing a non-fiction guide, producing a children’s picture book or wanting to become a freelance writer. 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 12 September, 10am to 11.30am at Barking Learning Centre & Online (Next Month Saturday 10 October, 10am to 11.30am) In-person Attendance Tickets: FREE           Online Attendance Tickets: £1.99 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 12 September, 12pm to 1.30pm at Barking Learning Centre & Online (Next Month Saturday 10 October, 12pm to 1.30pm) In-person Attendance Tickets: FREE           Online Attendance Tickets: £1.99 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 12 September, 3pm to 4.30pm at Barking Learning Centre & Online (Next Month Saturday 10 October, 3pm to 4.30pm) In-person Attendance Tickets: FREE           Online Attendance Tickets: £1.99 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!⁠ Our writing tips for September come from Diane Watt, Professor of English Literature at the University Of Surrey and the award winning author of several books on medieval literature and culture. Diane is a world expert on medieval women's writing, and we are delighted that she has taken the time to share some writing advice with us today. Click here to find out more about Diane Watt and her 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

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!⁠ Welcome to our annual anthology featuring the winning entries for Pen to Print’s competitions. The standard of entries this year was extremely high, and we are proud to share the winners and the audio extract of their piece. We begin with an excerpt from our winning short story, New Chapters, written by Leslie Anne Armour. Next is an excerpt from our Book Challenge winner, Ruth Frendo with Elderwood. Our Audio Play Competition winner is Alex White with Greys. Finally, our Barking and Dagenham Council Staff Writing Competition winner is a moving piece titled I Didn’t Know, written by Jenny Lee. 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

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 poem of the month for August features The Shape of Delay by Palak Tewary, the award winning poem for this year’s Pen to Print Poetry Competition. Click here to discover more of Palak’s 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

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 August is from Linda Quinn, the author of The Toffee Man And The Kingdom of Ends, written under the name LK Quinn. In this piece, Linda talks about her life and career as a writer and how The Toffee Man began as an idea and developed through different forms. Click here to discover more of Linda's 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

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 for August come from journalist, teacher and specialist in rural education, Andrea Cunha. Born in Brazil and now living in London, Andrea has many years of experience as a history educator in Brazil. She has always shown a strong commitment to the challenge of making a lasting impact through teaching. Click here to connect with Andrea. 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 another chapter filled with Pen to Print inspiration. We’re delighted to share that the Pen to Print Annual Awards Evening was a great success. Writers from our local area, as well as from across the country, joined us to celebrate their achievements. The night was full of encouragement, recognition and inspiring moments. It was a real honour to have the Mayor of Barking & Dagenham, Cllr Manzoor Hussain with us, bringing an extra sense of importance to the occasion. A big congratulations to all our winners and runners‑up, your hard work and creativity continue to inspire everyone involved. The full results will be available soon on our website pentoprint.org along with the winning pieces, which you’ll be able to read or listen to as audio extracts. In the meantime, here are a few highlights from the evening to enjoy including results for The Book Challenge! Book Challenge 2025/26 Results Winner 🎉 Ruth Frendo with Elderwood Mentored by Ruth Dugdall Second Place Runner-up 👏 Lee James Broadwood with    The Fisherman’s Daughter Mentored by Jacqueline Gabbitas Third Place Runner-up 👏 Yana Yanovich with She Wants Revenge Mentored by Catherine Coe Highly Commended 👏 Gulnaz Aybenk with Don’t Miss Perfect Mentored by Ian Ayris Highly Commended 👏 Nick Burdett with Vigilantes Anonymous Mentored by Anna Robinson Don’t forget, entries for the next round of The Book Challenge are still open, with only 8 weeks left to enter. If you’ve ever dreamed of publishing your own book, don’t miss this FREE opportunity. More details below Now we’re turning our attention to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. The 2026 theme is Read to the Beat, created by The Reading Agency in partnership with public libraries. It encourages children to explore how stories and music connect, showing how both can spark imagination and creativity. As part of the challenge, Pen to Print have planned a range of fun activities for families to enjoy, including dance and storytelling sessions, musical story hunts and creative workshops. Keep reading to find out more! Over at Valence House, there’s also something for football fans to enjoy this summer. They’re hosting two creative writing workshops celebrating the 60th anniversary of England’s 1966 World Cup win, featuring stories, artefacts and memorable moments from that historic year. The sessions are led by H. B. O’Neill, prize‑winning author of According to Mark, a West Ham season ticket holder and writer of the Local Flavour column in Write On! Magazine. All levels are welcome and the link to book FREE tickets is below. On a more important note, our ReadFest 2026 programme goes live next week. Do check back at pentoprint.org/readfest to see what we have lined up for this year’s literary festival. To give you a sneak peek, on the final day of the festival, we are hosting an Aspiring Writers Day at Dagenham Library with an Independent Author Book Fair, a workshop from Alysoun Owen (Editor of the Writers and Artists Yearbook) on putting a pitch together, and finally a Tea and Talk session with an industry expert who will cover money, agents and the editing process. In the meantime, to see some of things we have in store for you in August, 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 Read, Play and Create with Books By MILE                Tuesday 4 August, 10.30am to 12.30pm at Barking Learning Centre                  Tuesday 4 August, 3pm to 5pm at Thames View Library Tickets: FREE Please note these are in-person sessions only Calling all families with little adventurers ages 3 to 10. Join children’s authors Irina & Liliana (Books By MILE) for a fun, story-filled chat about how Turtle Arty’s character was born and how his adventures inspired Arty’s Sculpture Trail in Eastbrookend Country Park. Families can enjoy colouring, drawing, role play and variety of games. Book Tickets Dance and Storytelling with Wee Movers Wednesday 12 August, 11am to 12pm at Barking Learning Centre Wednesday 12 August, 1pm to 2pm at Thames View Library Thursday 13 August, 11am to 12pm at Dagenham Library Thursday 13 August, 1pm to 2pm at Valence Library Tickets: FREE  Please note these are in-person sessions 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 We’re Going on a Musical Story Hunt with John Kirk Wednesday 26 August, 11am to 12pm at Dagenham Library Wednesday 26 August, 2pm to 3pm at Valence Library Thursday 27 August, 11am to 12pm at Chadwell Heath Community Centre Thursday 27 August, 2pm to 3pm at Marks Gate Community Centre Friday 28 August, 11am to 12pm at Barking Learning Centre Friday 28 August, 2pm to 3pm at Thames View Library Tickets: FREE  Please note these are in-person sessions only Get ready for a storytelling experience like no other as scavenger hunting and storytelling collide in 40 minutes of fun for all the family. Join storyteller John Kirk as he explores the perfect pitch for a story through classic stories and new favourites. Book Tickets Decolonising Through Creative Writing with Preetha Chockalingam Thursday 6, 13 & 20 August, 12.30pm to 2.30pm (Online) Tickets: £1.99 per session 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 World Cup Creative Writing Workshops with H.B. O'Neill Tuesday 4 & 25 August, 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Valence House Museum Tickets: FREE Please note these are in-person sessions only Laid back and friendly poetry, flash fiction and short story workshops commemorating and celebrating the 60th anniversary of 1966, Wembley, Bobby Moore, Sir Alf Ramsey and all that has followed. With an emphasis on how the local heroes of Barking and Dagenham contributed most to the historic World Cup win for the nation. All levels are encouraged to come along, and participants are very welcome to attend one or both of the events. 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 12 September, 10am to 11.30am at Barking Learning Centre & Online 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 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 12 September, 12pm to 1.30pm at Barking Learning Centre & Online 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 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 12 September, 3pm to 4.30pm at Barking Learning Centre & Online 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 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