Hi Welcome aboard as we journey into Pen to Print’s Sci-Fantasy Month. This November, we're exploring the worlds of science fiction and fantasy with a programme of events to inspire your writing and imagination. On 12 November at Dagenham Library, Rebecca Seaton will be helping writers bring fantasy ideas to life, from creating engaging characters to building believable worlds. Then, on 27 November, Claire Buss will explore how writers can push the boundaries of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, blending genres and discovering new ways to tell stories. We're also pleased to welcome back A Gentleman’s Evening of Poetry on 19 November in support of International Men’s Day. Hosted by local poet Danny Baxter, this friendly evening of poetry and spoken word celebrates the positive contributions men and boys make to our families, communities and society. Meanwhile, the next stage of the Book Challenge is underway. Manuscripts have now been safely launched to our professional writers for review and the final five writers will be notified in early December. If you've entered, good luck! If you didn’t get the chance to submit your script in time, there are plenty more competitions to explore on the Pen to Print website. Having successfully navigated from British Summer Time to GMT, we hope our paths cross somewhere along our Sci-Fantasy journey this November🚀📚✨ Keep reading to discover more opportunities!  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! TogetherIf 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 |
Write On! Issue 30Sponsored 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. |
|
October Events Fantasy Writing Workshop with Rebecca Seaton
Thursday 12 November, 12.30pm to 2.30pm at Dagenham Library Tickets: FREE Pen to Print Book Challenger Rebecca Seaton brings fantasy writing to life! If you’ve ever wanted to write fantasy but aren’t sure how to start, come along and learn how to turn initial ideas into believable stories. A supportive, fun workshop for beginner fantasy writer. You’ll learn how to take inspiration from real life, create engaging characters, build believable worlds, and develop a basic plot structure.  A Gentleman's Evening of Poetry – Open Mic Night
Thursday 19 November, 6.30pm to 8pm at Dagenham Library Tickets: FREE Celebrated around the world, International Men’s Day recognises the positive value men and boys bring to the world, their families and communities. Hosted by local poet Danny Baxter, we are inviting men and poets from all communities, whoever you are and wherever you are from, to come together for an intimate and interactive evening, featuring poetry and spoken word. Little Authors & Illustrators: Make Your Own Kala Book!
Monday 26 October, 11am & 12.30pm at The Forum Southend Tickets: FREE Calling all young storytellers and artists! Join Silvano Griffith‑Francis, author of the Kala series in this dynamic, hands-on workshop that invites young creators to step into the world of storytelling. With expert guidance and a ready-to-use book template, kids will transform their ideas into a real keepsake. Additionally, each child will receive a certificate of participation at the end, celebrating their creativity and accomplishment.  Defying Genre in Fantasy & Sci-Fi with Claire Buss
Friday 27 November, 12.30pm to 2.30pm (Online) Tickets: £1.99 Bend the genre rules by exploring how to push the boundaries in sci-fi and fantasy writing and explore the magical realism next-door, the everyday science fiction that blends into the background and challenge trope expectations. Please come armed with your imagination! |
|
Pen to Print's Competitions | | Short Story Competition Write a short story of up to 2,000 words on any subject. You may submit more than one story, but a maximum of three entries will be accepted per person. Deadline to enter: 22 March 2027, 12pm Click here for full details including how to enter. |
 | | Poetry Competition Write a poem in any style, up to a maximum of two A4 pages. You can choose any subject, and you’re welcome to submit more than one poem, but no more than three entries will be accepted per person. Deadline to enter: 22 March 2027, 12pm Click here for full details including how to enter. |
|
|
Pen to Print's Regular Classes Writing for Performance Class with Kelly Jones
Saturday 7 November, 10am to 11.30am at Barking Learning Centre & Online (Next Month Saturday 5 December, 10am to 11.30am) In-person Attendance Tickets: FREE Online Attendance Tickets: £1.99 Session Three: Understanding Story Structure 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.  Creative Writing Class with Ian Ayris
Saturday 7 November, 12pm to 1.30pm at Barking Learning Centre & Online (Next Month Saturday 12 December, 10am to 11.30am) In-person Attendance Tickets: FREE Online Attendance Tickets: £1.99 Session Three: Understanding Point of View in Writing 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.  Poetry Writing Class with Mab Jones
Saturday 7 November, 3pm to 4.30pm at Barking Learning Centre & Online (Next Month Saturday 5 December, 3pm to 4.30pm) In-person Attendance Tickets: FREE Online Attendance Tickets: £1.99 Session Three: Poetry as Voice 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. |
|
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 |
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. | |  |
|
|
 Marking the National Year of Reading 2026, LondonVerse is a city-wide celebration of poetry spanning all 32 London boroughs and the City of London.  Share your voice, tell your story, and be part of something extraordinary. Londoners of all ages are invited to submit poetry and help create a powerful snapshot of the city through words. You can submit a poem in any language and on any topic you choose. Need inspiration? The website includes theme prompts to help you get started. Selected poems will be featured in libraries across your borough and at events throughout the year. Celebrating the rich, diverse voices of London’s communities in verse. |
 Writers & Artists is excited to confirm the W&A Working-Class Writers’ Prize 2026 will open for entries this November. The Prize, once again supported by the Open University, the Ruppin Agency and the Society of Authors, has a growing reputation for its winners and shortlisted entrants going on to further their writing careers, and W&A are therefore delighted to announce Jon Doyle, acclaimed debut author of Communion (Atlantic Books) and recipient of the W&A Working-Class Writers’ Prize 2023 prize, as this year’s judge. Writers must submit a sample of their writing, which should be the beginning of an unpublished work-in-progress no more than 2,000 words in length and a one-page synopsis for the full manuscript. Writers must also include a short piece of writing (200 words) in the Covering Letter section of the online entry form about why this prize speaks to them. Please note that this prize is open to entrants writing in any genre or form of prose fiction and non-fiction. The winner of the 2026 prize will receive the following: - A fully-catered 5-day Little Goat Barn writing retreat in North Wales hosted by the Ruppin Agency, with return travel included
- Mentoring sessions with judge Jon Doyle and OU Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing Joanne Reardon
- One-to-one with Jonathan Ruppin, director of the Ruppin Agency and former literary agent
- A year-long membership to The Society of Authors
- A £200 cash prize
- A place at a Writers & Artists writing and publishing event
- A bundle of creative writing books, including the latest edition of the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook
Two runners-up will also receive mentoring support from Joanne Reardon of the Open University and a one-to-one with Jonathan Ruppin. All shortlisted writers will be gifted a year-long membership to The Society of Authors. Entries will close at midnight on 1 December 2026, with a longlist, shortlist and winner announcements scheduled to take place in early 2027.  |
|
| |
|
No comments:
Post a Comment