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Pen to Print August 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to the latest edition of the Pen to Print e-newsletter!

We are thrilled to share that the Pen to Print Annual Awards Evening was a huge success! Writers from both our local community and across the country gathered to celebrate their incredible achievements. It was a night filled with inspiration, recognition and heartfelt moments.

We were especially honoured to welcome the Mayor of Barking & Dagenham, whose presence added a special touch to the evening. Once again, we would like to congratulate all our winners and runners-up. Your talent and dedication continue to inspire us all.

Full results will be available soon on our website pentoprint.org, including the winning entries, ready for you to read or enjoy as an audio extract. In the meantime, here are some highlights from the night to enjoy.

As we head into the summer holidays, we’re excited to bring a range of fun and creative activities for our younger visitors! On 6 August at Dagenham Library, children’s author Donna Rose, will be hosting a lively session of readings and writing activities designed for children aged 4 to 11 - a perfect way to spark young imaginations. 

On 11 and 12 August, get ready to move with Peut-Être Theatre and their Audiomoves BoogiePod! This 20-minute burst of beats, stories and dance invites little ones to become the stars of the show. With a live DJ, a dynamic performer and clips from the award-winning Audiomoves podcast, kids will bounce, twist, float, and storm through a world of movement and imagination. More details below!

South Asian Heritage Month, observed annually from 18 July to 17 August, is a time to celebrate, commemorate, and educate about the rich cultures and histories of South Asia. In support of this important initiative by the South Asian Heritage Trust, we’re proud to host author and Write On! contributor Juneha Chowdhury on 7 August at Dagenham Library. Her thought-provoking session will explore how society perceives South Asian women and the concept of being “boxed in".

Participants will engage in interactive writing tasks, reflecting on personal journeys through prejudice, alienation, and discrimination. This event has been incredibly popular so email us directly if you are unable to book at ticket - we’ll do our best to find you a seat!

Lastly, we’re excited to share that the full ReadFest 2025 programme will be launching next week! This year’s literary festival features an inspiring line-up of events, including Harnessing Technology to Help You Become ‘The Next Big Story’ with Libraro, a Practical AI Workshop for Creatives, the atmospheric Ghosts of Old Barking – Walking Tour with Barbara Nadel and a Travel Writing Masterclass with Tharik Hussain and more!

In the meantime, to see some of things we have in store for you in August, please do read on...

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

Write On! Issue 25

Sponsored by Romantic Novelists'   Association, this issue features an exclusive interview with internationally bestselling author, Sheila O’Flanagan.

Pick up a free copy in libraries and selected venues or read it free online.

Submit your poetry, flash fiction, short stories & artwork: pentoprint.org/get-involved/submit-to-write-on

Write On! Audio, Podcast

From writing tips to author interviews, our podcast has something for everyone in the writing community and book lovers.

Write On! Audio is available on every major podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify! Simply search ‘Pen to Print’ or ‘Write On Audio’ to discover a world of literary inspiration.

If you want to explore podcasting 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

Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2026

The Writers' & Artists' Yearbooks have been helping writers, illustrators and creatives realise their dreams of getting on the publishing ladder for more than 115 years, and continue to be bought, borrowed and consulted annually by tens of thousands of writers.

Completely revised and updated, these bestselling bibles are packed with practical advice, guidance and inspiration about all aspects of the writing process; they are the essential resources for how to get published.

Click here to unlock your 20% discount with code WAYBPARTNER20 at checkout

The Digital Storytelling Trail

The Pen to Print Digital Storytelling Trail is an ongoing project to record and share stories about Barking and Dagenham. We are now working with our new partner Bloomberg Connects to bring you a re-developed Digital Storytelling Trail coming soon!

We are using new technology to help read, watch or listen to stories new and old. You can 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!

Click here for more details and how to submit.

Other Barking and Dagenham Culture and Heritage venues can already be found on the platform, so if you want to explore Valence House Museum and Eastbury Manor House, download the app now.

Bloomberg Connects: Offers access to exhibitions, collections and renowned artists at over 800 museums and other cultural organisations. Connects you to arts and culture at any time, from anywhere. Free to download and use with no limits on how many digital guides you can explore.

Scan the QR Code to download Bloomberg Connects

August Events

Meet Children's Author Donna Rose
Wednesday 6 August, 11am to 12pm at Dagenham Library

Tickets: FREE

Please note this is an in-person event only

Donna is a passionate children's book writer who loves nothing more than inspiring young minds. Residing and working as a teacher in Barking & Dagenham, Donna finds endless inspiration from her personal experiences and from the children she works with.

During this session, Donna will read from her books Wanda and the Wishes and I Hate Reading! Participants will have the opportunity to get involved with activities such as colouring, designing bookmarks and making a character from the book.

The South Asian Dilemma with Juneha Chowdhury
Thursday 7 August, 12.30pm to 2.30pm at Dagenham Library

Tickets: FREE

Please note this is an in-person event only

Do you decide where you fit in or has that already been decided for you?

How do you prove your point in a society that asks
"Are you sure it’s not all in your head?"

Author and Write On! contributor, Juneha Chowdhury, invites you to join this thought-provoking session to discuss how society perceives South Asian women and the idea of being "boxed in".

Participants will have the opportunity to write about their own personal journey, navigating prejudice, alienation and discrimination through various interactive tasks throughout the session.

Image Credit: Greta Zabulyte

 Peut-Être Theatre present Audiomoves BoogiePod

Monday 11 August, 11am & 1.30pm at Barking Learning Centre

Tuesday 12 August, 11am & 1.30pm at Dagenham Library

Tickets: FREE

Please note these are in-person events only

Led by a live DJ and playful performer, this joyful workshop invites children aged 4 to 9 to move freely, respond creatively, and let their bodies tell stories inspired by Peut-Être Theatre’s award-winning podcast series, Audiomoves.

With music, stories, and soundscapes, this energetic environment encourages children to express themselves through dance, rhythm and play. No rules, just imagination.

Perfect for our libraries, Audiomoves BoogiePod is a celebration of movement and creativity that brings joy, connection, and a good dose of silliness to children and their grown-ups alike.

Let the beat drop and your imagination fly!

Competitions

We will be announcing opening dates for our next round of competitions on our website pentoprint.org soon.

The full results of 2025 competition will be available on our website shortly, including the winning entries, ready for you to read or enjoy as an audio extract. Stay tuned!

Regular Classes

Our regular class programme for 2025/26 with a new format will begin on 13 September 2025. Tickets will be available soon, watch this space!