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Pen to Print December 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to your latest dose of Pen to Print inspiration.

December is here and as we wrap up the year, we’re giving you one last burst of creativity before the festive break. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a poetry enthusiast or simply passionate about storytelling, there’s something for everyone this month.

We begin with An Evening with Kate Potter, author of The Absolutes. This event offers an inspiring conversation about her writing journey, the themes explored in her work and what it truly takes to craft compelling fiction. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn from an accomplished author and ask your own questions.

The following week, Chris Gregory will be hosting an online workshop, guiding you through the essentials of writing and producing audio drama. Expect practical tips, exercises and expert advice to help you bring your stories to life through sound.

We’re also excited for the next issue of Write On! magazine, due out on 11 December. Sponsored by The Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation, the upcoming issue will feature an exclusive interview with award-winning eco-poet and journalist, Sarah Westcott. Did you know we distribute our magazines nationally? If your local libraries are happy to stock them, please ask them to get in touch directly at pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk

Pen to Print will be closed for the festivities from 5pm on Friday 19 December 2025 to 9am Monday 5 January 2026. During this time, you're still welcome to submit entries to our competitions and Write On! Magazine via our website: www.pentoprint.org

Lastly, to all our friends and partners, it has been an amazing year! We’re so grateful for your support, collaboration and creativity throughout 2025. Together, we’ve built a strong creative writing community and shared inspiring stories. We wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Our story will continue from Monday 5 January 2026 and in the meantime, keep scrolling to discover more events, competitions and opportunities in December.

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 27

Out 11 December!

Sponsored by The Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation, this issue features an exclusive interview with award-winning eco-poet and journalist, Sarah Westcott.

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.

Write On! Audio, Podcast

Ranked in the top 10% most popular podcasts globally!

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

The Digital Storytelling Trail is Now LIVE!

The Pen to Print Digital Storytelling Trail is an ongoing project to record and share stories about Barking and Dagenham.

We have been working with our new partner Bloomberg Connects and now we are pleased to announce the trails are now live!

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.

Click here for more details and how to submit.

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.

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

Pen to Print's Upcoming Events

An Evening with Kate Potter - Author of The Absolutes
Thursday 4 December, 5pm to 6.30pm at Dagenham Library & Online

In-Person Attendance Tickets: FREE           Online Attendance Tickets: £1.99

Told through fragments of memory The Absolutes captures the essence of hope in the face of loss as one man struggles to come to terms with his past. His wife is dead and beloved daughter has been lost to a dangerous cult.

And now time is running out to rebuild their relationship. Haunted by his failings as a son, a husband and, most of all, as a father, he is desperate to try and make things right before it's too late.

Explore the story behind The Absolutes at Dagenham Library through a conversation with author Kate Potter.

An Introduction to Audio Drama with Alternative Stories
Thursday 11 December, 6pm to 8pm (Online)

Tickets: £1.99

Please note this is an online event only

Explore the craft of audio drama writing in a workshop with Chris Gregory, covering techniques for dialogue, sound, and stage directions, along with practical advice on collaborating with actors, sound designers, and musicians. The session includes exercises, clips from Alternative Stories productions, and insights from professional voice actors on what makes a great audio script.

Pen to Print's Competitions

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.

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: 23 March 2026, 12pm. Click here for full details including how to enter.

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: 23 March 2026, 12pm. Click here for full details including how to enter.

Audio Play Competition In partnership with Alternative Stories, submit an audio play with a running time of around 30 minutes, which is a script length of approximately 4,000 to 5,000 words. Include a synopsis of your story, no longer than 250 words. Deadline to enter: 23 March 2026, 12pm. Click here for full details including how to enter.

Speech and Drama Festival Write and perform a poem or monologue lasting no more than three minutes. Entries will be judged on both writing and performance and all entrants must be available to perform at the Speech and Drama Festival auditions on Saturday, 18 July 2026, between 9am and 5pm. Deadline to enter: 1 June 2026, 12pm. Click here for full details including how to enter.

From The Cauldron: Women’s Voices in the 21st Century Short Story Competition A competition celebrating women and writers identifying as female. Your writing can be fiction or memoir, no more than 4,000 words long. The 20 winners will be published in an anthology and will receive two free copies. Winners will be announced on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2026. Deadline to enter: 31 January 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 6 December, 10am to 11.30am at Barking Learning Centre & Online

(Next Month Saturday 10 January, 10am to 11.30am)

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 Four: Writing for live theatre performance

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 6 December, 12pm to 1.30pm at Barking Learning Centre & Online

(Next Month Saturday 10 January, 12pm to 1.30pm)

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 Four: How to write effective description in your 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 6 December, 3pm to 4.30pm at Barking Learning Centre & Online

(Next Month Saturday 10 January, 3pm to 4.30pm)

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 Four: Poetry as a medicine - Healing and reflection

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.

Partner Activities

Deptford Literature Festival is back for 2026!

Save the date: Saturday 28 March 2026

Run by Spread the Word in collaboration with creative producer Tom MacAndrew.   Deptford Literature Festival takes place in various locations across Deptford. Engaging local communities with local writers through stories, words and performance, it's a festival with the local community and accessibility at its heart.

Save the date in your diary and look out for the full programme announcement early in the new year. 

Click here for more details.