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Pen to Print January Newsletter

Welcome to your latest dose of Pen to Print inspiration.

Happy New Year from the Pen to Print Team!

We’re back and ready to turn the page to a new chapter in 2026, filled with exciting activities for you to get involved with as we explore our historical themed month.

Are you thinking about a New Year’s resolution? Many of us join the gym to stay physically fit, but keeping your brain active and creative is just as important. Writing sparks creativity and helps reduce stress, so why not join Pen to Print’s monthly Saturday classes or one of our expertly led workshops? Whether you want to bring your words to life on stage or screen through joining Writing for Performance, develop your skills to write novels or short stories at Creative Writing, or craft expressive poems at our Poetry Writing class, click here to sign up.

For our historical-themed events, Ola Awonubi will lead a Writing Historical Fiction workshop to help you explore techniques for creating authentic, compelling narratives. We also have bestselling author, Jean Fullerton’s workshop, I Wish I’d Asked My Granny More, an opportunity to preserve family stories and memories. Discover Barking & Dagenham's local history with Exploring Historical Fiction: Dagenham’s Unique Stories and learn how to weave it into your writing. Keep scrolling for more details.

If you’re planning to enter the From The Cauldron: Women’s Voices in the 21st Century competition, don’t miss The Boathouse Studios Poet Laurate and Write On! Page Editor, Eithne Cullen’s online session to help generate ideas and approaches. The competition closes for entries on Friday 30 January at 12pm, so get writing!

Keep scrolling to discover more events and competitions in January.

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

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

Writing a Women’s Story for 'From The Cauldron Competition'
Thursday 15 January, 6pm to 8pm (Online)

Tickets: £1.99

Please note this is an online event only.

Eithne Cullen leads a workshop to generate ideas for stories and ways into writing them for From The Cauldron: Women’s Voices in the 21st Century competition, closing for entries on Friday 30 January 2026, at 12pm. This is an opportunity to explore women’s voices and roles, as well as begin your own story.

Writing Historical Fiction Workshop with Ola Awonubi
Thursday 22 January, 5pm to 7pm at Barking Learning Centre

Tickets: FREE

Please note this is an in-person event only.

Explore the world of historical fiction with award-winning author Ola Awonubi. Through exercises, prompts and discussion, explore emotional truth, stories in history, underrepresented voices and how to research effectively. Discover how to market your work, whether starting out or refining a manuscript, gaining tools to write boldly and build legacy through story.

I Wish I’d Asked My Granny More with Jean Fullerton
Thursday 29 January, 10.30am to 12.30pm at Valence Local Studies and Archive Centre

Tickets: FREE

Please note this is an in-person event only.

Led by Jean Fullerton, this workshop helps you capture family stories and memories, turning them into compelling narratives that preserve your history for generations. This workshop will guide you through techniques to write your own story or your family’s, whether for future generations or a wider audience.

Exploring Historical Fiction & Dagenham’s Unique Stories
Thursday 29 January, 1.30pm to 3pm at Valence Local Studies and Archive Centre

Tickets: FREE

Please note this is an in-person event only.

Led by Jean Fullerton in conversation with local author Elaine Spires, this workshop helps you capture family stories and memories, turning them into compelling narratives that preserve your history for generations. This workshop will guide you through techniques to write your own story or your family’s, whether for future generations or a wider audience.

Writers' Group with Tavinder Kaur New
Saturday 31 January, 10am to 12pm at Dagenham Library

Tickets: FREE

Please note this is an in-person event only.

Write On! contributor Tavinder Kaur New leads an inspiring writing session to help you overcome writing blocks and rediscover the joy of creative expression. Expect guided meditation, playful prompts in a relaxed and supportive environment. Just bring a notebook, pen and an open mind!

Poems & Feelings Poetry Group with Amaka Obioji
Saturday 31 January, 1pm to 3pm at Dagenham Library

Tickets: FREE

Please note this is an in-person event only.

Join the Poems and Feelings Poetry Group this January as we dive into poetry that inspires positivity, mindfulness and a growth mindset. Led by poet Amaka Obioji, this group will explore selected poems and reflective writing prompts designed to help us reconnect, reset, and rejuvenate for the new year.

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 Matty May
Saturday 10 January, 10am to 11.30am at Barking Learning Centre & Online

(Next Month Saturday 7 February, 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 Five: 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 10 January, 12pm to 1.30pm at Barking Learning Centre & Online

(Next Month Saturday 7 February, 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 Five: How to write 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.

Poetry Writing Class with Mab Jones
Saturday 10 January, 3pm to 4.30pm at Barking Learning Centre & Online

(Next Month Saturday 7 February, 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 Five: Poetry as conversation

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.