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Welcome to our latest instalment of Pen to Print inspiration!

May's focus is on crime fiction and Barking & Dagenham is proud to be home to leading voices in the genre, including our patron Martina Cole and Kimberly Chambers to name just two.

On 14 May, celebrated crime novelist Barbara Nadel will be hosting an exclusive workshop at Valence House Archives, where participants will be guided through the art of creating vivid, suspense‑filled settings and locations.

From fictional worlds to real lived experiences, on 11 May, local author Elaine Spires invites past and present residents to the Tea & Tales – Heathway Heritage session to reflect on Dagenham Heathway’s role as the historic heart of the community. Share cherished memories over tea and conversation and help shape a collective vision for its new and future generations.

In other news, Hay Festival returns on 21 May 2026, once again bringing readers and writers together to inspire, spark ideas and entertain. If you’re planning a trip to the festival this year, you might spot us there. Pen to Print will be visiting Hay-on-Wye, staying at Trewern OEC, with a fresh group of students from Barking & Dagenham and their teachers, for the first days of the festival. Then welcoming a group of adult writers keen to explore the Hay book shops and festival for the weekend.

Write On! Issue 28, sponsored by Hay Festival, will also be available during the visit, Haymakers can pick up their FREE copy and enjoy reading while they’re there. You don’t need a ticket to access the festival site, which is free. Individual event tickets must be purchased in advance. Click here for full programme details, including travel and accommodation information.

Finally, this is your last chance to enter Pen to Print’s Speech & Drama Festival. We will be closing for entries on 1 June, 12pm. Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your writing and performance talent, to be in with a chance of winning inspiring prizes. Click here for full details and information on how to enter.

We may be seeing some of you at Hay Festival, but for now, we hope you enjoy the May Bank Holidays!

Read on to discover what else we have coming up...

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

Write On! Issue 28

Sponsored by Hay Festival, this issue features an exclusive interview with bestselling historical novelist, Alison Weir

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.

Check out the latest in 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

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

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

Write On! Interviews hears from writers and creatives about their work, ideas, and lived experiences.

Click here to discover more

Write On! Audio shares readings, conversations, advice and insights from writers and creative partners.

Click here to listen and subscribe

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. 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.

Pen to Print's Upcoming Events

Tea & Tales – Heathway Heritage with Elaine Spires
Monday 11 May, 1.30pm to 3.30pm at My Heathway Shop (Dagenham Heathway Mall)

Tickets: FREE

Please note this is an in-person event only

Local author Elaine Spires invites past and present residents to reflect on Dagenham Heathway’s role as the historic heart of the community. Share cherished memories over tea and conversation and help shape a collective vision for its new and future generations.

May Mystery Month: The Ultimate Mystery Trail
Saturday 2 May to Saturday 30 May at Valence House Museum

Win a Grand Mystery Book Bundle!

£50 value per bundle - Two winners every week

 Step into the shadows and test your wits! Cryptic clues are hidden throughout the museum galleries. Pick up your mystery map at the front desk and begin your investigation. Successful detectives will be entered into our weekly prize draw.

Will you find the secrets, or will the secrets find you?

Crime Writing Workshop with Barbara Nadel
Thursday 14 May, 10.30am to 12.30pm at Valence House Museum

Tickets: FREE 

Please note this is an in-person event only

Join celebrated crime novelist Barbara Nadel in the Valence House Archives for an exclusive workshop. Inspired by the atmospheric locations of our LJ Ross prize books, you’ll learn how to build a world so vivid your readers can feel the danger lurking around the corner.

Writers' Group
Saturday 30 May, 10.30am to 12.30pm at Dagenham Library

Tickets: FREE 

Please note this is an in-person event 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.

Poems & Feelings Poetry Group with Amaka & Michelle
Saturday 30 May, 1pm to 3pm at Dagenham Library

Tickets: FREE 

Please note this is an in-person event only

Dive into the art of poetic composition. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, this warm and inclusive space is for anyone who loves words and wants to grow through poetry.

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.

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.

Pen to Print's Regular Classes

Writing for Performance Class with Kelly Jones
Saturday 9 May, 10am to 11.30am at Barking Learning Centre & Online

(Next Month Saturday 13 June, 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 Nine: Writing for Television, Film and Digital

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 9 May, 12pm to 1.30pm at Barking Learning Centre & Online

(Next Month Saturday 13 June, 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 Nine: To understand the submission process and how to approach rejection

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 9 May, 3pm to 4.30pm at Barking Learning Centre & Online

(Next Month Saturday 13 June, 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 Nine: Poetry as Transformation - Object Poems

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.