Calling all writers

What’s your story?

Writingcompetition

Pen to Print

Pen to PrintPen to Print

Pen to Print

• The Book Challenge• Poetry and Short Story Competitions• The Michael Feld Creative Writing

Competition for Young Writers

What’s your story?

ForwardBy Councillor Darren Rodwell Leader of the Council

It is with great pleasure that I am able to introduce Pen to Print. Inspired by writing competitions held during reading festivals organised by the Library Service since 2012, it has become obvious that there is a wealth of writing potential in Barking and Dagenham and we felt it was important to do something to nurture this hidden talent.

It is very diffi cult to get good support and advice when trying to write and get published and we thought libraries could help to do this! Many authors acknowledge that working in libraries has helped them write their books, whether it was using reference books, borrowing books or using the internet for research. Sometimes a library is just a great place to sit and write!

It has taken two years of research and planning, forging links with partners such as Constable & Robinson and New Generation Publishing to make the Pen to Print project possible with funding from the Arts Council. Pen to Print aims to establish a network of support for aspiring writers in Barking and Dagenham and through writing competitions we are aiming to get a book published.

The Book Challenge is a competition for writers to submit proposals for books, with the aim of getting them published. The successful short listed writers will benefi t from one-to-one mentoring from established writers. This will also be supported by ongoing author events and writing workshops open to everyone to help develop their writing skills. The project also features a Poetry and Short Story Competition and Young Writers Competition.

Pen to Print runs until September 2015 and offers something for everyone, whether you want to be published or not, we are sure you’ll fi nd something of interest. So keep an eye out for information on up and coming Pen to Print activities such as workshops or author events happening in a library near you!

If you are planning to enter one of the competitions, I wish you the very best of luck.

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Pen to PrintThe Book Challenge

Calling out to all aspiring authors!

The Book Challenge is a programme of support provided by established authors working with participants to create a book-length piece of creative writing. The work can be in any genre, fiction or non-fiction and can be on any subject matter.

Support for writers will come in the form of monthly workshops and enhanced by master-classes and author talks in a wide range of genres. Sessions will be open to everyone.

Aspiring authors are asked to submit a detailed proposal for their creative work, by Friday 30 January 2015 at 5pm. Submissions will be evaluated and the best eight, as judged by creative writing experts, will be allocated a mentor who will guide them through the final process of getting their work published. The winning book will be available to borrow from Barking and Dagenham Libraries.

Workshops, master-classes and author talks will continue for the duration of the whole project and everyone will continue to have access to and benefit from them.

Pen to Print: The Book Challenge rules

• Entries must be the exclusive work of the author.

• They must be typed in English, not have been published before and not be currently entered in any other competition.

• Scripts must be typed using double-spaced text.

• Printed entries must be on A4 size paper.

• All entries will be judged anonymously: do not include your name on the document. Printed entries must have entrants, name, address, contact telephone number and, or email address and the title of their submission on a separate sheet.

• The title of the book and a page number must appear on every page.

• All entries submitted can be on any subject, and written in any style or form.

• Entrants should not have had a full-

length work of fiction or non-fiction published before.

• Entries which exceed the stated length

will be disqualified.

• No correspondence can be entered into.

• The judges’ decision is final.

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• The competition is for a full length piece of work of fiction or non-fiction. An opening chapter and a plot synopsis of the book will be required by 5pm on Friday 30 January 2015. The opening chapter should be no longer than 2,500 words. The synopsis of the work should be no longer than 1,000 words.

• Amendments cannot be made to entries after they have been submitted, nor substitutions made.

How to enter:

You can email your entry to Lena.Smith@lbbd.gov.uk

Scripts can also be delivered in person or posted to either of the below addresses - they should be clearly marked for the attention of Lena Smith - The Book Challenge:

Barking Learning Centre, 2 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7NB or Dagenham Library, 1 Church Elm Lane, Dagenham, RM10 9QS

If a receipt of your script is required please provide a stamped and addressed envelope. Please note that scripts cannot be returned so you are advised to keep a copy of your work.

Pen to PrintPoetry and Short Story Competition

If you enjoy writing poetry or short stories this is for you!

An exciting project for emerging poets and short story writers, which aims to offer an opportunity for mentoring and support over the course of nine months; you will receive monthly mentoring sessions and feedback with a view to having work published in magazines and other media by the end of the project. There’ll also be scope to connect you to other opportunities and the possibility of a showcase event.

The best poetry and short stories produced during the project will be chosen and compiled for inclusion in an anthology for publication. The final date for submission of entries for the Poetry and Short Story competition is Monday 24 August 2015 at 5pm

First Prize: A Kindle Fire

Pen to PrintPoetry and Short Story Competition rules

• Entries must be the exclusive work of the author.

• They must be typed in English, not have been published before and not be currently entered in any other competition.

• You must not be a widely published writer, an established performance poet or published poet.

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• You must not currently be on another development programme. This is an opportunity for new voices.

• All entries will be judged anonymously: do not include your name on the document. Printed entries must have entrants, name, address, contact telephone number and, or email address and the title of their submission on a separate sheet.

• Scripts must be typed using double-spaced text.

• Printed entries must be on A4 size paper.

• The title of the poem or story and a page number must appear on every page.

• Entries which exceed the stated length will be disqualifi ed.

• No correspondence can be entered into

• The judges’ decisions is fi nal.

• Poems can be of any length but must not exceed three A4 pages.

• Short stories must not be more than 2,000 words in length.

• Amendments cannot be made to entries after they have been submitted, nor substitutions made.

Entries must be submitted by 5pm on the 24 August 2015.

How to enter:

You can email your entry to Lena.Smith@lbbd.gov.uk

Scripts can also be delivered in person or posted to either of the below addresses - they should be clearly marked for the attention of Lena Smith - Pen to Print Poetry and Short Story Competition:

Barking Learning Centre, 2 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7NB or Dagenham Library, 1 Church Elm Lane, Dagenham, RM10 9QS

If a receipt of your script is required please provide a stamped and addressed envelope. Please note that scripts cannot be returned so you are advised to keep a copy of your work.

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Pen to PrintMichael Feld Creative Writing Competition for Young Writers

A short story and poetry competition for young people in local schools. The competition is being run in conjunction with the Michael Feld family and working with local schools this creative writing competition will feature inspirational talks with childrens and young adult writers in libraries and in schools with the aim of promoting reading and writing and to encourage the young writing talent of the borough.

This competition starts on 2 January 2015 and ends on 24 April 2015.

To fi nd our more about The Pen to Print Michael Feld Creative Writing Competition for Young Writers please visit www.lbbd.gov.uk/libraries.

You can also email Lena.Smith@lbbd.gov.uk or call 020 8724 3942

What’s your story?

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Pen to Print Workshop Programme 2014 /2015

Pen to Print Creative Writing Workshops with Ian AyrisLaunch Day Workshop 1 Wednesday 19 November 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Barking Learning Centre Thereafter, every second Tuesday of the month

Workshop 2 Tuesday 9 December 2014, 5pm to 7pm at Dagenham Library

Workshop 3 Tuesday 13 January 2015, 5pm to 7pm at Barking Learning Centre

Workshop 4 Tuesday 10 February 2015, 5pm to 7pm at Dagenham Library

Workshop 5 Tuesday 10 March 2015, 5pm to 7pm at Barking Learning Centre

Workshop 6 Tuesday 14 April 2015, 5pm to 7pm at Dagenham Library Workshop 7 Tuesday 12 May 2015, 5pm to 7pm at Barking Learning Centre

Workshop 8 Tuesday 9 June 2015, 5pm to 7pm at Dagenham Library

Workshop 9 Tuesday 14 July 2015, 5pm to 7pm at Barking Learning Centre Workshop 10 Tuesday 11 August 2015, 5pm to 7pm at Dagenham Library

Poetry and Short Story drop-in sessions with Irenosen OkojieEvery First Thursday of the month starting on Thursday 4 December 2014.(Except in January where the session will be held on Thursday 8 January) Thursday 4 December 2014, 2pm to 4pm at Barking Learning Centre

Thursday 8 January 2015, 2pm to 4pm at Dagenham Library

Thursday 5 February 2015, 2pm to 4pm at Barking Learning Centre

Thursday 5 March 2015, 2pm to 4pm at Dagenham Library

Thursday 2 April 2015, 2pm to 4pm at Barking Learning Centre

Thursday 7 May 2015, 2pm to 4pm at Dagenham Library

Thursday 4 June 2015, 2pm to 4pm at Barking Learning Centre

Thursday 2 July 2015, 2pm to 4pm at Dagenham Library

Thursday 6 August 2015, 2pm to 4pm at Barking Learning Centre

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Pen to PrintAuthor Talks

Featuring throughout the project, regular author events, creative writing workshops and master classes will be held in local libraries. All events will be open to everyone with the aim of encouraging and inspiring our local budding writers and provide entertainment and education to the wider public.

The project will culminate with our ever expanding annual autumn festival ReadFest2015; three packed weeks of author talks by established authors from a wide range of fiction genres from crime fiction to romance.

ReadFest2015 will also offer an exciting range of non-fiction authors, panel events and even more writing workshops.

Other exciting feature events include ReadFest2015 Launch Night and Readers Evening.

ContactIf you are not able to attend the launch workshops and would still like to take part in this great opportunity, to book a place on a workshop or for more information about Pen to Print please contact:

Lena Smith, Pen to Print Co-ordinator Dagenham Library 1 Church Elm Lane, Dagenham RM10 9QS.Email: Lena.Smith@lbbd.gov.uk Phone: 020 8724 3942

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Storybite is a FREE app for anyone to read and post creative stories in 100 words per chapter. Within Storybite you can co-write the story with friends.

Brighter Steppings started Storybite to encourage creative reading and writing, making it easy and accessible for everyone. Young people constantly use social media to write creatively and Storybite bridges the gap between creative writing and technology to make it fun within an evolving app.

We at Storybite want a simple yet valued app. We believe the collaborative side of Storybite will bring a lot of excitement and value.

Storybite was created with the support of Barking and Dagenham Libraries who have helped us with resources and invested in the project to get the Storybite app started.

We are keen for more people to sign up to test the app. Anyone of any age can sign up at www.storybite.uk and we will contact you with how to access the test site.

Seun Oshinaike and the Storybite Team.

NotesHave some ideas already? Why not start now.

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For more information visit www.lbbd.gov.uk/libraries

Or email libraries@lbbd.gov.uk

You must not copy this document withoutour permission. © 2014 London Boroughof Barking and Dagenham.

MC - 7542Date: November 2014