Core to the Pen to Print programme are our free to enter competitions.
The Book Challenge is our premier competition with the fabulous prize of becoming part of our free mentoring programme with support to write and publish your own book! We have already seen Challengers publish and win awards for their books, so if you have a story that you have always wanted to turn into a book why wait, have a go!
If you don’t have a book idea but love to tell stories or are more poetic, why not enter the Poetry, Audio Play or Short Story Competitions? Each year we will feature an additional competition which could be playwriting, screenwriting, photography or film making; so you can explore other forms of telling your story.
We are sure you will find inspiration to put pen to paper which you may be lucky enough to see in print, good luck!
Each competition has outline details and links to its specific Terms and Conditions, to make sure you are eligible please read these carefully before you enter.
Please NOTE by entering a Pen to Print competition the author is giving permission for Pen to Print to publish and/or broadcast their work, if it chooses, digitally or in print. For these Terms & Conditions please CLICK HERE.
Any online and social media competitions may have different closing dates.
Always check the full Terms and Conditions of each competition for closing dates and entry requirements.
CLICK HERE for our How To Guide for entering competitions
- Please do not post or hand deliver your entries.
- Please note that our competition are open to UK residents only, unless specified otherwise.
- We only accept entries sent by email.
If you have any questions please connect with us by email: pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk or by phone 020 8227 2267
All competitions are free to enter.
(All Competitions Are Open To Entries From UK Residents Only)
Open to UK residents only.
The Challenge is to write a novel in a year!
Win a Tablet PC All finalists have the opportunity to get their completed book published.
This Competition has now CLOSED.
The current cohort of Challengers are being mentored throughout 2025.
We will be open to new submissions summer 2025, for mentoring opportunities in 2027.
If you have an idea for a novel that you would like to write or have written a book and not sure what the next stage in the process is, this is for you. To enter send in your book idea we will review the entries with industry experts. Writers of the best ideas will be selected to be mentored by a professional writer who will work with you to complete your book and make it ready for publication. Your commitment is to 12 months of free mentoring.
Discover who won in 2025!
The Pen to Print Poetry Comeptition
Free to Enter
Win a Tablet PC and your piece published by Write On!
Closing Date: 12 Noon, Monday 23 March 2026
Winner will be announced at the Pen to Print Awards on Thursday 23 July 2026
How to Enter and Terms & Conditions
You can write a poem in any form you like and on any subject but it should not be no more than 2 A4 pages long.
Have a question?
E: pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk
T: 020 8227 2267
NB: We reserve the right to reject entries on the grounds of taste and decency and where the legality or morality of the content is in question.
Discover who won in 2025!
The Pen to Print Short Story Competition
Free to Enter
Win a Tablet PC and your piece published by Write On!
Closing Date: 12 Noon, Monday 23 March 2026
Winner will be announced at the Pen to Print Awards on Thursday 23 July 2026
How to Enter and Terms & Conditions
You can write a short story on any subject but it should not be no more than 2,000 words long.
Have a question?
E: pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk
T: 020 8227 2267
NB: We reserve the right to reject entries on the grounds of taste and decency and where the legality or morality of the content is in question.
Discover who won in 2025!
Adventurous Voices Writing Competition
Supported by Oddizzi and The Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation.
This competition will be open soon.
The winner will be announced at the Pen to Print Awards on 23 July 2026
Discover who won in 2025!
The Barking & Dagenham Staff Writing Competition
Free to Enter for LB of Barking & Dagenham Employees and their families.
Win a Tablet PC and your piece published by Write On!
Closing Date: 12 Noon, Monday 1 June 2026
Winner will be announced at the Pen to Print Awards on Thursday 23 July 2026
How to Enter and Terms & Conditions
You can write a poem or short story on any subject. Pomes should not be longer than two A4 pages and short stories but it should not be no more than 1,000 words long.
Have a question?
E: pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk
T: 020 8227 2267
NB: We reserve the right to reject entries on the grounds of taste and decency and where the legality or morality of the content is in question.
Discover who won in 2025!
The Pen to Print Audio Play Competition in Partnership with Alternative Stories
Free to Enter
Win a Tablet PC with your work fully produced as a audio play by Alternative Stories and your piece published by Write On! Audio
Closing Date: 12 Noon, Monday 1 June 2026
Winner will be announced at the Pen to Print Awards on Thursday 23 July 2026
How to Enter and Terms & Conditions
Write an audio play on any subject. Your audio play should have a running time of around 30 minutes (a word count of between 3,000 to 4,000 words). Send us a synopsis of no more than 250 words along with your script. it should feature at least 2 characters but preferably 4 or 5.
Have a question?
E: pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk
T: 020 8227 2267
NB: We reserve the right to reject entries on the grounds of taste and decency and where the legality or morality of the content is in question.
Discover who won in 2025!
(Also incorporating the Michael Feld Writing Competition for Young People)
Free to Enter
Win a Tablet PC and your piece published by Write On!
Closing Date: 12 Noon, Monday 1 June 2026
Winner will be decided by an audience vote at the Pen to Print Awards on Thursday 23 July 2026
How to Enter and Terms & Conditions
Open to Adults and Children aged 7 and above.
You can enter as an individual or as a group performance.
Write and perform a piece, either a poem or a monologue. You will be judged on the writing and performance.
Poems & Monologues must take no longer than 3 minutes to perform.
You must be available to perform in person on Saturday 18 July 2026, 9am to 5pm at Barking Learning Centre, Barking. (Google Directions )
NB: Shortlisted entrants will be required to perform for a live audience vote to decide the winner at The Pen to Print Awards on Thursday 23 July 2025, 6.30pm to 9pm at Barking Learning Centre.
Have a question?
E: pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk
T: 020 8227 2267
NB: We reserve the right to reject entries on the grounds of taste and decency and where the legality or morality of the content is in question.
Discover who won in 2025!
