Please note this is a location based event at Valence Local Studies & Archive Centre.

Our Writers Retreat will be held at our Local Studies and Archive Centre, in the beautiful setting of Valence House Museum, offering opportunities for new, emerging and experienced writers and poets to get together.

Join local authors Eithne Cullen and Mary Walsh for an all-day Writer’s Retreat at our local archive centre, with guided writing exercises and workshop activities, during the morning session.

After a mid-day break, there will be a free writing session using the local archives and resources – what a wonderful opportunity to escape from the daily stresses of life and to draw inspiration from fellow students, tutors and the landscape itself.

NB: Please feel free to bring your own lunch or you are welcome to purchase food at the on-site cafe.

If you have any accessibility requirements, please directly get in touch with us at pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk

Eithne Cullen has written two novels: The Ogress of Reading and Never not in my Thoughts and a collection of short stories, Pencils and Other Stories. Her pamphlet, The Smell of Dust was published in September 2021, supported by Pen to Print.

Eithne is a page editor for Write On! Magazine’s weekly Extra page, Thoughtful Tuesdays and was Poet in Residence for Hysteria Writing competition. Eithne has had success with her own poetry and was previously crowned Poet Laureate of Plumstead.

Connect with Eithne via X: @eithne_cullen

Mary L Walsh is a poet, and author and has been writing short stories and poems since childhood but it is through Pen to Print she started to gain the confidence to share her work and publish it. Mary is currently writing a sequel to her detective novel and collating a poetry collection for publication next year.

Mary was one of ten finalists in the Pen to Print Book Challenge Competition with her book, Detective Armando Ramirez and the Iberico Ham Murder . Mary has written for Write On! Magazine and online in their Write On! Extra feature.

Connect with Mary via Instagram: marelwa60

Booking is essential and you will be asked to present your booking confirmation upon arrival.

Pen to Print shall not be liable to attendees for any injury, loss or damage of or to personal equipment belonging to the attendees or any indirect or consequential loss or damage whatsoever arising out of the attenance of the event.

Pen to Print reserves the right to cancel, delay or postpone the event for any reason, including adverse weather conditions, an emergency situation or unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances out of its reasonable control. In such cases, the event organiser will endeavour to inform participants as quickly as is possible.

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