Pen to Print is Barking & Dagenham’s Arts Council England (ACE), Library National Portfolio Organisation (NPO).
Established by the library service the Pen to Print programme has been working in Barking & Dagenham since 2014 funded by Barking & Dagenham and Arts Council England. Becoming an ACE National Portfolio Organisation in 2018, we have just commenced our second period of NPO funding 2023 to 2026. As part of the library offer in our Community Hubs, Pen to Print is an established network of free writer support.
Offering advice guidance and collaboration with authors of all backgrounds and experience our priorities are writers from communities currently underrepresented in the wider publishing industry. Having established a regional network of writers we now reach audiences both nationally and internationally. To support this ambition we offer a multi-faceted free programme of activities, events, classes and workshops.
We welcome everyone to connect and collaborate with Pen to Print, Barking & Dagenham and our partners.
Here are some opportunities to do so:
Activity/ Event/ Workshop Proposals
Pen to Print encourages everyone in developing a career in the publishing industry and offers you the chance to learn how with us. As part of that we often give you the opportunity to develop your creative practice and work with Pen to Print by delivering sessions, whether you are an expert and worked in the industry for years, or just starting out on your career and looking for a chance to hone your skills.
We welcome any UK based creatives to work with us but particularly encourage those who are from the global majority, lower socio-economic backgrounds, LGBTQ+, disabled, neurodivergent or any other underrepresented communities.
If you have an idea for an event, class or workshop we would love to hear from you please download a Proposal Form and email it to us at pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk If you have any questions please contact us.
Book Challenge Mentor
Could you be a Book Challenge Mentor?
Applications to be received by 12noon on Friday 4 September 2026
Interviews (if required): From w/c Monday 7 September to Friday 18 September.
Pen to Print are looking for an individual with experience of preparing manuscripts for publication.
You must be able to demonstrate expertise of working within the publishing industry in a professional capacity to deliver the mentorship.
The Book Challenge mentoring is to be undertaken throughout 2027.
You must be able to work as part of a team of other mentors and have the ability to confidently communicate via online digital media, email, phone and in-person.
You will be expected to take part in the selection process to choose the mentees for The Book Challenge scheduled between October to December 2026.
Once the mentees have been selected you will be expected to spend 12 months throughout 2027, working with your mentee on their book idea making it ready for publication.
To apply
Send a C.V. with details of two referees and statement on why you want to be a Book Challenge mentor, along with any other relevant documentation you think would support your application.
Send you application to: pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk
With the Subject Line: Book Challenge Mentor Application.
If you have any questions please contact us at pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk
Community Commissions
Do you live or work in Barking & Dagenham? We would love to hear your ideas for celebrating notable dates in our corporate calendar.
The next themed month we are looking at programming is LGBTQ+ Month – February 2026. Following that will be Women’s Empowerment Month – March 2026, South Asian Heritage Month – July/August 2026, and Black History Month – October 2026 or indeed suggest an event for any other notable date you feel needs marking.
You can bid for activities that cost no more than £500. If you think you may need more funding please contact us to discuss your idea.
Whatever your experience, we would love to collaborate with you to support your idea for celebrating the stories tied to theses themed dates.
We welcome any UK based creatives to work with us but particularly encourage those who are from global majority, lower socio-economic backgrounds, LGBTQ+, disabled, neurodivergent or any other underrepresented communities.
Please complete the form in the link below and email any additional documents and images to pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk with the event title in the subject line.
If you have any questions please contact us at pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk
Opportunities with Our Partners
Discover opportunities to work and volunteer with our valued Pen to Print partners.
