Storytelling From East London To The World

Write On! 8 is out today (see digital version here). April is a double header for Write On! – the publication that connects emerging and established writers to each other and the publishing industry. Two years ago in April 2019, Arts Council England Library NPO (National Portfolio Organisation) and London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD) supported Pen to Print, started work on its first print magazine and, this time last year Write On! Extra was born online posts sharing experience, strength and hope for unprecedented times.

Issue 8 is themed around ‘Growth’ and how we navigate Spring as the season of change and is available digitally and in print, through libraries and other partner venues. We’re delighted our growth and reputation continues apace. (Please check out our past issues on our magazine page here.)

With April being National Poetry Month, we are proud to feature award-winning Hong Kong diaspora poet Jennifer Wong, as our lead interview. Issue 8 sees favourites such as The Big Debate getting an extra twist, not just by exploring publishing responsibility, but also by giving a student from new partners, the University of Derby, a chance to see work in print. Write On! agony aunts and uncles continue to support other writers, this time in their quest to grow confidence and networks, while the Spotlight page explores the best way to prepare for writing competitions. Showcase pages are once again drawn from work featured in online digest Write On! Extra. Thanks to a partnership with the Rabbits Road Institute and their poet-in-residence Gboyega Odubanjo, this issue also includes the popular free postcard gift.

Born in Barking and Dagenham, Write On! 8 is the fifth magazine of the pandemic and continues to shine a light on local people. Sponsored by Barking and Dagenham Council (LBBD) Destination Barking And Dagenham features artist Iesha Denise and Write Back founder, teacher Sam Norwood.

However, we believe an inclusive community spirit, reaching beyond boundaries of place, can create wider ripple effects around creative engagement and transparency. We are therefore delighted that Write On! Extra has encouraged 40,000+ from 155 countries to respond to our ideals. To see examples of writers coming together beyond boundaries of geography, culture and expectations please see pentoprint.org!

Cllr Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, and Chair of the Pen to Print Advisory Panel says: “I am always excited for the release of a new Write On! magazine issue. The latest issue focuses on the theme of ‘growth’ showcases inspiring work from aspiring local writers to a wider audience. It’s fantastic that Write On! magazine has continued to publish great work and adapt in the way that it has throughout this last year.”

A Call To Action:

In keeping with Pen to Print’s vision that everybody should have the chance to tell their story and so, inspire potential in others, we welcome new writing and ideas from London, the UK and internationally. Our next issue and season theme is ‘Transformation: Releasing And Reshaping’ and provides a relevant framework for creative and partnership approaches.

1. For up-to-date editorial information, including how to submit around Write On! + Write On! Extra, please see: The Editor’s Introduction.
2. Partnerships: Write On! has already facilitated partnerships and co-operation with Bloomsbury, Penguin, the Wilbur and Niso Smith Foundation, WriteBack UK, the Curtis Brown Agency, Margate Bookie, Edge Lit (events), University of Derby, the Romantic Novelist Association (RNA), the Alternative Stories and Fake Realities Podcast, and many others are currently being explored. If you would like to discuss ideas, please do get in touch at: pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk
3. To advertise online or in the next issue please see: Our Media Pack