Dragon's Pen: a creative haven for writers in central France

Twenty-four dragons roam the skies of Creuse and Indre. They all are members of the Dragon’s Pen, a non-profit association founded last May for authors, poets, writers, illustrators, artists and readers to have a creative space for their craft.

Vicky Eveleigh, the president, goes by the name Buddugol The Blue. 

Debi and Caitlin Waller, the joint secretaries, go by Albină the White and Niltiac the Rainbowed. 

Treasurer Jane Anderson is Beithir the Dragon while Jodi Cross, the visual arts event coordinator, called herself Angelove Energy Dragon.

“It is a reflection of our personalities. We like to use that to drive to more intentional art through craft, painting, writing,” said Ms Eveleigh who is Welsh and translated her name Victoria to ‘Buddugol’, which means ‘victorious’ in Welsh, and chose blue to match her hair colour.

Every member is encouraged to come up with their own ‘dragon’s name’.

Dragon’s Pen came about after three years of regularly meeting up at writing group events around the region. 

They chose dragons because they are often associated with Wales and the creature is fierce and bold, said Ms Eveleigh.

It hopes to create a community but also to help people believe in themselves when it comes to writing, “opening their wings” as Ms Eveleigh said.

“A lot of people feel very insecure about their ability to write, are afraid of failure or afraid to show it to everyone,” said Ms Eveleigh, a ghostwriter of more than 40 full-length novels.

It is about reinforcement but also about learning the craft, with Ms Eveleigh being a “community facilitator,” she added. Dragon’s Pen reflects a wider trend for creative workshops that have multiplied since Covid and where flocks of writers turn their publishing dream into reality or use writing as catharsis.

Members meet around once every week all over Creuse and Indre, as some members live over 100kms away from each other.

Publishing creative work

The Dragon’s Pen main focus is its anthology, a collection of texts, poems, illustrations, flash and short-stories as well as creative writing.

The theme for the 2026 edition is “what would you choose to be in another life?”. Submissions needed to “explore the journey of one dinner guest, sharing their unique answer/experience and the story behind it,” it wrote on its website.

The cover idea will be chosen by January 31, 2026 with proof copies available in March and publication around May. The book will be released on Amazon and Kindle.

The anthology is the extension of an idea initiated when the Dragon’s Pen was only a club and released a collection of short stories that sold almost 100 copies. “It felt great to see beginner writers gaining confidence and going out into the public. It was nice seeing them flourish,” said Ms Eveleigh.

“Without it, I do not know if I would have gone that far with my novel. It is invaluable socially and creatively,” said Kyra Ayre, a member for four months who has written nearly 90% of her first novel, as well as several short stories thanks to the club’s workshops.

Getting involved

The association is open to French people but all writing should be in English, she added. 

Members get the opportunity to be published in the association’s anthology, discounted seller stalls and access to the Dragon’s Pen creative network. Annual membership costs €20.

Eveleigh says her proudest moments are when the group helps artists collaborate, such as when it connected two artists to each other and spearheaded a partnership on a professional level. 

One event was able to connect one writer with another illustrator, for instance. Debi Waller is currently working on two novels as well as other short stories, thanks to the association.

From 24 members, Ms Eveleigh hopes that more dragons join the association in the next months.

“It would be nice to see it double,” she said.