The Freedom to Write
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world.
The Writers Room
PEN America was created more than 100 years ago for writers and they remain at the heart of what we do. We support them with grants, fellowships, awards, workshops, and quality public programming while defending their freedom to write.
Featured Work
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The Freedom to Imagine
“PEN America’s work, PEN America’s existence, is in many ways an assurance that writers all over the world can, perhaps even should, dare to speak.”
– Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author
What We Do
PEN America celebrates literature and defends free expression.
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Book Bans
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Writers at Risk Advocacy
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Literary Awards
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Campus Free Speech
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Online Abuse & Digital Safety
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Literary Grants
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Disinformation
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Educational Censorship
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Fellowships, Workshops & Trainings
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Prison and Justice Writing
The Latest
Press Releases
Features & Interviews
Featured Events
Author interviews, advocacy trainings, writers workshops, community gatherings and more.
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From Howl To Now: Book Bans In The U.S.
Monday September 2312:00 PM – 2:00 PMFreeSpeakers: Ipek S. Burnett, Trey Walk, Ronald K. L. Collins, Summer Lopez, David Michael Skover -
Freedom To Read Student Summit – A C Bilbrew Library
Saturday September 2111:00 AM – 3:00 PMFree -
Character is Key: Member-Exclusive with Jennifer Egan
Monday September 236:30 PM – 8:00 PMFree -
Freedom To Read Student Summit – West Hollywood Library
Saturday September 2811:00 AM – 3:00 PMWest Hollywood LibraryFree -
Austin Turns the Page on Book Bans
Wednesday September 257:00 PM – 8:30 PMAustin Central Public LibraryFreeSpeakers: Mike Hixenbaugh, Becky Calzada, Franklin Strong, Kasey Meehan -
Turn the Page on Book Bans at B&N The Grove
Sat. Sep. 28, 11:00 AM –Barnes & Noble The GroveFreeSpeakers: Rex Ogle, Abdi Nazemian, Elana K. Arnold, Allison Lee -
Who Decides What You Can Read?: Writers & Librarians Have Their Say
Monday September 236:00 PM – 7:30 PMDavis County Library, Syracuse BranchFreeSpeakers: Rex Ogle, Peter Bromberg, Rebekah Cummings, Calvin Crosby -
Sing For FREADOM
Sunday September 223:00 PM – 5:00 PMCoral Gables Congregational United Church of ChristFree
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