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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Commemorating the Day of the Imprisoned Writer: The Resilience of Pham Doan Trang
Tuesday November 127:00 PM – 8:30 PM ETFreeSpeakers: Dinaw Mengestu, Trinh Huu Long, Tran Quynh Vi, Anh-Thu Vo -
European Literature Night 2024
Thursday October 246:00 PM – 10:00 PM ETUkrainian Institute of AmericaFree -
Covering Elections in the Age of Disinformation
The Wild DetectivesFreeSpeakers: María Ramos Pacheco, Luis Pablo Beauregard, Summer Lopez -
Creating Human Complexity: Member-Exclusive with David Henry Hwang
Tuesday October 296:00 PM – 7:30 PM ETMember ExclusiveSpeakers: David Henry Hwang, Aryo Wicaksono, William Johnson -
Bystander Intervention: How to be an ally when you witness online abuse
Wednesday December 42:00 PM – 3:00 PM ETFreeSpeakers: Gisela Pérez de Acha, Natalie Cone -
Bystander Intervention: How to be an ally when you witness online abuse
Wednesday October 162:00 PM – 3:00 PM ETFreeSpeakers: Mari Galicer, Dax Valdes -
Understanding Election Disinformation: What Voters Need to Know
Thursday October 172:00 PM – 3:00 PM ETFreeSpeakers: Maritza L. Félix, Jen Fifield, Kurt Sampsel -
Screening of To Be Destroyed/It’s Okay
Thursday September 266:30 PM ETFree -
Digital Futures and AI Frontiers Student Summit – Carson Library
Saturday October 2611:00 AM – 3:00 PM PTCarson LibraryFreeSpeakers: Anais Maria Maseda, Nicholas Perez, Ayana O’Brien, Shaunelle Curry -
Digital Futures and AI Frontiers Student Summit – San Fernando Library
Saturday October 1911:00 AM – 3:00 PM PTSan Fernando LibraryFreeSpeakers: Anais Maria Maseda, Nicholas Perez, Ayana O’Brien, Shaunelle Curry
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