FAQ

PEN America produces original research on pressing threats to free expression, including book bans, educational gag orders, online abuse, and disinformation; advocates for threatened writers and public policies that bolster freedom of speech worldwide; celebrates literature through awards, grants and fellowships, and public programming; and connects a community of authors, writers, and their allies through our Membership.

 

PEN America formed on April 19, 1922, in New York City and included among its founding Members writers such as Willa Cather, Eugene O’Neill, Robert Frost, Ellen Glasgow, Edwin Arlington Robinson, Robert Benchley, and, as the first president, Booth Tarkington. 

Read more about the history of PEN America.

Our name was conceived as an acronym: Poets, Essayists, Novelists (later broadened to Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, Novelists). Over time, as Membership expanded to include a more diverse range of people involved with words and freedom of expression, those categories no longer defined who could join. Today, the “PEN” in PEN America does not represent an acronym.

PEN International was founded in 1921 in direct response to the ethnic and national divisions that contributed to World War I. Founded in 1922, PEN America is the largest of more than 100 centers of PEN International. PEN America subscribes to the PEN International Charter.

You can sign up to receive updates on PEN America events and initiatives. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

Members of the press can contact Suzanne Trimel to join our press list and receive media alerts.

PEN America is a national organization headquartered in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. We also maintain offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

Go to the “Festival and Events” dropdown menu on our homepage to find our Events Calendar to RSVP or purchase tickets to our year-round events. In late winter and spring, you can also find the program for the World Voices Festival.

Unless otherwise noted, PEN America events are open to the public. PEN America Members receive discounts on ticketed programs, as well as invitations to certain Member-only events.

There are a number of internship opportunities available at PEN America throughout the year. You can learn more about internship opportunities here and about job opportunities here.

Yes. PEN America is recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by the Internal Revenue Service. Our Federal Tax ID number or Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 13-3447888. You can view PEN America’s latest IRS Form 990 here.

When you make a contribution, 100 percent is tax deductible, unless otherwise noted.

A great way to support PEN America is by becoming a Member.

Planned Giving: By including PEN America in your will, you can leave the legacy of literature and free expression for future generations. For more information, please contact Senior Director of Development Deborah Wilson at [email protected] or +1 646-779-4812.

Gifts of Stock: PEN America also accepts gifts of stock. Contact [email protected] or call +1 646-981-0681 for more information

Gifts in honor or memory of: Donations in honor or memory of someone are a great way to recognize that individual. You may donate online, send a check, or contact [email protected] or call +1 646-981-0681 for more information.

Matching Gifts: If your company has a matching gift program, you can double or in some cases triple your contribution. Please obtain a matching gift form from your personnel office or matching gift coordinator, fill it out, and send it to us.

Event Sponsorship: Corporations play an integral role in our annual PEN America Literary Gala in New York or LitFest Gala in Los Angeles, please email [email protected] or call +1 646-981-0681.

General sponsorship or advertising with PEN America: There are a number of sponsorship and advertising opportunities available at PEN America that can offer your press, company, or organization unique access to a broad audience of cultural enthusiasts. View our Corporate Sponsorship page for more information.

Membership dues are 100 percent tax-deductible.

As a PEN America Member, you enjoy early access to PEN America programs and events like the PEN World Voices Festival. Save up to 50% on your favorite literary publications with our exclusive discounts. Be part of the PEN America community at member receptions like the annual New Year New Books party. Discover more perks and discounts on our password-protected Membership Benefits page. Please check your most recent Member Newsletter, or email [email protected], for the password.

Please encourage your friends to apply for Membership online or have them reach out to us directly at [email protected].

We adhere to confidentiality protocols and are unable to share contact information for any of our Members. However, you can consult our Membership Directory.

Please contact [email protected] with any concerns regarding website content. Please include a detailed description of the problem and a URL link to the page where it appears, if applicable.

Please have them fill out an application for support here. If you are not comfortable talking to them directly, please email [email protected] and we will reach out confidentially.

No, this is not within our mission.

While most of PEN America’s grants and awards are for published works, the PEN/Jean Stein Grant for Literary Oral History, the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction, the PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship, the PEN/Heim Translation Fund grants, and the PEN Grant for the English Translation of Italian Literature recognize unpublished manuscripts or works in progress.

Due to the large number of submissions, we cannot give individual feedback.

Unfortunately, PEN America does not offer legal services to its Members.

While PEN America does not currently offer health care options to its members, we have compiled a listing of organizations offering health-care access to writers and artists on the Health Insurance for Writers Page. Please note that these resources are not administered directly through PEN America, and those interested should contact the organizations directly for specific details. 

Our PEN Across America initiative offers opportunities for Members and their allies to mobilize locally through public programming, campaigns, literary events, workshops, civic forums, and other projects that expand engagement with PEN America’s mission.

Please email [email protected]. We apologize that we cannot respond to every inquiry.

We very rarely accept unsolicited submissions. You can send materials for consideration to [email protected]. Given the volume of submissions we receive, we can respond only to materials under consideration for publication. We apologize that we cannot respond to all submissions.