U.S. Author Safety Program
Coming soon!
What You Need to Know
In a 2025 survey of its membership, PEN America found that:
66% of respondents reported feeling less safe or more at risk in connection with their writing than they had five years earlier;
77% reported being concerned with digital safety and online harassment in connection to their work;
Nearly one third said that they will be more cautious in the coming years about what they write about.
PEN America is establishing a U.S. Author Safety Program to help protect writers facing harassment and threats driven by a pernicious wave of censorship that is eroding free expression and disrupting authors’ professional lives.
Safety Resources for Authors
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Book Event Safety Checklist for Authors
Safety tips and resources for authors planning book events who want to protect themselves from harassment.
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Book Event Safety Checklist for Organizers
Safety tips and resources for organizers planning book events who want to protect themselves and their guests from harassment.
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Your Email Safety Toolbox
Use this toolbox to create an email workflow that fits your unique needs.
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What To Do If You’ve Been Doxed Or Placed On A Watchlist
We map out steps you can take right away, and steps you can take to build resilience longer term against…
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Book Challenges In Your Library: Tips for librarians facing harassment and threats
This guide will help librarians mobilize and respond when there are campaigns to remove their books from their shelves that…
Other PEN Initiatives
PEN America’s Online Harassment Field Manual offers concrete strategies for defending yourself and others from online abuse.
PEN America’s Digital Safety Snacks are step-by-step videos to help you defend yourself against online abuse, hacking, and doxxing.
Hear from Our Experts
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How Can Editors and Managers Support Journalists Facing Online Abuse?
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How can small and local newsrooms protect journalists from online abuse?
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How can I protect the journalists in my newsroom from online harassment?
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How Can Bystanders and Allies Support Targets of Online Abuse?
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Immigration Status is Being Used as a Weapon of Censorship by the Trump Administration
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We spoke about safety at a dozen journalism conferences in 2025. Here’s what we learned.
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Five Newsroom Leaders Share Best Online Safety Practices
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Danger in the Inbox: How Authors Can Feel Safe Using Email
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When the Mob Isn’t ‘Just Online’
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As Threats and Harassment of Authors Spill Over Into Bookstore Appearances, Safety Experts Offer Guidance
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Top Safety Tips for Those Defending the Freedom to Read
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Journalist Safety Urgent Care Helpline Responds to Growing Threats
If you are interested in learning more about our safety trainings or offering training for a group of authors, check out our Safety and Online Abuse Defense Workshops. Free public trainings for authors and their allies will be available starting Summer 2026.
Safety Consultations and Peer Support coming Summer 2026