A series of events to benefit the PEN Writers’ Emergency Fund

Organized and moderated by Anna March, these events bring together authors and editors of some of the best literary fiction has to offer. In a series of roundtable discussions on sex and sexuality in literature, participants will reflect on their own work as well as the work of a diverse array of modern and contemporary writers. Topics may include: craft considerations; the impact writing on these topics has on the culture and on writers themselves; the challenges authors have in writing their own experiences and writing beyond their own experiences; the importance of writing diverse sexuality; sexual shame; teen sexuality; sexuality and aging; aspects of LGBT culture; and more.

Each event will benefit the PEN Writers’ Emergency Fund, an emergency fund for professional writers in acute, emergency financial crisis. For more information on the Fund and how to donate, visit PEN.org/writersfund. 

CHICAGO
November 5, 2015
7:30 PM
Women and Children First at the Swedish American Museum
With Rachel Dewoskin, Audrey Niffenegger, Megan Stielstra, Luis Urrea, and Cyn Vargas

LOS ANGELES
November 19, 2015
7:30 PM
Skylight Books
With Julia Fierro, Wendy C. Ortiz, Robin Rinaldi, and J. Ryan Stradal

BROOKLYN
January 21, 2016
7:00 PM
BookCourt
With Ashley Ford, Saeed Jones, Dylan Landis, Laura Miller, Elissa Schappell, and guest moderator Michele Filgate

CAMBRIDGE
January 25, 2016
7:00 PM
Porter Square Books
With Benoit Denizet-Lewis, Jaclyn Friedman, Cathi Hanauer, Daniel Jones, Marjan Kamali, and guest moderator Amy Monticello

PORTLAND
RESCHEDULED; April 24, 2016
7:00 PM
Powell’s Books
With Steve Almond, Sarah Hepola, Porochista Khakpour, Cheryl Strayed, and Lidia Yuknavitch, moderated by Anna March