PEN America’s Commitment to Health and Safety at the 2021 PEN America Literary Gala
Updated Sept. 21, 2021 To protect all in attendance, PEN America will enforce a robust set of health and safety measures for the 2021 PEN America Literary Gala in New… More
‘It was like watching someone take their last breaths,’ says Afghan American Writer Nadia Hashimi
Afghan American author Nadia Hashimi reflects on the fall of Afghanistan, the future of women’s rights in the country, and how readers and writers can support one another. More
A Texas Book Ban is an Attack on the Freedom to Learn
Months after the Leander Independent School District banned books and graphic novels from its secondary school curriculum, the district released decisions on an additional set of titles. More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Christopher Gonzalez
“I’m always drawn to writing by other queer authors of color, whether they’re writing about joy or anger or quiet narratives or love or sex. . . . More… More
PEN Pals: Ashley Hope Pérez and Padma Venkatraman on What Book Bans Are Really About
"I think books like Out of Darkness offer a historical perspective on our current moment, which is still very much affected by racism." More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Kyle Lucia Wu
“Sometimes the scrim of a story allows us to see things with more clarity and empathy—things we might look away from or numb ourselves to in our real lives.” More
The PEN Pod: Writing, Healing, and Redemption with Natashia Deón
“We’re extremely happy for Danny Fenster. . . but I think the real question is, do we see any loosening vis-à-vis the free expression of Myanmar’s own reporters and… More
The PEN Pod: On The University of Austin, Myanmar, and China
“We’re extremely happy for Danny Fenster. . . but I think the real question is, do we see any loosening vis-à-vis the free expression of Myanmar’s own reporters and… More
The PEN Pod: On Book Bans with George M. Johnson
“I’m proud that they’re trying to stop my truth in many ways. I can’t be intimidated. I mean, I put my story out there for the world to see,… More
PEN Pals: Fatima Shaik Interviews Susan Kuklin About LGBTQ+ Books and How They Save Lives
“The library is supposed to be an inclusive institution, conceived for all, not some or a few.” More
Alert Us
Are you an artist at risk or know someone who is?
PEN America On 
My piece for @TexasMonthly about the unhappy reality of attacks on youth access to books.
OUT OF DARKNESS is just one of many being removed from school libraries in Texas & beyond in response to performances of parental outrage. Students deserve better.
https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-school-district-banned-my-book/
