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PEN America Mourns Passing of E. O. Wilson
"As a scientist, E.O. Wilson inspired generations with his curiosity, rigorous research, and passion for discovery," said Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, senior director of Literary Programs at PEN America. More
PEN America Condemns Sentencing of Historian Yury Dmitriev
Today, a court in Russia sentenced the historian and leader of a regional branch of the human rights organization Memorial Yury Dmitriev to 15 years in a penal colony. More
The PEN Pod: A Reflection on Free Speech in 2021 with Suzanne Nossel
“Perhaps never before in our public discourse. . . has there been a moment where issues of free expression. . . have been more salient to our politics.” More
PEN America—Led Coalition Urges White House to Sanction Criminals in Ukraine
"These sanctions would finally bring a measure of accountability to these perpetrators—and stop them from inflicting further pain,” said Stanislav Aseyev, a journalist and former Izolatsiya inmate who endured… More
Letter: President Biden Must Sanction Individuals Responsible for Human Rights Violations in Eastern Ukraine
We write to urge the immediate imposition of targeted sanctions against the individuals responsible for grave human rights violations in the areas of eastern Ukraine. More
PEN America Reacts to Joan Didion Passing
"The loss of Joan Didion carves an enormous hole in American literature and culture," said President of PEN America Ayad Akhtar. More
New Stop W.O.K.E. Act Fits Disturbing Pattern in Education Culture War
Governor DeSantis’s Stop W.O.K.E. Act, while undoubtedly aggressive, is no aberration. On the contrary, it is increasingly—and disturbingly—business as usual. More
PEN America Celebrates Release of Sanaa Seif
“We are overjoyed and relieved to hear that Sanaa has been released from prison and our thoughts are with her and her family as she begins to recover from… More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with the 2021 PEN Prison Writing Award Winners
“Am I a writer imprisoned, or has imprisonment made me a writer? Parallel universes aside, imprisonment. . . does contain all the essential ingredients of a writer’s life.” More
PEN Pals: Stacey Lee and Padma Venkatraman Discuss Books Breaking Stereotypes
“The more books representing our diverse cultures we have on our shelves, the more we can break stereotypes, and the more we can learn about our similarities as humans.” More
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