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New Year New Books 2023: Celebrating and Defending the Written Word
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, we gathered with more than 200 PEN America supporters and book lovers at our annual New Year New Books Party at… More
From Inside Higher Ed: The Integrity of History Education
Legislation targeting K-12 classrooms also threatens the integrity of history education in colleges and universities, James Grossman and Jeremy C. Young write. Originally published in Inside Higher Ed Over the past… More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Saket Soni
Only good long-form writing can hold you in contact with someone else’s interiority, their motivations, their makeup, for hours or days or weeks. More
Saturday Night Live’s Lorne Michaels and Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos Will Be Honored at PEN America 2023 Spring Literary Gala, with SNL’s Weekend Update Co-Anchor Colin Jost as Host
PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said: “Lorne Michaels’ unique brand of uproarious and fearless political and social sketches forever changed television and comedy. The political landscape wouldn’t be the… More
“Let Utah Read” Event Jan. 25 Celebrates the Freedom to Read, As it Falls Under Attack from Book Bans
Books are under profound attack in the United States and in Utah. Since the passage of HB 374 in 2022, book banning and book challenges have increased dramatically across… More
Closing of Art Exhibit about Racism at Arkansas Tech U Deprives Campus of Opportunity to Engage with it
Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager in the Free Expression and Education program, made the following comments: “That art dealing with racism in America has impacted viewers in different ways is understandable.… More
Over One Hundred Authors Across Eleven Categories Make Longlist for 2023 PEN America Literary Prizes
Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, chief of literary programs at PEN America, said: “For 60 years, writers and translators selected for PEN America’s awards have brought us closer to unfamiliar lives… More
Harvard Deserves Credit for Reversing Decision Witholding a Fellowship from Former Human Rights Watch Leader
"It is important for institutions to be able to recognize where they have made an error that encroaches on free speech and academic freedom and to correct it; Harvard… More
Laws restricting drag shows should scare everyone who believes in free expression
A wave of bills restricting free expression is building in state legislatures. This time, the target is drag performances. More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Oindrila Mukherjee
No matter where you live or where you grew up or where you were issued a passport, in the end we all experience the same emotions. My wish for… More