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“Poem for a Persian Singer” and “Aubergine”
I’m pretty sure / the song describes / how it feels when / something important / does not happen / most of the afternoon / still listening I think… More
Carlos Soto-Román: D1C3
Says yes / Says no / Says maybe / Says I don’t know / Says perhaps / Says I don’t think so / Says probably / Says tomorrow /… More
Poetry Roundup: Pink Reefs and Jellyfish Edition
Canarium Books, one of my favorite small presses, is posting cover images of its 2013 roster of books. More
Fears for Dissident Writer Li Bifeng
Chinese activist, novelist, and poet Li Bifeng has been held since September 2011 for alleged economic crimes, although he is believed to be targeted for his peaceful opposition activism. More
All Charges Against Enoh Meyomesse Dropped; Still in Prison and Facing Blindness
All charges against writer and activist Enoh Meyomesse have been dropped, he remains in jail, suffering from a serious eye condition, for which he must undergo an urgent operation… More
“How Can Culture Survive in Exile?”
We may be allowed to take it as an encouraging symptom that you are asking us “How can culture survive in exile?” instead of raising the more skeptical question… More
PEN International’s Cathal Sheerin on the G20 Summit
Mexico: Leading the G20 in Killing Journalists and WritersThe first six months of 2012 saw 8 journalists and writers murdered in Mexico; that shameful statistic puts this summer’s G20… More
South Africa: Nobel Laureates and PEN Battle for Free Expression
We’re excited that the UK-based Guardian has reported on the important free expression battles unfolding in South Africa, summarizing international condemnation of the country’s so-called Secrecy Bill at the United Nations.… More
Russian Pen Says That Official’s Apology Is Not Enough
The closure of the "hunting season" against a Novaya Gazeta journalist does not guarantee that history of this kind will not be repeated in the future. More
Can an Author Relinquish Control?
Trusting one’s translators to be masters of their craft and do their jobs well is pretty much the best an author can do to help assure the quality of… More