Blog
Filter By:
Advocacy • Analysis • Blog • Commentary • Drama • Essay • Event • Feature • Fiction • Graphic Narrative • Interview • Memoir • News • Obituary • Open Letter • Poetry • Press Release • Profile
Browse By Series:
PEN Poetry Series • Prison Writing • The PEN Ten Interviews • Illustrated PEN • Pen Pals • The PEN World
Browse By Email Subscription:
PEN America News • Educational Censorship News • Works of Justice
The PEN Ten: An Interview with James Hannaham
Don’t let a message get in the way of the truth, even when that truth is embarrassing, counterintuitive, or unpopular. More
Arrest of Nevada Government Official in Journalist’s Killing is “Deeply Disturbing”
(NEW YORK)-- In response to the arrest of Clark County (NV) Public Administrator Robert Telles in the stabbing death of Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German, PEN America… More
Now This Is Man
Joseph Grosso was awarded 2nd Place in Nonfiction Essay in the 2022 Prison Writing Contest. Every year, hundreds of imprisoned people from around the country submit poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and… More
Nineteen Writers Win Coveted Awards in 2022 Prison Writing Contest
Caits Meissner, director of PEN America's Prison and Justice Writing program, said: "This year's submissions underscore the extraordinary resilience, individuality, and indomitable artistry of writers inside prisons. These indispensable… More
PEN Prison Writing Awards
PEN America sponsors an annual writing contest for prisoners. Adults incarcerated in a federal, state, or county prison are eligible to enter. All submissions must be postmarked by December… More
PEN America Prison Writing Award Winners: 2022
For over three decades, hundreds of imprisoned writers from around the country submit poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and dramatic works every year to PEN America’s annual Prison Writing Awards More
Can’t Win PEN
Brandon Amos was awarded 2nd Place in Drama in the 2022 Prison Writing Contest. Every year, hundreds of imprisoned people from around the country submit poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and dramatic… More
Twenty Years In Solitary – A Play in 20 Acts
Alex Friedmann was awarded 1st Place in Drama in the 2022 Prison Writing Contest. Every year, hundreds of imprisoned people from around the country submit poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and dramatic… More
Pain Management
Elizabeth Hawes was awarded an Honorable Mention in Nonfiction Memoir in the 2022 Prison Writing Contest. Every year, hundreds of imprisoned people from around the country submit poetry, fiction, nonfiction,… More
Another Rainy Day, Hurray
Burl Corbett was awarded 1st Place in Nonfiction Memoir in the 2022 Prison Writing Contest. Every year, hundreds of imprisoned people from around the country submit poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and… More