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2019 PEN America Literary Awards Ceremony

See photos from the event.

2019 PEN America Literary Awards Ceremony
2019 PEN America Literary Awards Ceremony - Photobooth

At the 2019 PEN America Literary Awards Ceremony on February 26, PEN America celebrated the best voices in literature from debut fiction to nonfiction, poetry, drama, and the range of creative works that free expression makes possible. Hosted by comedian Hari Kondabolu, the ceremony featured live announcements, performances of honored works, followed by a champagne toast.

Since 1963, the PEN America Literary Awards have honored many of the most outstanding voices in literature across diverse genres, including fiction, poetry, science writing, essays, sports writing, biography, children’s literature, and drama. With the help of our partners, PEN America confers over 20 distinct awards, fellowships, grants, and prizes each year, awarding nearly $350,000 to writers and translators. For more information on our Literary Awards, visit pen.org/literary-awards.

PEN America gratefully acknowledges Hudson Booksellers, PEN Literary Awards lead sponsor. 

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Hari Kondabolu is a comedian, writer, and podcaster based in Brooklyn, NY. His Netflix special Warn Your Relatives debuted in May 2018 & was described by The NY Times as “an incisively funny and formally adventurous hour that reveals a comic in command of his powers.” Additionally, Kondabolu has performed on The Late Show with David Letterman, Conan, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Comedy Central. In 2017, he released his critically acclaimed documentary The Problem with Apu on truTV.