• Home

A PEN Speak Out: Talking Transition–Sustaining New York as America’s Literary and Intellectual Capital

New York is home to a vibrant community of writers, translators, publishers, librarians, teachers, and countless other literary influencers and professionals who deserve to be a part of the conversation following Bill de Blasio’s election as the city’s next mayor.
 
Join us for an open-mic discussion of our city’s future as a literary and intellectual hub, part of the innovative, two-week initiative “Talking Transition,” taking place November 9-23. Our time slot at the “talk tent” on Tuesday evening features an exciting lineup of speakers from across New York’s literary scene, including:
 
Meena Alexander, author and educator 
Jennifer Benka, poet
Susan Bernofsky, author and translator
Margaret Carson, translator 
Selene Castrovilla, children’s book and young adult author
Henry Chang, author
Tina Chang, Poet Laureate of Brooklyn
Vicki Cobb, author and founder of iNK Think Tank
Martha Cooley, author and educator
Sergio De La Pava, author
Masha Hamilton, journalist and author
Ed Hirsch, author and president of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
Marie Howe, New York State Poet Laureate
Tina Jordan, Vice President of the Association of American Publishers
Linda Marshall, children’s book author
Maaza Mengiste, author
Richard Nash, publisher of Red Lemonade
John Oakes, Co-Founder of OR Books
Alice Quinn, Executive Director of the Poetry Society of America
Rob Spillman, Editor-in-Chief of Tin House magazine
Monica Strauss, biographer 
Annalyn Swan, journalist and editor
Philip Turner, independent publishing executive 
(list in formation)
 
We’ll also reserve some time at the mic for any audience members who are inspired to share their thoughts and hopes for the incoming administration’s policies and priorities when it comes to literary life in New York. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to have your voice heard!
 
More information, including a full schedule of “Talking Transition” events, can be found at www.talkingtransitionnyc.com
 
 
To learn more about PEN American Center, please visit www.pen.org