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2026 Literary Gala

PEN AMERICA

2026 Literary Gala

Join us at the annual Literary Gala on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City — a luminous gathering of authors, publishers, and advocates — as we honor those who stand at the front lines of free expression and literature. This unforgettable evening raises crucial support for PEN America’s cultural programs and advocacy to defend the freedom to read, write, and speak in a time when those rights face unprecedented threats.

2026 Honorees

Ann Patchett, smiling and wearing a floral top, sits in front of a colorful bookshelf. Text reads: 2026 PEN/Audible Literary Service Award and Ann Patchett, Author, Bookseller.

PEN/Audible Literary Service Award

A smiling man with short, tousled brown hair wearing a gray blazer and white shirt. Text reads: VISIONARY HONOREE 2024 BUSINESS Jason Blum, Founder & CEO, Blumhouse. A purple book icon is shown.

Business Visionary Honoree

Additional honorees to be announced.

Literary Co-Chairs

A man with short dark hair in a suit jacket rests his face on his hand, looking at the camera. Text reads: 2026 Gala Literary Co-Chair. David Remnick, Author; Editor, The New Yorker.
A man in a suit smiles slightly at the camera. Text on the image reads: “2026 GALA, LITERARY CO-CHAIR, Kwame Anthony Appiah, Author; Professor, NYU.” An illustrated purple book appears on the lower left.
Meet all the Literary Hosts

Gala Co-Chairs

Karen Mehiel

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Colette Bennett

Support the Gala

Sponsorships, Program Ads, Tables, Tickets >>

For more information and other ways to submit payment, please call 917‑710‑5028, or email [email protected].

Learn more about our annual Literary Gala and see recaps from prior years’ celebrations.