Membership

MEMBERS OF PEN…

…pledge themselves to do their utmost to dispel all hatreds and to champion the ideal of one humanity living in peace and equality in one world.

—from PEN Founding Charter , 1922

Why Join PEN America?

Our strength is our membership—a nationwide community of novelists and nonfiction authors, journalists, editors, poets, screenwriters, essayists, playwrights, publishers, translators, agents, and other literary professionals, and an even larger network of devoted readers and supporters who join with them to carry out PEN America’s mission.

As a PEN America Member, you have a unique part to play in the defense of free expression, celebration of literary excellence, amplification of marginalized voices, and the fostering of dialogue across political and ideological boundaries. We need your voices and support now more than ever. Working together, we will defend our most precious freedoms.

JOIN TODAY

Member Benefits

Members have exclusive access to discounts on events and publications, opportunities to convene with other members, and much more.

Publications and Services Discounts

Members receive discounts to titles, subscriptions and services from our partners, including Ploughshares, Catapult, the Shuffle Collective, TheaterMania, and more.

PEN America Events Discounts

Receive first-access and discounted tickets to upcoming events, like the Literary Awards and the World Voices Festival. Event discounts are updated on an ongoing basis.

Access to Members-Only Facebook Group

This private Facebook group is intended for members of PEN America to share news and events, discuss current issues in the world of literature and free expression.

Access to Member-led Committees

Professional Members have the opportunity to join our member-led committees, including the Translation Committee, and The Children’s and Young Adult Books Committee.

Membership Types…	PROFESSIONAL For writers and writing professionals	READER For advocates and allies
DISCOUNTS to events across the country — find a PEN Across America chapter near you!	✓	✓
DISCOUNTS to publications	✓	✓
ACCESS to members-only Facebook Group	✓	✓
OPPORTUNITY to engage with other members nationally and locally	✓	✓
RESOURCES that empower members to advocate for free expression on behalf of artists and writers	✓	✓
ACCESS to member-led committees	✓
VISIBILITY with a personalized listing in the Member Directory	✓
VOTING in the annual Board of Trustees election	✓
	JOIN TODAY	JOIN TODAY

Are you a student interested in a student discount? Are you interested in purchasing a year of membership for someone as a gift? Reach out to [email protected] for more information!

ALREADY A MEMBER?

REVIEW MY BENEFITS RENEW MY MEMBERSHIP

When you renew online, you automatically create a JoinIt account, where you can add memberships to your profile, sign up for auto-renewal, update your contact information, and more. If you’ve already signed up through JoinIt, you can log in here to view your membership.

For questions, reach out to [email protected]