PEN America works tirelessly to defend free expression, support persecuted writers, and promote literary culture. Here are some of the latest ways PEN America is speaking out.
- PEN America announced its new class of Emerging Voices Fellows, marking the program’s 30th anniversary. “This remarkable cohort reminds us that when we open doors for writers, we widen the imagination of what literature can be,” said TC. Mann, coordinator for Emerging Voices and literary programs. Over the past three decades, the program has supported 214 writers who have published more than 70 books, appeared in hundreds of literary journals and anthologies, earned more than 110 major literary awards and honors, and received fellowships and residencies from many of the country’s leading cultural institutions. Check out the bios of this year’s 11 writers, and read more about the program.
- Co-CEO Summer Lopez and six other leading advocates assessed the state of democracy in the U.S. on its 250th birthday and explained their wishes for its future in The Guardian. “We must seize this moment to build a genuine culture of free expression for all,” Lopez said. “That requires standing up for those whose voices are most under attack, defending everyone’s right to speak even when we deeply disagree with what is being said and dismantling barriers to an equitable exercise of these rights.” Read more, and share your own reflections on free expression at this milestone with us.
- On the 35th birthday of poet, lyricist, and 2025 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award Honoree Galal El-Behairy, PEN America published “My Birthday,” a poem he wrote to mark the occasion. It was his ninth consecutive birthday spent in a cell. Read the poem.
- Sy Syms Director of U.S. Free Expression Programs Jonathan Friedman spoke to CNN about plans in Texas to make Bible stories mandatory in public schools, which he said “really does approach government mandated religious teaching.” Watch the clip.
- PEN America spoke with Kaden Ouimet, a student organizer on a gap year from American University, about the fight to defend his peers’ rights on campus and the advice he’d offer other organizers.“You are a part of a story, a chapter in a story of students who have had the power to take on systemic barriers and win,” he said. “Organize to win the future you deserve.” Read the full Conversation on the Quad.
- PEN America joined PEN International and PEN Eritrea to demand accountability from the Eritrean government, which in 2001 arrested 12 writers and journalists for expressing their views and calling for government reform. Held in secret detention for nearly 25 years, they are among the world’s longest-detained writers and journalists. See our post.
- BBC News quoted Erika Nguyen, senior manager for the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Center, about China’s new ethnic unity law. “The Chinese government’s fist of repression will continue to squeeze as it unabashedly weaponises cultural institutions, technology, and the media to further dictate a state-controlled version of Mongolian culture,” she said. Read the story.
- Watching the World Cup? Check out what we recommend you read based on the team you’re rooting for.
- Traveling this summer? Whether you’re going far and wide this summer or sticking to local weekend getaways, here are some books to pick up for the road.
