2018 Literary Gala: Eskinder Nega
I ask whether those who are free have an obligation towards those of us who are not free. And I say they do. This obligation is not legal but… More
2018 Literary Gala: Presentation of the 2018 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award
Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, are journalists who specialize in politically sensitive subjects. When arrested they were on assignment by Reuters investigating the torching and pillage… More
2018 Literary Gala: Stephen King, PEN America Literary Service Award
"The percentage of readers is relatively small compared to the population as a whole. Just think for a minute of all the people you see on these streets every… More
2018 Literary Gala: Jennifer Egan
"As a fiction writer and a journalist, I’m more accustomed to the role of spectator, ideally as close to invisible as possible—it helps me eavesdrop. What led me to… More
PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award
Established in 2016, this award is designed to honor a writer imprisoned for his or her work. More
2018 PEN/Toni and James C. Goodale Freedom of Expression Courage Award: Cameron Kasky, Samantha Fuentes, and Zion Kelly
As part of their campaign, Kasky, Fuentes, and Kelly have forthrightly confronted the outsized impact of gun violence in black, Latino, and poor communities and the hurdles confronting communities… More
Donate to the 2018 Literary Gala
If you cannot attend the Literary Gala but would like to make a contribution, you can do so below. We hope you can join us next year at the… More
2018 Literary Gala Sponsors
A special thanks to the most generous supporters of the 2018 PEN America Literary Gala: Leadership Pamela & Peter Barbey • Bloomberg Philanthropies • Margaret Munzer Loeb • The Seedlings Foundation Benefactors Amazon.com • Barnes &… More
PEN America to Honor Imprisoned Myanmar Journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo with 2018 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award
“By simply doing their jobs, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo demonstrated exceptional courage, knowing full well the risks they were taking in pursuing this story. Yet they continued... More
2018 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award: Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo
Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are journalists who specialize in politically sensitive subjects. When arrested they were on assignment by Reuters investigating the torching and pillage of Inn… More
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