Testimonials by Co-Hosts of 2014 PEN New Members/New Books Party
The concept of free expression is very near and dear in my heart. My parents came from China, and growing up we were taught that we could never take… More
Jennifer Egan, Erroll McDonald Elected to PEN Board of Trustees
PEN is pleased to announce that its Board of Trustees voted on December 6, 2012, to appoint Jennifer Egan and Erroll McDonald to its ranks. More
PEN Member Peter Sis Wins Hans Christian Andersen Award
PEN Member Peter Sis has won the Hans Christian Andersen Illustrator Award, the most prestigious international award for a children’s book illustrator. Sis, who was born in Brno, Czechoslovakia,… More
2012 PEN American Center Election Results
PEN American Center announced at the Annual Members Meeting the election of Peter Godwin as the president. Godwin succeeds Kwame Anthony Appiah, who served as president for the last… More
Remembering Barney Rosset
Barney Rosset’s death demands a focus on a life filled with extremes. His financial ups and downs—mainly downs—his personal intensity; his absolute unwillingness to compromise: these, combined with a… More
PEN Remembers Envelope-Pushing Publisher and PEN Member Barney Rosset
PEN mourns the loss of maverick publisher, First Amendment crusader, and longtime member, Barney Rosset. He passed away in New York on February 21, at the age of 89.… More
President Obama Presents National Humanities Medal to PEN President Anthony Appiah
President Barack Obama presented the 2011 National Humanities Medal to PEN President Kwame Anthony Appiah today. Established in 1997, the National Humanities Medal honors individuals or groups whose work… More
Fighting The Sad Scourge of Our Times¥
John Ralston Saul, Russell Banks, and Elena Poniatowska from PEN American Center, Marian Botsford Fraser from PEN Canada, and many others from PEN International and centers in Europe and Asia are traveling to Mexico… More
PEN Member Walter Dean Myers Appointed National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature
PEN Member Walter Dean Myers has been named the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, a position created by the Library of Congress and the Children’s Book Council to… More
Alert Us
Are you an artist at risk or know someone who is?
PEN America On 
Are you ready to take action against book bans in your community? Join us Tuesday 1/31 at 7:30pm EST to learn what new trends and targets are emerging in books bans and what tactics to expect from right-wing extremists groups going forward. http://go.redwine.blue/yu1
Border exceptions to the 4th Amendment happen w/in 100 miles of the US border, allowing DHS/CBP to search digital devices/violate constitutional rights under protection. This is a critical bill from @RonWyden for which I’m pleased to see renewed interest:https://news.bloomberglaw.com/privacy-and-data-security/wyden-looks-to-limit-border-searches-of-americans-devices
Last year, #Russia saw more than 21,000 arrests and at least 370 defendants in criminal cases for anti-war speech; more than 200,000 internet resources blocked; and 11 sentences in cases of state treason - via @Advox http://ow.ly/tUBo50MF25q @PENamerica @PSadovskaya2020 @fromTGA