Media Advisory: PEN America Experts on Book Bans Available, Ahead of Senate Hearing 9/12
PEN America has been at the forefront of documenting and defending against the unprecedented rise of school book bans nationwide. Texas, Florida and Missouri lead with the most books… More
With Massive Book Banning in Prisons, PEN America Presents “Return to Sender: Prison as Censorship,” a NYC Exhibition Sept. 14-Oct. 28
Moira Marquis, an advocate in PEN America’s Prison and Justice Writing program, said: “More books are banned in prisons than anywhere else in the country and censorship is rising… More
Unjust Prison Sentence in Algeria Against Scholar and Writer Raouf Farrah and His Father
“This unjust sentence against Raouf Farrah and his father illustrates how far the Algerian government is willing to go to stamp out critical commentary and independent scholarship. By handing… More
New Bill in Congress on School Materials Addresses a Non-Existent Problem, But Would Instead Chill Public Education
Laura Schroeder, senior manager of legislative affairs at PEN America, said: “This bill is an intimidation tactic that seeks to address a problem that doesn’t exist. There is no… More
PEN America Launches Fund to Assist Early Career Screenwriters Facing Economic Hardship
Ayad Akhtar, PEN America’s president and a novelist, playwright and screenwriter, said: “During these difficult days, we are honored as a writers organization to do as much as we… More
PEN America Mourns the Death of Bloomsbury USA President Adrienne Vaughan
"Adrienne Vaughan lent her extraordinary talent, passion and persistence to the cause of free expression and the freedom to read. Beyond her impressive publishing talents working with writers, she… More
PEN America Publishes Fifth DREAMing Out Loud Anthology: Original Essays, Poems, Short Stories, Plays From Migrant Authors in New York City
“These are voices that deserve to be recognized, championed, and taken into our hearts,” said Jared Jackson, director of Literary Programs and Emerging Voices. “Their stories are unique and… More
Texas Law Requiring Book Ratings for “Sexual Relevance” in Schools Spurs Lawsuit
Jonathan Friedman, director, Free Expression and Education program, at PEN America, said: "This law is clearly an effort to intimidate publishers and police the circulation of ideas and information.… More
Additional Parents Join Lawsuit Against Book Bans in Florida’s Escambia County
"As a Black mother of two teenage girls, I know how important it is for our children to have access to books like The Freedom Writers Diary and Beloved,"… More
Relief that Egyptian Writer Patrick Zaki is Pardoned and Released from Prison After Sentencing for “Spreading False News”
Justin Shilad, research and advocacy lead for the Middle East and North Africa at PEN America, said: “The sentence against Patrick Zaki is an outrage, and indicative of the… More