The PEN Ten with Samiya Bashir
“The writer,” such as they are, can lose their mind or more by not writing. Your work, if it’s in you, can be both tonic and toxic. More
Opening Lines of Lolita
In this archival recording, James Mason reads from one of the most recognizable beginnings of twentieth-century literature. More
Monochords
The heroes pissed on the corner of the street under the thin moon. // He shouted loudly so we’d forget how for years he’d said nothing. More
Power to the People Requires Press Defense
We can do a better job of demonstrating how persistent journalism directly affects community change…here are a few ways reporters have used human stories to bring about substantive action. More
The PEN Ten with Carmen Agra Deedy
Respect the intelligence of young readers and never, ever, lie to them. They will love you for the former and crucify you should you ignore the latter. More
Four Questions for Simon Armitage, Winner of the PEN Award for Poetry in Translation
For the first time in my life I was bilingual, even if I could only communicate with people who had been dead for half a millennium. More
Four Questions for Tess Lewis, Winner of the 2017 PEN Translation Prize
I always read my drafts out loud when I’m polishing them—I find it easier to hear mistakes or awkward passages than to 'see' them. More
Adam Michnik on Revolution
One could say that every revolution has two phases. The first is very beautiful, it is the struggle for freedom. The second is horrible, it’s the struggle for power. More
In-Between Days
"I was feeling no pain, by which I mean, I was overmedicated." More
The PEN Ten with Deborah Smith
I never discuss a translation while I’m working on it, because for me the author’s voice and intention are all there on the page. More
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