In a Moment of Dire Threat to Free Expression, PEN America Literary Gala Celebrates Writers, Visionaries, and Truth-Tellers
PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said: “In unimaginable times, we need the imagination, and specifically authors’ imaginations as manifest in the written word, to force us to reckon with… More
Margaret Atwood & Penguin Random House Fight Censorship with an “Unburnable” Edition of The Handmaid’s Tale; Book Auction Proceeds to Benefit PEN America
PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said: "If there is anyone who can ensure that the book is not consumed, it is Margaret Atwood. She has found a way to fight fire… More
PEN America Austin Presents “Who is Afraid of Black Books?”: A Conversation and Reading with Authors ZZ Packer and Danez Smith
Moderated by Jennifer M. Wilks and featuring contributors to The 1619 Project, acclaimed author ZZ Packer and award-winning poet Danez Smith, this conversation will reflect on the recent book… More
Displacement and the Life of a Writer: Nobel Laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah Opens PEN World Voices Festival with Personal Remembrance and History
[caption id="attachment_220638" align="alignright" width="300"] An Evening with Nobel Laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah, PEN World Voices Festival 2022[/caption] “I believe that writing also has to show what can be otherwise, what it… More
PEN America Convenes Emergency Congress of Writers In Response to the War in Ukraine and Other Global Crises
PEN America Chief Executive Officer Suzanne Nossel said, “At a time when governments seem at a loss to confront the multiplying scourges of violence, disinformation, polarization, environmental degradation, corruption,… More
Writers Delegation from Ukraine to Meet with Biden Administration Officials, Members of Congress May 16-17
In addition to human rights and freedom of expression concerns, the delegation will raise issues including preserving Ukraine’s literary and cultural heritage (publishing and related activities); support to writers… More
NYC Earth Day Celebration April 22: Bookstores Host Poets for On the Spot Composition in Response to Climate, Environment and the Natural World
Alejandro Heredia, community outreach manager at PEN America, the literary and free expression organization, said: “New York is grounded in a legacy of writers, poets and other creative communities… More
2022 PEN World Voices Festival Will Bring International Writers and Thinkers to NYC May 11-14 For a Unique Intellectual Assemblage Amid Conflict
As powers across the world ride roughshod over facts in order to legitimize aggression and work their international will, PEN World Voices will aim to elevate truth and narrative… More
From Titans to Emerging Voices, 2022 Literary Awards Celebrate Remarkable Writing
PEN America Literary Awards returned as a vibrant live event—the first in-person awards ceremony since March 2020—celebrating the resilience of the literary and artistic communities across two years of… More
Conversation March 3 With Ukrainian Writers Reflecting on the Crisis from the Front Lines
PEN America and PEN Ukraine are both members of the global network of PEN centers that celebrate the power of the written word and defend freedom of expression. Following… More
Alert Us
Are you an artist at risk or know someone who is?
PEN America On 
#StandWithSalman in Hawai'i!
Saturday October 8 at 1PM: A free outdoor event of readings from Salman Rushdie’s acclaimed works on the steps of the Hawaii State Library.
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rally-and-readings-in-honor-of-salman-rushdie-tickets-428164370157
In the cause of human rights, the new #NobelPeacePrize winner Ales Bialiatski sacrificed his own freedom and remains jailed with 100s whose only “crime” is speaking the truth. Read more: https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-recognizes-the-courage-and-activism-of-nobel-peace-prize-winners-in-ukraine-russia-and-belarus/ https://twitter.com/pen_belarus/status/1578316010263715840
Yesterday, PEN America's Prison and Justice Writing hosted the NYC book launch for @prshakur and his debut memoir, WHEN THEY TELL YOU TO BE GOOD (@Tin_House) at @ptknitwear. (1/2)