2018 Literary Gala: Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood delivered the following remarks at the 2018 PEN America Literary Gala. Thank you all for joining PEN America this evening. Before we go up to dessert,… More
2018 Literary Gala: Cameron Kasky, Samantha Fuentes, and Zion Kelly, 2018 PEN/Toni and James C. Goodale Freedom of Expression Courage Award
Nowadays people are chasing dreams that fill their wallets instead of their hearts. Nowadays people are so focused on being better than each other, instead of bettering each other.… More
2018 Literary Gala: Suzanne Nossel
PEN America Chief Executive Officer Suzanne Nossel delivered these remarks at the 2018 PEN America Literary Gala. So, Jenny was saying earlier, PEN America’s preferred discourse leverages literature to… More
2018 Literary Gala: Carolyn Reidy, 2018 PEN America Publisher Honoree
For those of us dedicated to introducing the work of writers to the world, it is repugnant when someone, anyone—whether it is the general public, media pundits, local school… More
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
She is Still Not Free: Writers Read Liu Xia’s Poetry and Call for Her Freedom
Dozens of writers and artists have joined together to call for the immediate cessation of all restrictions placed against poet Liu Xia, including her illegal house arrest. More
Chimamanda Adichie and Trevor Noah on Cultural Identities
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Trevor Noah discuss straddling multiple cultural identities in this clip from the 2017 PEN World Voices Festival. More