The PEN Ten: An Interview with 2018 Prison Writing Award Winner Matthew Mendoza
"My best writing is about moments of magical awareness. I refused to give voice to the monotony, the bullying and violence that make up prison life." More
The PEN Ten with Hannah Howard
"Truth is the starting point from which we can dig deeper and uncover more about our emotional lives and humanity. " More
The PEN Ten with Elizabeth Hawes
"While we cannot force people to absorb or connect with our words, we can write and know that we plant seeds and the garden will come." More
The PEN Ten with Diana Marcum
"Freedom of expression . . . comes with a responsibility to speak out for the people who do not have that luxury and for any erosion of a writer’s… More
The PEN Ten with Lindsey Fitzharris
"Although I have a doctorate in the History of Science & Medicine from the University of Oxford, I consider myself first and foremost a storyteller, and a historian second." More
The PEN Ten with Romeo Oriogun
I do not have the luxury of forgetting my identity, it is one I must carry and always be aware of as I navigate spaces where I don't feel… More
The PEN Ten with Ian Bassingthwaighte
I can only write what I care about, and what I seek to know. I guess that means my identity and my writing are interchangeable. One so completely bleeds… More
The PEN Ten with Cinelle Barnes
We all already know that it is important to use literary techniques in creative nonfiction for the sole purpose of delivering facts, but I think as a collective, we… More
The PEN Ten with Marwan Hisham
I think misinformation, which we now see can lead to certain misconceptions and stereotypes, is the greatest threat to freedom of expression. People take many things for granted now and leave only… More
The PEN Ten with Leslie Jamison
I’m also actively resisting both hopelessness and complacency—as well as the belief that art is irrelevant in politically troubled times. More