New PEN America Report Warns Against Canceling Books Due to Outrage
In the report, PEN America cautions publishers against giving in to newly-drawn lines that restrict the space for the writer’s prerogative to imagine and create literature: “It is imperative… More
Hundreds of Books Targeted for Removal in Iowa School District Over New ‘Age Appropriate” Law
“Our letter to Urbandale Community School District signals to district leaders and others across the state that ‘broad interpretations’ of vague laws threaten the freedom to read for students… More
More Than 50 Authors Join PEN America, We Need Diverse Books, and the Florida Freedom to Read Project, in Call to Pinellas County, FL School Officials to Drop Review of 87 Book Titles
Kasey Meehan, director, Freedom to Read project at PEN America, said: “These books by celebrated authors allow students to see themselves in works of fiction or to gain an… More
PEN America: “Regrettable” that Elizabeth Gilbert Delayed Publication of New Novel Set in Russia
"It is regrettable that Elizabeth Gilbert felt it necessary to delay the publication of a novel set in Russia. Ukrainians have suffered immeasurably, and Gilbert's decision in the face of online… More
PEN American Mourns the Passing of Author Martin Amis, a Devoted Member and Supporter
Nested in a community of fellow luminaries who were his peers and longtime friends, he helped animate the best of writerly New York and its atmosphere of candor, debate… More
PEN Tulsa Celebrates Free Expression and Queer Identity with Events May 20 and 21
"[...] the title alone is like waving a red cape in front of a right-wing bull. Let alone that it centers the story of an urban Black trans woman.… More
New PEN America Manifesto on Translation: A Call for Change to Counter Historic Racial and Gender Inequities in the 21st Century
Allison Markin Powell, a member of the Translation Committee who led the group that drafted the manifesto, said: “The manifesto’s call to action emphasizes that translation is a form… More
PEN America’s World Voices Festival Presents Conversations in Los Angeles with Great Writers, Thinkers, Artists, and Activists May 10-13
Allison Lee, PEN America’s Los Angeles managing director, said: “Bringing writers and creatives together with perspectives from across the globe makes this annual literary festival uniquely inspiring and aligned… More
Honoree Tina Fey Brings Down the House at the 2023 PEN America Literary Awards
Comedy legend Tina Fey continued her three-decade streak of making audiences laugh on Thurs. evening Mar. 2 at the 2023 PEN America Literary Awards with a hilarious speech at… More
PEN America Honors Tina Fey, Vinod Kumar Shukla, Erika Dickerson-Despenza, and 11 Authors and Translators at 2023 Literary Awards Hosted by Kal Penn
Tina Fey said: “As a 52-year-old woman who’s been living in New York and writing comedy for 30 years, there aren’t too many rooms anymore where I feel like… More