The PEN Pod: On the Lines Between Fact and Fiction with Ayad Akhtar
“In a time of increased polarization and stridency, literature and literary conversation are almost by definition one of nuance, one of emotionally valiant, intellectually rigorous discourse.” More
The PEN Pod: Tough Questions with Suzanne Nossel
“We all need to be much more conscientious about [spreading misinformation] and also equipped to talk to one another and confront one another. The advice that we give is… More
Open Letter to Ted Cruz: PEN America Chapter Leaders Express Concerns About USAGM CEO
We write to express concern about reports that Michael Pack is blocking the renewal of J-1 visas of foreign journalists employed by public international broadcasters overseen by the USAGM. More
The PEN Pod: Tough Questions with Suzanne Nossel
“Democratic countries around the world, creative industries, and principled leaders. . . [need to] be cognizant of the reach and influence that China is attempting to exercise.” More
The PEN Pod: Investigating Censorship in Hollywood with James Tager
“We want Hollywood to take more action to oppose government censorship from any government—be that from Beijing, Washington D.C., Moscow, Cairo, or Riyadh.” More
The PEN Pod: Tough Questions with Suzanne Nossel
“We absolutely cannot let our guard down, and we’re in uncharted territory in terms of a president who is willing to flout the First Amendment.” More
Has Free Speech Become an Even More Partisan Issue Under the Trump Administration?
In this excerpt from Dare to Speak, forthcoming July 28, PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel discusses the increasing politicization of the First Amendment. More
The PEN Pod: Tough Questions with Suzanne Nossel
“We can see plainly that free speech is under grave threat in this country, and from multiple sides.” More
The PEN Pod: Tough Questions About a Critical Week with Suzanne Nossel
“It’s a very unsettling moment. . . we share a sense of alarm at the naked racism and brutality that people, and particularly Black Americans, have experienced.” More
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The vagueness is the point. @ThePlumLineGS gets it right. Lawmakers had many chances to make the Don't Say Gay law clearer; they kept it vague. State guidance has also gone further than the original law, w/ worse penalties. Results are #Chilling #EdScare
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/01/27/desantis-school-libraries-dont-say-gay-critical-race-theory/
Still so proud to have been involved in this project, with amazing and dedicated collaborators @saliltripathi, @suketumehta, and Kiran Desai. Love for India and its promise and potential span decades, nationality, and continents. https://twitter.com/PENamerica/status/1618972267354136576
I am honored to be one of the judges for this year's PEN/ROBERT J. DAU SHORT STORY PRIZE FOR EMERGING WRITERS @PENamerica
https://pen.org/meet-the-2023-literary-awards-judges/