PEN America pays tribute to Russell Banks, a giant of letters and staunch ally
PEN America paid tribute on Monday to novelist Russell Banks, a longtime advocate of free expression and member of PEN America, who died over the weekend at age 82. More
PEN America Mourns the Death of Thai Artist, Scholar, and Art Critic Thanom Chapakdee
Julie Trebault, director of the Artists at Risk Connection, said in a statement: “We will miss him dearly and our hearts are with his family and friends during this… More
PEN America Mourns Death of Novelist, Former PEN America President Larry McMurtry
PEN America today mourns the death of writer Larry McMurtry, a novelist and screenwriter who served as PEN America’s President and was a staunch defender of free expression. More
DARE: Attorney General Nominee William Barr Doesn’t Reject the Possibility of Jailing Journalists
Attorney general nominee William Barr tells Senate confirmation hearing that he can conceive of situations in which journalists could be jailed. The... More
Remembering Vera B. Williams: A Tribute
Friends, writers, and illustrators pay tribute to the longtime former chair of PEN's CYAB Committee and much beloved children's book writer and illustrator. More
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White House will not pay for staff's official Twitter profiles to be verified: "It is our understanding that Twitter Blue does not provide person-level verification as a service... a blue check mark will now simply (verify)... the account is a paid user." https://www.axios.com/2023/03/31/twitter-verification-white-house-biden-check-mark
#Florida: Pinellas school officials now deny the PG-rated ‘Ruby Bridges’ film they banned was banned.
Previously: The district banned Toni Morrison’s first novel, “The Bluest Eye,” from all high schools in January after one Palm Harbor parent complained. https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2023/03/31/school-board-superintendent-kevin-hendrick-disney-north-shore-elementary/
Proud. @PENamerica supports kidlit and authors esp on Trans Day of visibility. Trans stories are being attacked. And it's never about the books - it's about what the books represent. The ultimate free expression - celebrating who you are. https://pen.org/banned-books-transgender-stories/