Press Releases
PEN America experts are available for interviews with the press. Please direct inquiries to Suzanne Trimel, Senior Advisor, Communications and Media, at [email protected].
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PEN America Opens Submissions for 2023 Literary Awards
(NEW YORK)-- The literary and free expression organization PEN America today announced the opening of submissions and nominations for the 2023 PEN America Literary Awards. Submissions for book awards… More
PEN America 2022 Emerging Voices Fellows Selected from Largest Applicant Pool Ever
Jared Jackson of PEN America said: “This is a stunning cohort of Emerging Voices Fellows, whose work reveals truths about subjects from Black feminism, displacement, and Asian-American identity to… More
PEN America and PEN International: Grave Concern Over the Lack of Due Process Protections in Arbitrary Trials of Cuban Artist Set for May 30-31
"The arbitrary trials against two of Cuba’s most talented and outspoken artists and activists indicate nothing more than the targeted and forceful attempt by the Cuban government to silence… More
Firing of Princeton University Professor Raises Questions Over Free Expression and Due Process
Without clear indications that offensive speech forms part of a pattern of harassing conduct, the expression of controversial or even offensive views should not be the impetus for the… More
Florida High School Activist Jack Petocz, Organizer of Protests Against Book Bans and “Don’t Say Gay” Bill, Honored with 2022 PEN/Benenson Courage Award
Asia Kate Dillon said: “I hear from young people that seeing my character on Billions has helped them understand their own gender identity – and that this allowed them… More
In a Moment of Dire Threat to Free Expression, PEN America Literary Gala Celebrates Writers, Visionaries, and Truth-Tellers
PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said: “In unimaginable times, we need the imagination, and specifically authors’ imaginations as manifest in the written word, to force us to reckon with… More
Margaret Atwood & Penguin Random House Fight Censorship with an “Unburnable” Edition of The Handmaid’s Tale; Book Auction Proceeds to Benefit PEN America
PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said: "If there is anyone who can ensure that the book is not consumed, it is Margaret Atwood. She has found a way to fight fire… More
Virginia Case Seeking Restraining Order on Two Books is a ‘Worrying Escalation’ in Spreading Censorship
“This lawsuit is a worrying escalation in the effort to censor and restrict access to literature that PEN America has been tracking for the last year. It is, of… More
PEN America CEO to U.S. House Panel: Book Bans and Educational Gag Orders are ‘an Orchestrated Effort to Polarize, Intimidate, and Restrict Flow of Ideas’
Nossel, a former diplomat and veteran human rights advocate, warned that these disturbing trends at home tarnish America’s global image and undermine the effort to counter rising authoritarianism. “As… More
PEN America Austin Presents “Who is Afraid of Black Books?”: A Conversation and Reading with Authors ZZ Packer and Danez Smith
Moderated by Jennifer M. Wilks and featuring contributors to The 1619 Project, acclaimed author ZZ Packer and award-winning poet Danez Smith, this conversation will reflect on the recent book… More