Illustrated PEN
The Illustrated PEN aspires to be at the intersection of literature, journalism, and visual storytelling, where images and words come together in an ever-emerging and essential creative form. We feature fiction and nonfiction graphic narratives, comics journalism and illustrated reportage, stories of social justice, and personal stories that can’t be told through words alone.
Gun Climate
My son snored next to me while I read ... “All classes and activities have been cancelled. We are investigating a potentially serious threat made against the campus and… More
How Not to Draw Guns
Boys will sometimes ask how to draw a gun. In 10 years of teaching comics, a girl has never asked. Boys even ask me this in classrooms once occupied… More
False Choice
My daughter has had many stellar teachers, the kind who would put their kids' safety before their own. I can't stand the thought of those teachers acting as human… More
School Premises
I am acutely aware of how easy it might be for someone with a gun to cause the most atrocious of horrors despite the school's commendable efforts... More
School Choice
Don’t waste time opening the windows when the tornado comes. Touch the door to feel for heat from the other side. Stop—drop—(cover your eyes)—and roll. Don’t shout “Help!” Shout… More
What We’ve Become
You see, my daughter's school is a preschool. Her classmates are 3 and 4 years old. We would never watch a movie at school. But saying we were would… More
Lissa: A Story About Medical Promise, Friendship, and Revolution
Family is important! And people like her are breaking up our families! Her father comes here and takes all of our oil, and I have to go to the… More