Interviews & Features
PEN America produces a breadth of interviews and features throughout the year.
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Elissa Washuta
“I don’t think of stories as being isolated works of intentional narrative construction—I think they are at the core of how we understand the concept of time and how… More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Leone Ross
“Fiction gives me an opportunity to express emotional truth by creating composite characters—bits of myself, inspired by other people. . . and hoping readers relate deeply.” More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Kayleb Rae Candrilli
“I am a small part of the tradition being remade and reclaimed by historically marginalized folks. Our bodies are breaking rules by existing, so why wouldn’t our art?” More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Raymond Antrobus
“If I’m finding language for my fullest and most honest self, then most of that is showing up in the work.” More
The PEN Pod: Online Abuse and the Threat it Poses to Free Speech with Viktorya Vilk
“If we’re serious about fighting online abuse, everybody’s going to have to get involved. We need to train people to defend themselves. We also need allies to step in… More
The PEN Pod: On Conflicts of Interest between Free Expression and Powerful Institutions with Suzanne Nossel
“The most heartening piece of it is that the people of Myanmar, who for so many years lived under such brutal repression. . . They’re incredibly brave to take… More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Hanif Abdurraqib
“I’ve needed stories as a way to keep loved ones alive, as a way to contextualize histories, as a way to push back against things I was told to… More
The PEN Pod: Empowering Youth to Use Their Voices with Jessica Bohrer
“We’re trying to really give the message that everyone has a voice, and there are so many ways to use that voice, and we want them to feel empowered.” More
The PEN Pod: The Propagation of Disinformation and Protocols of Protest with Suzanne Nossel
“It’s an ecosystem—a dysfunctional, polluted ecosystem. Within that ecosystem, among the most powerful actors—no question about it—are the social media companies.” More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Carribean Fragoza
“Fiction is very real to me, not just because my characters and settings are often inspired by real people. . . but because they also address emotions and ideas… More