Interviews & Features
PEN America produces a breadth of interviews and features throughout the year.
The PEN Pod: On Political Ads, the Children’s Canon, and Ongoing Crackdowns in Myanmar with Suzanne Nossel
“While there was a democratic interlude and democratic norms were taking hold [in Myanmar], it was even more fragile than I think anybody quite realized.” More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Marisa Reichardt
“I think my identity reveals itself in styles, themes, and messages. Where I grew up, the sports I played, the people I loved and loathed, these all show up… More
The PEN Pod: Recovering Lost Stories and How They Can Inspire the Present with Fatima Shaik
“In the Economy Society, their motto was ‘to help one another and teach one another, and put out a hand to suffering humanity.’ Now, I think that resonates with… More
The PEN Pod: Reckoning with “the Big Lie” with Suzanne Nossel
“It’s not simply just a matter of speech when you’re actually threatening people, much less using the power of government to make good on those threats.” More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Asha Dahya
“It is so common to feel alone in our lived experiences, but once we see more and more people share their stories, we start to get that sense of… More
The PEN Pod: The Secret History of Stan Lee with Abraham Riesman
“What I would hope is that I encourage people to embrace ambiguity when it comes to Stan [Lee]’s life and legacy. Embrace ambiguity.” More
The PEN Pod: On the Conclusion to a Landmark Lawsuit and Setting the New Precedents of Free Speech with Suzanne Nossel
“It’s not simply just a matter of speech when you’re actually threatening people, much less using the power of government to make good on those threats.” More
The PEN Ten: An Interview with Zak Salih
“Pride as a gay man, as a writer—both require one to build up defenses against judgment while simultaneously embracing the vulnerability that comes from making public one’s authentic self.” More
The PEN Pod: On the Release of Loujain Al-Hathloul and Conscientiousness with Language with Suzanne Nossel
“We’re very aware that [Loujain Al-Hathloul is] not entirely free. . . even though she’s physically free, it’s not clear that her voice will really be free.” More
The PEN Pod: Writing as Medicine with Sandra Cisneros and Jane Marchant
“We need to remind other writers that they have a purpose. . . if I’m not there [as a judge], or if someone like me isn’t there, then possibly… More
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