Interviews & Features
PEN America produces a breadth of interviews and features throughout the year.
The PEN Ten with Ian Bassingthwaighte
I can only write what I care about, and what I seek to know. I guess that means my identity and my writing are interchangeable. One so completely bleeds… More
The M Word Stories: Rayna Taher
It's supporting any Muslim actor or actress, public figure or speaker. It's feeling a connection to people you've never met, and having exceptional faith that they will be the… More
The PEN Ten with Cinelle Barnes
We all already know that it is important to use literary techniques in creative nonfiction for the sole purpose of delivering facts, but I think as a collective, we… More
The M Word Stories: Nadia Eldemerdash
Today, we share Nadia Eldemerdash’s story on being a Muslim American. The piece is Eldemerdash’s response to The M Word’s questionnaire. More
The M Word Stories: Sidra Sheikh
Now, even though I have a complicated relationship with the religion in terms of day-to-day practices, its teachings on social justice and treating others and oneself with kindness are… More
The PEN Ten with Marwan Hisham
I think misinformation, which we now see can lead to certain misconceptions and stereotypes, is the greatest threat to freedom of expression. People take many things for granted now and leave only… More
PEN Haiti: A Sanctuary for Writers
PEN Haiti began in 2002 and is part of PEN International, a global organization that promotes freedom of expression as a way to advance human rights. The house was… More
The PEN Ten with Leslie Jamison
I’m also actively resisting both hopelessness and complacency—as well as the belief that art is irrelevant in politically troubled times. More
The PEN Ten with Alicia Kopf
In Spanish there is an expression—specifically a verb—used to refer to the act of translating, of “pouring” a book from one language into another...It seems to me to be… More
A Conversation on Writing, Disability, and Alexandre Jollien
My life and work continuously function to break apart the typical views of disability. This is partly not my fault nor first choice. I feel that just in order… More