We stand at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the U.S. and worldwide. Support and learn more at pen.org.
It’s August, which means we’re celebrating Women in Translation Month! And if you don’t know where to begin, don’t worry: our newest Bookshop list includes more than 40 recommendations for books in translation, all written by women, nonbinary, or queer authors. More at: bookshop.org/lists/2026-w...
An attempt by the Missouri Attorney General and Secretary of State to shut down a public library’s “rainbow storytime” for children by threatening to withhold state funds, “grossly mischaracterizes” the event to force an “ideological agenda,” PEN America said today. pen.org/press-releas...
Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist @nhannahjones.bsky.social and bestselling authors @angiethomas.bsky.social, Jason Reynolds, and Renée Watson celebrated Black stories with about 800 community members, students, and advocates at the 1619 Freedom School’s 2nd read-in: pen.org/iowa-celebra...
Nikole Hannah-Jones and Bestselling Authors Host Read-In in Waterloo, Iowa, Celebrating Black StoriesThe authors read excerpts from their books, reminding the audience that Black stories can span genres and deserve to be written and read.pen.orgAs activist, writer, and 2026 PEN/Barbey Freedom To Write Awardee Golrokh Iraee spends another birthday in prison in Iran, we stand in solidarity with her and call for her release. Read our profile of Golrokh and what drives her to be a voice for the voiceless at: pen.org/golrokh-irae...
In a new Snapshot of Censorship, Iván Chaar López writes about how certain ideas & research are being censored at UT. “Yet these truths, the product of extensive and rigorous research, are now not allowed to circulate freely in classrooms and across the UT campus.” Read here: pen.org/dare-to-obey/
PEN America joined 20+ orgs supporting Disney amid FCC efforts to pressure and influence content decisions. The government cannot use its authority to punish speech it dislikes. This First Amendment principle must be defended. Read the letter: www.aclu.org/documents/co...
Coalition Letter to Disney in Support of the First Amendment | American Civil Liberties Unionwww.aclu.orgPEN America is thrilled to have Philomena Polefrone join our Freedom to Read team. Read more about the move in her interview with Publishers Weekly: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/people/article/100923-protecting-the-literary-ecosystem-pw-talks-to-philomena-polefrone.html
In a climate of censorship, librarians' role as defenders of free speech has never been more important. Here's why they believe the library is — and should remain — "a place for everyone." What do you think? Add your voice at: pen.org/america-spea... #AmericaSpeaks #Librarians #Libraries
Six years after the war against The 1619 Project began, Nikole Hannah-Jones has learned to fight back. Read our new interview: https://pen.org/nikole-hannah-jones-interview/ #FreedomToRead #AmericanHistory
Six Years After ‘The 1619 Project’ Prompts First Modern Educational Gag Order, Nikole Hannah-Jones Has Learned How to Fight BackSix years after the first modern educational gag order targeted The 1619 Project, Nikole Hannah-Jones says it was "the opening shot in a much bigger effort to shape what we can know."pen.orgWe asked people their wishes for the future free expression. Here's what they said. Add your voice at: https://pen.org/america-speaks/ #AmericaSpeaks #FreeExpression #America250
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended And Celebrated Free Expression the Week Of July 20: https://pen.org/pen-america-speaks-july-20/
PEN America Speaks: How We Defended And Celebrated Free Expression the Week Of July 20PEN America works tirelessly to defend free expression, support persecuted writers, and promote literary culture. Here are some of the latest ways PEN America is speaking out.pen.orgPEN America previously called upon the administration to “withdraw these subpoenas and end its campaign of intimidation against news organizations.” We are pleased to see that these subpoenas have been withdrawn. abcnews.com/US/new-york-...
DOJ agrees to withdraw subpoenas for New York Times journalistsLawyers with the DOJ have agreed to unilaterally withdraw a series of subpoenas that sought to compel New York Times journalists to testify about their sources.abcnews.comOn July 18, Tennessee residents gathered in Murfreesboro for a #FreedomToRead celebration, hosted by the Rutherford County Library Alliance and PEN America. Daniel Handler—aka Lemony Snicket—headlined the event, along with Tennessee author Kaitlyn Sage Patterson: www.tennessean.com/story/news/2...
A fortunate event, Lemony Snicket joins TN advocates for literary accessFamed author Lemony Snicket and more, along with national advocacy groups, celebrated the Freedom to Read in Murfreesboro.www.tennessean.comPolicies at Texas A&M are jeopardizing academic freedom. The Chronicle of Higher Education details their ongoing impact. Cancelling and censoring courses carries “especially troubling implications given similar processes underway across the state,” say professors. www.chronicle.com/article/thes...
What Texas A&M Will — and Won’t — Let You TeachNewly obtained records reveal that two courses for the fall were canceled outright, while administrators demanded changes to others. Instructors say the deliberative process is a black box.www.chronicle.comWant to get your book published, but don’t know where to start? Start here: https://pen.org/how-to-get-your-book-published/
How to Get Your Book Published: 5 Takeaways from You Are A WriterFour industry experts discuss what agents, editors, and publicists are looking for in proposals and manuscripts.pen.orgDavin Malasarn’s debut novel, The Outer Country, follows an intergenerational immigrant family as they face challenges of love and acceptance. In this week’s PEN Ten, Malasarn opens up about how his lived experiences as a Queer Asian American shaped his novel. Read more here: pen.org/davin-malasa...
In Davin Malasarn’s Family Drama, An Exorcism Is Just the BeginningDavin Malasarn discusses The Outer Country, complicated family dynamics, and the parts of the book that he drew from his own life.pen.orgAn increased sense of being watched is affecting free expression and academic freedom on campus. As this student explains, surveillance “cannot be used as an excuse to trample student speech.” Read more from The Chronicle of Higher Education: www.chronicle.com/article/camp...
Opinion | Campus Surveillance Is Out of ControlColleges are investing in cutting-edge tech to suppress student protest.www.chronicle.comThe Trump administration’s decision to change a visa rule regarding foreign journalists, students, and exchange visitors in the United States poses grave threats to free expression, press freedom, and international academic exchange, says PEN America. Read our statement: pen.org/press-releas...
New Visa Restrictions Threaten Foreign Journalists, Academic ExchangePEN America condemns new visa restrictions targeting journalists and international students as a threat to free expressionpen.orgIn an op-ed for The Tennessean, Lemony Snicket, the highly mysterious and unfailingly cynical author of A Series of Unfortunate Events, explores the harm literary censorship is inflicting on young readers nationwide: www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...