Topics

  • A smiling man with curly hair and a beard, wearing a black jacket, is surrounded by people clapping and celebrating. A person in the background is holding a camera and filming the scene.

    2025 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award Honoree: Galal El-Behairy

    Tuesday May 13


  • Joint Congressional Letter on Journalists Endangered by Shutdown of U.S. Agency for Global Media

    Tuesday April 1

  • The image shows the North Dakota State Capitol building, a tall structure with rectangular windows, set against a clear blue sky. In the foreground, a sign reads North Dakota Capitol surrounded by well-manicured lawns and trees.

    PEN America’s Testimony Against North Dakota Tenure Bill

    Wednesday March 12


  • Pride Month: A Banned Book Reading List

    Thursday May 29

  • A person with voluminous orange curly hair, dramatic makeup, and bright pink lipstick wears a sparkly silver dress with star designs, a chunky necklace, and holds a hand with statement rings to their chin, standing against a plain light wall.

    Lil Miss Hot Mess Wants Kids To Bring Out Their Best Selves And Have The Best Time

    Thursday May 15

  • Five people sit at a panel discussion table labeled Books & Books in front of shelves filled with books. A screen displays The Librarians. One woman speaks into a microphone while others listen.

    The Librarians Documentary Film Captures the Courage of Library Workers Standing Against Book Censorship

    Wednesday May 14

  • A man in a tuxedo speaks at a clear podium with a “PEN America” sign, while a woman stands nearby holding papers. The backdrop displays multiple “PEN America” logos.

    Wesleyan University President Michael Roth’s Remarks Accepting the PEN/Benenson Courage Award

    Monday May 19

  • A woman with long dark hair stands outdoors, wearing a white knit top and jeans. She is smiling with a blurred cityscape and greenery in the background.

    ‘Fraught’ Frontiers for Student Press Freedom Day 2025

    Wednesday February 26

  • A college campus with a brick building, trees, and walkways under a blue sky. In bold red letters, DEI Events Canceled is stamped across the image.

    ‘This Conference Has Been Canceled’:  The Impact of Trump’s War on ‘DEI’

    Friday February 14

  • A newspaper page titled Summer reading list for 2025 features colorful book icons at the top, a photo of a woman browsing books, and columns of text describing recommended books and their summaries.

    AI-Generated Fake Book List Seems Funny, but Reflects the Technology’s Danger to Journalism

    Wednesday May 21

  • Collage titled Exploring How to Build Community-Level Resilience Against Disinformation with images of events in Texas, Florida, and Arizona. Each photo shows people gathered for discussions or presentations on the topic.

    Fighting a Global Problem Through a Local Lens

    Friday March 28

  • Smartphone displaying an Instagram post about Violencia Política, describing it as harassment, threats, intimidation in public life. The phone rests on a laptop keyboard.

    How one newsroom battled political violence and opened spaces for dialogue

    Friday February 14


  • It’s time for parents and students to protect the public education opportunities they want

    Tuesday May 13


  • “Return on Investment” is a Red Herring

    Monday May 5


  • A Pledge to Our Democracy: The Champions of Higher Education

    Tuesday April 22


  • Coalition led by PEN Florida lobbies in Tallahassee to undo the harms of censorship

    Wednesday March 19

  • A scenic beach image with tall palm trees and a city skyline in the background. The text on the image reads, PEN America Floridas Legislative Priorities 2025.

    PEN America Florida’s Legislative Priorities 2025

    Monday March 10

  • United Voices for Democracy Summit

    Free Expression and the Threat of Christian Nationalism in Florida and Beyond

    Friday January 24

  • A man in a black suit smiles while speaking at a podium with a PEN America sign. The background features multiple PEN America logos on a dark backdrop.

    Taye Diggs Remarks Presenting PEN America Business Visionary Award to Macmillan Publishers CEO Jon Yaged

    Thursday May 22

  • Three people dressed in formal evening wear sit at a red-covered table at an event, smiling at the camera, with glasses of wine and an award visible on the table in front of them.

    Patrick Radden Keefe Remarks Presenting the PEN/Audible Literary Service Award to Sarah Jessica Parker

    Thursday May 22

  • A man in a tuxedo speaks at a clear podium with a “PEN America” sign, while a woman stands nearby holding papers. The backdrop displays multiple “PEN America” logos.

    Wesleyan University President Michael Roth’s Remarks Accepting the PEN/Benenson Courage Award

    Monday May 19


  • 375 Voices Behind Bars: Why Governments Repress Writers

    Friday May 23


  • ‘First, I Have to Breathe’: From Myanmar, Women Share Stories of Resistance

    Wednesday May 21

  • Three people stand together at a PEN America event. The person in the center holds a clear award and wears a red hijab and black jacket. The other two people stand on either side, dressed in formal attire, in front of a PEN America backdrop.

    Remarks Accepting the Freedom to Write Award on Behalf of Galal El-Behairy

    Monday May 19

  • A collage of book covers, each showcasing diverse designs and titles, forms the backdrop. Overlay text reads 61st Annual Literary Awards Ceremony: The Oscars for Books in bold, elegant font.

    Announcing the 2025 PEN America Literary Awards Winners

    Friday May 9

  • Book cover for Best Debut Short Stories 2025 with colorful abstract shapes. Text lists editors Kendall Storey and Elizabeth Pankova, and judges. A gold PEN America Literary Award winner badge appears to the right.

    Twelve Emerging Writers To Receive 2025 PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize

    Friday April 25


  • Michael Heim’s Choice: A Letter from Michael Kerr to the Translation Community

    Friday April 18

  • A black and white photo showing a group of people holding and reading books, with their faces partially out of focus or cropped out of the frame.

    As Threats and Harassment of Authors Spill Over Into Bookstore Appearances, Safety Experts Offer Guidance

    Thursday May 29

  • A newspaper page titled Summer reading list for 2025 features colorful book icons at the top, a photo of a woman browsing books, and columns of text describing recommended books and their summaries.

    AI-Generated Fake Book List Seems Funny, but Reflects the Technology’s Danger to Journalism

    Wednesday May 21

  • A diverse group of people socializing at an indoor gathering. There are colorful decorations and artwork on the walls. Attendees stand and chat in small groups, holding drinks and mingling around tables.

    Literary Salons in Washington: Havens of Hope in Fraught Times 

    Monday April 14

  • Two women sit on stage in director’s chairs having a discussion. One woman speaks into a microphone while gesturing, and the other listens attentively, holding a microphone and some papers. A projected image is visible behind them.

    Crafting Courage: Ava DuVernay and Shiori Itō on Women, Film, and the Power of Personal Narrative

    Monday May 12

  • Four people sit on stage in front of an audience, engaging in a panel discussion. A screen behind them reads For the Love of Books, and several titles, including works by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, are displayed on the table between them.

    2025 PEN World Voices Festival: On Censorship in American Theater

    Thursday May 1

  • Four speakers sit on stage in front of a sign reading PEN America World Voices Festival, engaging in a lively panel discussion with an audience watching. Colorful book-like shapes decorate the background.

    2025 PEN World Voices Festival Opening Night: The PEN and the State

    Thursday May 1

  • A man with gray hair and glasses wears a plaid jacket and poses against a brown background. Beside him is the colorful book cover for Pedro & Daniel by Federico Erebia, featuring illustrated faces and various scenes.

    Federico Erebia: Encouraging Underrepresented Voices in Children’s Literature

    Wednesday May 21


  • Sarah Tomlinson: Ghostwriting, Los Angeles, and the Power of Rock & Roll

    Wednesday February 19

  • Five portraits of individuals for the 2024 Annual General Meeting with text: The State of the Nation, the State of Free Expression by PEN America.

    The State of the Nation, the State of Free Expression: PEN America Annual General Meeting Focuses on Unity Against Threats

    Wednesday January 8

  • A black and white photo showing a group of people holding and reading books, with their faces partially out of focus or cropped out of the frame.

    As Threats and Harassment of Authors Spill Over Into Bookstore Appearances, Safety Experts Offer Guidance

    Thursday May 29


  • Top Safety Tips for Those Defending the Freedom to Read

    Monday May 19

  • Text graphic with Journalist Safety in blue and Urgent Care Helpline in black. Background features lined paper and a hand holding a pen, suggesting a theme related to writing or journalism.

    Journalist Safety Urgent Care Helpline Responds to Growing Threats

    Monday March 24

  • A large crowd of people participates in a 2017 protest, holding up various signs with messages like IN SOLIDARITY IN DEFIANCE and REFUGEES WELCOME. The crowd is diverse and gathered closely together at night.

    PEN America Speaks: How We Defended And Celebrated Free Expression the Week Of June 2

    Friday June 6

  • A historic brick church building stands in front of a large, modern glass and metal structure at a city street corner, with cars parked along the curb and a few traffic signals visible.

    PEN America Speaks: How We Defended And Celebrated Free Expression the Week Of May 26

    Thursday May 29

  • Two people stand together holding an award in front of a PEN America backdrop. One person wears a black shirt and khaki pants, the other wears a red hijab, black blazer, and red top. Both are smiling at the camera.

    PEN America Speaks: How We Defended And Celebrated Free Expression the Week Of May 19

    Friday May 23

  • A newspaper page titled Summer reading list for 2025 features colorful book icons at the top, a photo of a woman browsing books, and columns of text describing recommended books and their summaries.

    AI-Generated Fake Book List Seems Funny, but Reflects the Technology’s Danger to Journalism

    Wednesday May 21

  • A sign displaying the Associated Press (AP) logo and the words THE ASSOCIATED PRESS on a wall. Editorial credit: Kevin Hackert / Shutterstock.com.

    The White House Is Choosing Its Own Press Pool. 5 Reasons That Should Alarm You.

    Monday April 28


  • Local LGBTQ+ Reporters in Conversation: Jason Parsley

    Thursday June 17

  • Cover of Verse Among Us: A NaPoWriMo Zine by PEN America. It features a colorful quilt pattern. The background is half red and half yellow, with a black and gold pen to the side and a sketched butterfly in the corner.

    Introducing Verse Among Us: A National Poetry Writing Month Zine

    Tuesday April 1


  • Announcing the 2024 PEN America/L’Engle Rahman Prize for Mentorship Honorees

    Wednesday March 26

  • The red and blue graphic for the 2023 Pen America Prison Writing Awards showcases categories like Poetry, Fiction, Essay, Memoir, and Drama. It features imaginative elements such as a butterfly, ticket stubs, a pen, and a city skyline silhouette.

    PEN America Prison Writing Award Winners: 2024

    Wednesday October 30


  • #FactChallenge: Media Literacy Course on WhatsApp Leading up to the 2024 Elections

    Friday June 7


  • Morgan Talty recommends what you should read for Native American Heritage Month

    Tuesday November 21


  • Native American Heritage Month – Reading List by Oscar Hokeah

    Friday November 17


  • Michael Heim’s Choice: A Letter from Michael Kerr to the Translation Community

    Friday April 18


  • Books, Roses, and Food: Sant Jordi Festival Celebrates Translation in New York

    Tuesday March 18


  • Response To Letter Regarding Pen/Heim Translation Fund Grants

    Wednesday July 17

  • A Progress Pride flag flies on a pole outside a classical building with tall columns and stone details. The flag features rainbow colors plus chevrons in white, pink, blue, brown, and black.

    Flags are Increasingly Targeted by Government Bans, with Complaints Focused on Pride and Black Lives Matter Flags

    Thursday June 5


  • Pride Month: A Banned Book Reading List

    Thursday May 29

  • A black and white photo showing a group of people holding and reading books, with their faces partially out of focus or cropped out of the frame.

    As Threats and Harassment of Authors Spill Over Into Bookstore Appearances, Safety Experts Offer Guidance

    Thursday May 29

  • Four people sit on a stage having a panel discussion, each with a microphone. Books are placed in front of them. A PEN America World Voices Festival banner and colorful graphics are visible in the background.

    Bold Voices: On Language and Literature in Translation at PEN World Voices Festival

    Monday June 2

  • Three speakers sit at the front of a room, engaging in a discussion at the PEN America World Voices Festival. The audience listens attentively, and colorful festival banners are displayed on both sides of the stage.

    ‘History is the Shape We Give the Past’: Bernhard Schlink and Claire Messud Talk Preserving History Through Writing

    Friday May 23

  • Three speakers sit on stage during a panel discussion at the PEN America World Voices Festival, with an audience watching. A large screen behind them displays the event name, World Voices Festival: for the love of books.

    Two Acclaimed Authors Look Back at Their Older Books, Now in Reprint

    Thursday May 22

  • A collage of seven people smiling outdoors in different settings, some with greenery in the background. They each have unique hairstyles and are wearing casual clothing.

    ‘This Thing You’re Doing Is Worth It’: Rising Fiction Stars Celebrate PEN/Dau Prize

    Thursday January 23

  • A collage of various book covers displayed at different angles. The covers feature diverse designs, colors, and illustrations, with titles in bold typography.

    A Year of Books By PEN America Members 2024

    Thursday December 19


  • 2024 Free Expression Essay Competition Winners

    Monday July 15


  • Sarah Tomlinson: Ghostwriting, Los Angeles, and the Power of Rock & Roll

    Wednesday February 19

  • Five portraits of individuals for the 2024 Annual General Meeting with text: The State of the Nation, the State of Free Expression by PEN America.

    The State of the Nation, the State of Free Expression: PEN America Annual General Meeting Focuses on Unity Against Threats

    Wednesday January 8


  • 375 Voices Behind Bars: Why Governments Repress Writers

    Friday May 23


  • ‘First, I Have to Breathe’: From Myanmar, Women Share Stories of Resistance

    Wednesday May 21

  • A smiling man with curly hair and a beard, wearing a black jacket, is surrounded by people clapping and celebrating. A person in the background is holding a camera and filming the scene.

    2025 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award Honoree: Galal El-Behairy

    Tuesday May 13

  • A woman with long braided hair and beaded jewelry looks thoughtfully to the side, next to the book cover The Lost Songs of Nina Simone by Shonda Buchanan, featuring an illustrated portrait of Nina Simone.

    Embodying Performance in a New Poetry Collection on the Life of Nina Simone

    Thursday May 29

  • A person with short brown hair, glasses, and a black shirt smiles next to the cover of a comic novel titled Spent by Alison Bechdel, featuring two illustrated characters—one in an apron and another with a pitchfork.

    Alison Bechdel is Covering Her Tracks

    Wednesday May 21

  • A person with short hair, glasses, and a hand resting on their chin is shown next to the book cover for So Many Stars by Caro de Robertis. The book highlights trans, nonbinary, genderqueer, and two-spirit people of color.

    ‘We Exist’: Caro De Robertis’ New Book Is a Collection of Oral Histories of 20 Gender-Diverse Elders

    Thursday May 8