PEN America

PEN America PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression.
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PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression at home and abroad. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at PEN.org

PEN America was founded in 1922 and is

the largest of the 144 PEN centers in 101 countries that together comprise PEN International. Our more than 4,000 Members—who represent the most distinguished writers, translators, editors, booksellers, librarians, students, and passionate readers who share PEN’s ideals—form the cornerstone of PEN America’s ability to advocate for the rights of writers and readers.

06/13/2026

Audio reader, e-book, or physical copy? First person or third? Single narrator or multi? We're asking the tough questions. Drop your book takes in the comments.

Submission deadline for the PEN America Literary Grants 2027 cycle is June 15, 2026. Learn more and apply now at:
06/12/2026

Submission deadline for the PEN America Literary Grants 2027 cycle is June 15, 2026. Learn more and apply now at:

PEN America confers distinct literary grants each year to support writers and works-in-progress in diverse genres.

In a new Member Spotlight, literary agent Renée Zuckerbrot discusses what draws her to a manuscript, the effects of the ...
06/11/2026

In a new Member Spotlight, literary agent Renée Zuckerbrot discusses what draws her to a manuscript, the effects of the industry’s financial challenges on agents and editors today, and the joy of literary community. https://pen.org/conversation-with-renee-zuckerbrot/

NEW: Higher education is being threatened as rules for the accreditation systems that hold the line against political in...
06/11/2026

NEW: Higher education is being threatened as rules for the accreditation systems that hold the line against political interference in education are being rewritten on the fly by state legislators and the federal government. When accrediting agencies are unable to protect the independence of higher education, “Everything – educational quality, research, student well-being – takes a back seat.”

Read more from PEN America here:

These proposed regulations seem purposely built to weaken accreditors and end their role as custodians of academic freedom.

PEN America joined SPJ and 20+ other orgs in condemning a proposed rule that would allow federal agencies to require pub...
06/11/2026

PEN America joined SPJ and 20+ other orgs in condemning a proposed rule that would allow federal agencies to require public employees to sign NDAs. The rule would give the administration a powerful weapon to trample on free speech rights. Full statement:

Society of Professional Journalists, improving and protecting journalism since 1909

As Congress advances anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and states expand restrictions on q***r and trans visibility, PEN America e...
06/11/2026

As Congress advances anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and states expand restrictions on q***r and trans visibility, PEN America experts warn the tactics increasingly resemble those used by modern authoritarian governments. https://www.advocate.com/opinion/anti-lgbtq-censorship-authoritarian-playbook

As Congress advances anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and states expand restrictions on q***r and trans visibility, PEN America experts warn the tactics increasingly resemble those used by modern authoritarian governments.

More than 1,100 nonfiction titles were banned in the past academic year — and over a third of them featured LGBTQ+ topic...
06/11/2026

More than 1,100 nonfiction titles were banned in the past academic year — and over a third of them featured LGBTQ+ topics or themes.

For Pride Month, PEN America is shining a spotlight on these valuable educational resources, which include books about Stonewall, LGBTQ+ discrimination, historical figures like Harvey Milk, and much more. Scroll to see examples of literature that students across the nation can’t access as a direct result of growing censorship.

Katherine Locke describes the value of these banned books here, but if you’re eager for more data and analysis, read our full report “Facts & Fiction: Stories Stripped Away By Book Bans" at: https://pen.org/report/facts-fiction/

“Vindicating and validating.” “A true honor.” “A dream come true.” That’s what recent winners of the PEN/Robert J. Dau S...
06/10/2026

“Vindicating and validating.” “A true honor.” “A dream come true.”

That’s what recent winners of the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers — Alex Treuber, Lara Hughes, Pardeep Toor, and — said the honor means to them.

Submissions are now open for the prize, which recognizes 12 exceptional debut stories. In addition to a cash prize of $2,000, the writers’ stories are featured in the anthology Best Debut Short Stories: The PEN America Dau Prize. Starting in 2027, , an independent nonprofit publisher based in Pittsburgh that champions emerging writers, will publish the anthology.

Submissions are open to editors through September 1. Click the link in bio for submission details.

Submissions are open for the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers. 12 exceptional debut stories will...
06/10/2026

Submissions are open for the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers. 12 exceptional debut stories will be awarded a cash prize of $2,000 and winning stories will be published in an anthology by Autumn House Press. More at: https://pen.org/literary-awards/pen-dau-short-story-prize/

Summer is here, which means we’ve got more time for our favorite hobby: reading! If the same goes for you, try your hand...
06/10/2026

Summer is here, which means we’ve got more time for our favorite hobby: reading! If the same goes for you, try your hand at our 2026 Summer Reading Bingo card.

Need some inspiration? Find some of our favorite reading lists here: https://pen.org/try-our-2026-summer-reading-challenge/

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