PEN America
@penamerica.bsky.social
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.
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PEN America
@penamerica.bsky.social
· Jan 24
PEN America Criticizes "Alarming" and "Dismissive" Language on Book Bans by U.S. Education Department - PEN America
Kasey Meehan, director, Freedom to Read, at PEN America, said: "For over three years we have countered rhetoric that book bans occurring in public schools are a “hoax.” They are absolutely not. This k...
pen.org
PEN America responds to action taken today by the Department of Education dismissing complaints about book bans and referring to them as a “hoax”:
"All students deserve to see themselves and the world around them reflected in the books shelved within their public schools.“ pen.org/press-releas...
"All students deserve to see themselves and the world around them reflected in the books shelved within their public schools.“ pen.org/press-releas...
Book banning may seem like the new normal. But at PEN America, we're fighting back—partnering with students, parents, teachers, librarians and like-minded organizations to protect the freedom to read. This #GivingTuesday, help us keep books where they belong: in the hands of students: pen.org/GT25BS
December 2, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Book banning may seem like the new normal. But at PEN America, we're fighting back—partnering with students, parents, teachers, librarians and like-minded organizations to protect the freedom to read. This #GivingTuesday, help us keep books where they belong: in the hands of students: pen.org/GT25BS
Congratulations to all of our 2026 grant winners! Recognizing oral history, young adult literature, migration narratives, and translation, these works-in-progress illuminate important stories and are sure to carry a lasting literary impact. Learn more here: pen.org/announcing-t...
December 2, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Congratulations to all of our 2026 grant winners! Recognizing oral history, young adult literature, migration narratives, and translation, these works-in-progress illuminate important stories and are sure to carry a lasting literary impact. Learn more here: pen.org/announcing-t...
In 2025, America's free press comes with a price tag. ABC and CBS paid millions to settle frivolous lawsuits. The CPB—now defunded—is shutting down. Mario Guevara was deported to El Salvador. Help us keep fighting to defend journalists, press freedom—and democracy—at: pen.org/GT25TH #GivingTuesday
December 2, 2025 at 7:26 PM
In 2025, America's free press comes with a price tag. ABC and CBS paid millions to settle frivolous lawsuits. The CPB—now defunded—is shutting down. Mario Guevara was deported to El Salvador. Help us keep fighting to defend journalists, press freedom—and democracy—at: pen.org/GT25TH #GivingTuesday
Reposted by PEN America
This month’s reading list is themed “From Behind Bars” in for our #DayoftheImprisonedWriter campaign. These works, born from experiences behind bars remind us that the human voice endures even when freedom is taken away.
Take action for those behind bars: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
Take action for those behind bars: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
November 29, 2025 at 1:48 PM
This month’s reading list is themed “From Behind Bars” in for our #DayoftheImprisonedWriter campaign. These works, born from experiences behind bars remind us that the human voice endures even when freedom is taken away.
Take action for those behind bars: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
Take action for those behind bars: www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
Reposted by PEN America
With just 8 days left of our Day of the Imprisoned Writer campaign, we call on our community to stand with #MohamedTadjadit #YalqunRozi #MziaAmaglobeli #RoryBranker. This campaign reminds us that freedom of expression survives through solidarity and collective action.
December 2, 2025 at 11:17 AM
With just 8 days left of our Day of the Imprisoned Writer campaign, we call on our community to stand with #MohamedTadjadit #YalqunRozi #MziaAmaglobeli #RoryBranker. This campaign reminds us that freedom of expression survives through solidarity and collective action.
In 2025, protesting in America is becoming riskier—and more militarized—than ever. At PEN America, we've been fighting for the freedom to write, speak—and engage in legally protected protest—for 103 years. With your help this #GivingTuesday, we’ll keep up the fight in the years ahead: pen.org/GT25BS
December 2, 2025 at 4:20 PM
In 2025, protesting in America is becoming riskier—and more militarized—than ever. At PEN America, we've been fighting for the freedom to write, speak—and engage in legally protected protest—for 103 years. With your help this #GivingTuesday, we’ll keep up the fight in the years ahead: pen.org/GT25BS
Film producer Blum, author-bookseller Patchett to receive PEN America awards abcnews.go.com/Entertainmen...
Film producer Blum, author-bookseller Patchett to receive PEN America awards
Oscar-nominated producer Jason Blum is set to receive the Business Visionary award from PEN America at its fundraising gala next spring
abcnews.go.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Film producer Blum, author-bookseller Patchett to receive PEN America awards abcnews.go.com/Entertainmen...
Join us on December 10th, 2025, for a virtual reading celebrating the winners of the 2025 PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers! Learn more and register: pen.org/event/pen-da...
PEN/Dau Prize x Catapult: Reading from Best Debut Short Stories 2025
Ten winners of the 2025 PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers will read selections from their award-winning stories.
pen.org
December 1, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Join us on December 10th, 2025, for a virtual reading celebrating the winners of the 2025 PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers! Learn more and register: pen.org/event/pen-da...
The White House “media offenders” list isn’t just a stunt but a dangerous attempt to silence credible reporting. Using presidential power to shame reporters is an attack on press freedom. A healthy democracy doesn’t target journalists for doing their jobs. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
White House launches website to excoriate media for ‘biased’ stories
Trump administration lists reporting it objects to in latest escalation of attacks on US journalism
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:36 PM
The White House “media offenders” list isn’t just a stunt but a dangerous attempt to silence credible reporting. Using presidential power to shame reporters is an attack on press freedom. A healthy democracy doesn’t target journalists for doing their jobs. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
For the first time since 1988, the US government is not recognizing #WorldAIDSDay.
William Johnson, our PEN America Florida Director, put together his own literary-based recognition of the day with a list of essential books about the virus. pen.org/world-aids-d...
William Johnson, our PEN America Florida Director, put together his own literary-based recognition of the day with a list of essential books about the virus. pen.org/world-aids-d...
World AIDS Day Reading List: Writing Through Crisis, Stigma, and Institutional Neglect
Documenting lived experience is central to defending free expression. These writers write through crisis, stigma, and institutional neglect.
pen.org
December 1, 2025 at 5:49 PM
For the first time since 1988, the US government is not recognizing #WorldAIDSDay.
William Johnson, our PEN America Florida Director, put together his own literary-based recognition of the day with a list of essential books about the virus. pen.org/world-aids-d...
William Johnson, our PEN America Florida Director, put together his own literary-based recognition of the day with a list of essential books about the virus. pen.org/world-aids-d...
2025, meet '1984.'
The Trump administration is scrubbing from government websites and documents references to DEI, climate change, vaccines—and more. At PEN America, we're fighting for the freedom to speak all year round. To support our work this #GivingTuesday, please visit: pen.org/GT25TH
The Trump administration is scrubbing from government websites and documents references to DEI, climate change, vaccines—and more. At PEN America, we're fighting for the freedom to speak all year round. To support our work this #GivingTuesday, please visit: pen.org/GT25TH
December 1, 2025 at 4:52 PM
2025, meet '1984.'
The Trump administration is scrubbing from government websites and documents references to DEI, climate change, vaccines—and more. At PEN America, we're fighting for the freedom to speak all year round. To support our work this #GivingTuesday, please visit: pen.org/GT25TH
The Trump administration is scrubbing from government websites and documents references to DEI, climate change, vaccines—and more. At PEN America, we're fighting for the freedom to speak all year round. To support our work this #GivingTuesday, please visit: pen.org/GT25TH
Attacks on comedians are no joke. They’re a stress test for satire, journalism, and broadcast independence.
At PEN America, we've been fighting for the freedom to write—and the freedom to mock those in power—for 103 years. Your support this #GivingTuesday helps us continue the fight: pen.org/GT25BS
At PEN America, we've been fighting for the freedom to write—and the freedom to mock those in power—for 103 years. Your support this #GivingTuesday helps us continue the fight: pen.org/GT25BS
December 1, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Attacks on comedians are no joke. They’re a stress test for satire, journalism, and broadcast independence.
At PEN America, we've been fighting for the freedom to write—and the freedom to mock those in power—for 103 years. Your support this #GivingTuesday helps us continue the fight: pen.org/GT25BS
At PEN America, we've been fighting for the freedom to write—and the freedom to mock those in power—for 103 years. Your support this #GivingTuesday helps us continue the fight: pen.org/GT25BS
They said they were banning "pornography." Now they're banning books about cats and dogs. At PEN America, we're fighting back. With your help this #GivingTuesday, we'll keep challenging the censors and fighting to keep books where they belong: in the hands of students. Donate now at: pen.org/GT25BS
November 30, 2025 at 6:45 PM
They said they were banning "pornography." Now they're banning books about cats and dogs. At PEN America, we're fighting back. With your help this #GivingTuesday, we'll keep challenging the censors and fighting to keep books where they belong: in the hands of students. Donate now at: pen.org/GT25BS
PEN America mourns the death of Tom Stoppard, one of the world's most influential playwrights and a tenacious defender of free expression.
Along with multiple Tony Awards and an Oscar, Stoppard was also the 2020 winner of the PEN/Mike Nichols Writing for Performance Award.
pen.org/press-releas...
Along with multiple Tony Awards and an Oscar, Stoppard was also the 2020 winner of the PEN/Mike Nichols Writing for Performance Award.
pen.org/press-releas...
PEN America Mourns Death of Playwright Tom Stoppard, a Tenacious Defender of Free Expression
PEN America statement on Tom Stoppard death: “From his early plays like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead that shocked audiences, to his most recent and most autobiographical play Leopoldstadt— in...
pen.org
November 29, 2025 at 7:12 PM
PEN America mourns the death of Tom Stoppard, one of the world's most influential playwrights and a tenacious defender of free expression.
Along with multiple Tony Awards and an Oscar, Stoppard was also the 2020 winner of the PEN/Mike Nichols Writing for Performance Award.
pen.org/press-releas...
Along with multiple Tony Awards and an Oscar, Stoppard was also the 2020 winner of the PEN/Mike Nichols Writing for Performance Award.
pen.org/press-releas...
This year, even your holiday shopping can make a statement in the fight against censorship. Support our work — and get 10% off PEN America Originals — with code FREE2READ10 at pen.org/shop.
#FreedomToRead #BannedBooks #BlackFriday #CyberMonday
#FreedomToRead #BannedBooks #BlackFriday #CyberMonday
November 28, 2025 at 1:43 AM
This year, even your holiday shopping can make a statement in the fight against censorship. Support our work — and get 10% off PEN America Originals — with code FREE2READ10 at pen.org/shop.
#FreedomToRead #BannedBooks #BlackFriday #CyberMonday
#FreedomToRead #BannedBooks #BlackFriday #CyberMonday
The Prison and Justice Writing Program at PEN America has announced its Incarcerated Writers Bureau, a digital resource to make professional and creative opportunities more accessible to writers in United States prisons. https://people.com/pen-america-announces-incarcerated-writers-bureau-11856777
The Prison and Justice Writing Program at PEN America Announces Incarcerated Writers Bureau
The Prison and Justice Writing Program at PEN America has announced its Incarcerated Writers Bureau.
people.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:47 PM
The Prison and Justice Writing Program at PEN America has announced its Incarcerated Writers Bureau, a digital resource to make professional and creative opportunities more accessible to writers in United States prisons. https://people.com/pen-america-announces-incarcerated-writers-bureau-11856777
Reposted by PEN America
Launching from @penamerica.bsky.social, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting free expression in the United States and worldwide through the defense of literature and human rights - a digital site supporting Incarcerated Writers.
#voicesoftheincarcerated
fmeproject.org/pen-america-...
#voicesoftheincarcerated
fmeproject.org/pen-america-...
PEN America Offers Digital Site Supporting Incarcerated Writers - Felony Murder Elimination Project
PEN America, dedicated to protecting free expression in the United States, is launching a digital site supporting Incarcerated Writers.
fmeproject.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Launching from @penamerica.bsky.social, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting free expression in the United States and worldwide through the defense of literature and human rights - a digital site supporting Incarcerated Writers.
#voicesoftheincarcerated
fmeproject.org/pen-america-...
#voicesoftheincarcerated
fmeproject.org/pen-america-...
More than 1,800 banned titles in the 2023–2024 school year contained sex-related content. In a new interview, bestselling YA author @malindalo.bsky.social explains the necessity of reading those works in full before considering pulling them from shelves: pen.org/malinda-lo-i...
Uneasy About Sexual Content in a YA Novel? ‘Read the Whole Book,’ Urges Author Malinda Lo
“That’s why there is sexuality in my books: because it is part of life. There’s no nefarious purpose,” says author Malinda Lo.
pen.org
November 26, 2025 at 5:06 PM
More than 1,800 banned titles in the 2023–2024 school year contained sex-related content. In a new interview, bestselling YA author @malindalo.bsky.social explains the necessity of reading those works in full before considering pulling them from shelves: pen.org/malinda-lo-i...
Reposted by PEN America
"Overcomplying to adhere to politically-motivated censorship continues to communicate to the general public that some stories are not worthy of being on shelves, perpetuating fearmongering and the erasure of marginalized communities’ stories.”
Advocacy Groups, Major Publishers Reject Call by Tennessee Demanding Compliance with White House Executive Order on Gender Identity pen.org/press-releas...
Advocacy Groups, Major Publishers Reject Call by Tennessee Demanding Compliance with White House Executive Order on Gender Identity
PEN America today joins 33 major publishers and national library and literary advocacy groups denouncing directives from the Tennessee Secretary of State warning public libraries to review their colle...
pen.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:46 PM
"Overcomplying to adhere to politically-motivated censorship continues to communicate to the general public that some stories are not worthy of being on shelves, perpetuating fearmongering and the erasure of marginalized communities’ stories.”
Advocacy Groups, Major Publishers Reject Call by Tennessee Demanding Compliance with White House Executive Order on Gender Identity pen.org/press-releas...
Advocacy Groups, Major Publishers Reject Call by Tennessee Demanding Compliance with White House Executive Order on Gender Identity
PEN America today joins 33 major publishers and national library and literary advocacy groups denouncing directives from the Tennessee Secretary of State warning public libraries to review their colle...
pen.org
November 25, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Advocacy Groups, Major Publishers Reject Call by Tennessee Demanding Compliance with White House Executive Order on Gender Identity pen.org/press-releas...
Journalist and writer Furkan Karabay has been in pre-trial detention in Türkiye since May. He faces up to 15 years in prison—for doing his job. As his Dec 2 hearing nears, we join @youngwriterspen.bsky.social to call for his release.
Read more and send a letter at: tomorrowclub.world/articles/sto...
Read more and send a letter at: tomorrowclub.world/articles/sto...
Stories From A Young Turkish Writer Behind Bars: "I Will Never Forget You, I Will Immortalize You"
tomorrowclub.world
November 25, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Journalist and writer Furkan Karabay has been in pre-trial detention in Türkiye since May. He faces up to 15 years in prison—for doing his job. As his Dec 2 hearing nears, we join @youngwriterspen.bsky.social to call for his release.
Read more and send a letter at: tomorrowclub.world/articles/sto...
Read more and send a letter at: tomorrowclub.world/articles/sto...
Today, PEN America introduces the Incarcerated Writers Bureau, a digital resource for professionals seeking to work with writers and journalists in US prisons. The website features a database of best practices, a submission hub, and writer profiles. Read more here: pen.org/press-releas...
New Digital Resource to Help Publishers, Journalists and Literary Agents Work Directly with Incarcerated Writers
The Prison and Justice Writing Program at PEN America launches Incarcerated Writers Bureau, a digital resource that will help make professional and creative opportunities more accessible to writers in...
pen.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Today, PEN America introduces the Incarcerated Writers Bureau, a digital resource for professionals seeking to work with writers and journalists in US prisons. The website features a database of best practices, a submission hub, and writer profiles. Read more here: pen.org/press-releas...
Reposted by PEN America
Writers around the world are raising their voices for the Day of the Imprisoned Writer. Centres around the world are amplifying those silenced - through letters, readings, and action in solidarity. #DayoftheImprisonedWriter #RoryBranker #YalqunRozi #MohamedTadjadit #MziaAmaglobeli
November 21, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Writers around the world are raising their voices for the Day of the Imprisoned Writer. Centres around the world are amplifying those silenced - through letters, readings, and action in solidarity. #DayoftheImprisonedWriter #RoryBranker #YalqunRozi #MohamedTadjadit #MziaAmaglobeli
PEN America condemns Trump Administration’s legal effort to compel disclosure of Jewish names: "It is unprecedented to have the U.S. government cynically using the very real threat of surging antisemitism as cover to strip civil liberties from Americans." pen.org/press-releas...
Trump Administration’s Legal Effort to Compel Disclosure of Jewish Names at the University of Pennsylvania is a “Shocking Abuse of Power”
PEN America today called on the federal court in Philadelphia to deny the Trump administration’s attempt to enforce a subpoena against the University of Pennsylvania to disclose the names and other id...
pen.org
November 22, 2025 at 3:45 AM
PEN America condemns Trump Administration’s legal effort to compel disclosure of Jewish names: "It is unprecedented to have the U.S. government cynically using the very real threat of surging antisemitism as cover to strip civil liberties from Americans." pen.org/press-releas...
When the world’s most powerful leader singles out a reporter, he understands his insult is not isolated, but a green light for targeted harassment and intimidation. https://pen.org/president-trump-escalates-assault-on-journalists/
‘Quiet, Piggy' ‘Terrible Reporter': President Trump Escalates Assault on Journalists
Trump's attacks are part of a strategy against those whose job is to question him and his policies, especially women reporters.
pen.org
November 21, 2025 at 11:20 PM
When the world’s most powerful leader singles out a reporter, he understands his insult is not isolated, but a green light for targeted harassment and intimidation. https://pen.org/president-trump-escalates-assault-on-journalists/