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...
In our new PEN Ten interview, María Auxiliadora Álvarez talks about her poetry collection, A Sun Behind Us / Un sol caído avanza (Akashic Books, 2025), which commemorates her late father and the love they shared for each other. Read more: pen.org/maria-auxili...
María Auxiliadora Álvarez’s Collection Honors Her Father’s Legacy
In this PEN Ten interview, María Auxiliadora Álvarez discusses her use of epigraphs as a counterbalance to her writing.
pen.org
December 13, 2025 at 2:10 PM
In our new PEN Ten interview, María Auxiliadora Álvarez talks about her poetry collection, A Sun Behind Us / Un sol caído avanza (Akashic Books, 2025), which commemorates her late father and the love they shared for each other. Read more: pen.org/maria-auxili...
Reposted by PEN America
#HongKong: With Jimmy Lai's national security trial verdict now expected on Monday, we again urge the authorities to end this injustice by dropping all charges against him and to release him immediately. Read our latest statement 🔽
www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
China - Hong Kong: Verdict of Jimmy Lai’s trial expected to be issued on Monday — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide
“ In advance of the verdict expected to be handed down on Monday, we call on the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities once again to end this injustice by dropping all charges against writer and media pub...
www.pen-international.org
December 12, 2025 at 4:20 PM
#HongKong: With Jimmy Lai's national security trial verdict now expected on Monday, we again urge the authorities to end this injustice by dropping all charges against him and to release him immediately. Read our latest statement 🔽
www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...
Today, after a year of conditional freedom, Narges Mohammadi—an activist, writer, Nobel Peace Laureate, and PEN/Barbey #FreedomToWrite Awardee—was re-arrested by Iranian authorities. Mohammadi was attempting to speak at a memorial for murdered human rights lawyer Khosrow Alikordi.
December 12, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Today, after a year of conditional freedom, Narges Mohammadi—an activist, writer, Nobel Peace Laureate, and PEN/Barbey #FreedomToWrite Awardee—was re-arrested by Iranian authorities. Mohammadi was attempting to speak at a memorial for murdered human rights lawyer Khosrow Alikordi.
Four years ago, Vietnamese writer and #FreedomToWrite Awardee Pham Doan Trang was sentenced to nine years in prison for her writings on human rights and democracy. Her imprisonment is more than an attack on one writer—securing her release is a global priority for free expression.
December 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Four years ago, Vietnamese writer and #FreedomToWrite Awardee Pham Doan Trang was sentenced to nine years in prison for her writings on human rights and democracy. Her imprisonment is more than an attack on one writer—securing her release is a global priority for free expression.
"A brutal assault on freedom of speech": PEN America responds to the Trump administration’s proposal to require tourists from 42 countries to give U.S. Customs and Border Protection their social media posts from the last five years: pen.org/press-releas...
Intrusive U.S. Tourist Requirements Threaten Free Speech and Cultural Exchange
(NEW YORK) — PEN America today responded to the Trump administration’s proposal to require tourists from 42 countries to give U.S. Customs and Border Protection their social media posts from the last ...
pen.org
December 12, 2025 at 2:58 PM
"A brutal assault on freedom of speech": PEN America responds to the Trump administration’s proposal to require tourists from 42 countries to give U.S. Customs and Border Protection their social media posts from the last five years: pen.org/press-releas...
A new digital platform is being established to preserve the archives of news outlets that have been shut down or are facing extinction in authoritarian countries. The platform, a joint project of PEN America and Bard College, is called Kronika apnews.com/article/cens...
Digital platform aims to preserve journalism from outlets closed or threatened
PEN America and Bard College have started a digital platform, Kronika, designed to preserve the journalism of independent news outlets that have been closed or threatened by authoritarian governments.
apnews.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:48 PM
A new digital platform is being established to preserve the archives of news outlets that have been shut down or are facing extinction in authoritarian countries. The platform, a joint project of PEN America and Bard College, is called Kronika apnews.com/article/cens...
In a new interview, award-winning author Bill Konigsberg explains why the books he writes — as well as other literature that tackles sex and sexuality — can be a “hugely valuable” resource for LGBTQ+ teens. Read here: https://pen.org/bill-konigsberg-interview/
A ‘Hugely Valuable’ Resource: Author Bill Konigsberg Explains Why Queer Teens Need Books About Sex and Sexuality
“I think of myself, and I think of a lot of people who write young adult books, as benevolent souls who are trying to help."
pen.org
December 11, 2025 at 4:28 PM
In a new interview, award-winning author Bill Konigsberg explains why the books he writes — as well as other literature that tackles sex and sexuality — can be a “hugely valuable” resource for LGBTQ+ teens. Read here: https://pen.org/bill-konigsberg-interview/
PEN America mourns the passing of bestselling author Madeleine Wickham, better known by her pen name, Sophie Kinsella. She told the Boston Herald in 2004, "My first aim is to make people laugh." Across 30+ books translated into over 40 languages, she most certainly did. www.npr.org/2025/12/10/n...
Author Sophie Kinsella, who penned the 'Shopaholic' books, has died at 55
The author, whose real name was Madeleine Sophie Wickham, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in late 2022.
www.npr.org
December 10, 2025 at 11:21 PM
PEN America mourns the passing of bestselling author Madeleine Wickham, better known by her pen name, Sophie Kinsella. She told the Boston Herald in 2004, "My first aim is to make people laugh." Across 30+ books translated into over 40 languages, she most certainly did. www.npr.org/2025/12/10/n...
Almost closed! The last day to apply for the 2026 DREAMing Out Loud Workshop is December 17. Details here: https://pen.org/fellowships/dreaming-out-loud/
December 10, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Almost closed! The last day to apply for the 2026 DREAMing Out Loud Workshop is December 17. Details here: https://pen.org/fellowships/dreaming-out-loud/
Today, PEN America has launched the Snapshots of Censorship, personal stories of educational censorship from scholars across the country. Read more about the impact of censorship here: https://pen.org/blog-series/snapshots-of-censorship/
December 10, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Today, PEN America has launched the Snapshots of Censorship, personal stories of educational censorship from scholars across the country. Read more about the impact of censorship here: https://pen.org/blog-series/snapshots-of-censorship/
Award-winning author George M. Johnson was among those who braved below-freezing temperatures in NYC's Union Square Monday to call on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the Freedom to Read Act.
Read more at: https://pen.org/urge-hochul-sign-freedom-to-read-act/
Read more at: https://pen.org/urge-hochul-sign-freedom-to-read-act/
December 10, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Award-winning author George M. Johnson was among those who braved below-freezing temperatures in NYC's Union Square Monday to call on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the Freedom to Read Act.
Read more at: https://pen.org/urge-hochul-sign-freedom-to-read-act/
Read more at: https://pen.org/urge-hochul-sign-freedom-to-read-act/
Reposted by PEN America
At a time of widespread war and growing authoritarianism, our Writers for Peace Committee insists that peace requires action and solidarity.
Read the full statement: www.pen-international.org/news/human-r...
Read the full statement: www.pen-international.org/news/human-r...
December 10, 2025 at 3:25 PM
At a time of widespread war and growing authoritarianism, our Writers for Peace Committee insists that peace requires action and solidarity.
Read the full statement: www.pen-international.org/news/human-r...
Read the full statement: www.pen-international.org/news/human-r...
Reposted by PEN America
On #HumanRightsDay, PEN International launches its first global #LiteraryAuction — featuring rare contributions from leading writers, with all proceeds supporting freedom of expression worldwide.
Explore the auction: www.pen-international.org/news/literar...
Explore the auction: www.pen-international.org/news/literar...
December 10, 2025 at 1:06 PM
On #HumanRightsDay, PEN International launches its first global #LiteraryAuction — featuring rare contributions from leading writers, with all proceeds supporting freedom of expression worldwide.
Explore the auction: www.pen-international.org/news/literar...
Explore the auction: www.pen-international.org/news/literar...
In this week’s PEN Ten interview, Booker Prize-winning author Kiran Desai describes what it was like to work on her third novel, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny (Hogarth Books, 2025), for nearly 20 years. Read here: pen.org/kiran-desai-...
December 10, 2025 at 4:03 PM
In this week’s PEN Ten interview, Booker Prize-winning author Kiran Desai describes what it was like to work on her third novel, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny (Hogarth Books, 2025), for nearly 20 years. Read here: pen.org/kiran-desai-...
PEN America and @bardcollege.bsky.social announce the launch of Kronika, a new digital platform designed to safeguard journalism globally and ensure that the historical record cannot be obliterated by censorship. More: pen.org/press-releas...
Global Platform Launches to Combat Authoritarian Censorship and Preserve Independent Journalism
New digital platform designed to safeguard journalism globally and preserve historical records from being obliterated by censorship
pen.org
December 9, 2025 at 8:55 PM
PEN America and @bardcollege.bsky.social announce the launch of Kronika, a new digital platform designed to safeguard journalism globally and ensure that the historical record cannot be obliterated by censorship. More: pen.org/press-releas...
New guidelines at Texas Tech with rules for teaching about race and gender raise concerns that the university could turn "into a megaphone for the government," PEN America's Laura Benitez tells WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/texas-tech-college-curriculum-flowchart-race-gender-7888880f
December 9, 2025 at 5:35 PM
New guidelines at Texas Tech with rules for teaching about race and gender raise concerns that the university could turn "into a megaphone for the government," PEN America's Laura Benitez tells WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/texas-tech-college-curriculum-flowchart-race-gender-7888880f
Firing a professor for protesting is unacceptable. Colleges and universities should embrace free speech, not trample on it.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/tenured-professor-fired-pro-palestinian-protests?CMP=share_btn_url
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/tenured-professor-fired-pro-palestinian-protests?CMP=share_btn_url
Tenured US professor fired over pro-Palestinian protests contests dismissal
Sang Hea Kil is first tenured faculty member fired from a public university in connection to the protests
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Firing a professor for protesting is unacceptable. Colleges and universities should embrace free speech, not trample on it.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/tenured-professor-fired-pro-palestinian-protests?CMP=share_btn_url
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/tenured-professor-fired-pro-palestinian-protests?CMP=share_btn_url
New Conversation on the Quad: Yale student & PEN America alum Nicole Manning on why “campus infrastructures for expression,” like cultural centers, are essential for belonging, confidence, and free speech.
Read more: https://pen.org/conversations-on-the-quad-nicole-manning/
Read more: https://pen.org/conversations-on-the-quad-nicole-manning/
December 8, 2025 at 9:17 PM
New Conversation on the Quad: Yale student & PEN America alum Nicole Manning on why “campus infrastructures for expression,” like cultural centers, are essential for belonging, confidence, and free speech.
Read more: https://pen.org/conversations-on-the-quad-nicole-manning/
Read more: https://pen.org/conversations-on-the-quad-nicole-manning/
Reposted by PEN America
New York: Want to take action? Join read-ins in Albany & NYC on 12/8 to demand Governor Hochul sign the Freedom to Read Act! @penamerica.bsky.social @americanbookseller.bsky.social @authorsabb.bsky.social
Registration for Albany: https://bit.ly/4rDo4Kb
#libraryadvocate #freedomtoread
Registration for Albany: https://bit.ly/4rDo4Kb
#libraryadvocate #freedomtoread
December 5, 2025 at 10:09 PM
New York: Want to take action? Join read-ins in Albany & NYC on 12/8 to demand Governor Hochul sign the Freedom to Read Act! @penamerica.bsky.social @americanbookseller.bsky.social @authorsabb.bsky.social
Registration for Albany: https://bit.ly/4rDo4Kb
#libraryadvocate #freedomtoread
Registration for Albany: https://bit.ly/4rDo4Kb
#libraryadvocate #freedomtoread
"The government has no place telling people what they can and cannot read.”
PEN America decries Supreme Court decision on book ban case https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-decries-supreme-court-decision-on-book-ban-case/ #censorship #bannedbooks
PEN America decries Supreme Court decision on book ban case https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-decries-supreme-court-decision-on-book-ban-case/ #censorship #bannedbooks
PEN America Decries Supreme Court Decision on Book Ban Case
PEN America responded today to the Supreme Court decision to decline to hear Little v. Llano County, a case challenging book removals from the Llano County, TX public library, saying leaving a lower court ruling in place in effect allows state and local...
pen.org
December 8, 2025 at 3:55 PM
"The government has no place telling people what they can and cannot read.”
PEN America decries Supreme Court decision on book ban case https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-decries-supreme-court-decision-on-book-ban-case/ #censorship #bannedbooks
PEN America decries Supreme Court decision on book ban case https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-decries-supreme-court-decision-on-book-ban-case/ #censorship #bannedbooks
In a new interview, award-winning author Elana K. Arnold explains how her books serve as places where young readers can safely learn about (and practice) consent. Read more: pen.org/elana-k-arno...
All Experiences ‘Deserve Space on the Page’ — and Sex Is No Exception, Argues YA Author Elana K. Arnold
Arnold follows her gut as she writes, and if her gut tells her sexual pain or pleasure is part of a character’s journey, she listens.
pen.org
December 7, 2025 at 5:32 PM
In a new interview, award-winning author Elana K. Arnold explains how her books serve as places where young readers can safely learn about (and practice) consent. Read more: pen.org/elana-k-arno...
PEN America Condemns Use of "Prohibited Words" List to Censor Native American Author Darcie Little Badger https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-condemns-use-of-forbidden-words-list-to-censor-native-american-author/
PEN America Condemns Use of Forbidden Words List to Censor Native American Author
Native American author withdraws from speaking engagement at a Utah university after being given a list of words she cannot use.
pen.org
December 5, 2025 at 8:03 PM
PEN America Condemns Use of "Prohibited Words" List to Censor Native American Author Darcie Little Badger https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-condemns-use-of-forbidden-words-list-to-censor-native-american-author/
If reading broadens the mind, books in translation expand your horizons even further — introducing you to stories, places, cultures, and voices you won't soon forget.
Here are some of our favorite books in translation published in English in 2025: bookshop.org/lists/2025-n...
Here are some of our favorite books in translation published in English in 2025: bookshop.org/lists/2025-n...
2025 Notable Books in Translation
Now that it's the end of the year, join us in celebration by reading one of the many incredible books in translation published in English in 2025.
bookshop.org
December 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
If reading broadens the mind, books in translation expand your horizons even further — introducing you to stories, places, cultures, and voices you won't soon forget.
Here are some of our favorite books in translation published in English in 2025: bookshop.org/lists/2025-n...
Here are some of our favorite books in translation published in English in 2025: bookshop.org/lists/2025-n...
Journalist Ibtisam Mahdi reports from Gaza on the role of women writers, artists, and journalists in preserving humanity and Palestinian culture. If it weren’t for them, one writer told Mahdi, “so many stories would have died with their owners.” Read: pen.org/women-on-gen...
In Her Words: Women on Genocide and Rebuilding Gaza
What we did not lose was the voice. Women’s voices were like a thin thread guiding us back to our humanity when the war tried to rip it away.
pen.org
December 5, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Journalist Ibtisam Mahdi reports from Gaza on the role of women writers, artists, and journalists in preserving humanity and Palestinian culture. If it weren’t for them, one writer told Mahdi, “so many stories would have died with their owners.” Read: pen.org/women-on-gen...