PEN America

PEN America mourns the death of Marjane Satrapi, the French-Iranian author, illustrator, director and activist best known for her graphic novel series and film Persepolis. In 2005, Satrapi joined us for a talk with Art Spiegelman on the art of comics and narrating lives: pen.org/conversation...

As we mark the United States’ 250th anniversary, these LGBTQ+ voices show how free expression helps people see themselves, be themselves, & create change. Add your voice: pen.org/america-spea... These quotes reflect the views of the speakers and not necessarily those of PEN America. #AmericaSpeaks

At the 2026 #PENGala, Ali Velshi spoke to us about the courage of writers in the face of censorship — and the reason why the book banning movement will never succeed. #writers #censorship #bannedbooks

AI hasn't replaced us yet, says B. J. Novak. "Real life, real things, real ideas are on their way back. And books are at the forefront of that," said the host of the 2026 #PENGala, who brought some real-world statistics to back that up. #books #reading #bookstores

What kind of unhinged writing habits lead to a book series like Game Changers and a TV phenomenon like Heated Rivalry? "I'll be like, let's just start having the characters have a conversation and see where it goes," said bestselling author Rachel Reid on the red carpet at the 2026 #PENGala.

"The truths embedded in fiction are much harder for powerful institutions to dispute," said Oscar-nominated film producer Jason Blum, founder/CEO of Blumhouse, accepting the 2026 Business Visionary Award at the PEN America Literary Gala. See his full speech at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOLN...

For its intrepid efforts to lead a grassroots fight against censorship, PEN America honored the all‑volunteer Rutherford County Library Alliance with the PEN/Benenson Courage Award at the 2026 #PENGala. Keri Lambert and Tatiana Silvas accepted the award on RCLA's behalf. pen.org/rutherford-c...

“Writing is glamorous. Reading is glamorous. Freedom of speech is glamorous," said B.J. Novak in his welcome speech at the 2026 #PENGala, using the examples of Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, Kaia Gerber, Dua Lipa, Emma Roberts, Laufey, Harry Styles, and Ann Patchett to explain why.

"We are in a battle for the right to think freely," said Jelani Cobb on the red carpet at the 2026 #PENGala. But, he told us, informed participation in democracy remains possible because "the undertaking of journalism remains vibrant."

How has technology changed the way you express yourself? From greater opportunities, to lower attention spans, to advances in AI communication, give us your thoughts on Pen.org/America-Speaks #AmericaSpeaks These quotes reflect the views of the speakers and not necessarily those of PEN America.

When writers are jailed for their words, all of us are deprived of the right to think critically and creatively about the world. Last year, the count of writers jailed reached a new high across a record number of countries. Learn more in our #FreedomToWrite Index: pen.org/report/freed...

At this year's #PENGala, bestselling and prize-winning author and Nashville bookseller Ann Patchett (Bel Canto, The Dutch House) was honored with the PEN/Audible Literary Service Award. See her full acceptance speech at: https://youtu.be/23XGC_FopR8?si=dMdLr2CsgDXKc_VR

At the 2026 #PENGala, we asked writers about their unhinged writing habits. In the process, we learned the "very cruel" expectations Maya Hawke puts on her friends and family. And, thanks to B.J. Novak, we've put together the ultimate hack for overcoming procrastination, Ann Patchett-style.

What "unhinged writing habit" did Ann Patchett learn from Susan Orlean? Here's what the bestselling author told us at the 2026 #PENGala, where she was honored with the PEN/Audible Literary Service Award. Can your unhinged writing habit compete? Tell us in the comments. #writing #writinghabits

What do you think of the evolution of free speech in America? A lot has changed in 250 years. Let’s talk about it. Tell us what you think at Pen.org/America-Speaks. These quotes reflect the views of the speakers and not necessarily those of PEN America. #AmericaSpeaks #FreedomOfSpeech

How does the work of writing actually get done? We asked some of the highly accomplished writers at the #PENWorldVoices Festival to share their personalized writing habits, setups and rituals. Leave a comment if you have a writing tip or trick you want to share.

Want to see your name — or a loved one's — in the pages of your next favorite book? Place a bid in PEN America's Character Naming Auction at: pen.org/2026-character-auction. Auction ends May 15 at 5pm ET. All proceeds support our new Author Safety Program.

We asked writers at the #PENWorldVoices Festival to share some of their most unhinged writing habits and, among other things, found at why some houses are cleaner than others. Also, do not try all of this advice at home. #writers #writing #booksky

Romantasy or dark academia? Hardcover or paperback? Library or bookstore? PEN America was on the scene and asking some hard-hitting questions at the Indie Lit Fair during #PENWorldVoices.

Thursday at #PENWorldVoices: ArtLords held a powerful live mural painting titled "Walls of Freedom: Art Against Silence," celebrating freedom of expression and the transformative power of art. The public was invited to participate, adding their own marks, messages, and colors to the evolving canvas.

"We've got ghost stories, dark academia, queerness, family drama, dystopia, and more." Erica, our Digital Production Manager, explains why #PENWorldVoices is a literary festival you won't want to miss. Join us April 29 – May 2, 2026 in New York and Los Angeles. Full details: worldvoices.pen.org

Imagine seeing your name (or a loved one's) in the pages of David Baldacci's next blockbuster thriller. PEN America's Character Naming Auction gives you the chance to make it happen: Place your bid today at: givebutter.com/c/pen-americ... #CharacterNamingAuction #DavidBaldacci

Imagine seeing your name (or a loved one's) in the pages of @jodipicoult.bsky.social's next novel. PEN America's Character Naming Auction gives you the chance to make it happen: Place your bid today at: givebutter.com/c/pen-americ... #CharacterNamingAuction #JodiPicoult

140+ authors, 45 countries, 1 unforgettable festival. Get your tickets at worldvoices.pen.org #PENWorldVoices

The 2026 PEN America World Voices Festival is just one week away! Join is in Los Angeles on April 30 and May 1 for two unforgettable free events. Full details at: https://worldvoices.pen.org/ #PENWorldVoices #WorldVoices

The 2026 PEN America World Voices Festival is just one week away! Join is in NYC April 29-May 2 for unforgettable conversations with incredible writers—about literature, humanity, democracy, and more. Dozens of events, many free! Details: https://worldvoices.pen.org/ #PENWorldVoices #WorldVoices

At the #PENLitAwards, we asked Tony award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang, one of the night's star presenters, for his perspective on writing in the age of generative AI. He spoke up for the irreplaceable value of the "human lens." Share your thoughts in the comments. #AI #writers #writing

At the #PENLitAwards, we took the chance to ask some of the best writers around to share (if they would) their best (and their worst) writing advice. Here's what we heard. #writing #writers #writingadvice

“Feel.” “Write.” “Everything.” At the #PENLitAwards, we asked writers what they can do that AI can’t. This is what they told us. Read more of our favorite answers at: https://pen.org/what-can-writers-do-that-ai-cant/

PEN America's website has been nominated for the prestigious Webby Awards in the category of Best Practices. Voting is open to the public and if you appreciate our clean, accessible, and user friendly website, please vote today! Voting closes on Thurs, April 16! vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting...

What book festival would be complete without dozens of authors? And those authors have written some marvelous books! Get a head start before joining us at the World Voices Festival and check out some of these great titles https://bookshop.org/lists/world-voices-festival-2026 #PENWorldVoices

Ahead of the #PENLitAwards, we asked some of the night's finalists to describe their books in 3 words. Some understood the assignment. Others not so much. But thanks to all for playing! #writers #writing #books

We caught up with 2026 PEN/Nabokov Award for Achievement in International Literature winner Edwidge Danticat on the red carpet at the #PENLitAwards and later spoke to her about her achievement, the courage required to be a writer now, and her hopes for the future of free speech in the U.S. (1/2)

We recently sat down with DJ Johnson, proprietor of Baldwin & Co,, a black-owned independent bookstore in New Orleans to hear how he uses the power of books to inspire social justice. Learn more about Baldwin & Co. at: www.baldwinandcobooks.com #NationalBlackBookstoreDay

Dr. Pria Anand won this year's PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award for "The Mind Electric: A Neurologist on the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains." The judges' citation said: "This is science writing at its best: wisdom, insight, and clarity that does not sacrifice poetry or beauty.”

What's Emmy Rossum reading? A multitude of things. But the #PENLitAwards presenter gives a special shoutout to Hannah Pittard's inventive 2023 memoir We Are Too Many. #reading #books #amreading

At the 2026 AWP Conference & Bookfair, PEN America asked writers to tell us the best or worst piece of writing advice they’ve ever received. Here’s what they said. #writers #writing #writingadvice