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.
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
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/
Derek Trumbo Sr. left prison an accomplished author. In a new interview, he discusses how PEN America’s resources will continue to open doors for incarcerated writers like himself. Read more: pen.org/derek-trumbo...
December 4, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Derek Trumbo Sr. left prison an accomplished author. In a new interview, he discusses how PEN America’s resources will continue to open doors for incarcerated writers like himself. Read more: pen.org/derek-trumbo...
Writing from Gaza, Palestinian journalist Ibtisam Mahdi explores how women have played—and will continue to play—a critical role in rebuilding life and culture amid genocide. Mahdi has interviewed nearly 100 women about profound hardship in Gaza. Read more: pen.org/women-on-gen...
December 3, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Writing from Gaza, Palestinian journalist Ibtisam Mahdi explores how women have played—and will continue to play—a critical role in rebuilding life and culture amid genocide. Mahdi has interviewed nearly 100 women about profound hardship in Gaza. Read more: pen.org/women-on-gen...
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
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
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
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 mission of the Incarcerated Writers Bureau is to foster inclusivity in the literary community by making creative & professional opportunities more accessible for writers working from prison. Learn how to collaborate with these writers & journalists at: iwb.pen.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The mission of the Incarcerated Writers Bureau is to foster inclusivity in the literary community by making creative & professional opportunities more accessible for writers working from prison. Learn how to collaborate with these writers & journalists at: iwb.pen.org
A writer-in-residence at Baruch College and author of STILL CITY, poet Oksana Maksymchuk talked to PEN America about how poetry challenges power in ways it finds dangerous—and how to support writers jailed for their free expression. #DayoftheImprisonedWriter
Learn more at: pen.org/freedom-forb...
Learn more at: pen.org/freedom-forb...
November 21, 2025 at 9:53 PM
A writer-in-residence at Baruch College and author of STILL CITY, poet Oksana Maksymchuk talked to PEN America about how poetry challenges power in ways it finds dangerous—and how to support writers jailed for their free expression. #DayoftheImprisonedWriter
Learn more at: pen.org/freedom-forb...
Learn more at: pen.org/freedom-forb...
Poet and #FreedomToWrite honoree Galal El-Behairy started writing poetry in high school. During his time as a university student, he performed readings as a form of creative protest.
Unjustly detained since 2018, El-Behairy wrote this poem—read by his father—from jail. #FreeGalal
Unjustly detained since 2018, El-Behairy wrote this poem—read by his father—from jail. #FreeGalal
November 20, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Poet and #FreedomToWrite honoree Galal El-Behairy started writing poetry in high school. During his time as a university student, he performed readings as a form of creative protest.
Unjustly detained since 2018, El-Behairy wrote this poem—read by his father—from jail. #FreeGalal
Unjustly detained since 2018, El-Behairy wrote this poem—read by his father—from jail. #FreeGalal
After "Butt or Face? Super Gross Butts" by Kari Lavelle was challenged in two Texas school districts, we spoke to Lavelle, who told us it's the kind of "silly" book that can engage reluctant readers and also pack in a great deal of educational value. More: https://pen.org/book-judged-by-silly-title/
November 19, 2025 at 9:48 PM
After "Butt or Face? Super Gross Butts" by Kari Lavelle was challenged in two Texas school districts, we spoke to Lavelle, who told us it's the kind of "silly" book that can engage reluctant readers and also pack in a great deal of educational value. More: https://pen.org/book-judged-by-silly-title/
President Trump’s response to the murder of exiled Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi and the culpability of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman sends a chilling message to authoritarian governments that paves the way to more human rights violations. pen.org/press-releas...
November 19, 2025 at 12:44 AM
President Trump’s response to the murder of exiled Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi and the culpability of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman sends a chilling message to authoritarian governments that paves the way to more human rights violations. pen.org/press-releas...
🧵Authoritarian leaders target poets because their words—filled with power and feeling—can expose oppression. For @peninternational.bsky.social annual #DayoftheImprisonedWriter campaign, we draw inspiration from the creativity of poets jailed for their words. pen.org/freedom-forb...
November 18, 2025 at 12:17 AM
🧵Authoritarian leaders target poets because their words—filled with power and feeling—can expose oppression. For @peninternational.bsky.social annual #DayoftheImprisonedWriter campaign, we draw inspiration from the creativity of poets jailed for their words. pen.org/freedom-forb...
Book bans often target YA titles with sexual content. In a new interview, @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social editor Andrew Karre explains that these books offer teens a safe, ethical way to learn about their desires and experiences — and merit their place on library shelves. pen.org/andrew-karre...
November 16, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Book bans often target YA titles with sexual content. In a new interview, @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social editor Andrew Karre explains that these books offer teens a safe, ethical way to learn about their desires and experiences — and merit their place on library shelves. pen.org/andrew-karre...
Judith Butler is one of nearly 300 writers and scholars condemning the Iranian authorities’ recent arrest of several writers, translators, and scholars in Tehran. Even though they have been released on bail, all charges against them must be dropped. pen.org/press-releas...
November 15, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Judith Butler is one of nearly 300 writers and scholars condemning the Iranian authorities’ recent arrest of several writers, translators, and scholars in Tehran. Even though they have been released on bail, all charges against them must be dropped. pen.org/press-releas...