The Oscars are just around the corner, and cinephiles aren’t the only ones who should have their calendars marked. If you’re a bibliophile like us, here are the films you should be keeping an eye out for during the 98th Academy Awards ceremony: https://pen.org/6-oscar-nominated-book-movies/
As part of its work challenging book bans, PEN America asked authors how much hinges on whether public libraries carry their books. The short answer? Everything. “If my books aren’t in public libraries, they may as well not be published at all,” said @kylelukoff.bsky.social. pen.org/why-libraries/
“The books come from big publishers and tiny indie presses alike, and our honorees and presenters include debut authors and literary legends from every corner, color, and creed, working across every genre of literature," said PEN America's Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf.
Tickets: pen.org/event/2026-p...
"Murray Hill will host the 2026 PEN America Literary Awards," reports @people.com. "The Somebody Somewhere actor, 54, will host the 62nd annual PEN America Literary Awards dubbed 'the Oscars for Books,' on Tuesday, March 31 at The Town Hall in New York City." FULL STORY: people.com/murray-hill-...
A dangerous bill in Florida is heading to a final vote. The sweeping censorial power that HB 1471 would give state politicians poses a mammoth threat to students’ free expression, further erodes academic freedom in universities and colleges, and censors K-12 education. www.aclufl.org/press-releas...
“A petty act of retaliation”: PEN America strongly condemns the decision by the Department of Defense to shut out news photojournalists from two briefings on the war with Iran following “unflattering” photographs.
https://pen.org/press-release/news-photographers-barred-from-pentagon-briefings/
Read our full interviews with writers Nahil Mohana, Maysoon Kuhail, Ali Abu Yaseen, and Nasser Rabah on how they envision the reconstruction of Gaza and what Palestinian cultural figures need for a path forward rooted in memory, dignity, and self-determination.
pen.org/culture-in-g...
The image features a photo of and quote from Nahil Mohana about the importance of culture in Gaza, mentioning its role in resisting erasure and preserving collective memory. Text includes: "Culture in Gaza is not a luxury; it is a means of resisting erasure and a way of preserving collective memory for future generations." Nahil Mohana, novelist, on the role of writers and artists in preserving cultural heritage in Gaza. The PEN America logo is present.
Novelist Nahil Mohana survived life threatening injuries when a tank shell blew out the windows of her Gaza City home. For her, the reconstruction of Gaza is more than a debate about luxury resorts—it is about what will be erased, what will be preserved, and whose vision will shape Gaza’s future.
We joined a coalition demanding ICE release journalist Estefany Rodriguez, saying it's "part of a broader erosion of democratic norms and human rights... in which immigration authorities are increasingly being used to chill free expression and 1st Amendment rights." www.freepress.net/download/pre...
Just in time for America’s 250th birthday, its history is being erased from our National Parks.
Learn more at: pen.org/purging-hist...
This image is a promotional poster for the PEN America 62nd Annual Literary Awards Ceremony. It features a collage of book covers in the background, such as "The Devil That Never Dies" and "The Hayes and Kahn Relationship." The PEN America logo and award emblem are prominently displayed at the top. The event details at the bottom state "The Town Hall, March 31, 2026, 7:30 PM | NYC," with a red button reading "Get Tickets Now!"
Tickets on sale now for the PEN America Literary Awards taking place on March 31 in NYC. Don't miss your opportunity to attend the 'Oscars for Books' and spot your favorite and soon-to-be-favorite authors! https://bit.ly/3OTki0q
“When I was asked to compile a reading list for Women’s History Month, I heard in my ears the voices of those of women who persisted when told to be silent,” writes Amy Reid, PEN America's Freedom to Learn program director.
Read more and shop the list: pen.org/womens-histo... #WomensHistoryMonth
Image featuring a quote in white and red text on a black background. The quote discusses the labeling of writers and free expression defenders as 'extremists,' highlighting the government's fear of words. It praises PEN Belarus for supporting writers facing repression. Attributed to Summer Lopez & Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, Co-CEOs, with PEN America logo at the bottom.
PEN America strongly condemns the Belarusian authorities’ designation of @penbelarus.bsky.social as an “extremist organization.” The move is a dangerous escalation in the government’s ongoing assault on free expression and Belarusian culture independent of state control.
pen.org/press-releas...
NEW: The Utah legislature is “cheapening” higher education in their state, says PEN America’s Laura Benitez. PEN America has urged Governor Cox to veto HB 204, which would allow students to opt-out of course work based on their “religious” or “conscience” beliefs. pen.org/press-releas...
PEN America applauds the decision by U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth striking down the unlawful appointment of Kari Lake to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media. We call for the quick return of hundreds of journalists to Voice of America laid off by Lake in 2025. pen.org/press-releas...
#InternationalWomensDay: Imagine being behind bars just for being a woman who writes and speaks out. The Belarusian authorities must release #ValeryjaKaściuhova immediately and unconditionally and ensure she has access to medical care while detained. #IWD26
www.pen-international.org/our-campaign...
Some literary meetups truly shine a light forward. Honored by this free-speech collab in Miami Beach with @penamerica.bsky.social for American Scare. Thank you William Johnson for organizing this Cocktails and Conversation salon!
Around the world, women writers face risks because of what they write, where they write, or simply just *because* they write. On #InternationalWomensDay, we encourage you to learn more about women writers at risk, and read some of their words. pen.org/we-must-reme...
A new interactive workshop on prison censorship by @themarshallproject.org puts a PEN America report on widespread book censorship in prisons front and center. Check out the workshop: www.themarshallproject.org/events/works...
PEN America: “The detention of journalist Estefany Rodríguez by ICE is an alarming threat to press freedom that follows a well-worn path by this administration. Journalists must be able to report freely without fear that their work will expose them to government retaliation." pen.org/press-releas...
Protect the Freedom to Read in Massachusetts
ACTION ALERT: Massachusetts readers, ask your legislators to protect the freedom to read by supporting H.3594, An Act Regarding Free Expression. This bill would strengthen protections for libraries & students’ right to read. Send a message today: act.pen.org/a/mass-actio...
The Censored University Panel discussion Tuesday, March 10, 5:30pm Bass Lecture Hall LBJ School of Public Affairs
Austin area peeps: @penamerica.bsky.social is coming to UT next Tuesday, March 10th. It’ll be a great panel discussion, featuring @jonfreadom.bsky.social, SEAT representative Cameron Samuels, Professor Karma Chavez, and author/journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones.
Presentation slide with text about Kronika, a PEN America project that has preserved an extensive collection of documentary testimonies, chronicling rushes, full scale invasion of Ukraine. Text appears alongside a screenshot of the website.
Kronika, a project of PEN America, has preserved an extensive collection of documentary testimonies chronicling Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Access the multilingual archive at: witnessesofwar.krnk.io/en
📢 Join CPJ, the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine,
@penamerica.bsky.social, and @euatun.bsky.social for a #CSW70 side event to discuss detentions and enforced disappearances of #Ukrainian women journalists by #Russia.
🗓️ March 13, 2026, 1:15 pm - 2:45 pm ET
📝 Register here: shorturl.at/HpQl0
PEN America, Publishers, Authors Join Together to Support Twin Cities Students https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/99868-pen-america-publishers-authors-join-together-to-support-twin-cities-students.html
Minnesota Authors, PEN America Continue to Speak Out Against ICE www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
By banning authors as renowned as Plato, Texas A&M has staked out turf as the epicenter of higher educational censorship. Resistance can sometimes feel futile — but as @jennyboylan.bsky.social says here, we must stand up for Aggies’ freedom to read, write, and learn.
Text image with a quote from Karin Deutsch Karlekar, Director, Writers at Risk, expressing concern about writers and dissidents in Iran's prisons. Emphasizes prioritizing civilian lives. Mentions PEN America and directs to pen.org for the full statement.
Amid ongoing military strikes and conflict in Iran, PEN America and @pensydney.bsky.social condemn the escalating and urgent threats to detained writers, including poet and translator Ali Asadollahi, as well as other political prisoners jailed in the country. Full statement: pen.org/press-releas...
Despite finishing his prison sentence, El-Behairy, a poet and PEN/Barbey #FreedomToWrite Awardee, remains trapped in indefinite pretrial detention, with no end in sight.
Egypt must immediately and unconditionally pardon and release El-Behairy. Read more at pen.org/prison-for-p...
Eight years ago, Galal El-Behairy, once called “the poet of Egyptian universities” was arrested for writing the satirical song “Balaha,” which went viral for its clever lyrics mocking Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
He is still detained today. Share his poetry to show he is not forgotten.
