From Incarcerated Writer to Judge |
During more than three decades behind bars trying to prove his innocence, Brian Beals helped other inmates discover a love of writing. Now exonerated, Beals was among the judges for the 2025 PEN America Prison Writing Awards, which included for the first time as judges six formerly incarcerated writers and previous recipients of the awards. “I hope my experience will inspire incarcerated creatives to see PEN America as a partner, not just a competition,” Beals said.
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DREAMing Out Loud: ‘Freedom of Speech, Baby’ |
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Applications are open for the 2026 cycle of DREAMing Out Loud, which raises the voices of migrant writers in the United States. Amid escalating attacks on immigrants, 2025 participant Je’Jae Mizrahi said the program was “one place to breathe, to write whatever I want without judgment.” Che Guerrero worked on a memoir that grapples with what it means to be a “good” immigrant. “With everything going on, people are asking, ‘Which rights do immigrants have or don’t have?’ And I’m like, ‘You know which one we have? Freedom of speech, baby. I’ll write until the wheels fall off.”
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Panic about sex in books is on the rise. Though young adult books that include depictions of or allusions to sex are nothing new, book banners have pulled thousands of works with even a trace of sexual content off shelves in public schools, denouncing them as “pornographic,” “obscene,” and “harmful to minors.” In response to this escalating trend, we turned to Andrew Karre, Executive Editor at Penguin Random House’s Dutton Books for Young Readers, to inquire about the role sex plays in literature.
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This week’s Member Spotlight features Men at Work: The Empire State Building and the Untold Story of the Craftsmen who Built It by PEN America member Glenn Kurtz. While the names of the owners, architects, and contractors are well known, the workmen on this historic landmark were not identified until Kurtz unearthed their individual stories for this book.
This little-known chapter of American labor history captures forgotten stories and features more than 75 photos and other illustrations of working class, immigrant, and indigenous workers who built the architectural icon. |
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November 21 & 22, 2025
Free
In a city near you!
When free expression is under threat, the best defense might be free expression. A group of artists including visual artist Dread Scott, playwright Lynn Nottage, and novelist Hari Kunzru are calling for events beginning Nov. 21-22 as part of a “Fall of Freedom” action in museums, libraries, book stores, theaters, and concert halls across the country – each independently organized but united in their defense of expression and art.
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Words Behind Bars: Honoring the Day of the Imprisoned Writer |
Thu. November 13, 2025
12:00 PM ET
Online | Free
Join us for this powerful conversation led by PEN experts Liesl Gerntholtz and Asma Laouira of the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Center about how we’re fighting for writers imprisoned for their words and art. Joined by the family of Galal El-Behairy, Egyptian poet, songwriter, and winner of the PEN America 2025 Freedom to Write Award, who has been imprisoned for his art since 2018. |
How to Build Safer Newsrooms and Protect Journalists |
Thu. November 13, 2025
12:00 PM ET
Online | Free Can newsroom leaders better protect and support journalists facing online harassment and other safety challenges? Whatever the size of your news organization, you’ll leave this session equipped with practical, actionable steps to know how. |
Researcher Safety Resource Fair |
Wed. November 19, 2025
12:00 PM ET
Online | Free
Researchers are facing an increasingly fraught environment inside and outside labs, classrooms and conference halls. Threats and harassment campaigns challenge scholars’ ability to teach, conduct research, share their findings and participate in public discourse. Join us to ask questions and get connected with organizations that can support you and your work. |
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| ‘Your Solidarity Could Save Lives’
Recently freed Ukrainian journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko visited the PEN America offices last week to share a simple message: Continue speaking up for journalists in prison—your solidarity could save lives
The 2022 Freedom to Write Awardee told us how much it helped that organizations including PEN America advocated for him. In particular, he said prison authorities were "impressed" that Michael Douglas advocated for his release at the PEN America Literary Gala. Yesypenko was released this June after four years in prison in Russian-occupied Crimea for his journalistic work. |
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Apply Now for Emergency Funds
PEN America’s U.S. Writers Aid Initiative offers grants for writers in the United States facing acute financial need following an emergency situation. Applications are open to fiction and nonfiction authors, poets, playwrights, screenwriters, translators, and journalists. Apply by November 13 >>
Why Trump’s ‘Compact’ for Higher Ed Threatens Free Speech
Last month, the Trump administration sent letters to universities urging them to agree to a set of demands in exchange for benefits like federal funding and visa approvals. Along with other steps the administration has taken to erode free expression across the U.S., we see no other way to interpret the intentions of these demands than as an attempt at authoritarian control of higher education. Here’s why >>
Recommended Reading: George Packer’s The Emergency
After more than 20 years away from fiction, George Packer has returned with an urgent read. Still, the renowned author and journalist hasn’t left reality behind in his new novel, The Emergency. Read the PEN Ten interview >> Are We Becoming Desensitized to Book Bans?
An opinion piece in The Capital Times questions if the frequency and breadth of restrictions over the past four years has begun to desensitize Americans to the banning of books in public schools. Kasey Meehan thinks so: “There’s this numbness we have toward not just book bans, but restrictions on education that are showing up in many ways across our public school system.” The Capital Times >>
Meet the Teens Overturning Book Bans
After eight books were quietly banned from Georgia’s annual Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, a group of high school students raised their voices and fought for their reinstatement – with a little help from a “pretty awesome activist group” PEN America and our very own Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson! BookRiot >> Gifts for Book Lovers
Shopping for a reader in your life this holiday season? Show off your book love with Lingua Franca’s exclusive sweater for PEN America and other gifts for the book lovers on your list! The Observer >> |
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"When I started the program, I knew it was going to be helpful, but I didn’t really know how transformative it would be." |
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