What it means to be a Member

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Dear Friend,

As a writer and former PEN America President, I’ve had ample occasion to contemplate why literature matters. The answer can be difficult to articulate, but one thing is certain: in countries less free than ours, written expression is often perceived as a threat. Dictators and authoritarians understand very well that language and storytelling are powerful tools of individuality, civic collaboration, and nuanced thought. Literature helps us to remember who we are.

I think of literature as the dream life of the culture that produces it: a creative distillation of the many forces acting upon writers at a particular time. As a nearly 100-year-old institution, PEN America exists to keep our collective dream life healthy and vibrant—and thereby to affirm the humanity we share, despite our differences.

I hope you’ll join our community of more than 7,500 Members and help us to nourish and protect our literature of the next hundred years. ([link removed]) You don’t have to be a writer to join (though professional writers are welcome!), just a reader willing to insist upon the crucial importance of the written word.

With thanks and good wishes,

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Jennifer Egan
Dear Friend —

As a subscriber to PEN Reads, you know that reading matters. Literature that helps us to make sense of our world, that helps us to understand and hold the values, contradictions, and beliefs that make up who we are—there’s no replacement for it.

That’s why we do what we do at PEN America, whether it’s defending the freedom to read and write here in the U.S. or advocating for imprisoned writers abroad. And you can be part of our mission to protect the freedom to write by joining us as a Member today.
HELP US PROTECT THE FREEDOM TO WRITE ([link removed])

While we offer a professional level of Membership for writers, you don’t have to be a writer to join PEN America. As a Member, you’ll get discounts to our literary events and author talks, access to our Members-only newsletter and events, and the opportunity to join a community of dedicated readers and writers like yourself.

PEN America’s work wouldn’t be possible without our Membership. Join today. ([link removed])

Thank you,

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Ayad Akhtar
PEN America President

PS—As part of our summer Membership drive, we’re hoping to welcome 1,000 new Members before September. Join today to be one of them. ([link removed])

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