RE: Things are about to get a whole lot scarier

Friend, just wanted to follow up on this. I’ve had my share of fans and critics throughout my career. But there’s a difference between criticism and censorship. Right now, there are forces aligned in the U.S. and around the world to pull books from shelves, silence dissenters, and punish those who dare criticize. That’s the difference between freedom and authoritarianism.

DEFEND THE FREEDOM TO WRITE

We know this kind of censorship isn’t just happening in Russia or the Philippines or Venezuela. It’s happening in Texas, Oklahoma, and California. PEN America has always stood up for the work of writers who wield only a pen—but with that pen can transform lives and societies. Silencing writers is a gut punch to us all.

So please, if you haven’t already, support PEN America. Heck, tell your friends and everyone you know to support PEN America. And join us in the fight to protect the freedom to write anywhere it’s under threat.

Thanks so much,

Stephen King

Dear Friend,

I don’t know what’s scarier—Pennywise the Clown or politicians who want to stifle free speech.

We had a brief respite this past year from some of the madness of the past four. But if the past few weeks are any indication, the next year is going to be rife with book bans, silenced debates, and educational gag orders.

FIGHT BACK AND DONATE TO PEN AMERICA TODAY

We can’t rely on our elected leaders alone to protect the freedom to write. We need organizations like PEN America that are willing to step up, at their own risk, to fight for all of us. That’s why I’ve supported PEN America for many years—and I’m asking you to do the same.

I know you hear from a lot of organizations this time of year. And I know many of you have already given generously to PEN America. But these are scary times for readers, writers, and defenders of free speech. And PEN America doesn’t just wage these battles in the U.S. but worldwide—from Myanmar to China to Ukraine to Cuba, they are putting steel in the spines of the writers and artists who risk it all to speak out.

Don’t get spooked. Get involved. Give to PEN America today.

Thanks so much,

Stephen King

PS -- You know what? Stifling free speech is scarier. Don’t let the forces of censorship win—donate to PEN America today.

Get More News, Events, and Updates from PEN America ›

You are receiving this e-mail because you opted in at PEN.org or a PEN America-sponsored event.

manage subscriptions | unsubscribe | contact us