At the PEN World Voices panel, “Laughing Through It: Dark Humor and the Novel,” moderated by writer and educator Jared Jackson, authors Katie Yee and Benedict Nguyen discussed how they learned to use humor and satire to tell stories of grief, heartbreak, hate, and pain. More: pen.org/writers-navi...

‘Really Funny Tragedy or a Really Tragic Comedy’: Writers on Navigating Dark Humor

At the World Voices Festival, three authors explored how they use humor and satire to tackle painful topics.

pen.org

It’s August, which means we’re celebrating Women in Translation Month! And if you don’t know where to begin, don’t worry: our newest Bookshop list includes more than 40 recommendations for books in translation, all written by women, nonbinary, or queer authors. More at: bookshop.org/lists/2026-w...

"The new regime of censorship is entering its second academic year." Iván Chaar López reflects on the current state of affairs at UT Austin in his contribution to @penamerica.bsky.social's "Snapshots of Censorship" Project. #histSTM #histtech #tenure 🗃️📜 #skystorians #AcademicFreedom

Snapshots of Censorship: Dare to Obey? Censorship and the Attack on Tenure in Texas

These truths, the product of extensive and rigorous research, are now not allowed to circulate freely in classrooms and across the UT campus.

pen.org

An attempt by the Missouri Attorney General and Secretary of State to shut down a public library’s “rainbow storytime” for children by threatening to withhold state funds, “grossly mischaracterizes” the event to force an “ideological agenda,” PEN America said today. pen.org/press-releas...

Nearly two dozen groups, including @mediaanddemocracy.bsky.social @penamerica.bsky.social @publicknowledge.bsky.social @aclu.org @eff.org sent a letter to Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro supporting the company's ongoing fight against the FCC's politically-motivated investigations.

Free speech groups back Disney in ongoing fight with FCC

July 29, 2026 - The letter says Disney should continue defending its First Amendment rights as it challenges the FCC’s early license renewal order for eight ABC-owned stations.

thedesk.net

Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist @nhannahjones.bsky.social and bestselling authors @angiethomas.bsky.social, Jason Reynolds, and Renée Watson celebrated Black stories with about 800 community members, students, and advocates at the 1619 Freedom School’s 2nd read-in: pen.org/iowa-celebra...

Nikole Hannah-Jones and Bestselling Authors Host Read-In in Waterloo, Iowa, Celebrating Black Stories

The authors read excerpts from their books, reminding the audience that Black stories can span genres and deserve to be written and read.

pen.org

As activist, writer, and 2026 PEN/Barbey Freedom To Write Awardee Golrokh Iraee spends another birthday in prison in Iran, we stand in solidarity with her and call for her release. Read our profile of Golrokh and what drives her to be a voice for the voiceless at: pen.org/golrokh-irae...

Through #ProofOfLife, we're calling for information on the fate and whereabouts of Eritrea's disappeared journalists. Sign the petition and stand with those silenced: www.pen-international.org/proof-of-lif...

25 Years Disappeared: Proof of Life Now — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

Join PEN International, PEN Eritrea in Exile and PEN Centres worldwide in demanding proof of life for Eritrea's disappeared journalists and writers.

pen-international.org

In a new Snapshot of Censorship, Iván Chaar López writes about how certain ideas & research are being censored at UT. “Yet these truths, the product of extensive and rigorous research, are now not allowed to circulate freely in classrooms and across the UT campus.” Read here: pen.org/dare-to-obey/

PEN America joined 20+ orgs supporting Disney amid FCC efforts to pressure and influence content decisions. The government cannot use its authority to punish speech it dislikes. This First Amendment principle must be defended. Read the letter: www.aclu.org/documents/co...

At the Africa Media Festival, PEN International's Nduko O'Matigere joined Vanessa Tsehaye, Yirgalem Fisseha and Muthoki Mumo for a panel highlighting Eritrea's 12 disappeared writers and journalists. Watch the full panel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-Aq...

Silenced, Not Gone: Why Eritrea’s Jailed Journalists Still Matter

YouTube video by Baraza Media Lab

youtube.com

PEN America is thrilled to have Philomena Polefrone join our Freedom to Read team. Read more about the move in her interview with Publishers Weekly: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/people/article/100923-protecting-the-literary-ecosystem-pw-talks-to-philomena-polefrone.html

In a climate of censorship, librarians' role as defenders of free speech has never been more important. Here's why they believe the library is — and should remain — "a place for everyone." What do you think? Add your voice at: pen.org/america-spea... #AmericaSpeaks #Librarians #Libraries

Six years after the war against The 1619 Project began, Nikole Hannah-Jones has learned to fight back. Read our new interview: https://pen.org/nikole-hannah-jones-interview/ #FreedomToRead #AmericanHistory

Six Years After ‘The 1619 Project’ Prompts First Modern Educational Gag Order, Nikole Hannah-Jones Has Learned How to Fight Back

Six years after the first modern educational gag order targeted The 1619 Project, Nikole Hannah-Jones says it was "the opening shot in a much bigger effort to shape what we can know."

pen.org

We asked people their wishes for the future free expression. Here's what they said. Add your voice at: https://pen.org/america-speaks/ #AmericaSpeaks #FreeExpression #America250

PEN America Speaks: How We Defended And Celebrated Free Expression the Week Of July 20: https://pen.org/pen-america-speaks-july-20/

PEN America Speaks: How We Defended And Celebrated Free Expression the Week Of July 20

PEN America works tirelessly to defend free expression, support persecuted writers, and promote literary culture. Here are some of the latest ways PEN America is speaking out.

pen.org

PEN America previously called upon the administration to “withdraw these subpoenas and end its campaign of intimidation against news organizations.” We are pleased to see that these subpoenas have been withdrawn. abcnews.com/US/new-york-...

DOJ agrees to withdraw subpoenas for New York Times journalists

Lawyers with the DOJ have agreed to unilaterally withdraw a series of subpoenas that sought to compel New York Times journalists to testify about their sources.

abcnews.com

On July 18, Tennessee residents gathered in Murfreesboro for a #FreedomToRead celebration, hosted by the Rutherford County Library Alliance and PEN America. Daniel Handler—aka Lemony Snicket—headlined the event, along with Tennessee author Kaitlyn Sage Patterson: www.tennessean.com/story/news/2...

A fortunate event, Lemony Snicket joins TN advocates for literary access

Famed author Lemony Snicket and more, along with national advocacy groups, celebrated the Freedom to Read in Murfreesboro.

tennessean.com

Policies at Texas A&M are jeopardizing academic freedom. The Chronicle of Higher Education details their ongoing impact. Cancelling and censoring courses carries “especially troubling implications given similar processes underway across the state,” say professors. www.chronicle.com/article/thes...

What Texas A&M Will — and Won’t — Let You Teach

Newly obtained records reveal that two courses for the fall were canceled outright, while administrators demanded changes to others. Instructors say the deliberative process is a black box.

chronicle.com

Want to get your book published, but don’t know where to start? Start here: https://pen.org/how-to-get-your-book-published/

How to Get Your Book Published: 5 Takeaways from You Are A Writer

Four industry experts discuss what agents, editors, and publicists are looking for in proposals and manuscripts.

pen.org

Davin Malasarn’s debut novel, The Outer Country, follows an intergenerational immigrant family as they face challenges of love and acceptance. In this week’s PEN Ten, Malasarn opens up about how his lived experiences as a Queer Asian American shaped his novel. Read more here: pen.org/davin-malasa...

In Davin Malasarn’s Family Drama, An Exorcism Is Just the Beginning

Davin Malasarn discusses The Outer Country, complicated family dynamics, and the parts of the book that he drew from his own life.

pen.org

An increased sense of being watched is affecting free expression and academic freedom on campus. As this student explains, surveillance “cannot be used as an excuse to trample student speech.” Read more from The Chronicle of Higher Education: www.chronicle.com/article/camp...

Opinion | Campus Surveillance Is Out of Control

Colleges are investing in cutting-edge tech to suppress student protest.

chronicle.com

The Unbannable Library "is like a love letter to libraries," Paul Collins told us when he brought this vibrant public art installation celebrating the freedom to read to Union Square in NYC as part of this year's PEN World Voices. #unbannablelibrary #libraries #freedomtoread

The Trump administration’s decision to change a visa rule regarding foreign journalists, students, and exchange visitors in the United States poses grave threats to free expression, press freedom, and international academic exchange, says PEN America. Read our statement: pen.org/press-releas...

New Visa Restrictions Threaten Foreign Journalists, Academic Exchange

PEN America condemns new visa restrictions targeting journalists and international students as a threat to free expression

pen.org

#Serbia: We urge the authorities to launch a prompt and thorough investigation into the brutal assault on writer Vladimir Arsenijević. Entrenched impunity for crimes against writers and journalists in the country must be addressed. Read our statement ⬇️ www.pen-international.org/news/serbia-...

Serbia: Violent attack on writer Vladimir Arsenijević condemned  — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

‘The brutal assault on writer Vladimir Arsenijević comes in the wake of a pervasive crackdown on dissent in Serbia. As we express our full solidarity with Arsenijević, we once again urge the Serbian a...

pen-international.org

In an op-ed for The Tennessean, Lemony Snicket, the highly mysterious and unfailingly cynical author of A Series of Unfortunate Events, explores the harm literary censorship is inflicting on young readers nationwide: www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

Lemony Snicket has an op-ed on book restrictions in today's Tennessean. If you have a subscription, you can find it here: www.tennessean.com/story/opinio...

Book bans in Tennessee won’t stop readers or ideas | Opinion

Lemony Snicket slams Tennessee officials for removing books from libraries and limiting freedom of expression.

tennessean.com

‘It’s Completely Different’: Two Writers On Russian Authoritarianism and Why the U.S. Isn’t There Yet https://pen.org/its-completely-different/

‘It’s Completely Different’: Two Writers On Russian Authoritarianism and Why the U.S. Isn’t There Yet

Russian and Ukrainian writers discussed ways their novels depict life under authoritarian regimes and their perspectives on the erosion of democracy in the United States.

pen.org

Free Expression Under Threat as Michigan Public Library Board Moves Hundreds of Children’s Books to the Adult Section https://pen.org/press-release/free-expression-under-threat-as-michigan-public-library-board-moves-hundreds-of-childrens-books-to-the-adult-section/

Free Expression Under Threat as Michigan Public Library Board Moves Hundreds of Children's Books to the Adult Section

PEN America joins the Michigan ACLU today in raising concerns over the troubling decision by the Cromaine, MI District Library's Board of Trustees' to relocate children's and young adult books to the adult section, bypassing the library's review process...

pen.org

Journalists must be able to report without fear of government retaliation. PEN America is opposed to Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence after he authorized subpoenas to NYT reporters. If you're concerned about implications of his nomination, take action: freedom.press/action/write...

📣 Take Action: Write a letter opposing Jay Clayton’s confirmation as director of national intelligence

Make an impact with guided actions from Freedom of The Press Foundation.

freedom.press