Tessera

We're thrilled to announce Louise Penny will headline our Centennial Celebration on November 25. One of Canada's most beloved authors, her books have sold more than 19 million copies worldwide, topped bestseller lists, and been translated into 35 languages. Get your ticket: buff.ly/Ig3gp0f

PEN 100: A Centennial Celebration, featuring Louise Penny

An evening of belonging, community and literature, to celebrate 100 years of PEN in Canada.

eventbrite.ca

Basima Takrouri, a Palestinian writer and poet, has been awarded the 2026 PEN Canada-Humber Writers in Exile Scholarship. During her year at Humber Polytechnic she will work on her new satirical novel, Toronto Finger.

PEN International has announced the shortlist of the PEN–Inge Feltrinelli Writing as Resistance Award. The shortlist highlights the many ways in which literature can resist repression, preserve cultural identity and give voice to marginalized communities: www.pen-international.org/news/pen-int...

PEN International and Fondazione Feltrinelli announce the 2026 PEN–Inge Feltrinelli Writing as Resistance Award shortlist and jury — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Exp...

13 October 2026: PEN International and Fondazione Feltrinelli are pleased to announce the jury and shortlist of the PEN–Inge Feltrinelli Writing as Resistance Award. The shortlist highlights the many ...

pen-international.org

PEN Canada@pencanada.bsky.social · 4w ago

Six weeks until our Centennial Celebration — get your tickets here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/pen-100-a-...

With US midterms in full swing, writers and advocates are grappling with online abuse, doxing, and other intimidation. Join @penamerica.bsky.social's for a FREE webinar on how to protect yourself, what to do if you’re harassed, and how to be an ally in your community. Open to all: buff.ly/l3S4PSj

Speaking Out, Staying Safe: The 2026 Midterms

With the 2026 U.S. midterm elections around the corner, writers and advocates are grappling with how to speak up while staying safe online.

pen.org

In March 2023, a year after Russia invaded Ukraine, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was dragged into an unmarked van by FSB agents and imprisoned for 500 days; a pawn in a geopolitical chess match. buff.ly/IvAa6mk

U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich sentenced to 16 years on Russian espionage charges | CBC News

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was convicted Friday in Russia of espionage and sentenced to 16 years on charges that his employer and the U.S. have rejected as fabricated.

buff.ly

We've launched a Substack 👀 This week, Margaret Atwood tells of the origins of PEN Canada and why its mission of defending imperilled writers is more vital than ever: pencanada.substack.com/p/once-upon-...

“Once upon a time... I was writing a book called The Handmaid’s Tale.”

Margaret Atwood on the origins of PEN Canada and why its mission of defending imperilled writers is more vital than ever.

pencanada.substack.com

The imprisonment of critical voices in Cuba continues, as authorities seek to silence those who criticize the government, report independently or engage in peaceful protest. PEN International condemns the detention of Henry Constantín Ferreiro, founder of outlet La Hora de Cuba: buff.ly/Zh8CEVE

Cuba: Henry Constantín’s 19th detention highlights escalating crackdown on independent journalism — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

“The imprisonment of Henry Constantín reflects the persistent persecution of those practising independent journalism in Cuba. Reporting on living conditions, documenting abuses and giving citizens a…

buff.ly

Friends and colleagues remember Joan Leishman as a journalist, mentor and advocate who opened her home and supported writers fleeing persecution. Nearly 200 people attended our event last week, and the funds raised will provide urgent assistance to writers living in exile: buff.ly/EJHoQdW

PEN Canada Launches a Memorial Fund in Honour of TMU Alumna - On The Record

Friends and colleagues remember Joan Leishman as a journalist, mentor and advocate who opened her home and supported writers fleeing persecution.

ontherecordnews.ca

Nearly 12,000 bans took place in American public schools over the past year, according to a new study from @penamerica.bsky.social. This is the highest total since the organization began tracking removals five years ago: www.cbc.ca/books/works-...

Works by Canadian authors Margaret Atwood and Ryan North among books banned in U.S. schools in 2026 | CBC Books

Nearly 12,000 bans took place in American public schools over the past year, according to a new study from PEN America, the highest total since the free expression organization began tracking removals...

cbc.ca

Announcing the featured speakers for this month's Voices of Freedom: This time you'll hear from Basima Takrouri (Palestinian writer and poet), Sabiha Ali Naderi (Afghan social worker, educator and writer), and Musa Zafar (Afghan writer and advocate for human rights and education). buff.ly/2d4paWJ

Thank you for an incredible night 💫 Last week's event honoured the remarkable Joan Leishman and raised money for our Joan Leishman Memorial Fund, a new PEN initiative to support writers in exile living in Canada.

Save-the-date for Voices of Freedom, our reading series with the Writers in Exile, which returns in two weeks: 📅 Monday October 19 at 7 p.m. 📍 Emmanuel College Chapel, University of Toronto (75 Queen's Park Cres E) 🎟️ Entry is free for PEN members, $10 for the public

PEN 100: A Centennial Celebration, featuring Louise Penny

An evening of belonging, community and literature, to celebrate 100 years of PEN in Canada.

eventbrite.ca

For International Translation Day, Palestinian poet Dareen Tatour reflects on translation as a literary and political act. Drawing on her own experience, she explores the responsibilities of carrying texts across languages, cultures and systems of power. More from PEN Sweden: buff.ly/EgM6XIP

When a Poem Crosses Borders: Translation Between the Life of a Text and the Trial of Its Author

Some words cross borders and open a window, others cross them and open the door to a prison cell.

penopp.org

TIFA Presents PEN Canada Graeme Gibson Talk with Evan Gershkovich, Carol Off, and Philippe Sands: buff.ly/JTz8Cwk

TIFA Presents PEN Canada Graeme Gibson Talk with Evan Gershkovich, Carol Off, and Philippe Sands

The PEN Canada Graeme Gibson Talk is an annual conversation between writers with expert knowledge of an urgent political, social, cultural or economic iss…

buff.ly

Paintings, prints and carvings — these are some of the original artworks you can bid on at our auction. All proceeds will go to the Joan Leishman Memorial Fund, a new PEN fund which at a future date will provide urgent assistance directly to exiled writers living in Canada. buff.ly/qoOFhud

A literary treasure in our auction: one of just 300 signed limited editions of Margaret Atwood’s The Testaments, from the author’s private collection. Complete with artifacts and Aunt Lydia’s wax seal. This item is open for bids from now until Thursday October 1: buff.ly/qoOFhud

This is a free public event, held as part of the 92nd annual PEN International Congress. Join Samira Mohyeddin (journalist), Ross Holder (PEN International), Basma Mostafa (Egyptian journalist ), and Doan Bao Chau (Vietnamese journalist) for a public panel discussion on transnational repression.

Today is the first day of Congress 🌍 and this year, we're online! Since 1923, the PEN International Congress is hosted each year by a different PEN Centre around the world. It's been held in Canada twice — first in 1989 and then again in 2015.

From three nights in Tuscany, to a dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, or a Toronto birding walk and a session with a music producer — these unique experiences are all in our Power of Words auction. Bidding is open now, and will close at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday October 1: buff.ly/qoOFhud

Our auction is live, and 15 Canadian authors are in on it. All proceeds from this auction will go to the Joan Leishman Memorial Fund, a new PEN fund which at a future date will provide urgent assistance directly to exiled writers living in Canada. Place your bids here: buff.ly/qoOFhud

Our auction is live, and it includes 10 original works of art. From paintings to wood carvings, photography prints and even a miniature, the auction is open for bids from now until 8:30 p.m. on Thursday October 1. Get your event tickets, and place your online auction bids, here: buff.ly/qoOFhud

PEN Canada@pencanada.bsky.social · last mo.

One week until our big event — an event and online auction to raise money for a new PEN initiative to support writers living in exile:

Before our event next week, check out our online auction —which is now open for bids! Featured prizes include book clubs and dinners with authors like Louise Penny, John Ralston Saul, Gill Deacon, Kim Echlin, and Marsha Lederman, plus original artworks and a 3-night stay in Italy: buff.ly/km3ohSD

VassB @vassb.bsky.social · last mo.

Speaking in Bologna about imprisoned Eritrean journalists, Gianluca Costantini reflects on portraits he created with PEN International in 2019, their return to public attention seven years later, and the role of drawing in keeping names, faces and stories alive: www.channeldraw.org/2026/09/20/e...

Eritrea: Twenty-Five Years of Silence, and the Responsibility of Remembering - ChannelDraw

Speaking in Bologna about the imprisoned Eritrean journalists, Gianluca Costantini reflects on the portraits he created with PEN International in 2019, their return to public attention seven years lat...

channeldraw.org

I had fun writing for the @pencanada.bsky.social Substack, "A Good Think," about technology and writing today. Do YOU have a routine when you write, or programs that you find to be helpful? I'm a sucker for a new notebook, that's for sure. substack.com/home/post/p-...

A future for writing

“Writing is thinking, and thinking is the ultimate solitary act. No matter the tech, at some point, you’re still just solo with a page trying to fill it.”

substack.com