Jerry “JD” Mathis, an award-winning author and PEN America Writing for Justice Fellow, discusses his experiences with mass incarceration, reentry, and the redemptive power of storytelling on the Everyday Injustice podcast.
Suzanne Nossel’s book Dare to Speak argues that free speech should be defended for all, and that the erosion of support for it is weakening democratic norms and deepening mistrust, while also providing a framework for evaluating speech harms and advocating for counterspeech as a primary response to hate.
PEN America has launched the Incarcerated Writers Bureau, a digital platform to provide professional and creative opportunities for incarcerated writers and break down industry barriers, featuring 21 writers and offering guidance to publishers, journalists, and literary agents.
PEN America has announced the winners of its 2025 Prison Writing Awards, honoring 33 incarcerated writers from 20 states for their work in poetry, fiction, essay, memoir, and drama, with the judging panel including six formerly incarcerated writers.
Since 1922, PEN America has stood at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free…
By Xinhui Lin WASHINGTON, DC – Increasing numbers of campaigns and growing pressure from state legislatures have…
Special to the Vanguard New York, NY – PEN America this week announced the launch of an…