We stand at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the U.S. and worldwide. Support and learn more at pen.org.https://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mvbkluet4s2q“One of the key differences between DeSantis and everyone else is… these appointments have no experience in higher ed, so we can infer their main skill set is simply to follow the administration’s ideological mandates,” said William Johnson of PEN America. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/11/ron-desantis-florida-higher-education-takeover11 Sep 2026 21:55 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvbkluet4s2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mvawtyma5s2bIn @isabel.kim’s debut novel, Sublimation (Macmillan, 2026), immigration divides the self — literally. In a new PEN Ten interview, Kim tells us about how she came up with the idea for her novel and the sense of “alienated intimacy” she wants it to bestow on readers: https://pen.org/isabel-j-kim-the-pen-ten-interview/11 Sep 2026 16:01 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvawtyma5s2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mv7en33jic27PEN America raised concern today over Broward County Public Schools’ decision to withdraw its invitation to children’s author and illustrator Vashti Harrison because of her public support for a ceasefire in Gaza: Authors should not be subject to ‘ideological litmus tests.’ https://pen.org/press-release/florida-school-district-criticized-for-canceling-appearance-by-childrens-author-over-gaza-ceasefire-post/11 Sep 2026 01:03 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv7en33jic27https://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mv7eacqjwk2cFlorida Department of Education’s annual report of books and materials removed, restricted, or discontinued by school districts for the 2025–26 school year underscores the astonishing state of book banning across Florida, PEN America and @flfreedomread.bsky.social said today. https://pen.org/press-release/new-state-list-underscores-astonishing-state-of-book-bans-across-florida/11 Sep 2026 00:56 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv7eacqjwk2chttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mv6qmosjrs2wSalman Rushdie's monumental talent has been recognized by readers worldwide whose perspectives are transformed by his writing. We are thrilled that the National Book Foundation will honor his literary achievements this fall. Congratulations, Salman Rushdie! https://people.com/salman-rushdie-national-book-foundation-s-2026-lifetime-achievement-award-1211441110 Sep 2026 19:05 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv6qmosjrs2whttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mv6owj7wbs2tPEN America joined a coalition of 130+ organizations urging Gov. Newsom to sign California’s Community NEWS Act, legislation that would help local newsrooms hire and retain journalists. Local news is essential for informed, civically engaged communities. https://www.rebuildlocalnews.org/historic-local-news-coalition-of-national-state-organizations-urge-gov-newsom-of-california-to-support-ab-2222/10 Sep 2026 18:34 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv6owj7wbs2thttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mv6n2mkhf22t“The FCC needs to stop using its power to bully news organizations into silencing voices it simply disagrees with,” said Tim Richardson, journalism and disinformation program director at PEN America, in a statement to Common Dreams. https://www.commondreams.org/news/kimmel-talarico-interview-trump-fcc10 Sep 2026 18:01 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv6n2mkhf22thttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mv3ulkl5dk2gIn February, professor Vinita Prabhakar was fired by South Florida State College for teaching a story by Ottessa Mosfegh. In Persuasion, she writes about the incident and why she has filed a First Amendment lawsuit against SFSC: https://www.persuasion.community/p/i-taught-a-short-story-my-college09 Sep 2026 15:38 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv3ulkl5dk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mv2d6lhytc2zThe wide-scale destruction of books in Ukraine by Russian strikes this year is another example of how culture has been on the frontlines of Russia’s war against Ukraine. We join PEN Ukraine and @peninternational.bsky.social in their condemnation. Read more: https://pen.org/report/ukrainian-culture-under-attack/ [contains quote post or other embedded content]09 Sep 2026 00:53 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv2d6lhytc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mumpgvlrrr2vPEN America mourns the loss of Gloria Steinem, the legendary activist and bestselling author who co-founded Ms. Magazine in 1972. “Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions,” the title of her 1983 essay collection, captured the boldness and persistence with which she lived her life.03 Sep 2026 14:56 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mumpgvlrrr2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3muipehcp3x2oBeloved writer and environmentalist Wendell Berry has died at age 92 https://www.npr.org/2026/09/01/1139228585/wendell-berry-obituary #RIP 02 Sep 2026 00:44 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3muipehcp3x2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3muifwquhy224It’s not just books: Public libraries are increasingly censorship battlegrounds, leading to interference with book displays, improper reshelving mandates, and disruptions of events. Read our new report here: https://pen.org/report/out-of-circulation/ #Libraries #Librarians #Censorship01 Sep 2026 21:55 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3muifwquhy224https://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3muhswhuk3x2uIn an interview with PEN America, literary photographer Beowulf Sheehan discusses his second book, The Father of the Man: The Last Author Portrait Sitting with Cormac McCarthy, which hits shelves today: https://pen.org/beowulf-sheehan-cormac-mccarthy/01 Sep 2026 16:15 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3muhswhuk3x2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3muhjqgnir22bPublic libraries in the US are “at breaking point” because of an onslaught of political interference, harassment and ideological censorship, says a new PEN America report. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/01/us-public-libraries-report via @richlusc.bsky.social in @theguardian.com01 Sep 2026 13:30 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3muhjqgnir22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3muhjhx6xz22sPublic libraries nationwide are reaching a breaking point as a result of mounting pressures to censor collections, increased intimidation against library staff, and disruptions to library operations, according to a new report today by PEN America. Read the release: https://pen.org/press-release/report-public-libraries-face-existential-threat-putting-books-information-and-people-at-risk/01 Sep 2026 13:25 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3muhjhx6xz22shttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mufe4ri52223PEN America's co-CEO @selopez.bsky.social joined Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber for a wide-ranging conversation that introduced transfer and first-year students to the University’s expansive commitment to academic freedom and free expression. More at: https://www.princeton.edu/news/2026/08/28/incoming-class-hears-call-embrace-princetons-bold-and-powerful-commitment-free31 Aug 2026 16:44 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mufe4ri52223https://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mufd7g5yos2cIn threatening NBC’s Kristen Welker, the president is trying to use the FCC as a personal attack dog against journalists. The FCC is not a tool to punish broadcasters because the president dislikes their reporting or analysis. That's not how a free press works. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/30/trump-says-he-will-report-nbc-host-fcc-rebuke-or-punishment/31 Aug 2026 16:28 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mufd7g5yos2chttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mu3fag6umk2f#1A protects the rights of noncitizens in the U.S. Deporting noncitizens based on protected speech and advocacy is unconstitutional. PEN America has joined @ncacensorship.bsky.social and other organizations on two amicus briefs in AAUP v. Rubio and Khalil v. Blanche. More: https://ncac.org/news/ncac-amicus-briefs-first-amendment-noncitizens-khalil-aaup27 Aug 2026 17:38 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu3fag6umk2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mtytpbud4c2jPEN America’s Prison & Justice Writing Program is now accepting volunteer applications for the 2026–2027 Prison Writing Mentorship Program! Writers, editors, educators, and MFA students: participate in a 10-month literary exchange across prison walls. Apply by September 15: https://pen.org/prison-and-justice-writing/mentoring-program/.26 Aug 2026 17:19 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtytpbud4c2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mtyifqizjs2fJacksonville parents: What if we helped kids see free expression not as an abstract idea, but as a power they already have? On Sept. 12, PEN America Florida and Dr. Allison “Dr. Ally” Matulli are bringing Your Freedom, Your Power Hour! to The Literary Lounge: https://pen.org/event/your-freedom-your-power-hour/26 Aug 2026 13:56 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtyifqizjs2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mtwtrn6jmc2oPEN America mourns the death of Dolly Parton. Her songs will live forever — as will the impact of her Imagination Library, which has gifted more than 332 million books to children in 5 countries over the past 31 years.25 Aug 2026 22:15 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtwtrn6jmc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mtwih7hggc2iEgyptian filmmaker Omar Salah Marei has been detained for 100 days without medical care or legal access . We stand with 20 rights groups demanding his immediate, unconditional release. [contains quote post or other embedded content]25 Aug 2026 18:52 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtwih7hggc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mtwddji2zc2p3 Years After Winning the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize, Sonia Feldman Publishes Girl's Girl, a Vibrant Coming-of-Age Debut Novel Read our interview: https://pen.org/sonia-feldman-interview/25 Aug 2026 17:20 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtwddji2zc2phttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mtvw7nynv52tA federal judge has ruled that FIU likely violated the First Amendment rights of students who staged a silent protest last spring. Read our prior statement: https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-condemns-florida-international-universitys-punishment-of-students-for-peaceful-expression/25 Aug 2026 13:26 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtvw7nynv52thttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mtujzbaqla2tPEN America today condemned the Pentagon’s firing of the publisher and the editor-in-chief of Stars and Stripes and called on Congress "to do their job and support American service members by protecting Stars and Stripes.” https://pen.org/press-release/pen-america-condemns-firings-of-stars-stripes/25 Aug 2026 00:15 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtujzbaqla2thttps://bsky.app/profile/penamerica.bsky.social/post/3mtu6e2ngkv2kAcross Rutherford County, TN, book bans have wreaked havoc on schools and libraries. But a local Freedom to Read Celebration, hosted last month by PEN America and the Rutherford County Library Alliance, showed just how much the community’s determination to safeguard access to books has endured. 24 Aug 2026 20:46 +0000at://did:plc:cb2rfvyr2zasxtzn4ihmhedi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtu6e2ngkv2k