The Chinese government is the world’s leading jailer of writers according to PEN America’s #FreedomToWrite Index, an annual count of writers jailed globally. Authorities in China must release all jailed writers unconditionally and end the persecution of free expression. pen.org/report/freed...
What good is the #freedomtowrite if nobody gets to learn about the work? | #books #bookreview
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/b...
"... a steady increase since 2022 of women writers both held in jail and at risk overall for their free expression."
#FreedomToRead #FreedomToWrite
From lifetime prison sentences to drawn out criminal trials, risks to women writers are only increasing. Research by PEN America’s #FreedomToWrite Center has found a steady increase since 2022 of women writers both held in jail and at risk overall for their free expression. pen.org/we-must-reme...
This image features Galal El-Behairy, standing with a solemn expression. Overlaying the image is text from a poem by him referencing themes of silence, death, passion for singing, and love for their country. The text mentions singing to the country and facing death for one song. The Pen America logo is displayed at the bottom.
Poet and #FreedomToWrite Awardee Galal El-Behairy has been detained in Egypt for more than 8 years because he wrote clever lyrics to a viral song that mocked the country’s president. This #WorldPoetryDay, share El-Behairy’s story and his poetry: https://pen.org/prison-for-poetry-eight-years/
We are gravely concerned for the safety of all unjustly detained writers during the war in Iran, including Yousef Ansari, a board member of the Iranian Writers’ Association, and Narges Mohammadi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and PEN #FreedomToWrite Awardee. We urgently call for their release.
Despite finishing his prison sentence, El-Behairy, a poet and PEN/Barbey #FreedomToWrite Awardee, remains trapped in indefinite pretrial detention, with no end in sight.
Egypt must immediately and unconditionally pardon and release El-Behairy. Read more at pen.org/prison-for-p...
A legend has fallen. "Michael Silverblatt said Lewis Carroll’s 'Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland' was the book that had made him an avid reader as a child. The public #library became a second home." #freedomtoread #freedomtowrite #books
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/b...
The image features a quote with a black background and white text, emphasizing "A Beautiful China" in red. The quote discusses the values of freedom, justice, and love. It is attributed to Xu Zhiyong from his essay "Beautiful Politics," published on China Change and translated by Elizabeth Lindley. The Pen America logo is at the bottom right.
Six years ago, essayist and #FreedomToWrite Awardee Xu Zhiyong was arrested in southern China. Authorities cited his writing—in which he dreamt of a China underpinned by freedom, justice, and love—as evidence of his so-called crimes. pen.org/imprisoned-for-dreaming-...
The Free Narges Coalition condemns the new prison sentences—amounting to 7.5 years on unjust charges—handed down to #FreedomToWrite Awardee Narges Mohammadi, who faces aggravated threats in detention in Iran. She and all prisoners of conscience must be freed immediately. pen.org/press-releas...
4/4 "Readers might well feel they deserve a warning too, for sane lovers of literature who read this book are likely to experience fury and even despair by the time they finish."
#freedomtowrite #freedomtoread
www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
PEN America's 2023 PEN/Barbey #FreedomToWrite Awardee Narges Mohammadi has been sentenced to yet more prison time in Iran. We stand in solidarity with Narges and call for her release, as well as many others unjustly jailed for their writing, expression, and activism narges.foundation/nobel-peace-...
Huge congrats to the 2026 @penamerica.bsky.social Literary Award finalists! 🥂
In a time of rising challenges for authors, these awards remind us why we must protect the #FreedomToWrite. Diverse voices and bold ideas are the backbone of a healthy culture.
#books #penawards
pen.org/2026-pen-ame...
As Narges Mohammadi, PEN America's 2023 #FreedomToWrite Awardee, starts a hunger strike to protest prison conditions for detainees, PEN America as part of the #FreeNarges Coalition steering committee stands in solidarity with Narges and demands her release. www.cnn.com/2026/02/04/m...
Oscar-nominated writer Mehdi Mahmoudian arrested in Iran for condemning the government’s brutal crackdown on protesters in a letter signed by 17 people, including #FreedomToWrite Awardees Narges Mohammadi (the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize honoree) and Nasrin Sotoudeh: www.independent.co.uk/news/world/m...
Stand Up for the #FreedomToRead, #FreedomToWrite, & #FreeSpeech!
@uabookbans.bsky.social - uniteagainstbookbans.org
@authorsabb.bsky.social - www.authorsagainstbookbans.com
@penamerica.bsky.social - pen.org
@aclu.org - www.aclu.org
@amlibraryassoc.bsky.social - www.ala.org
Got the Winter Blues? Treat yourself by booking a summer writing retreat in Bath, 26-29 June. If you’ve been watching Agatha Christie’s ‘Seven Dials’ you’ll recognise the location. www.freedomtowrite.co.uk
On Substack I reflect on the winter retreat…
#bluemonday #freedomtowrite #writingretreat
Publishing should be courageous. #freedomtowrite #freedomtoread
Vietnam—the third leading jailer of writers in the latest #FreedomToWrite Index—is holding these writers in horrendous conditions that violate their human rights, leaving Tuan in serious medical conditions, and has inflicted severe prison terms of over a decade on all three.
#Books by women dominated most-borrowed library lists in 2025. All of the top 10 books on Libby were by women. #freedomtoread #freedomtowrite
www.npr.org/2025/12/29/n...
#Quatrain #Poem #Freedom #PoetryCommunity #CreativeWriting #Verse #LiteraryArt #FreedomOfExpression #Writers #Inspiration #ArtisticFreedom #PoeticThoughts #WordsMatter #ExpressYourself #LiteratureLovers #RhythmAndRhyme #PoetryLovers #FreedomToWrite #QuatrainLove #WriteYourHeartOut
If books weren't powerful, they wouldn't be banned. John Green, author of "Looking for Alaska," the most banned book in Amerika, is hopeful for the future of the #freedomtowrite #freedomtoread @penamerica.bsky.social @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social
youtube.com/shorts/YkaJ3...
Photo of Narges Mohammadi, set against a dark background with red accents, including a quote from Interim co-CEO of PEN America, Summer Lopez, detailing her situation and condemning her unjust detention.
PEN/Barbey #FreedomToWrite Awardee Narges Mohammadi is still unjustly detained a week after her violent arrest in Iran. We demand the Iranian government release her and others jailed for their expression, and allow access to lawyers and medical care. pen.org/press-releas...
Writer @elanakarnold.bsky.social, whose books are often banned, says ignorance does not protect innocence. #freedomtowrite #freedomtoread @penamerica.bsky.social www.youtube.com/shorts/wS1n7...
Graphic featuring a portrait of Narges Mohammadi, with a quote from the Free Narges Coalition that reads: "Our mobilization will continue until Narges Mohammadi and all detained human rights defenders and journalists are unconditionally free. They must be liberated at once.” PEN America logo appears at bottom right.
Today, after a year of conditional freedom, Narges Mohammadi—an activist, writer, Nobel Peace Laureate, and PEN/Barbey #FreedomToWrite Awardee—was re-arrested by Iranian authorities. Mohammadi was attempting to speak at a memorial for murdered human rights lawyer Khosrow Alikordi.
Photo shows writer Pham Doan Trang, sitting at a table, with a quote about her commitment to justice and press freedom taken from a joint letter marking four years since she was sentenced to prison. PEN America logo appears at bottom right.
Four years ago, Vietnamese writer and #FreedomToWrite Awardee Pham Doan Trang was sentenced to nine years in prison for her writings on human rights and democracy. Her imprisonment is more than an attack on one writer—securing her release is a global priority for free expression.
I donated $500 and arranged for another $750 to be donated to @penamerica.bsky.social because I believe in the #freedomtowrite. PEN America is a necessary advocate for the freedom of expression in the U.S. and globally. Donate today! #GivingTuesday pen.org/2025-support...
Poet and #FreedomToWrite honoree Galal El-Behairy started writing poetry in high school. During his time as a university student, he performed readings as a form of creative protest.
Unjustly detained since 2018, El-Behairy wrote this poem—read by his father—from jail. #FreeGalal
(A quick image transcription, not a lot of room here.)
[img: Jamal Kashoggi, smiling, is pictured in traditional Saudi clothing. Top text: Saudi tries to silence dissent by banning expression and travel. Jailed at least 19 writers according to #freedomToWrite index.]
China’s sweeping crackdown on “Boys’ Love” fiction is silencing women writers and readers who found emotional refuge in the country’s same-sex love stories.
#ChinaCensorship #Danmei #BoysLove #FreedomToWrite #WomensVoices
