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Membership

Membership

Join a storied network of writers, advocates, and allies who champion free expression and celebrate the power of literature.

Two women smiling at the camera; the woman on the left has short curly hair and a red jacket, while her PEN Pals companion on the right has long dark hair, earrings, and a colorful top.

Nikki Grimes

On those days when the news deflates me, it means everything to know that PEN is doing this hard work so that I can continue to focus on creating the best books I can for the readers I serve.

A collage shows people reading books and holding signs that say Stand with the Banned and Read Banned Books, supporting PEN America’s advocacy against book banning and celebrating the power of PEN America membership.
I am a reader, activist, and/or a literary enthusiast
JOIN AS A READER MEMBER >>

Become a Reader Member

For more than a century, PEN America has brought writers and readers together to celebrate literature and to protect the freedom to write. That legacy continues with Reader Members.

A group of like-minded book lovers, journalism enthusiasts, op-ed fanatics, short-story loyalists, library card maximalists, margin scribblers, midnight annotators, late-night essay debaters, and devotees of the written word, a PEN America Reader Membership supports and uplifts the work of writers. 

Enjoy the perks of Reader Membership:

  • Privileged access to PEN experts on the most pressing issues. Join our member-exclusive webinars with our leading experts, lawyers, and leadership.
  • A front-row seat to literary culture. Invitations and discounted rates to our specially curated events with writers, including but not limited to:
    • The annual World Voices Festival and Literary Awards in New York City
    • Exclusive lineup of Authors’ Evenings: intimate gatherings of touchstone writers hosting conversations about their latest or most beloved works
    • The annual Literary Gala Afterparty

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Meet the Team

I am a published writer, literary professional or journalist
JOIN AS A PROFESSIONAL MEMBER >>

Become a Professional Member

Professional Members are writers, artists, and literary professionals (agents, editors, booksellers, educators, illustrators, journalists, librarians, publishers, screenwriters, translators, and more) dedicated to uplifting and carrying out PEN America’s mission.

PEN America is the only national organization that both celebrates and defends creative expression. Becoming a Professional Member connects you with a greater community of fellow writers and literary professionals – by joining forces and working together, we can, and will, protect writers and the right to free expression. 

Professional Members enjoy exclusive access to discounts on events and publications, opportunities to convene with other members, and much more:

PEN America Events First-Access & Discount Tickets

  • the Literary Awards and World Voices Festival featuring internationally-acclaimed authors;
  • events across the country with nationally-recognized writers speaking to the issues of the day;
  • Member-exclusive webinars ranging from lively artistic conversations with authors and artists to professional development workshops 

Discounts to Publications, Services, and Cultural Partners 

  • discounts to national magazines (McSweeney’s, The Nation, Ploughshares, and more)
  • free subscriptions to national newspapers online (Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, Denver Post, and others)
  • discounts to services provided by national corporate partners (Office Depot, ZipCar)
  • ticket discounts to events with L.A. Opera, American Symphony Orchestra, The Public Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company, and more

A Community of Like-Minded Professionals

  • PEN America member-exclusive events 
  • national and local advocacy campaigns
  • Member-led committees, including the Translation and Children’s and Young Adult Books Committees
  • Members-only social media group
  • the Annual General Meeting, a wintertime gathering of Professional Members to reflect on the year behind, plan for the year ahead, and vote on the Board of Trustees

Already A Member?

Manage Your Membership

Meet the Team

Members of PEN should at all times use what influence they have in favor of good understanding and mutual respect between nations and people; they pledge themselves to do their utmost to dispel all hatreds and to champion the ideal of one humanity living in peace and equality in one world.

-PEN Founding Charter, 1922

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