To mark Day of the #ImprisonedWriter today, send a message of solidarity through our letter-writing campaign, #PENWrites, and join indie bookshops across the UK who are taking part. 💌 Write a letter of hope: www.englishpen.org/campaigns/pe...

Join the Independent Chinese PEN Centre with PEN International for “Chinese Prisons and International War: The 2025 ICPC Awards and Panel Discussions” on 14 November 2025, 1–5 PM. Tickets available now ⬇️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chinese-pr... #DayOfTheImprisonedWriter

We’ve joined @englishpen.bsky.social’s campaign: PENWrites x Day of the Imprisoned Writer.Bookshops: take part in the letter-writing campaign on 15 November in solidarity with imprisoned writers around the world. Find out more: www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

#Georgia: We condemn the sentencing of former PEN Georgia president Paata Shamugia to 5 days in prison for taking part in peaceful protests and urge the authorities to uphold fundamental rights. www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/8...

#Georgia: We urge the immediate release of acclaimed poet and former president of PEN Georgia Paata Shamugia, who faces up to 15 days in prison for taking part in peaceful protests. Read more ⬇️ georgiatoday.ge/police-arres...

#Belarus: As the country’s human rights record comes under review at the UN on 3 November, we reiterate grave concerns over the authorities’ brutal clampdown on cultural and linguistic rights and urge action. Read our joint submission ⬇️ www.pen-international.org/news/belarus...

PEN Presents: Translators around the world are invited to submit proposals for English sample translations of previously untranslated works of contemporary Brazilian literature, of any form/genre, originally published in any language of Brazil! @englishpen.bsky.social @britishcouncil.bsky.social

'Faith, though often unfashionable in the arts, emerges in Aboulela’s work not as an oppressor, but as a source of solace – a well of deep knowing.' In #PENTransmissions, Sabrina Mahfouz’s encomium for #PENPinterPrize 2025 winner Leila Aboulela. pentransmissions.com/2025/10/24/b...

We're delighted to announce that our October release, The Banquet by Stav Poleg has been shortlisted for the 2025 PEN Heaney Prize! @englishpen.bsky.social Congratulations to Stav, and all the other shortlisted poets and publishers! 🎉 Browse The Banquet: www.carcanet.co.uk/978180017511...

And here's the PEN/Heaney Prize 2025 shortlist! We at Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann are delighted to partner once more with @englishpen.bsky.social and the Estate of Seamus Heaney. The winner will be announced on 1 December at a ceremony at @nlireland.bsky.social National Library of Ireland.

The Day of the Imprisoned Writer is coming up on 15 November. Do take part!

Congratulations to Don Mee Choi, whose collection Mirror Nation has been shortlisted for the PEN Heaney Prize 2025 🎉

Together with @irishpen.bsky.social & the Estate of Seamus Heaney, we’re delighted to announce the PEN Heaney Prize 2025 shortlist. The winner will be announced on 1 December at a ceremony held at @nlireland.bsky.social. Find out more & book now ⤵️ www.englishpen.org/posts/news/p...

'I want to remove the fingers of accusation that are always directed at others, and instead hold up a mirror. Because at some point the other becomes the self.' Stella Gaitano’s #PENPinterPrize Writer of Courage 2025 speech is now in #PENTransmissions. pentransmissions.com/2025/10/17/s...

Join PEN International, @sanmiguelpen.bsky.social, @englishpen.bsky.social and other PEN Centres with @amnesty.org and @article19.bsky.social. Together, we will gather in front of the Mexican Embassy in London to demand justice for murdered and disappeared journalists. #NoOneIsGuaranteedSafety

“This is such an important project when we think about freedom of expression and creativity across the world, and is very close to our hearts” Meera Ghanshamdas @roundtablebookscic.bsky.social English PEN is inviting indie bkshops to help them mark the annual “Day of the Imprisoned Writer”.

Something for all you Big Rebels to get behind! A callout to UK indie booksellers to amplify Day of the Imprisoned Writer / 15th November.

‘Without justice, the balance of the world is undone. Justice is the gravity keeping us upright as humans.’ Leila Aboulela’s #PENPinterPrize 2025 speech – delivered at the @britishlibrary.bsky.social – is now in our online magazine, #PENTransmissions. pentransmissions.com/2025/10/10/t...

#China: Today, on the 10-year anniversary of the kidnapping of poet, bookseller and PEN member, Gui Minhai, 65 PEN Centres around the world renew our demand for his immediate and unconditional release. Read our joint statement ⬇️ www.pen-international.org/news/china-p... #FreeGuiMinhai

‘Or maybe a story that’s entirely different, fighting for its own space, its right to exist. Like a series of concentric circles fighting to stay whole’ In #PENTransmissions, Hajera Khaja on telling her friend’s story. w/ @pencanada.bsky.social. pentransmissions.com/2025/10/16/t...

Calling all indie bookshops... 📣 Take part in our #PENWrites letter-writing campaign in solidarity with writers in prison for Day of the Imprisoned Writer on 15 November. Find out more & sign up ⬇️ www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

Congratulations to Leila Aboulela and Stella Gaitano, two writers honored with @englishpen.bsky.social's 2025 #PENPinterPrize. Aboulela named Gaitano as the 2025 Writer of Courage for Gaitano's active defense of freedom of expression. Read about their work: www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

At English PEN’s #PENPinterPrize event on Friday, Leila Aboulela, winner of the 2025 PEN Pinter Prize, announced writer, journalist and human rights activist Stella Gaitano as this year’s Writer of Courage. Congratulations to both writers! www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

Leila Aboulela, winner of the PEN Pinter Prize 2025, has announced writer, journalist and human rights activist, Stella Gaitano, as this year’s Writer of Courage.

Leila Aboulela, winner of the #PENPinterPrize 2025, has announced writer, journalist and human rights activist, Stella Gaitano, as this year’s Writer of Courage. www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

There’s still time to book your ticket for tonight’s #PENPinterPrize ceremony where Leila Aboulela will accept the award and announce this year’s Writer of Courage. Join us at the @britishlibrary.bsky.social or watch online. Book now ⤵️ events.bl.uk/events/the-p...

Our translation grants – #PENTranslates, including PEN Translates x SALT, and #PENPresents: Brazil – are NOW OPEN for submissions! Find out more, apply & share ⤵️ www.englishpen.org/translation/...

Yesterday we attended the International Translation Day event hosted by @englishpen.bsky.social! The Translation (Against) AI panel discussion was a fascinating conversation exploring the ethics of artificial intelligence use for literary translation and the importance of protecting copyright 📖

Happy #ITD2025 to us all!! Don't miss tonight's essential conversations hosted by translation champions @englishpen.bsky.social at most conversational venue @conwayhall.bsky.social.

Honoured to join @englishpen.bsky.social to talk about translating in a hostile world, with Meera @roundtablebookscic.bsky.social, Nariman @poetrytranslation.bsky.social and others this week for #ITD2025

'What if I could give words to this strange, unmoored sense of belonging – of belonging nowhere and also anywhere?' In #PENTransmissions, Deepa Rajagopalan on creating space at the centre. In partnership with @pencanada.bsky.social. pentransmissions.com/2025/09/26/t...

There are still a few tickets left for our International Translation Day event next week! Book now & join us at @conwayhall.bsky.social for a 2-part conversation exploring pressing questions for the craft, business & ethics of translation. #ITD2025 Book now ⤵️ www.englishpen.org/translation/...

We're incredibly relieved that Alaa Abd el-Fattah has finally been released from prison. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported Alaa and his family over these difficult years. www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

We warmly welcome the news of British-Egyptian writer Alaa Abd el-Fattah's pardon. This is an important and positive development, and a huge relief for his family. We remain by their side and guided by them, and will share more once there is further clarity. fairsq.org/alaa-abd-el-...

'I am finding with every artefact I encounter that the call of these women is only amplified by their absence.' In #PENTransmissions, Em Dial on archives and invitations of silence. w/ @pencanada.bsky.social. pentransmissions.com/2025/09/19/m...

#China: Today, Sebastien Lai addressed the UN Human Rights Council, calling for the immediate release of his father, #HongKong writer and publisher Jimmy Lai, who he fears may die in prison. See his statement here⬇️ #FreeJimmyLai www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...

#Belarus: We welcome the long-awaited release of several cultural figures, including @penbelarus.bsky.social member Uladzimir Mackievič. All those still imprisoned on politically motivated grounds must be freed immediately. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

"writing what you don’t know is made up of research, speculation, and imagination. I wrestled with the incomplete – and possibly inaccurate – facts presented in my poem." — Christine Wu. I love this piece on writing into 'shadow histories' in complex families, using multiple ways of knowing.

'These imaginaries float between fact and speculation, uncorroborated stories pieced together from bits and pieces that approximate and become a personal history.' In #PENTransmissions, Christine Wu on reimagining family history. w/ @pencanada.bsky.social. pentransmissions.com/2025/09/12/s...

We’re delighted that English PEN & @writerscentre.bsky.social are collaborating again this year to highlight and promote events and activities taking place across the UK and online in celebration of International Translation Day 2025. #ITD2025 View the programme ⤵️ www.englishpen.org/translation/...

Thrilled that half of the winning entries are for Southeast Asian translators, still woefully underrepresented in English lit in translation (Indonesia alone has over 700 languages). Huge congrats to all, including @tiffanytsao.bsky.social, Pauline Fan, and Christian Jil R. Benitez.

John Bengan, Tiffany Tsao and Anam Zafar are among the winners of the inaugural PEN Presents x International Booker Prize 👇 #BookSky

We’re thrilled to announce the winning titles for the inaugural round of #PENPresents x International Booker Prize, an edition of the English PEN award for sample translations, launched with the @thebookerprizes.com to support translators from the Global Majority. www.englishpen.org/posts/news/i...

Can't even begin with what a box of LA LUCHA: LATIN AMERICAN FEMINISM TODAY means. From a pre-pandemic lunch with @charcopress.com to a just-announced @englishpen.bsky.social award, it's been amazing to work on this outstanding collection from 30 brilliant women writers & their talented translators.

Join our #PENWrites campaign in solidarity with writers in prison and at risk, and send a message of hope this #WorldLetterWritingDay. www.englishpen.org/campaigns/pe...

For #WomenInTranslationMonth, we spoke to Deepa Bhasthi, translator and winner of this year’s International Booker Prize for Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq. She discusses her translation process and what it’s like being a writer in multilingual societies like India. pen.org/deepa-bhasth...

There's still time to submit to the PEN Heaney Prize 2025! The Prize, with @irishpen.bsky.social & the Estate of Seamus Heaney, celebrates poetry that engages with the impact of cultural or political events on human conditions or relationships. Closing 31 Aug ⤵️ www.englishpen.org/posts/news/j...

'There was no Kurdish issue; there was a terrorism issue. A place called Kurdistan had never existed.’ Today in #PENTransmissions, Nurcan Baysal on Kurdish language, culture and identity. Translated by Nazım Dikbas. pentransmissions.com/2025/08/26/k...

Don't miss this fantastic event on Sudanese literature if you're in Sheffield this Wednesday! Featuring incredible readings and discussions, including by Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi, author of the PTC poetry collection 'A Friend's Kitchen' (tr. Bryar Bajalan + Shook)!

📣 Publishers, orgs, bookshops, festivals, institutions, & collectives can apply for their International Translation Day events to be featured in this year's Nationwide programme with @writerscentre.bsky.social. #ITD2025 Apply & join us ⬇️⬇️ (deadline 28 Aug) www.englishpen.org/translation/...