Membership
Join a storied network of writers, advocates, and allies who champion free expression and celebrate the power of literature.
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
Why Join PEN America?
Our strength is our membership—a nationwide community of novelists and nonfiction authors, journalists, editors, poets, screenwriters, essayists, playwrights, publishers, translators, agents, and other literary professionals, and an even larger network of devoted readers and supporters who join with them to carry out PEN America’s mission.
As a PEN America Member, you have a unique part to play in the defense of free expression, celebration of literary excellence, amplification of marginalized voices, and the fostering of dialogue across political and ideological boundaries. We need your voices and support now more than ever. Working together, we will defend our most precious freedoms.
Member Benefits
Members have exclusive access to discounts on events and publications, opportunities to convene with other members, and much more.
Publications and Services Discounts
Members receive discounts to titles, subscriptions and services from our partners, including Ploughshares, Catapult, the Shuffle Collective, TheaterMania, and more.
PEN America Events Discounts
Receive first-access and discounted tickets to upcoming events, like the Literary Awards and the World Voices Festival. Event discounts are updated on an ongoing basis.
Access to Members-Only Facebook Group
This private Facebook group is intended for members of PEN America to share news and events, discuss current issues in the world of literature and free expression.
Access to Member-led Committees
Professional Members have the opportunity to join our member-led committees, including the Translation Committee, the Writers in the Schools Committee, and The Children’s and Young Adult Books Committee.
Access to Exclusive Benefits
Members receive access to special discounts, offers and events from our cultural and corporate partners.
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. In those moments when I learn of yet another of my titles turning up on one of those lists for removal, PEN helps to keep me moving forward.
Nikki Grimes, member since 2023
Join or Renew Today!
Become a member or renew your membership today. If You are a current member, review your benefits and perks here.
Already A Member?
Use the email that you joined with to login to our self-service portal, where you can make updates to your membership and contact information.
Are you a student interested in a student discount? Are you interested in purchasing a year of membership for someone as a gift? Reach out to [email protected] for more information! Membership dues are fully tax-deductible.
| Membership Types… | Professional | Reader |
|---|---|---|
| DISCOUNTS to events across the country — find a PEN Across America chapter near you! | ✓ | ✓ |
| DISCOUNTS to publications | ✓ | ✓ |
| ACCESS to members-only Facebook Group | ✓ | ✓ |
| OPPORTUNITY to engage with other members nationally and locally | ✓ | ✓ |
| RESOURCES that empower members to advocate for free expression on behalf of artists and writers | ✓ | ✓ |
| ACCESS to member-led committees | ✓ | |
| VOTING in the annual Board of Trustees election | ✓ |
Meet the Team
Sign up for free expression updates
Get periodic news about our advocacy, interviews with featured authors, and upcoming events.