Writers decline recognition from PEN America over Israel
NEW YORK (AP) — Several authors have turned down awards and awards nominations from PEN America, citing unhappiness with the literary and free expression organization’s stance on the war in Gaza.
This week, PEN announced its long lists in categories ranging from the $75,000 Jean Stein Award for best book to the $10,000 PEN/Hemingway award for first novel. Authors who have asked for their names to be withdrawn include Jean Stein nominee Camonghne Felix, poetry finalist Eugenia Leigh and short story nominee Ghassan Zeineddine.
“I decided to decline this recognition and asked to be removed from the long list in solidarity with the ongoing protest of PEN’s continued normalization and denial of genocide,” Felix, author of the memoir “Dyscalculia,” wrote on X.
The awards are scheduled to be handed out during an April 29 ceremony in Manhattan, hosted by writer-comedian Jena Friedman. A PEN spokesperson said that nine out of 60 nominated authors had asked for their names to be withdrawn. PEN also confirmed that Esther Allen had declined the PEN/Ralph Manheim Award for translation and added that it would soon announce a new winner.
Related articles
- Israel’s defense minister said Monday the military would expand its operations in the southern Gaza2024-05-21
The Montreal Canadiens have exercised the option on coach Martin St. Louis' contract
BROSSARD, Quebec (AP) — The Montreal Canadiens have exercised the two-year option of the contract of2024-05-21Massive rockfall hits luxury development site in Cornwall earmarked for seven £1m new homes
Dramatic footage shows the massive rockfall next to a luxury development site which has been earmark2024-05-21How ancient hatreds are reshaping the Middle East and forging unlikely alliances. The rise of Iran
The competition is strong, but for my money the most important geopolitical statement so far this ye2024-05-21Insider Q&A: CIA's chief technologist's cautious embrace of generative AI
Knowledge advantage can save lives, win wars and avert disaster. At the Central Intelligence Agency,2024-05-21Nathan MacKinnon races to career season, looks to power Colorado Avalanche on another title run
DENVER (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon is so quick and so forceful on the ice that sometimes there’s a crunc2024-05-21
atest comment