PEN launches author safety program
PEN America and a coalition of publishers, authors and literary organizations launched a U.S. safety program offering trainings, consultations and peer support for writers facing harassment, with three major publishers signing on. (publishersweekly.com) PEN co‑CEO Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf said the group has heard from “countless authors, illustrators, and translators” who are “under siege,” framing the effort as a response to direct threats and abuse. (sentinelcolorado.com)
PEN America has launched a U.S. Author Safety Program to help writers facing harassment and threats tied to their work. (pen.org) The program will offer safety training, consultations, resources and peer support, with outreach starting in summer 2026 and small-group consultations planned for the fall. (pen.org) Hachette Book Group, Macmillan Publishers and Penguin Random House are backing the effort, and PEN America said supporters have contributed nearly $1 million so far toward a goal of more than $2 million. (pen.org) PEN America said the program grew out of years of work on book bans and digital safety for journalists, including workshops it held for Hachette authors in 2023. (pen.org; local10.com) The group is tying the new effort to a broader censorship fight that has moved from school shelves to the people who write, illustrate and translate books. PEN America’s October 2025 report counted 6,870 instances of book bans across 23 states and 87 public school districts in the 2024-25 school year. (pen.org; abcnews.com) PEN co-chief executive officer Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf said the organization has heard from “countless authors, illustrators, and translators” dealing with abuse and threats online and at book events. Associated Press reporting said authors including Maia Kobabe, Jon Evison and George Johnson have publicly described harassment, threats and physical assaults. (pen.org; local10.com) Ashley Hope Pérez, whose novel “Out of Darkness” has been targeted by censors, told The Associated Press she removed her office email and telephone after receiving hate mail and abusive calls. Viktorya Vilk, who leads PEN’s digital safety work, said harassment first surged around journalists and has spread to writers and educators in the past few years. (local10.com) To raise more money, PEN America said Jodi Picoult, Jean Korelitz, Jennifer Egan and Lee Child will auction off character names in forthcoming books this spring, with proceeds going to the program. Hachette chief executive officer David Shelley said the goal is to give writers help dealing with threats “online and offline.” (pen.org; local10.com)
