PEN America has announced the cancellation of its 2024 Literary Awards ceremony originally set for April 29 at Town Hall, New York City, although some awards will still be conferred. This decision comes after intense scrutiny of the organisation’s handling of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighted by the withdrawal of 28 authors from this year’s awards. Among these, nine were nominees for the prestigious PEN/Jean Stein Book Award.
Read: PEN America faces policy rethink as authors refuse awards over Gaza
“We regret that this unprecedented situation has taken away the spotlight from the extraordinary work selected”
Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, PEN America Literary Programming Chief Officer
Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, PEN America’s literary programming chief officer, expressed regret over the situation. “We greatly respect that writers have followed their consciences, whether they chose to remain as nominees in their respective categories or not,” she stated. “We regret that this unprecedented situation has taken away the spotlight from the extraordinary work selected by esteemed, insightful and hard-working judges across all categories. As an organization dedicated to freedom of expression and writers, our commitment to recognizing and honoring outstanding authors and the literary community is steadfast.”
Instead, the $75,000 PEN/Stein award prize will be donated to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, as directed by the Literary Estate of Jean Stein. “While she established the PEN America award in her name to bring attention to and provide meaningful support to writers of the highest literary achievement, we know she would have respected the stance and sacrifice of the writers who have withdrawn from contention this year,” stated Katrina and Wendy vanden Heuvel, daughters of the late Stein, and Bill Clegg, her literary agent.
Read: Over 500 writers urge PEN America to ‘take a stand’ for Palestine
Despite the ceremony’s cancellation, PEN America has confirmed that the winners of more than 20 literary awards, already chosen by judges prior to the withdrawals, will still receive recognition and their cash prizes. Notably, “Countries of Origin” by Javier Fuentes will receive the $10,000 PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel, and “The Blue House: Collected Works of Tomas Tranströmer,” translated by Patty Crane, will receive the $3,000 PEN Award for Poetry in Translation.
However, if a winning title was withdrawn, no winner will be announced for that category. Decisions regarding the unallocated funds will be made on a case-by-case basis, according to the specifics of each award contract and the wishes of award underwriters.
A number of writers have welcomed the move, calling it a victory in the fight for Palestinian rights.
Read: Naomi Klein among writers boycotting PEN World Voices Festival over Gaza
The organisation also reaffirmed its commitment to its career achievement awards, with Tony Kushner, Suzanne Jill Levine, Guadalís Del Carmen, and the late Maryse Condé being honored this year.
In response to the ongoing controversy, PEN America’s board president, Jennifer Finney Boylan, stated last week that the organisation will conduct a “review” of its operations spanning the last decade. No changes have yet been announced regarding PEN’s upcoming World Voices Festival or Literary Gala.