PEN America, the renowned literary and free expression organisation, has unveiled an ambitious new initiative aimed at supporting authors whose books have been banned. In a statement today, PEN America announced that they will be proactively informing authors when and where their books will be banned, providing valuable information and resources related to the freedom to read, and equipping authors with strategies to combat online hate and harassment.
Furthermore, the organisation will lend support to authors seeking to challenge book censorship while amplifying their voices in defense of this fundamental freedom.
Scholastic’s crucial support: fostering a united front against book bans
This significant endeavour was made possible through seed funding from Scholastic, the global children’s publishing and media company. This financial support will empower PEN America to continue offering rapid-response assistance to authors and further its ongoing efforts to rally readers, writers, the publishing industry, and the general public in support of the freedom to write and read. Importantly, while the personalised support will primarily cater to Scholastic’s roster of children’s book authors, the lessons and resources generated will be made accessible to authors in need across the literary spectrum.
PEN America has a history of collaborating with prominent book publishers, including Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, MacMillan, Simon & Schuster, and others, as it stands at the forefront of the battle against book bans.
The alarming rise of book bans: an ongoing battle
Since 2021, an alarming trend has emerged, with over 2,000 writers experiencing their books being banned in public schools across more than 40 states. The impact of book bans is particularly severe on authors from historically marginalised communities, who are frequently female, people of colour, and/or LGBTQ+ individuals.
Read: Florida school board: toss Penguin Random House book ban lawsuit
These very authors also face a disproportionate amount of online harassment for their work and identity. Adding to the concern, state laws and activist groups are applying pressure, leading to heightened fear among educators and a growing wave of censorship concerning books and curricular topics. Some school districts have even suspended or subjected book purchases for classrooms and libraries to rigorous scrutiny. Authors have reported declines in invitations to visit schools, further underscoring the far-reaching effects of book bans.
Kasey Meehan, the program director of Freedom to Read at PEN America, highlighted the urgency of addressing this issue: “The banning of books is continuing to take a toll on authors, students, and families. It’s vital that we continue to raise public awareness, support the authors targeted, and protect the freedom to read and write for all. Joining forces with authors, publishers, students, parents, educators, librarians, and readers to fight back is a necessary step to push back the tide of censorship. We are deeply appreciative of this gift and our ongoing partnership with Scholastic, which will be essential in supporting these efforts at PEN America for the years ahead.”
“It’s vital that we continue to raise public awareness, support the authors targeted, and protect the freedom to read and write for all.”
Kasey Meehan, PEN America Freedom to Read Director
PEN America took legal action alongside publishers, which includes a lawsuit against Escambia County, Florida, over its book bans. The bans have disproportionately affected Black and LGBTQ+ authors and books addressing race, racism, and LGBTQ+ identities in the past year and a half. The surge in book banning represents a grim historical parallel, reminiscent of the Red Scare era of McCarthyism in the 1950s, with PEN America documenting nearly 6,000 book bans since the fall of 2021.
Read: School book bans: alarming rise as Florida takes lead
It’s also a major U-turn on Scholastic’s part, who were accused of excluding diverse books at its school fairs earlier this year, which forced them to backtrack after widespread backlash. After the launch of this new initiative, a statement was released, but it was quickly removed from their website.
In a time when the freedom to read and write is under threat, PEN America’s latest initiative, bolstered by Scholastic’s support, offers a glimmer of hope for authors and the preservation of literary expression. The organisation’s unwavering commitment to defending these fundamental rights remains resolute in the face of adversity.