PEN ANNOUNCEMENTS

PEN Center USA strives to protect the rights of writers around the world, to stimulate interest in the written word, and to foster a vital literary community among the diverse writers living in the western United States. The organization, therefore, has two distinct yet complementary aims: one fundamentally literary and the other having a freedom of expression mandate. Among PEN’s various activities are public literary events, a mentorship project, literary awards and international human rights campaigns on behalf of writers who are censored or imprisoned. Here are two important announcements from PEN that I wanted to share with you. -DAO

◙ The PEN USA 2007 Literary Awards submission period is now open. The Literary Awards is a competition for published and produced writers who live west of the Mississippi River.

The PEN USA Literary Awards honors writers in six book categories: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Research Nonfiction, Poetry, Children’s/Young Adult, and Translation; and in four nonbook categories: Journalism, Drama, Teleplay and Screenplay. Each entry for the 2006 Literary Awards must have been published or produced in 2006. Entries will not be returned. The submission fee for each entry is $35.

The deadline for submission for all book categories (Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Research Nonfiction, Poetry, Children’s/YA, and Translation) is December 15, 2006.

The deadline for all nonbook categories (Journalism, Drama, Teleplay, Screenplay) is January 31, 2007.

The Federal Tax ID Number for PEN Center USA is: 95-3502910. PEN Center USA is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.

Please direct questions to:

Literary Awards Director
PEN USA
c/o Antioch University Los Angeles
400 Corporate Pointe
Culver City, CA 90230
(310)862-1555 ext. 361
awards@penusa.org

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE LITERARY AWARDS APPLICATION AS A PDF DOCUMENT: Literary Awards Application

◙ For a dozen years, PEN USA's PEN in the Classroom (PITC) has been bringing creative writing into underserved public schools. The program, which sends PEN members into high school classrooms for weekly writing sessions, has been an enormous success with teachers, students, and PEN members, many of whom report PITC as one of their most rewarding professional experiences.

While many members have participated over the years, PEN is hoping to expand the roster of interested writers. To that end, PEN is hosting its first ever PITC Orientation, where members can learn about this opportunity to teach creative writing. PEN will have experienced PITC teachers on hand to talk about the program, as well as writer applications and other information.

To best accommodate busy schedules, PEN is offering a choice of two meetings:

The first on Wednesday, October 11th, at 6:30 p.m.

The second on Saturday, October 14th, at 10 a.m.

Coffee and snacks will be served.

Both meetings will take place at PEN USA
c/o Antioch University Los Angeles
400 Corporate Pointe
Culver City, CA 90230

RSVPs are not necessary. But if you have any questions, feel free to contact Eitan Kadosh by email: Eitan@penusa.org or by phone: 310-862-1555 ext. 360.

For infomation on how to become a member of PEN, visit its website.