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PEN America Literary Gala

PEN America Literary Gala

An annual celebration of free expression and the written word.

A large crowd attends a formal PEN America event in a grand hall, with tables set for dinner under a dramatic blue whale model and red-blue lighting. A stage with screens and the PEN America logo is visible in the background.

2026 Literary Gala

Thank you to all who made the 2026 Literary Gala a huge success! The night was a lively celebration which honored creators and defenders of free expression. We agree with host B.J. Novak who reminded the assembled guests, “Writing is glamorous, reading is glamorous, freedom of speech is glamorous.”

Check out the slideshow here for some highlights or browse through the full collection.

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The Awards

PEN/Audible Literary Service Award

The PEN/Audible Literary Service Award honors a writer or advocate who has served the literary community through their words or work.

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A person stands at a clear podium with PEN America logos behind them, speaking into microphones at an event as they deliver remarks for the PEN America Literary Service Award, with two teleprompters on either side.

PEN/Barbey Freedom To Write Award

The PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award is a powerful tool in PEN America’s year-round efforts to end the persecution of writers and defend free expression. Established in 2016, this award is designed to honor a writer imprisoned for his or her work.

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Black and white portrait of Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee, with text stating she is a writer, poet, and human rights defender, and a 2026 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award Honoree. A blue pen icon is also visible.
Black-and-white portrait of a smiling man with glasses and a beard. Text reads: 2026 PEN/BARBEY FREEDOM TO WRITE AWARD HONOREE. Ali Asadollahi, Writer, poet, and translator. A blue book icon is also present.

PEN/Benenson Courage Award

The PEN/Benenson Courage Award honors exceptional acts of courage in the exercise of freedom of expression. The honoree is chosen for their remarkable willingness to face adversity, risk, and personal sacrifice to defend this fundamental human right.

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Two women stand on stage at a PEN America event, smiling as they hold an award together. They are dressed formally, with PEN America logos displayed on the backdrop behind them.

Business Visionary Award

The Business Visionary Award recognizes outstanding leadership of an individual in the publishing or corporate world that embraces the power of literature to shape democratic and humane values. 

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A man in a dark suit stands at a podium with a PEN America sign, speaking at an event. The background features repeating PEN America logos on a black wall, highlighting the prestigious PEN America Business Visionary Award ceremony.
A woman in a patterned dark blazer and white shirt speaks passionately at a podium during the PEN America Literary Gala, gesturing with both hands. Behind her is a black backdrop with red and white text partially visible.

2025 Literary Gala

PEN America gathered on May 15 to celebrate the freedoms to write, read, and speak and to honor defenders of these rights at a perilous moment. Hosted by CNN’s Amber Ruffin, the honorees included iconic actor, producer and independent publisher Sarah Jessica Parker, Macmillan Publishers CEO Jon Yaged, and Wesleyan University President Michael Roth. The event brought together extraordinary contributors in literature, the arts, journalism, publishing, and film, while honoring the courageous imprisoned Egyptian poet Galal El-Behairy who has been jailed for seven years for his poems critical of the government.

Watch the remarks >>

The Voice of Influence Award

A man with short gray hair wearing a dark suit poses against a blue background, looking directly at the camera with a thoughtful expression and his index finger resting on his temple at the PEN America Literary Gala.

Barack Obama, 2020

A woman with long dreadlocks wears black glasses, gold hoop earrings, and several gold bracelets. Dressed in a black jacket, she looks thoughtfully to the side against a gray background at the PEN America Literary Gala.

Ava Duvernay, 2019