Several authors have decided to withdraw their books from consideration for the PEN Literary Awards due to PEN America's stance on the Gaza conflict. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has already killed many writers, poets, and journalists. The authors stand firm, expressing their dismay at PEN America's stance.
Among the authors who have withdrawn their books from consideration are Maya Binyam, Camoghne Felix, Christina Sharpe, Eugenia Leigh, and Ghassan Zeineddine. Translator Esther Allen and short story writers Nick Mandernach and Kelly X. Hui have also declined nominations. Sublunary Editions declined nominations for several titles, including "The Whore" by Márcia Barbieri.
In response to Sublunary Editions' decision to decline nominations for several titles, four judges of the PEN Translation Prize issued a statement expressing solidarity with the publisher's stance. While they acknowledge and honor the nominees for this year's literary awards, they express their disappointment with PEN America's current position on the Gaza conflict.
In January, National Book Award finalist Angela Flournoy and O. Henry Prize winner Kathleen Alcott withdrew from a PEN New Year event in Los Angeles to protest against the organization's sponsorship of another Mayim Bialik event. Bialik, an author, actor, and vocal supporter of Israel's military action, sparked controversy with her involvement in the separate gathering.
In their emails on January 18 to Jenn Dees, programs director at PEN America in Los Angeles, and PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel, Flournoy and Alcott expressed dissatisfaction with PEN America's reluctance to take a stand against the genocide in Palestine, particularly the targeting of writers, journalists, and artists.
They also criticized the organization for co-hosting the Bialik event with Writers Bloc Presents. This organization also called off a scheduled event in October 2023 featuring Nathan Thrall, the author of "A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy."
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Thrall's book details the challenges and injustices Salama faced as a Palestinian in the aftermath of the tragic death of his son in 2012. This includes the difficulties he encounters in trying to reach the hospital where his son may be receiving medical attention.
On March 13, a group of notable writers jointly wrote a letter criticizing PEN America's handling of the ongoing Gaza conflict. They declared their opting out of the PEN World Voices Festival this year, pointing to the organization's failure to address the conflict adequately.
The letter criticizes PEN America for neglecting its commitment to peace, equality, and writer freedom by not taking a stronger position against Gaza violence and neglecting Palestinian writers and journalists. This dispute poses unique obstacles to the festival, which is celebrated as a top global literary gathering, as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.
PEN America released a letter on March 20 in response to the controversy. The letter addresses concerns raised by members of the PEN America community regarding the organization's response to the conflict in Gaza. The organization expressed sorrow for the suffering endured by Palestinian civilians and outlined the principles guiding PEN America's mission, emphasizing support for individual writers targeted for their work.
PEN America acknowledged divergent viewpoints within the organization and the broader community, affirming its commitment to openness and dialogue. It also affirmed its efforts in advocating for free expression, supporting Palestinian writers, and convening discussions on the conflict.
The withdrawal of books from award consideration sends a powerful message about the importance of standing up for principles and values, even within literature. It underscores the role that authors and literary organizations can play in promoting social awareness and advocating for change in response to global events.
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