A coalition of publishers and literary agencies is launching a new initiative to combat a disturbing surge in harassment and threats targeting members of the literary community. The century-old free expression organisation PEN America is spearheading the U.S. Safety Program, which will provide essential safety training and resources for authors amidst a nationwide wave of censorship efforts.
Escalating Threats Against Writers
Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, co-chief executive officer of PEN America, emphasised the urgent need for this program. "We have heard from countless authors, illustrators, and translators who are under siege, fending off a steady stream of abuse and threats, online and at book events," she stated. "Through this new program, the literary and publishing community is stepping up together because writers should not be forced to choose between their safety and their voice."
Historical Context and Recent Trends
Viktorya Vilk, who directs PEN's digital safety efforts, revealed that she first observed a significant increase in harassment against journalists approximately a decade ago, coinciding with Donald Trump's initial election as president. Over the past couple of years, this troubling trend has expanded to include writers and educators, creating a hostile environment for creative expression.
Numerous authors of censored works have reported experiencing severe harassment, threats, and even physical assaults. Notable individuals affected include Maia Kababe, Jon Evison, and George Johnson, who have all spoken out about their ordeals.
Personal Accounts of Harassment
Ashley Hope Pérez, author of the young adult novel Out of Darkness, which faced censorship over its depictions of sex and sexual abuse, shared her distressing experience. "I got hate mail and all kinds of ugly phone calls," Pérez explained. The situation became so severe that she was compelled to remove her office email and telephone contact details. Pérez currently teaches at Ohio State University.
Funding and Support for the Program
PEN America has successfully raised nearly $1 million to fund the safety program through generous contributions from major publishing houses. Key supporters include Hachette Book Group, Macmillan Publishers, and Penguin Random House, demonstrating a united front within the industry.
Further fundraising efforts are planned for this spring, with acclaimed authors Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Egan, and Lee Child participating in a unique auction. They will auction off character names for their future novels, with all proceeds directed towards benefiting the safety program.
Building on Existing Initiatives
The new program will expand upon PEN America's previous efforts, such as the digital safety workshops conducted for Hachette authors in 2023. David Shelley, CEO of Hachette, underscored the critical nature of this initiative in a public statement. "There have probably never been as many threats to authors’ safety as there are currently in the U.S," he asserted. "We’re proud to support this much-needed program from PEN America that will give writers a wide range of professional resources to help them deal with threats to their safety, online and offline."
The safety program aims to equip authors with practical tools and knowledge to navigate the increasing dangers they face, ensuring they can continue their work without compromising their personal security.
