PEN America, the century-old free expression organisation, has officially launched the U.S. Safety Program, a comprehensive initiative designed to counter a growing trend of harassment targeting members of the literary community. This program will provide safety training and essential resources for authors, illustrators, and translators who are increasingly facing abuse and threats both online and at public book events.
A Coalition Against Harassment
A coalition of prominent publishers and literary agencies is collaborating with PEN America on this vital initiative. According to Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, co-chief executive officer of PEN America, the literary and publishing community is stepping up collectively because writers should never be forced to choose between their safety and their voice. "We have heard from countless authors, illustrators, and translators who are under siege, fending off a steady stream of abuse and threats," Shariyf stated.
The Rise of Harassment in Literary Circles
Viktorya Vilk, who directs PEN's digital safety efforts, noted that harassment initially surged against journalists around a decade ago, coinciding with Donald Trump's first election as president. Over the past couple of years, this troubling trend has spread to writers and educators, creating a hostile environment for many in the literary world.
Authors such as Maia Kababe, Jon Evison, and George Johnson have publicly spoken out about being harassed, threatened, and even physically assaulted due to their censored works. Ashley Hope Pérez, author of the young adult novel "Out of Darkness," which faced censorship over its depictions of sex and sexual abuse, revealed that she had to remove her office email and telephone due to receiving hate mail and abusive phone calls.
Funding and Support for the Program
PEN America has successfully raised nearly $1 million through contributions from major publishing houses, including Hachette Book Group, Macmillan Publishers, and Penguin Random House. This spring, renowned writers such as Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Egan, and Lee Child will participate in auctions, offering character names for future novels, with all proceeds benefiting the safety program.
The initiative builds upon previous efforts, such as digital safety workshops held for Hachette authors in 2023. David Shelley, CEO of Hachette, emphasised the urgency of the program, stating, "There have probably never been as many threats to authors’ safety as there are currently in the U.S. 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."
Looking Ahead
The U.S. Safety Program represents a significant step forward in protecting the literary community from harassment and censorship. By providing targeted resources and fostering collaboration across the industry, PEN America aims to ensure that authors can continue to express themselves freely without fear for their personal safety.
