Writers Circle

Update – July 2024  

“We are so thrilled to welcome Lemn Sissay OBE FRSL as our newest Patron in the International Writers Circle. Lemn is a renowned poet and playwright who in 2019 was awarded the PEN Pinter Prize. In the same year he published My Name Is Why, a powerful autobiography of his early life and his experiences in the British care system, which we highly recommend.” - Burhan Sonmez, International President, July 2024

The generous support of everyone in the Writers Circle is crucial in helping us to assist writers at risk every day, all over the world. Thank you!

Members of the PEN International Writers Circle believe that literature and freedom of expression are at the heart of a strong, vibrant society. They support PEN International’s work to help silenced, unheard and unknown voices reach readers and writers everywhere.

We are facing a steep rise in people turning to us for help. We need donations more than ever to protect writers at risk. The International Writers’ Circle is essential to this ongoing delivery of our humanitarian projects.

Patrons of the Writers Circle pledge an annual gift in one of three tiers starting at £1,000 or $1,350, which funds our vital work. Your donations go towards helping persecuted writers find safety, and furthers our broader mission of advancing literature across borders and defending freedom of expression.

Without literature, there can be no meaningful freedom of expression. Without freedom of expression, there can be no meaningful literature.

Read our 'Democracy of the Imagination' manifesto.

Enquire

For details on joining the Writers Circle, please write to us: