Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 8h

Calling all indie bookshops... 📣

Take part in our #PENWrites letter-writing campaign in solidarity with writers in prison for Day of the Imprisoned Writer on 15 November.

Find out more & sign up ⬇️
www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

PENWrites x Day of the Imprisoned Writer - English PEN

Bookshops: join us to send messages of solidarity to imprisoned writers around the world

www.englishpen.org

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PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · 17h

Congratulations to Leila Aboulela and Stella Gaitano, two writers honored with @englishpen.bsky.social's 2025 #PENPinterPrize. Aboulela named Gaitano as the 2025 Writer of Courage for Gaitano's active defense of freedom of expression. Read about their work: www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

Leila Aboulela shares PEN Pinter Prize 2025 with Stella Gaitano - News & Events - English PEN

Stella Gaitano is named Writer of Courage 2025 by Leila Aboulela, PEN Pinter Prize 2025 winner.

www.englishpen.org

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 2d

At English PEN’s #PENPinterPrize event on Friday, Leila Aboulela, winner of the 2025 PEN Pinter Prize, announced writer, journalist and human rights activist Stella Gaitano as this year’s Writer of Courage.

Congratulations to both writers!

www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

Leila Aboulela shares PEN Pinter Prize 2025 with Stella Gaitano - News & Events - English PEN

www.englishpen.org

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Faber Books @faberbooks.bsky.social · 2d

Leila Aboulela, winner of the PEN Pinter Prize 2025, has announced writer, journalist and human rights activist, Stella Gaitano, as this year’s Writer of Courage.

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 5d

Leila Aboulela, winner of the #PENPinterPrize 2025, has announced writer, journalist and human rights activist, Stella Gaitano, as this year’s Writer of Courage.
www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

Leila Aboulela shares PEN Pinter Prize 2025 with Stella Gaitano - News & Events - English PEN

www.englishpen.org

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 5d

There’s still time to book your ticket for tonight’s #PENPinterPrize ceremony where Leila Aboulela will accept the award and announce this year’s Writer of Courage. Join us at the @britishlibrary.bsky.social or watch online.

Book now ⤵️
events.bl.uk/events/the-p...

The PEN Pinter Prize 2025: Leila Aboulela | British Library

This year’s PEN Pinter Prize is awarded to novelist, playwright, and short story writer Leila Aboulela who receives her award and delivers a lecture at thi

events.bl.uk

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 14d

Our translation grants – #PENTranslates, including PEN Translates x SALT, and #PENPresents: Brazil – are NOW OPEN for submissions!

Find out more, apply & share ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/translation/...

Current translation grant opportunities - English PEN

www.englishpen.org

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ALCS @alcs.co.uk · 14d

Yesterday we attended the International Translation Day event hosted by @englishpen.bsky.social! The Translation (Against) AI panel discussion was a fascinating conversation exploring the ethics of artificial intelligence use for literary translation and the importance of protecting copyright 📖

Image of panel at International Translation Day event.

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So Mayer @suchmayer.bsky.social · 15d

Happy #ITD2025 to us all!! Don't miss tonight's essential conversations hosted by translation champions @englishpen.bsky.social at most conversational venue @conwayhall.bsky.social.

English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 19d

There are still a few tickets left for our International Translation Day event next week! Book now & join us at @conwayhall.bsky.social for a 2-part conversation exploring pressing questions for the craft, business & ethics of translation. #ITD2025

Book now ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/translation/...

ITD 2025 English PEN - English PEN

www.englishpen.org

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Elizabeth Briggs @elizabethlines.bsky.social · 17d

Honoured to join @englishpen.bsky.social to talk about translating in a hostile world, with Meera @roundtablebookscic.bsky.social, Nariman @poetrytranslation.bsky.social and others this week for #ITD2025

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 19d

'What if I could give words to this strange, unmoored sense of belonging – of belonging nowhere and also anywhere?'

In #PENTransmissions, Deepa Rajagopalan on creating space at the centre. In partnership with @pencanada.bsky.social.
pentransmissions.com/2025/09/26/t...

There Is Never One English

Deepa Rajagopalan on creating space at the centre.

pentransmissions.com

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 19d

There are still a few tickets left for our International Translation Day event next week! Book now & join us at @conwayhall.bsky.social for a 2-part conversation exploring pressing questions for the craft, business & ethics of translation. #ITD2025

Book now ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/translation/...

ITD 2025 English PEN - English PEN

www.englishpen.org

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 22d

We're incredibly relieved that Alaa Abd el-Fattah has finally been released from prison. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported Alaa and his family over these difficult years.
www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...

Laila Soueif, Alaa Abd el-Fattah and Sanaa Seif embrace at home, surrounded by friends, following Alaa's release from prison.

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 23d

We warmly welcome the news of British-Egyptian writer Alaa Abd el-Fattah's pardon. This is an important and positive development, and a huge relief for his family. We remain by their side and guided by them, and will share more once there is further clarity.
fairsq.org/alaa-abd-el-...

Alaa Abd el-Fattah pardoned

Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s pardon is a major step forward and a huge relief, FairSquare said today after his lawyer reported that the President had issued a pardon for the British-Egyptian national. FairSqu...

fairsq.org

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · 26d

'I am finding with every artefact I encounter that the call of these women is only amplified by their absence.'

In #PENTransmissions, Em Dial on archives and invitations of silence. w/ @pencanada.bsky.social.
pentransmissions.com/2025/09/19/m...

Missing Persons and Missed Connections

Em Dial on archives and invitations of silence.

pentransmissions.com

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · 28d

#China: Today, Sebastien Lai addressed the UN Human Rights Council, calling for the immediate release of his father, #HongKong writer and publisher Jimmy Lai, who he fears may die in prison.

See his statement here⬇️ #FreeJimmyLai

www.pen-international.org/news/china-h...

China-Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai’s son calls for his father’s release at United Nations Human Rights Council — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worldwide

17 September 2025 : Today at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Sebastien Lai addressed the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) on behalf of PEN International, calling on the Hong Kon...

www.pen-international.org

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PEN International @peninternational.bsky.social · Sep 12

#Belarus: We welcome the long-awaited release of several cultural figures, including @penbelarus.bsky.social member Uladzimir Mackievič.

All those still imprisoned on politically motivated grounds must be freed immediately.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

Belarus frees 52 political prisoners, including foreigners, after visit by US delegation

Move seen as effort to win US favour and sanctions relief, as crackdown on dissent continues

www.theguardian.com

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So Mayer @suchmayer.bsky.social · Sep 12

"writing what you don’t know is made up of research, speculation, and imagination. I wrestled with the incomplete – and possibly inaccurate – facts presented in my poem." — Christine Wu.

I love this piece on writing into 'shadow histories' in complex families, using multiple ways of knowing.

English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · Sep 12

'These imaginaries float between fact and speculation, uncorroborated stories pieced together from bits and pieces that approximate and become a personal history.'

In #PENTransmissions, Christine Wu on reimagining family history. w/ @pencanada.bsky.social.
pentransmissions.com/2025/09/12/s...

Shadow Histories: Writing What You Don’t Know

Christine Wu on reimagining family history.

pentransmissions.com

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · Sep 12

'These imaginaries float between fact and speculation, uncorroborated stories pieced together from bits and pieces that approximate and become a personal history.'

In #PENTransmissions, Christine Wu on reimagining family history. w/ @pencanada.bsky.social.
pentransmissions.com/2025/09/12/s...

Shadow Histories: Writing What You Don’t Know

Christine Wu on reimagining family history.

pentransmissions.com

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · Sep 11

We’re delighted that English PEN & @writerscentre.bsky.social are collaborating again this year to highlight and promote events and activities taking place across the UK and online in celebration of International Translation Day 2025. #ITD2025

View the programme ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/translation/...

ITD 2025 – Nationwide Programme - English PEN

www.englishpen.org

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Okka (Khairani Barokka; she/her/dia) @mailbykite.bsky.social · Sep 5

Thrilled that half of the winning entries are for Southeast Asian translators, still woefully underrepresented in English lit in translation (Indonesia alone has over 700 languages).

Huge congrats to all, including @tiffanytsao.bsky.social, Pauline Fan, and Christian Jil R. Benitez.

English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · Sep 5

We’re thrilled to announce the winning titles for the inaugural round of #PENPresents x International Booker Prize, an edition of the English PEN award for sample translations, launched with the @thebookerprizes.com to support translators from the Global Majority.
www.englishpen.org/posts/news/i...

Inaugural winners announced for PEN Presents x International Booker Prize - News & Events - English PEN

www.englishpen.org

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The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · Sep 5

John Bengan, Tiffany Tsao and Anam Zafar are among the winners of the inaugural PEN Presents x International Booker Prize 👇 #BookSky

Tiffany Tsao and John Bengan among winners of inaugural PEN Presents x International Booker Prize

www.thebookseller.com

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · Sep 5

We’re thrilled to announce the winning titles for the inaugural round of #PENPresents x International Booker Prize, an edition of the English PEN award for sample translations, launched with the @thebookerprizes.com to support translators from the Global Majority.
www.englishpen.org/posts/news/i...

Inaugural winners announced for PEN Presents x International Booker Prize - News & Events - English PEN

www.englishpen.org

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Translating Women @translatingwomen.bsky.social · Aug 29

Can't even begin with what a box of LA LUCHA: LATIN AMERICAN FEMINISM TODAY means. From a pre-pandemic lunch with @charcopress.com to a just-announced @englishpen.bsky.social award, it's been amazing to work on this outstanding collection from 30 brilliant women writers & their talented translators.

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English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · Sep 1

Join our #PENWrites campaign in solidarity with writers in prison and at risk, and send a message of hope this #WorldLetterWritingDay.
www.englishpen.org/campaigns/pe...

Join the PENWrites campaign

Take part in PENWrites – English PEN's letter writing campaign, inviting you to celebrate and support writers of courage by sending letters of solidarity to them and their families

www.englishpen.org

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