PEN Canada

10/14/2026

With the 2026 U.S. midterm elections in full swing, writers and advocates are grappling with how to speak up while staying safe from online abuse, doxing, and other intimidation tactics

To prepare, join PEN America’s safety team for a FREE online webinar that will provide top tips on how to proactively protect yourself online, what to do if you’re harassed, and how to show up as a thoughtful ally when others in your communities are attacked.

Open to any writer, journalist or member of the public:

With the 2026 U.S. midterm elections around the corner, writers and advocates are grappling with how to speak up while staying safe online.

10/13/2026

Writers in Exile members — tonight is your monthly members meeting.

This recurring meeting takes place on the second Tuesday of every month, with upcoming meetings scheduled for:

Tuesday October 13
Tuesday November 10
Tuesday December 8

At tonight's meeting, Writers in Exile members will hear about three upcoming workshops, English classes, members news, and opportunities to volunteer with PEN. The meeting will be led by program Chair and PEN Board Member, Lidiia Karpenko.

Here are the details:

🗓️ Tuesday October 13
⏰ 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. ET
💻 Over Zoom

The Zoom link was emailed to all Writers in Exile members this morning — check your inbox.

10/13/2026

In March 2023, a year after Russia invaded Ukraine, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was dragged into an unmarked van by FSB agents and imprisoned for 500 days; a pawn in a geopolitical chess match. His extraordinary memoir This Cursed Beautiful Land (2026) chronicles his arrest, imprisonment and eventual release.

Hear more at our event at the Toronto International Festival of Authors, the 2026 PEN Canada Graeme Gibson Talk: Notes on the New Global Order.

As we mark PEN Canada’s centenary year of advocating for writers in peril across the world, Gershovich’s powerful story acts as starting point for a timely conversation about the dangers and opportunities facing writers and journalists in our fast-changing world.

Joining Gershkovich on stage will be award-winning journalist and author Carol Off and international human rights lawyer and best-selling author Philippe Sands. Their conversation will moderated by Nahlah Ayed, with an introduction by Margaret Atwood.

🗓️ Tuesday, October 27 at 7:30pm
📍 Winter Garden Theatre, Toronto
🎟️ Ticket required

Get your tickets: https://festivalofauthors.ca/event/tifa-presents-pen-canada-graeme-gibson-talk-2026/

10/10/2026

We've launched a Substack 👀 and this week Margaret Atwood tells of the origins of PEN Canada.

When she was asked in 1984 if she would head up a new PEN centre in Toronto, she said yes, but "on condition that it would not be a tea party but would actually work on behalf of beleaguered and imprisoned writers in other countries."

Four decades later, she writes on why the PEN mission of defending imperilled writers is more vital than ever.

Get more details at pencanada.substack.com, or here:

https://pencanada.substack.com/p/once-upon-a-time-i-was-writing-a

10/09/2026

We've launched a Substack 👀

This week, Margaret Atwood tells of the origins of PEN Canada and why its mission of defending imperilled writers is more vital than ever:

Margaret Atwood on the origins of PEN Canada and why its mission of defending imperilled writers is more vital than ever.

10/09/2026

One week ago, you showed up for writers in exile.

Together, you raised funds for the Joan Leishman Memorial Fund, a new PEN initiative which will offer critical support and create opportunity for writers living in exile in Canada.

We thank our events sponsors, the artists, authors and publishers who participated in our auction, Honorary Chairs Margaret Atwood and Charles Foran, and the event planning committee for making this night a reality and bringing people together for a beautiful celebration of Joan Leishman and her legacy.

If you have questions about this event, or your charitable tax receipt from your ticket, please contact PEN at [email protected].

10/09/2026

The detention and imprisonment of critical voices in Cuba continue unabated, as the authorities seek to silence those who criticize the government, report independently or engage in peaceful protest.

PEN International condemns the detention of Henry Constantín Ferreiro, founder and director of print and online media outlet La Hora de Cuba:

“The imprisonment of Henry Constantín reflects the persistent persecution of those practising independent journalism in Cuba. Reporting on living conditions, documenting abuses and giving citizens a voice are essential activities that no authority should punish. We demand his immediate release,.....

10/08/2026

Friends and colleagues remember Joan Leishman as a journalist, mentor and advocate who opened her home and supported writers fleeing persecution.

Over nearly 200 people attended our event last week, and the funds raised will provide urgent assistance and critical needs to writers living in exile, as well as some coverage of their professional and academic fees.

More from Karina Leung & Mostafa Al-A'sar Kamel:

Friends and colleagues remember Joan Leishman as a journalist, mentor and advocate who opened her home and supported writers fleeing persecution.

10/07/2026

Announcing the featured speakers for Voices of Freedom 🎤

This month, come meet and hear new work from Basima Takrouri (Palestinian writer and poet), Sabiha Ali Naderi (Afghan social worker, educator and writer), and Musa Zafar (Afghan writer and advocate for human rights and education), whose readings will be hosted by Janielle Browne, a Vincentian writer, educator and scholar.

Voices of Freedom is a PEN reading series featuring the members of our Writers in Exile group. This event series celebrates the strength and resilience of their courageous voices, while they share their latest works in development and their perspectives on the complexities of life in exile.

📅 Monday October 19 at 7 p.m.
📍 Emmanuel College Chapel, University of Toronto (3rd floor, 75 Queen's Park Cres E)
🎟️ Entry is free for PEN members, $10 for the public

Learn more about these writers — and get your ticket — here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/voices-of-freedom-a-reading-series-october-chapter-tickets-2002953154804