Freedom-to-Write Committee
The Thomas Paine Freedom-to-Write Fund for American Writers in Peril
"Such is the irresistible nature of truth that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing." — Thomas Paine, Introduction to The Rights of Man
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must ... undergo the fatigues of supporting it." — Paine, The American Crisis, no. 4, 1777
The PEN New England Freedom-to-Write Committee is proud to offer the Thomas Paine Freedom-to-Write Fund for American Writers in Peril. This fund will aid American writers who are being persecuted for their writings and for whom material aid would make a great difference in their struggle to defend themselves. Candidates can apply themselves or be nominated by someone else. Fund award recipients will be announced yearly in conjunction with PEN New England's Vasyl Stus Freedom-to-Write Award. Click here to donate to the Fund.
"He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself." — Paine, Dissertations on First Principles of Government (1795)
Since 1998, PEN New England has bestowed the annual Vasyl Stus Freedom-to-Write Award on a writer who has been imperiled because of his or her work, and recipients have mostly been citizens of foreign countries ruled by oppressive regimes. Now that our own United States government, in the name of protecting its citizenry, has begun to infringe on the rights of writers (as well as librarians, booksellers, and book-buyers) to freely express themselves, we are called to defend the traditions embedded in our history and our Constitution, traditions in which we first set the standard worldwide. To this end, we have created the Thomas Paine Freedom-to-Write Fund, earmarked specifically for American writers whose peaceful expression of views has placed them in jeopardy. With this Fund, we aim to recognize and renew American writers' role in safeguarding the intellectual, spiritual, and political health of our own country.
The Namesake
Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was a political philosopher, poet, editor, and one of the most eloquent figures of his time. His writings, calling for the end to monarchy and the guarantee of individual rights, played crucial roles in both the American and French Revolutions. Paine was never afraid to call attention to corruption and injustice, even when it put him in danger or jail. After the American Revolution he returned to England, where his The Rights of Man was suppressed (after selling 1.5 million copies) and earned him a charge of sedition. Later, in France, he was imprisoned by Robespierre for merely publicly opposing the death penalty for Louis XVI. But that did not stop Paine: from prison he wrote and published the first book of The Age of Reason.
O! Ye that love mankind!
Ye that dare oppose not only the tyranny but the tyrant, stand forth!
Every spot of the Old World is overrun with oppression.
Freedom hath been hunted round the globe...
O! receive the fugitive and prepare in time an asylum for mankind.
— Common Sense, 1776
"The birthday of a new world is at hand." — Common Sense
"These are the times that try men's souls." — The American Crisis, no. 1, 1776
"My country is the world and my religion is to do good." — Rights of Man, Part II
"I believe in one God and no more, and I hope for happiness beyond this life, I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, long mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow creatures happy." — The Age of Reason
"The unrestrained communication of thoughts and opinions being one of the most precious rights of man, every citizen may speak, write, and publish freely, provided he is responsible for the abuse of this liberty, in cases determined by the law." — Rights of Man
Thomas Paine thus embodies the type of writer PEN New England seeks to aid with this Fund: unafraid to speak the truth, no matter the consequences, and to continue to fight for freedom and truth, however she or he views it, and against injustice, wherever it is found. And so that our modern-day freedom fighters—or "freedom writers"—will not be "lost," we thus establish this fund so that our writers can challenge us to think and to create the best society, best country, and best world possible.
Application procedure
Writers may nominate a candidate—or themselves—no more than once per year. Those wishing to do so should submit an account of their experience of imperilment, no greater than 1,000 words to pen_ne@emerson.edu or by mail to:
PEN New England
Lesley University
29 Everett St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
ATTN: Thomas Paine Fund Applications
The account should include the following:
- What was written;
- Where, if anywhere, it was published (and, if not, why not);
- A chronology of the situation;
- Laws or regulations cited by authorities involved, if any;
- IMPORTANT: Whether the author is required by law to remain ANONYMOUS, or WISHES TO so as not to endanger him- or herself and family, friends, and colleagues.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must ... undergo the fatigues of supporting it." — Paine, The American Crisis
Donate
Donations to the Fund are gratefully welcomed. If you wish to donate, please go the online donation page and specify "for Thomas Paine Fund for American Writers" in the comments box (and whether you wish your donation to be anonymous).
If you prefer to make your donation with a personal check, please make your check payable to 'PEN New England' and mail it to:
PEN New England
Lesley University
29 Everett St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
ATTN: Thomas Paine Fund
Please write "Thomas Paine Fund Donation" on the check and let us know if you would like your donation to be anonymous.
Thank you for your support!