Children’s Book Committee
The Children’s Book Committee is a community of children’s book authors, librarians, teachers, editors, publishers, reviewers, and other professionals in the field of children’s literature. The group meets regularly to examine the state of the publishing industry, the power of book reviews, author/illustrator and author/editor relationships, freedom to read/freedom to write issues, and the psychological significance of picture books. They also introduce new children’s book writers at their annual Discovery Evening.

We are now accepting submissions for the Children’s Book Committee “Susan P. Bloom Award.” Click here for guidelines

Freedom to Write Committee

The Freedom to Write Committee actively defends free expression and works to protect writers worldwide who are imprisoned or threatened in the course of carrying out their profession. PEN NE inaugurated the Vasyl Stus Freedom-to-Write Award to recognize an international writer whose courage in the face of censorship and oppression has proven exemplary. We also administer the Howard Zinn “People Speak” Award in memory of Howard Zinn, America’s most renowned champion of free speech. The Zinn Award is presented to an American writer for speaking truth to power. Click here to listen to this year’s program. In addition, the committee organizes PEN New England’s Prison Creative Writing Program. For more information see Freedom to Write around the world.

Vision Committee

The goal of PEN Vision is to connect established literary Boston with individuals and organizations in Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan and other under-served communities that are already celebrating writers and the written word. Our aim is to create vibrant partnerships that enrich both PEN NE and surrounding communities by nurturing a new generation of writers/readers of color.