PEN America is opening an office in Florida to combat the state’s book bans, the literary nonprofit organization announced in a news release.
The move comes after a group of more than 20 writers, led by detective novelist Michael Connelly and his wife, Linda McCaleb Connelly, raised more than $3.6 million to establish an office in the state that leads the nation in book challenges and bans.
Other authors who participated in the effort include Judy Blume (who owns a bookstore in Key West), James Patterson, Jodi Picoult, Nora Roberts, and Amanda Gorman.
The Connellys, who live part-time in Florida, spearheaded the effort. Michael Connelly said in a statement, “We have been astonished to see books ripped off the shelves and students forced into the middle of a fight they didn’t ask for or deserve. All of us, especially those of us who make our living in the literary world, are called upon to defend against book bans and legislation that suppresses new voices.”
The office in Florida, PEN America says, “will defend the freedom to read and learn in a state on the frontlines of the fight for free speech nationally.”
Suzanne Nossel, the organization’s CEO, called the authors’ campaign “inspiring.”
“While the book banners’ campaign is national in scope, Florida has become the laboratory for censorship laws and the intimidation of teachers and librarians,” Nossel said. “It is extraordinary to witness a group of our nation’s favorite authors pick up their pens to draw a line in the sand.”
The planned Florida center is scheduled to open before the end of the year.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
