Phil Klay Appointed President of PEN America, Championing Free Expression
Phil Klay, an acclaimed author, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and professor at Fairfield University, has been named the new president of PEN America. Founded in 1922, PEN America is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to safeguarding freedom of expression and supporting writers globally. Klay expressed his honor and humility regarding the appointment, emphasizing his long-standing admiration for PEN America's work, which he believes aligns with his core values. He is particularly eager to collaborate with individuals who share the organization's commitment to literature and free expression. Klay brings a wealth of experience as both a writer and an educator to this role. His literary achievements include the short story collection 'Redeployment,' which earned the 2014 National Book Award for Fiction and the National Book Critics Circle’s John Leonard Prize. His novel 'Missionaries' was recognized as one of The Wall Street Journal’s 10 best books of 2020 and was featured on former President Barac...
