Student Membership

Student Membership is open to any student enrolled in a recognized writing program.

The benefits you receive as a student member of PEN USA are tailored to your needs as a beginning writer. While the rewards of PEN membership start with the knowledge that you are helping to free imprisoned writers around the world and to defend the First Amendment, your writing career also directly benefits from your PEN membership.

Benefits of STUDENT PEN USA MEMBERSHIP include:

- an online subscription to ELECTRIC PEN, the bi-monthly newsletter of PEN USA and calendar of readings, signings and productions of work by PEN members.  Any PEN member may post a listing in Electric PEN.  Only one listing for each event is allowed.  All PEN members and donors receive Electric PEN unless they “unsubscribe.” To post a notice, write

- invitations to PEN EVENTS. Network with writers and participate in a wide range of literary events hosted by PEN USA and its regional chapters.  These range from Writer’s Toolbox panels, connecting you with agents, editors, and publicists who can help accelerate your career, to Writers’ Cafes focusing on issues related to the Freedom to Write here and around the world.

- participation in PEN’s FREEDOM TO WRITE NETWORK. Join our Freedom to Write Committee and help to free imprisoned writers throughout the world.  You will receive monthly alerts about writers who have been arrested or threatened because of their work. Your letters can save a life. To join, contact

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We are actively working to expand the PEN Members Benefits.  You can expect the following additions in the future:

- The PEN PROFESSIONAL RESOURCE DIRECTORY.  Need a new agent, publicist, editor, or copyright lawyer?  PEN will soon add professional listings to its directory and website, including professionals whose services are tailored to the needs of writers.

- PEN USA MEMBER DISCOUNTS in writers’ conferences, services, and courses—including screenwriting and on-line programs—throughout the US.