While the rewards of PEN USA 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 USA membership. Benefits of Full membership include:

• The right to vote in PEN USA elections and hold an office in the national organization.
• A listing in, and copy of the PEN USA Membership Directory. Your PEN USA Membership Directory includes your listing and contact information for more than 800 professional writers, including authors, screenwriters, playwrights, poets, translators, editors, and journalists throughout the United States, which is helpful for networking and developing professional relationships in the literary community.
• An online subscription to electricPEN, the bi-weekly newsletter of PEN USA and calendar of readings, signings and productions of work by PEN USA members. Any PEN USA member may post a listing in electricPEN.
• Pre-approved access to CIGNA medical insurance at low group rates if you live in California, Chicago, Greater Atlanta, Southern Florida, Downstate New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
• Invitations to PEN USA events. Network with writers and participate in a variety of literary events hosted by PEN USA and its regional chapters. These range from panels, connecting you with agents, editors, and publicists who can help accelerate your career; to salons focusing on issues related to the freedom of expression here and around the world.
• Participation in PEN USA’s Freedom to Write network. Join our Freedom to Write Committee and help to free imprisoned writers throughout the world via petitions and letter-writing campaigns. You will receive monthly alerts about writers who have been arrested or threatened because of their work. Your letters can save a life.
• Discounts on classes at UCLA Extension’s Writers’ Program. Members receive a 10% discount on any Writers’ Program courses, with the exception of their two Master classes and their studio courses offered in February.