NEW YORK (AP) — Facing widespread unhappiness over its response to the Israel-Hamas war, the writers’ group PEN America has called off its annual awards ceremony. Dozens of nominees had dropped out of the event, which was to have taken place next week.
PEN, a literary and free expression organization, hands out hundreds of thousands of dollars in prizes each year, including $75,000 for the PEN/Jean Stein Award for best book. But with nine of the 10 Jean Stein finalists withdrawing, along with nominees in categories ranging from translation to poetry, continuing with the ceremony at The Town Hall in Manhattan proved unworkable.
Among those dropping out was debut novel finalist Rachel Eliza Griffiths, wife of former PEN president Salman Rushdie.
“This is a beloved event and an enormous amount of work goes into it, so we all regret this outcome but ultimately concluded it was not possible to carry out a celebration in the way we had hoped and planned,” PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said in a statement Monday.
Slade Cecconi, Diamondbacks earn 5
What is happening with the NZ housing market this week?
Haiti PM Ariel Henry in Puerto Rico as gang violence continues
Poland's prime minister celebrates after his party wins a string of cities in mayoral votes
60 migrants die in dinghy in Mediterranean, survivors say
60 migrants die in dinghy in Mediterranean, survivors say
CPC issues revised regulations on disciplinary inspections
Firearms Minister accused of misleading public on gun stats
Heavy rainstorms kill 4 people in southern China. Ten others are missing
GP practices asking patients to pay before seeing a doctor due to bill skipping