Welcome to the SydneyPEN blog

This is a blog where we want everyone to get involved. As part of the Sydney PEN organisation, we encourage everyone and anyone to participate in debates and conversations relating to freedom of expression and freedom from censorship in literature.

As part of International PEN, Sydney PEN exists to "emphasise the role of literature in the development of mutual understanding and world culture; to promote literature in a variety of ways, including by opposing restraints on freedom of expression and working to promote literacy itself; and to act as a powerful voice on behalf of writers harassed, imprisoned and sometimes killed for their views".

We will post regular topics for discussion including the proposed amendments by the Commonwealth to censorship legislation, the recent debate on the so-called 'Books of Hate', sedition laws and works of literature that have been banned worldwide and their authors imprisoned.

But we also want to encourage debates on the role of literature itself. As a tool for learning, understanding and even pure escapism, we want you to tell us about the books that matter to you and why!