Scottish PEN was formed in 1927 to champion the freedom to write and read around the world. With the support of our members, we protect freedom of expression whenever it is under attack and campaign for writers at risk of imprisonment and death around the world.
We also celebrate contemporary Scottish and international writing through our online magazine, PENning, and bring together writers, readers and supporters for innovative events that address issues of relevance to writers’ freedom of expression today.
Our work is driven by our members who chair events, write to world leaders about freedom of expression, and raise awareness about our causes. Join Scottish PEN today to get involved in our fight to protect the right to read and write.
Members agree to the aims of International PEN as stated in its charter, without regard to nationality, language, race or religion.
Most of Scotland’s leading writers have been members over the years, and our current members include Ian Rankin, Ali Smith, Alexander McCall Smith, Lesley Riddoch, Christine de Luca, Ron Butlin and Kathleen Jamie. We promote the work of our member writers in various ways, including on our website. View books from members here.
Join to defend your favourite writers and journalists.
‘It’s vital to allow for different ideas, different opinions, different ways of responding to life and experience. Democracy is meaningless without that, so it is essential to protect freedom of expression. By doing that we protect our future’
– Jenni Calder, Scottish PEN Trustee