#penamerican

[ericboyd]

"Examination" by Eric Boyd (Live at City of Asylum)

This was part of a very cool event that I had the honor of helping put together earlier this year. It was a highlight of 2019 for sure. Reading with brilliant folks like Damon Young, Brian Broome, and Yon Harvey, I got to share prison writing from PEN America Center’s 2018 contest, as well as a few local pieces that won PEN awards from earlier years (including this one, which is my own).

Hugh thanks to PEN America, as well as and Chatham University’s “Words Without Walls” program for letting me put this together; plus a shout out to City of Asylum for hosting.

[ecologiadigital]

Stop the Trump Administration From Defunding the Arts and Humanities via @thenation https://t.co/rkNpvBMAne #SaveTheNEA #SaveTheNEH

— PEN America (@PENamerican) March 21, 2017

[mugglenet]

J.K. Rowling Supports Donald Trump - Yes, Really

During her acceptance speech, Jo said something that we never thought we would hear her utter: “He has my full support”

http://www.mugglenet.com/2016/05/j-k-rowling-supports-donald-trump-yes-really/

[atriabooks-blog]

Have you read TIME OF THE LOCUST by Morowa Yejide? If so, you’re going to want to read this newyorktimesofficial​ article: an inside look at a  #supermax #prison for the first time.

[ericboyd]

Excited to receive my copy of the PEN American DIY “How To” chapbook, which I have a piece in.

[penamerican]

"We are surrounded by walls. In some cases, we have built those walls ourselves; in other cases, they been raised around us by others. I am of the belief that once we stand up for the freedom of others, possessing the awareness and spirit that their freedom is our freedom, we will tear down those walls, and in achieving freedom, contribute also to the liberation of others." - Ayşe Berktay, Turkish writer and activist, was released from prison one year ago today

[ericboyd]

Sometimes it hurts so bad your eyes well up. Sometimes you don't even feel it. Sometime they'll say, “On the count of Three you're gonna feel a big pinch” and sometimes they'll stick you on Two. They might miss. You'll feel the needle go into muscle or see its impression against raised skin. You'll feel like you're on fire. You will feel like you are on fire. Either way. The story will come or it will not, and when it is good you will be bathed in light; when it is bad you will become hot with anger. Either way. If this happens they'll keep the needle inside of you, and they'll wiggle it around until they feel the tip of it rub against the vein; once they find that, they'll pull the needle out part-way and shove it in again. People have passed out during this ordeal or received very bad bruises. The dangers of plasma donation are many. The dangers of writing, too.

from a piece I'm working on for PEN America Journal's DIY series.

[ericboyd]

Here's a video of me reading at New York's Culture Project for PEN American's "Breakout: Voices from the Inside".

I was thankful to read Robert Weaver's excellent story, "Of Ash and Bone", which won first place in Fiction in PEN American Center's 2013 Prison Writing Contest.