PEN is a writers’ community, and has been since PEN International’s founding in 1921. PEN Canada’s membership is made up of writers, poets, journalists, publishers, librarians, screenwriters, and songwriters. You too belong at PEN.

JOIN OR RENEW YOUR PEN MEMBERSHIP

• Contact us by phone at 416-703-8448;
• Send a cheque payable to PEN Canada to 401 Richmond St. W., Suite 244, Toronto, ON, M5V 3A8, Canada and write “membership” in the re: line; or
• Fill out the form below

If you have any difficulty submitting this form, please contact Theresa Johnson at 416 703 8448 ext 2221 or by email at tjohnson[at]pencanada.ca.

Benefits of membership

Our members are some of Canada’s most distinguished writers, translators, and editors in a community of freedom of expression advocates. When you become a PEN member, you join a network of over 40,000 members from over 140 PEN centres around the world. 

When you join PEN you’ll receive:

• Voting rights at PEN Canada’s Annual General Meeting
• Recognition in our Annual Report
• An opportunity to work closely with our Writers in Exile community

Your support enables us to aid and defend writers and journalists who courageously risk their lives to be read, seen, and heard.

See our community of members and supporters here. 

Making membership accessible

We offer discounted memberships for low-waged or unwaged writers, students, Writer in Exile members, or Quebec Writers’ Federation members. If you are a low or unwaged writer please write to us at queries[at]pencanada.ca to explain your situation and we’ll work something out — you belong at PEN. 

Give a gift membership 

For an avid reader, writer, human rights, or freedom of expression champion, an annual PEN Canada membership can make a great gift. On the form above tick the box “Make this a gift membership” and enter the recipient’s details and a message, if desired, in the comments section.

Other ways to get involved

Become a patron member

For those looking to give more, become a PEN Canada patron member by donating $1000+.  View our patron levels here.

Volunteer

Volunteers make a difference to PEN, our events, and for our writers living in exile. Learn more.