Laughing Through It: Dark Humor and the Novel

This is a free event, but registration is required.

Writing a funny novel might be the hardest trick in fiction, but these writers make it look easy. Join Katie Yee and Benedict Nguyễn for a discussion about writing novels that tackle painful and complicated topics—and are hilarious. In Maggie; or A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar, Yee spins gold from heartbreak when a Chinese American woman’s husband leaves her for a white woman named Maggie. In Hot Girls with Balls, Nguyễn serves up a hilarious setup—two trans women, star-crossed lovers, playing on competing sides of a professional men’s indoor volleyball league.

Moderated by writer and arts administrator Jared Jackson, this discussion will explore the craft of writing comedy that stings and how humor can illuminate betrayal, grief, and the messiness of life.

The 2026 PEN World Voices Festival is a celebration of world literature and free expression. The 2026 edition will be the 21st World Voices Festival. Over four days, more than 140 writers from over 40 countries will be featured in 40+ engaging talks, panels, readings, and activations in New York City and greater Los Angeles.

Visit for more information about the entire festival, as well as PEN America.

This space is ADA compliant. A street level accessible entrance is located on 12th street.

ASL interpretation is available for this event by request only. Please reach out to our Box Office team at [email protected] by April 15th to request.

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Host or Publisher PEN America