Vital Voices Reading

This is a free event, but registration is required.

Vital Voices from Indie Lit Publishers, hosted by the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP), presents readings from a diverse array of independently published authors. This year, Vital Voices will be presented on our Festival Stage at Washington Square Park South. The event will feature fiction writers, poets, and translators.

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, over 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 an outdoor public space. For detailed information on accessibility in this space, or to make a request, please contact [email protected]

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Host or Publisher PEN America