2022 PEN America Literary Awards Ceremony

The 2022 PEN America Literary Awards Ceremony returns to New York City’s Town Hall to celebrate exceptional voices in literature, from debut authors to living legends. Hosted by writer and Emmy Award-winning late night host Seth Meyers—an “influential recommender of books” (The New York Times), the Ceremony will feature captivating winner announcements, musical direction by Ulysses Owens, Jr., and dramatic readings from selected works, in a celebration of this year’s most resonant literature.

This year, PEN America will present 11 book awards recognizing the finest works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, biography, essay, science writing, translation, and more published in 2021.

The Ceremony will also feature the presentation of the PEN/Mike Nichols Writing for Performance Award to Elaine May in recognition of her unparalleled contributions to American film, television, and comedy. Writer and activist Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o will receive the PEN/Nabokov Award for Achievement in International Literature, and the PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award will be conferred on playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury.

For over five decades, PEN America’s Literary Awards Ceremony has honored the creators and the works that shape our culture. This year, PEN America will confer $350,000 to writers and translators. Learn more about the 2022 Literary Awards Judges and view the 2022 Finalists.

Join us for an evening of writers celebrating writers, in what host Seth Meyers has called “the Oscars for books.”

The 2022 PEN America Literary Awards Program and Ceremony recognize the generous signature sponsorship from the JKW Foundation, in memory of Jean Stein and her extraordinary contributions to literature.

Cocktail attire.

TICKETS

Available ticket prices (plus fees):

$15 Student | Balcony seating

$25 Friends | Balcony seating

$40 Supporter | Orchestra and Loge seating

$60 Patron | Orchestra Premium seating

Ticket sales both guarantee seats for those who want to join, and help us to present this extraordinary evening of celebration. All proceeds from ticket sales will support our Literary Awards, Grants, and Fellowships Programs, which provide vital recognition and transformative support to writers at all stages of their careers.

COVID-19 Protocol

We are closely monitoring our protocols alongside certified COVID Safety Officers working in New York live event venues including on Broadway, and in accordance with all state and local guidelines. These protocols are subject to adjustment in accordance with new advisories.

Per current mandatory health requirements from the City of New York, all attendees must present proof of a COVID-19 vaccination and ID in order to enter the venue and attend the show. In attending the event, you certify and attest that you and all individuals in your party attending the event will abide by the following regulations:

• All individuals will be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (fully vaccinated) and ID prior to entering the venue. These regulations will apply to all members of your party before they are allowed entry to the event and to any users of the tickets purchased by you.
  

• Masks are required for all guests, all guests must wear a properly fitting mask over the nose and mouth in the theater. We encourage wearing N95, KN95, or KF94 masks. There will be no eating or drinking allowed inside the theater, and your mask must remain over your nose and mouth at all times. 
  

• “Fully vaccinated” means that prior to the awards date, it must be at least 14 days after your second dose of an FDA or WHO-approved two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, or at least 14 days after your single dose of an FDA or WHO-approved single dose COVID-19 vaccine. We encourage all attendees to receive a booster shot, as well. Together with the proof of vaccination, all guests must present a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport.
  

Town Hall is deeply committed to the health and safety of audiences, performers, and staff. Among many enhancements, they have now upgraded their auditorium ventilation systems with MERV 13 filters, created a contactless experience for guests entering the theater, and established rigorous cleaning and sanitation protocols.

Photo credit: Lloyd Bishop/NBC

Seth Meyers is an Emmy Award-winning writer and host of NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”

Meyers hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2014 and was Emmy nominated in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. In 2018, he hosted the Golden Globe Awards, which was Emmy nominated for Outstanding Variety Special.

In 2019, he released his debut standup special, “Lobby Baby,” on Netflix, which was Emmy nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special. In 2021, he received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series for his weekly “Late Night” YouTube series, “Corrections,” which debuted in the same year.

“Late Night” won back-to-back Critics’ Choice Awards for Best Talk Show in 2020-21. In addition, Meyers was named one of the 2014 TIME 100, Time magazine’s 100 most influential people.

Meyers began his TV career with “Saturday Night Live” in 2001, where he was a cast member for 13 seasons. He served as head writer for nine seasons and “Weekend Update” anchor for eight. In 2011, Meyers won the Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for host Justin Timberlake’s musical monologue. In all, Meyers has garnered 27 Emmy nominations for his work in television.

Meyers currently serves as an executive producer of “The Amber Ruffin Show” on Peacock, and as co-creator and executive producer alongside Fred Armisen and Bill Hader of IFC’s Emmy-nominated docu-parody series “Documentary Now!” He executive produced and lent his voice to Hulu’s animated superhero show “The Awesomes” and executive produced “A.P. Bio” for NBC and Peacock.

Meyers hosted the 2010 and 2011 ESPY Awards on ESPN and headlined the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Assn. dinner to rave reviews.

His first children’s book, I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared, will be released March 15, 2022.