2012 / 2013 Julie Otsuka Recieves the 32Nd Annual Pen/Faulkner Award for Fiction

PEN/Faulkner MEDIA KIT 2012 / 2013 JULIE OTSUKA RECIEVES THE 32ND ANNUAL PEN/FAULKNER AWARD FOR FICTION

The New York Times

Arts Beat Blog March 26, 2012

Julie Otsuka Wins PEN/Faulkner Award

By JULIE BOSMAN

2:49 p.m. | Updated Julie Otsuka is the winner of the 2012 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction for her novel “The Buddha in the Attic” (Alfred A. Knopf), the directors of the award announced on Monday. The book, which traces the lives of six Japanese mail-order brides who sail to San Francisco in the early 20th century, was chosen from more than 350 novels and short-story collections, all by American authors and all published in 2011.

Marita Golden, one of three judges, said in a statement that in “The Buddha in the Attic,” Ms. Otsuka “creates a voice that is hypnotic and irresistible, and renders her story with the power of the most ancient, timeless myths, the legends that crowd our dreams, and the truths we cannot bear.” She went on to say, “Her skill is awesome and utterly inspiring.”

Ms. Otsuka, a native of California, will receive $15,000. An awards ceremony is scheduled for May 5 at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington. 2012 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction winner, Julie Otsuka, and her award-winning novel The Buddha in the Attic. IN THE NEWS:

As one of the preeminent ction awards in given in the United States, the yearly announcement of the winner and nalists for the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction makes national headlines. Above, screenshots of orignal and synicated content from CBS News, the Associated Press, The Washington Post, The Hung- ton Post, the Houston Chronicle’s Bookish Blog, and more. THE 2012 PEN/FAULKNER GALA:

The Washingtonian September 11,2012

By Carol Ross Joynt

Resilience. It’s a good word for Washington on this particular day and this particular week, and for a few reasons—all of which were referenced Monday night at the 24th annual PEN/Faulkner awards dinner, where “resilience” was the theme. Its de nition is “to spring back into shape after bending.” During the cocktail hour, some guests expressed that they thought the theme was apt on the eve of the 9/11 anniversary. At the less somber end of the spectrum, some thought it described the Redskins’ win against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. As the late summer/early fall party season begins, it could also be applied to Washington social life. In the past few years the event business has faced quite a few challenges, most of them nancial, and yet people keep showing up—maybe not as many as before, but enough keep paying the average $500 The host, Calvin Trillin, said that “when it is applied to $1,000 for a ticket to back causes that need all the to human beings, rather than metal alloys, resil- help they can muster. ience means to recover from misfortune.” Ben Foun- tain, author of Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, said PEN/Faulkner is a good example. The money raised at the routine tests of resilience are marriage, jobs, and the dinner certainly helps to underwrite a glamorous parenthood, but he cited 9/11 and the Haitian and intellectual evening for the guests, and to give earthquake as transcending routine. “The vast awards of $15,000 and $5,000 to winning authors, but majority of us can go much further than we thought it also brings acclaimed writers into the DC public possible,” he said. “When the landscape of your life is schools. The writers who spoke at the dinner last night destroyed, what you do is wake up the next day and spent the earlier part of the day with public high just keep going.” Vaddey Ratner certainly knows and told a tale of teenage pregnancy and abortion school students. At other times, PEN/Faulkner organiz- what it means to keep going. She is a Cambodian with an unexpected ending. Poet Major Jackson put es book groups for teen parents at various DC schools, refugee who faced peril at the hands of the Khmer his theory of resilience into a prose poem that including Anacostia, Ballou, Cardozo, and Dunbar. Rouge, and who came to the US unable to speak ended with a haiku, Susan Richards Shreve, an Some authors also visit young people who are incar- English but who graduated summa cum laude from author and English professor at George Mason cerated in city facilities. Cornell. “When I think of resilience I think of all those University, told of a childhood accident and the who made it possible for me to survive,” said Ratner, struggle to regain self-assurance. Tijuana native Luis Still, the event is in need of more robust support. Last who is the author of In The Shadow of The Banyan. Alberto Urrea, author of The Devil’s Highway, night there were 194 people in attendance, compared “For writers, words are the means by which we recalled a cocky Mexican homeless boy named with 254 in 2008, at the beginning of the Great Reces- endure.” Felix. He described him as born “standing up and sion. The attendees were rewarded with a many-facet- talking back,” and endlessly inventive about making ed analysis of the meaning of resilience, by ten authors Elissa Schappell, a contributing editor to Vanity Fair his sorry life seem positive. “This guy is my hero,” he and one host, who spoke from the evocative Elizabe- and the author of Blueprints for Building Better said. “No matter how low you are kicked around, than stage of the Folger Shakespeare Library. Girls, called her ctional story a “palate cleanser” there’s this little nugget of self.”

Another among the featured writers was Louis Bayard, who teaches creative writing at George Washington University and who grew up in the Washington suburbs. His talk was humorous, recall- ing his father’s passion for detailing his daily com- mute from Spring eld, Virginia, to Chevy Chase, Maryland, to his job at the B.F. Saul Company. Also amusing, if prescient, was Hilma Wolitzer, author of An Available Man. She lamented that “books seem to be on the way out.” She said she’s “not a Luddite” and uses all the latest technology, but she draws the line at electronic publishing. “It’s comforting to know I cannot be electrocuted reading a regular book in the bathtub.”

After the readings the guests sat down to a candlelit dinner in the Folger Shakespeare Library reading room, with its two stories of walls lined with books. The menu, from Design Cuisine, included pome- granate chicken over wilted arugula and a dessert of banana sticky pudding. The talk at our table was about resilience, again with references to 9/11 and the Redskins, but also a lot about one particular book—not a novel, but rather No Easy Day, the account by Navy SEAL Mark Owen of the killing of Osama bin Laden, who proved, after all, to be not all that resilient. and told a tale of teenage pregnancy and abortion Maryland, to his job at the B.F. Saul Company. Also with an unexpected ending. Poet Major Jackson put amusing, if prescient, was Hilma Wolitzer, author of his theory of resilience into a prose poem that An Available Man. She lamented that “books seem to ended with a haiku, Susan Richards Shreve, an be on the way out.” She said she’s “not a Luddite” and author and English professor at George Mason uses all the latest technology, but she draws the line Resilience. It’s a good word for Washington on this University, told of a childhood accident and the at electronic publishing. “It’s comforting to know I particular day and this particular week, and for a few struggle to regain self-assurance. Tijuana native Luis cannot be electrocuted reading a regular book in the reasons—all of which were referenced Monday night Alberto Urrea, author of The Devil’s Highway, bathtub.” at the 24th annual PEN/Faulkner awards dinner, where recalled a cocky Mexican homeless boy named Felix. “resilience” was the theme. Its de nition is “to spring He described him as born “standing up and talking After the readings the guests sat down to a candlelit back into shape after bending.” During the cocktail back,” and endlessly inventive about making his dinner in the Folger Shakespeare Library reading hour, some guests expressed that they thought the sorry life seem positive. “This guy is my hero,” he said. room, with its two stories of walls lined with books. theme was apt on the eve of the 9/11 anniversary. At “No matter how low you are kicked around, there’s The menu, from Design Cuisine, included pomegran- the less somber end of the spectrum, some thought it this little nugget of self.” ate chicken over wilted arugula and a dessert of described the Redskins’ win against the New Orleans banana sticky pudding. The talk at our table was Saints on Sunday. As the late summer/early fall party Another among the featured writers was Louis about resilience, again with references to 9/11 and season begins, it could also be applied to Washington Bayard, who teaches creative writing at George the Redskins, but also a lot about one particular social life. In the past few years the event business has Washington University and who grew up in the book—not a novel, but rather No Easy Day, the faced quite a few challenges, most of them nancial, Washington suburbs. His talk was humorous, recall- account by Navy SEAL Mark Owen of the killing of and yet people keep showing up—maybe not as many ing his father’s passion for detailing his daily com- Osama bin Laden, who proved, after all, to be not all as before, but enough keep paying the average $500 mute from Spring eld, Virginia, to Chevy Chase, that resilient. to $1,000 for a ticket to back causes that need all the help they can muster. The host, Calvin Trillin, said that “when it is applied PEN/Faulkner is toa good human example. beings, The rather money than raised metal at alloys, resil- the dinner certainlyience helps means to tounderwrite recover from a glamorous misfortune.” Ben Foun- and intellectual tain,evening author for of the Billy guests, Lynn’s andLong to Halftime give Walk, said awards of $15,000the and routine $5,000 tests to ofwinning resilience authors, are marriage, but jobs, and it also brings acclaimedparenthood, writers but intohe citedthe DC9/11 public and the Haitian schools. The writersearthquake who spoke as attranscending the dinner last routine. night “The vast spent the earliermajority part of of theus can day go with much public further high than we thought school students.possible,” At other times,he said. PEN/Faulkner “When the landscape organiz- of your life is es book groups fordestroyed, teen parents what atyou various do is wake DC schools, up the next day and including Anacostia,just keep Ballou, going.” Cardozo, Vaddey and Ratner Dunbar. certainly knows Some authors alsowhat visit it meansyoung topeople keep whogoing. are She incar is -a Cambodian cerated in city facilities.refugee who faced peril at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, and who came to the US unable to speak Still, the event isEnglish in need but of whomore graduated robust support. summa Last cum laude from night there wereCornell. 194 people “When in Iattendance, think of resilience compared I think of all those with 254 in 2008,who at the made beginning it possible of thefor meGreat to survive,”Reces- said Ratner, sion. The attendeeswho were is the rewarded author of with In The a many-facet Shadow of- The Banyan. ed analysis of the“For meaning writers, of resilience,words are by the ten means authors by which we and one host, whoendure.” spoke from the evocative Elizabe- than stage of the Folger Shakespeare Library. Elissa Schappell, a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and the author of Blueprints for Building Better Girls, called her ctional story a “palate cleanser” THE GALA, IN PICTURES

Clockwise from upper left: Bene t Committee Co-Chair, Senator Patrick Leahy and Gala Emcee Calvin Trillin; the Reading Room of the Folger Shakespeare Library as dining room; PEN/Faulkner board member Mary Haft and son Michael, a Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps; PEN/Faulkner board members Frazier O'Leary, George Pelecanos, and Mary Haft greet Gala guests; PEN/Faulkner board member Lou Stovall and author Vaddey Ratner.

Previous Page: 2012 Gala Authors, clockwise from upper-left: Chris Bohjalian, Elissa Shappell, Ben Fountain, Major Jackson, Louis Bayard, Calvin Trillin (emcee), Louis Alberto Urrea, Carol Anshaw, Vaddey Ratner, Susan Richards Shreve, and Hilma Wolitzer. JONATHAN FRANZEN GOES TO JAIL (FOR A BOOK TALK)

U.S NEWS & WORLD REPORT By: Jamie Stiehm

Februrary 22, 2011

The author of The Corrections and Freedom went to jail in Washington. He left impressed with the "seriousness" level of conversation, compared to meeting with young people on the other side of the tracks. I felt curious to see the novelist Jonathan Franzen meet with a circle of youths, 16 and 17 years old, in their unit in the city jail. They are housed in the juvenile annex in Southeast Washington, a world away from Northwest. Their faces looked older than their age as they studied the celebrated writer who, they heard, made the cover of Time. angst of life on a liberal arts college campus such as Franzen came to visit with them for an hour, Swarthmore; and his adult experiences and relation- Friday at noon. The youths wore orange jump suits and ships in Philadelphia and New York. He spent years com- white tennis shoes. They were being tried as adults. posing his ction in relative oblivion, he told the circle, Franzen wore jeans, looking Manhattan cool with long before he met Oprah Winfrey ("we made up") or tousled strands of silvery brown hair falling over his Barack Obama ("easy to talk to.") His gorgeous essays, glasses. He looked younger than his age, 51. He came to which range from bird watching to Charles Schulz's discuss his art and craft with 25 youths in jail for a PEN/- Peanuts comic strip, often see and frame the familiar anew. Faulkner Foundation event. The author didn't spend a "I've been lucky in so many ways," Franzen said. I knew just moment dwelling on their circumstances, but cut right what he meant because, so was I. Many miles ago, I had to the fear involved in creating original work. seen his Jon's talent dance on a page when he was a senior "There's nothing scarier than a blank piece of at Swarthmore, in a writing workshop. I had not seen him paper," he said. If stuck, he added, "Try writing a letter to since. someone, or keep a journal. Not to be afraid of the His statement was so undeniably true that, strictly page, that's the main thing." speaking, it didn't need to be said. And yet it did, to speak Then the circle of 25 or 30 teenage boys across the chasm of chances. Some of the youths are clapped. As members of the Free Minds Book Club and charged with violent crimes. If convicted, they face life Writing Workshop within the jail walls, they were incarcerated for an average of six years. There were a few youths in "lockdown" in the unit as Franzen spoke, expanding their literary horizons and connected con ned alone to their cells for long stretches. Sharing a instantly with what Franzen was talking about. Working cell is much easier on the human spirit. things out with words--anger, pain, sadness, remorse, In a ash of mordant wit, Franzen said, "What I've whatever it is--can turn into poetry or stories, which chosen to do with my life involves solitary con nement. Free Minds publishes for the juvenile community in the You spend too much time alone, you go crazy," Franzen city jail, so peers can read each other's writing. Tara said. "The fact is, it makes me a little crazy too." Libert, co-founder and executive director, says weekly But there's no other way; writing prose or poetry gatherings at the jail help nurture "humanity, creativity takes introspection--but more, it takes a lot of time, no and hope." matter what. Franzen's large-canvas work is somewhat auto- Said Franzen to the aspiring youths congregated biographical social realism, drawing characters in his around him: "For better or worse, one thing you've got is family and a portrait of St. Louis, his hometown; the the time." GEORGE PELECANOS VISITS CARDOZO WITH WinS

By: Emma Brown ton, connects them with teachers and buys enough Photos: Astrid Riecken books to provide every student in a class with a copy. This year, approximately 40 authors will take part in October 29, 2012 125 events at D.C. schools, and for the rst time, some will visit schools in Baltimore as part of the program. families built that way are normal and loving). Why Best-selling crime novelist George Pelecanos paid a The foundation is in the midst of raising money to didn’t Pelecanos specify some main characters’ races? visit one recent morning to Cardozo Senior High continue expanding to other regional cities — Rich- (Because this is a young person’s book, and young School in Northwest Washing- mond, Philadelphia and Pitts- people don’t care as much about skin color as older ton, where Advanced Place- burgh. generations). ment English students had “It’s something that students They wanted to know what inspired the book read his 2011 novel, “The Cut.” never forget,” said O’Leary, (a short story Pelecanos wrote that gave rise to the Pelecanos was there to president of the foundation’s main character and conversations with veterans at answer their questions, talk board and a champion of what is now Walter Reed National Military Medical about the writing life, maybe expanding the Writers in Center) and whether Pelecanos ever faces writer’s leave behind a bit of wisdom Schools program. “They get a block when he sits down in front of a blank page (he or inspiration. chance to meet a real live makes himself write every day and tries to produce at But rst, he read a author, which to me is awe- least ve pages, even if they aren’t any good). passage from the book in some. All the authors I was One student, 16-year-old senior Kevaughna which the main character supposed to study in high Abraham, didn’t have a question. She just wanted to A class meets its English subject, and a writer visits an English class at Cardo- school had been dead for 300 thank Pelecanos for representing the city she knows. zo Senior High School — and meets his literary subjects: Best-selling crime years.” novelist George Pelecanos paid a visit one recent The corner stores are exactly as he describes in the tries to impart a bit of wisdom Pelecanos is not only morning to Cardozo Senior High School in North- book, Kevaughna said. The streets and the neighbor- or inspiration. west Washington. The visit is just one of 125 such alive, he’s still producing books. hoods — not to mention the high school — are places “This,” Pelecanos said, visits planned by the PEN/Faulkner Foundation in And he also helped write and she recognizes. “is what fancy people call and around Washington, D.C. this school year. create two acclaimed HBO “I was like, man, I know exactly what he’s ‘meta.’ ” series, “The Wire” and “Treme,” a talking about,” said Kevaughna, who aspires to be a A native Washingtonian whose 18 novels are fact that gives him extra star power in a room full of screenwriter. “I really don’t read books that show the salted with the city’s neighborhoods and characters, teenagers. real D.C. — but when I read this, I was excited. It makes Pelecanos has been visiting Cardozo for years at the But at Cardozo, most of the talk and most of me proud.” invitation of veteran teacher Frazier O’Leary, who the questions were not about television. They were Pelecanos said he was grateful to know that also has hosted such luminaries as Toni Morrison, about “The Cut,” which follows an Iraq War veteran the city he created on the page had passed muster. David Foster Wallace and ZZ Packer. who comes home to Washington to work as a private “It’s important for me to get it right, and it’s a The PEN/Faulkner Foundation, which is investigator, and about the choices that Pelecanos real fear that I won’t get it right,” he said. “I feel like I’m perhaps best known for the annual award it presents made as he wrote. leaving a record of the city. I mean, I want to see books to ction writers, sponsors such visits to introduce Students had lots to ask: Why is the main char- all over the world, but I’m writing for you all. I want students to people who earn a living with words, acter’s family made up of multiracial adopted these books to be meaningful to Washingtonians.” ideas and stories. children? (Pelecanos, whose own children are adopt- Another student asked about his favorite The foundation brings authors to Washing- ed and multiracial, was interested in showing that author. Pelecanos didn’t hesitate: John Steinbeck. But his favorite Washington writer? Edward P. Jones, who grew up in poverty not far from the Capitol and won the Pulitzer Prize for his antebellum novel “The Known World.” “Jones is a genius,” he said. Some of the students nodded. They’ve heard of Jones. They’re going to read his short stories. And he’s coming to visit next month. adopted and multiracial, was interested in showing real D.C. — but when I read this, I was excited. It makes that families built that way are normal and loving). me proud.” Why didn’t Pelecanos specify some main characters’ Pelecanos said he was grateful to know that races? (Because this is a young person’s book, and the city he created on the page had passed muster. young people don’t “It’s important care as much about for me to get it right, and skin color as older it’s a real fear that I won’t generations). get it right,” he said. “I feel They wanted like I’m leaving a record to know what inspired of the city. I mean, I want the book (a short to see books all over the story Pelecanos wrote world, but I’m writing for that gave rise to the you all. I want these main character and books to be meaningful conversations with to Washingtonians.” veterans at what is Another student now Walter Reed asked about his favorite National Military Author George Pelecanos discusses writing, literature, his latest author. Pelecanos didn’t Medical Center) and novel “The Cut,” and signs books for students at Cardozo High hesitate: John Steinbeck. whether Pelecanos School. In addition to the opportunity to discuss literature with a But his favorite Washing- ever faces writer’s local author, each student recieved a copy of the book, courtesy of ton writer? Edward P. block when he sits the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. Jones, who grew up in down in front of a poverty not far from the blank page (he makes Capitol and won the himself write every Pulitzer Prize for his ante- day and tries to bellum novel “The produce at least ve Known World.” pages, even if they “Jones is a aren’t any good). genius,” he said. One student, Some of the 16-year-old senior students nodded. Kevaughna Abraham, They’ve heard of Jones. didn’t have a ques- They’re going to read his tion. She just wanted short stories. And he’s to thank Pelecanos for coming to visit next representing the city month. she knows. The corner stores are exactly as he describes in the book, Kevaughna said. The streets and the neighborhoods — not to mention the high school — are places she recognizes. For more inforamtion about the Writers in Schools “I was like, man, I know exactly what he’s program can be found online at: talking about,” said Kevaughna, who aspires to be a screenwriter. “I really don’t read books that show the http://www.penfaulkner.org/writers-in-schools/ FIND US ONLINE:

THE PEN/FAULKNER PODCAST features recordings from PEN/Faulkner events held at the Folger Shakespeare Library as well as occational audio from our archives. All readings are produced by PEN/Faulkner sta and are available through iTunes as well as on the PEN/Faulkner Foundation’s website. EPISODE INDEX: EPISODE 1: 2011 PEN/Faulkner Gala - “The Writing on the Wall” EPISODE 2: R. Dwayne Betts & Ta-Nehisi Coates EPISODE 3: Chris Adrian & Emma Donoghue EPISODE 4: Myla Goldberg, Allegra Goodman, & Monique Truong EPISODE 5: The 2011 PEN/Malamud Reading EPISODE 6: Dagoberto Gilb & Benjamin Percy EPISODE 7: 2012 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction EPISODE 8: 2012 PEN/Faulkner Gala - “Resilience” EPISODE 9: Je rey Eugenides

AWARDS: More information about the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction and the PEN/Malamud Award, including past winners, nalists, and judges, can be found on the PEN/Faulkner Foundation’s website.

PEN/Faulkner Award: PEN/Malamud Award: http://www.penfaulkner.org/award-for-ction/ http://www.penfaulkner.org/pen-malamud-award/

THE WRITERS IN SCHOOLS BLOG features news and information from the PEN/Faulkner Foundation’s groundbreaking Writers in Schools (WinS) program, including information about recent school visits, participating writers and instructors, and information about the program’s expansion. Additional content features personal narratives from WinS participants, and this fall, PEN/Faulkner will launch a series of Q&As with current and former WinS instructors, authors, students, and administrators.