New York : J K Rowling’s latest honour isn’t only for her writing. The “Harry Potter” author is to receive the PEN/Allen Foundation Literary Service Award, PEN America told The Associated Press today.
Rowling will be presented her award May 16 at the literary and human rights group’s annual spring gala in New York. Previous winners include Toni Morrison, Salman Rushdie and Tim Stoppard.
In its announcement today, PEN cited Rowling’s advocacy for free expression; her founding of the charitable trust Volant, which supports multiple sclerosis research and other causes; and her nonprofit organisation Lumos, which works to reconnect institutionalised children with their families, reports AP.
“I’m deeply honoured to receive this award and humbled that my work has been recognised as having moral value by an organisation I so admire,” Rowling told the AP in a statement. “I’ve long been a supporter of PEN, which does invaluable work on behalf of imprisoned writers and in defense of freedom of speech.”
Rowling’s own Potter books have been the targets of censorship and attempted censorship, with the fantasy series’ feats of wizardry leading to worldwide allegations that the author advocates witchcraft and the
occult.
