The Guardian story in another post obfuscated on why the many authors dropped out of the awards. PEN America, which explicitly speaks of human rights in its vision, allowed a January event including Mayim Bialik, outspoken opponent of ceasefire. A Palestinian author, Randa Jarrar, interrupted and spoke out at the event, being dragged out of it.
Withdrawals and protests are roiling the PEN America Literary Awards.
The instigating event
https://lithub.com/palestinian-american-writer-randa-jarrar-was-dragged-out-of-a-pen-event/
by Cornyfleur