Kelly Writers House | Penn Today

Emily Wilson, Kevin Platt, and Paul St. Amour seated with microphones at Kelly Writers House.

Music, friendship, and a podcast on the side

Through their new project, SideGig, School of Arts & Sciences faculty Paul Saint-Amour and Kevin Platt explore songs and sound. Plus, it gives the pals a chance to hang out.

2 min. read

She helps patients find their words to cast a spell on cancer

Even before she experienced cancer herself, Deborah Burnham had a knack for “magical” prompts to help patients write through their illness at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center.

2 min. read

Elizabeth Willis, David Grann, and Ayana Mathis named as 2026 Kelly Writers House Fellows

Each Fellow will host a reading and a brunch followed by a one-hour interview/conversation.

Al Filreis and Nate Silver in discussion on stage.

Nate Silver on statistics: Playing it safe versus embracing risk

At the Stephen A. Levin Family Dean’s Forum, statistician Nate Silver spoke with Al Filreis, Kelly Family Professor of English, about his new book and risk-taking, with tangents into hobbies, poker, and baseball.

2 min. read

Group pose of Draw Down the Lightning grants winners.

Collaborating toward a better future for all

The 12 winning teams of the inaugural Draw Down the Lightning grants were celebrated by Penn leadership at a reception, bringing to life the vision of In Principle and Practice.

4 min. read

Patti Smith and Al Filreis at microphones.

Patti Smith as a Kelly Writers House Fellow

Singer, songwriter, poet, author, and musician Patti Smith was in residence at the Kelly Writers House for two days, telling stories about the people in her life throughout the decades, reading passages from her books, and performing her songs.

Seven people around a table with cake during the Edible Books event.

Edible Books at the Kelly Writers House

The annual Edible Books contest at the Kelly Writers House features food creations inspired by books, often involving puns based on the titles. In this 14th year, 30-some entries were admired and (mostly) eaten.

Deborah Olatunji sits on a bench in springtime outside the Kelly Writers House

Deborah Olatunji embraces vulnerability

Through art, poetry, and the written word, fourth-year student Deborah Olatunji embraces vulnerability.

Jennifer Egan and Dennis Culhane sit at a long green table in front of the windows at Kelly Writers House

Investigating homelessness

In a Kelly Writers House event, writer Jennifer Egan and social scientist Dennis Culhane discuss journalism and the homelessness crisis.

Nuri Yi, a Lotus member and second-year grad student in the Department of Biology in the School of Arts & Sciences, leads a discussion of Baldwin’s work at Kelly Writers House.

Reading James Baldwin for a 21st century world

To commemorate Baldwin’s approaching centennial, the Lotus Collective is hosting weekly readings and discussions of his work at Kelly Writers House.

Filters

Music, friendship, and a podcast on the side

She helps patients find their words to cast a spell on cancer

Elizabeth Willis, David Grann, and Ayana Mathis named as 2026 Kelly Writers House Fellows

Nate Silver on statistics: Playing it safe versus embracing risk

Collaborating toward a better future for all

Patti Smith as a Kelly Writers House Fellow

Edible Books at the Kelly Writers House

Deborah Olatunji embraces vulnerability

Investigating homelessness

Reading James Baldwin for a 21st century world