The York-born director of English PEN, an organisation working for writers for peace, in prison and in exile, will return to the city as part of the 2008 Literature Festival.

Jonathan Heawood, who is also a former deputy literary editor of The Observer, will speak about the history and future of PEN International, which was formed in London after the First World War and now has centres in more than 100 countries across the world.

Entitled 'Writing for your life' Jonathan's theme will be the dangerous side of writing. Examples will include the 2006 murder of Ann Politkovskaya, the author of highly acclaimed critical books on Putin's Russia and the war in Chechnya, and threats to Salman Rushdie's life in 1988.

PEN's members are writers and literary professionals whose aim of promoting literature and defending the freedom to write is more relevant than ever in today's world.

The event will take place in the Marriott Room at York Central Library on Monday 10 March, 2008 between 7.30pm and 8.30pm. Admission is free, although donations to Amnesty International would be welcome.

Miles Salter, Read Write York co-ordinator, said: "Jonathan originates from York and we are delighted to welcome him back as part of the exciting programme for the city's second ever Literature Festival."

More information on the programme for the 2008 Literature Festival will be released over the coming weeks.