J.K. ROWLING is to receive a prestigious award from literary and human rights group Pen America.

    The “Harry Potter” author will be presented with the Pen/Allen Foundation Literary Service Award on May 16 at the group’s annual spring gala in New York.

    Pen (Poets, Essayists and Novelists) said it was honoring the author in recognition of her support for free expression and charitable causes.

    Pen America states it aims “to ensure that people everywhere have the freedom to create literature, to convey information and ideas, to express their views, and to make it possible for everyone to access the views, ideas, and literatures of others.” Its Literary Service Award is given annually to authors whose work fights repression and censorship around the globe.

    (SD-Agencies)