SVWC 2026 ~ July 18-20

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2026 Passes Are SOLD OUT

Passes sell out quickly each year, and even with our new 2026 lottery system, we couldn’t accommodate everyone who hoped to attend. We know that’s disappointing—and we also recognize that cost can be a barrier. That’s why we’ve expanded far beyond the Pavilion, offering free events, community programs, livestreams, a Live Watch Party, and more—so that anyone who loves literature can find a place here.

Stay tuned for more details about these programs and be sure to subscribe for updates. We can’t wait to see you July 18–20!

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2026 Writers
& Presenters

Join Us.

See All Presenters

Gary Shteyngart

Gary Shteyngart

Sebastian Mallaby

Sebastian Mallaby

Amy Bowers Cordalis

Robert Macfarlane

Robert Macfarlane

Julian Brave NoiseCat

Julian Brave NoiseCat

Barbara Wansbrough

Barbara Wansbrough

Simon Rich book

Susan Orlean book

Michael Pollan book

Shelley Read book

Jill Lepore book

Derek Thompson book

Kiran Desai book

Gary Shteyngart

Gary Shteyngart book

Sebastian Mallaby

Sebastian Mallaby book

Rick Atkinson book

Atul Gawande book

Peter Godwin book

Theo Baker book

Amy Bowers Cordalis book

Robert Macfarlane

Robert Macfarlane book

Amor Towles book

Julian Brave NoiseCat

Julian Brave NoiseCat book

Julia Lovell book

Barbara Wansbrough

Barbara Wansbrough book

Liaquat Ahamed book

David Sanger book

David Gelles book

Virginia Evans book

Abby Phillip book

Richard Osman book

Susan Choi book

Simon Rich book

Susan Orlean book

Michael Pollan book

Shelley Read book

Jill Lepore book

Derek Thompson book

Kiran Desai book

Gary Shteyngart

Gary Shteyngart book

Sebastian Mallaby

Sebastian Mallaby book

Rick Atkinson book

Atul Gawande book

Peter Godwin book

Theo Baker book

Amy Bowers Cordalis book

Robert Macfarlane

Robert Macfarlane book

Amor Towles book

Julian Brave NoiseCat

Julian Brave NoiseCat book

Julia Lovell book

Barbara Wansbrough

Barbara Wansbrough book

Liaquat Ahamed book

David Sanger book

David Gelles book

Virginia Evans book

Abby Phillip book

Richard Osman book

Susan Choi book

Simon Rich book

Susan Orlean book

Michael Pollan book

Shelley Read book

Jill Lepore book

Derek Thompson book

Kiran Desai book

Gary Shteyngart

Gary Shteyngart book

Sebastian Mallaby

Sebastian Mallaby book

Rick Atkinson book

Atul Gawande book

Peter Godwin book

Theo Baker book

Amy Bowers Cordalis book

Robert Macfarlane

Robert Macfarlane book

Amor Towles book

Julian Brave NoiseCat

Julian Brave NoiseCat book

Julia Lovell book

Barbara Wansbrough

Barbara Wansbrough book

Liaquat Ahamed book

David Sanger book

David Gelles book

Virginia Evans book

Abby Phillip book

Richard Osman book

Susan Choi book

Featured Content

Watch & Listen.

Podcasts

The Haves and Have-Yachts

Audio

2025: Liz Moore – The Novelist’s Craft

Podcasts

Dr. Vivek Murthy – From the Heart

Videos

2025 Doris Kearns Goodwin – AN UNFINISHED LOVE STORY: A PERSONAL HISTORY OF THE 1960s

Videos

2025 Salman Rushdie – WRITER IN THE WORLD Pavilion presentation with Colum McCann

Audio

2025: Oren Cass – What Happened to America’s Working Class

Audio

2025: Rachel Eliza Griffiths – Promise

Audio

2025: Griffin Dunne – The Friday Afternoon Club

Audio

2025: Andre Dubus III – Ghost Dogs

Audio

2025: Donor Brunch with Max Boot

See More

Our Work in the Community

LEARN MORE

Who We Are

LEARN MORE

Writer in the World

LEARN MORE

SVWC 2026

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Past Presenters

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2026 Pass Lottery

LEARN MORE

Inside the most dangerous job in medicine.

Inside the most dangerous job in medicine.

with Ted Schwartz | July 21, 2025

Watch Now

Latest Updates

Be Informed.

Event Updates

All the Ways to Join SVWC 2026

FREE EVENTS & COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING JULY 18-20 At the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference, accessibility is at…

February 22 2026

Book Release

2026 SVWC Alumni News & Book Releases

February 18 2026

Event Updates

NEW! 2026 Pass Lottery

February 9 2026

Event Updates

All the Ways to Join SVWC 2026

February 22 2026

Book Release

2026 SVWC Alumni News & Book Releases

February 18 2026

Event Updates

NEW! 2026 Pass Lottery

February 9 2026

Read More

Follow Us

on Social Media

9 0

At SVWC, accessibility is at the heart of our mission. ❤️ ⁠
⁠
Each year, passes sell out quickly—even with our new 2026 lottery system, we couldn’t accommodate everyone who hoped to join us. We know that’s disappointing... We also recognize that the cost of a full pass can be a meaningful investment, and for some, simply out of reach. But we never want cost—or capacity—to be a barrier to belonging.⁠
⁠
That’s why we’ve expanded far beyond the Pavilion, offering free events, community programs, livestreams, a Live Watch Party, and more—creating new ways to engage, both in person and online. We want to ensure that anyone who loves literature can find a place here. ⁠
⁠
Special Series Pavilion Passes go on sale June 2, and Live Watch Party passes go on sale June 23. Stay tuned as we roll out more details about our free programs in the coming months, and be sure to sign up for our email newsletter so you don't miss a thing (svwc.com/subscribe).⁠
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We can't wait to see you July 18-20!⁠
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#SVWC #SunValley #WritersConference #LiteraryCommunity #Literature

14 0

Following a successful lottery, all Full Conference Passes are now SOLD OUT—a reflection of the remarkable community of readers, writers, and thinkers who make this gathering so special. We are deeply grateful and genuinely humbled by your support... thank you!⁠
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While full passes are no longer available, there are still many ways to be part of SVWC—several of them free! Learn more at svwc.com/free. ⁠
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Special Series Pavilion Passes go on sale June 2, and Live Watch Party passes go on sale June 23. Subscribe for updates and reminders at svwc.com/subscribe.⁠
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Thank you for your patience, your understanding, and your love of literature. We hope to see you in July, in whatever way you're able to join us! ⁠

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We love seeing stories spark conversation in our community 📚⁠
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Each year, SVWC donates books by upcoming Conference speakers to the Hailey Public Library —giving local book clubs and readers the chance to dive in early.⁠
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Stop by the library, grab a title from the book club shelf, and start reading with us before summer begins! Say hi to Lyn Drewien, Director of the Hailey Public Library, when you're there (pictured above).⁠
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📸 : Gretchen Gorham @gretchengorham⁠
#SVWC #Idahome #BookLovers #PublicLibrary

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Michael Pollan's newest book, "A World Appears," hits shelves today! In Pollan’s dazzling exploration of consciousness, he discovers a world far deeper and stranger than our everyday reality. Eye-opening and mind-expanding, his newest book takes us into the laboratories of our own minds, ultimately showing us how we might make better use of the gift of awareness to more meaningfully connect with our deepest selves.⁠
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This #1 "New York Times" bestselling author of "How to Change Your Mind" will be joining us for #SVWC2026, July 18-20! Catch his latest interviews on Stephen Colbert and Fresh Air with Terry Gross.

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LAST CHANCE to sign up for our 2026 pass lottery! Sign-ups close at 5pm MST tomorrow, February 24. Remember: You must enter the lottery to be eligible to purchase 2026 passes. Names will be drawn at random and February 25, and all entrants will be emailed with either purchase instructions or waitlist information.⁠
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To learn more and to sign up, visit svwc.com/attend. Good luck!⁠
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📸 : @rayjgadd

9 1

Did you know we have an online digital media library? And it's completely free...? Revisit old favorites or check out some of the best talks from past conferences, all at svwc.com/media.

37 1

We’re thrilled—and deeply grateful—for the extraordinary enthusiasm surrounding the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference. Due to unprecedented demand for SVWC passes, we are introducing a NEW pass lottery system for 2026 to create a fairer, calmer, and more equitable experience for our community.⁠
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Here's what you need to know: ⁠
Sign-ups close in ONE WEEK on February 24 at 5pm MST. Names will be drawn at random the next day. You must enter the lottery to be eligible to purchase passes, so be sure to sign up at svwc.com/attend!⁠
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📸 : @haygilmour

15 2

In this episode, recorded live at #SVWC2025, New Yorker staff writer and National Book Award-winning author Evan Osnos dives into the bold-faced, always entertaining, and all too timely topic of how much is too much in our society—or rather, how much is never enough? ⁠
⁠
—⁠
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Welcome to Beyond the Page: The Best of the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference. Over the past 30 years, SVWC has become the gold standard of American literary festivals, bringing together contemporary writing’s brightest stars for their view of the world through a literary lens. Every month, Beyond the Page curates and distills the best talks from SVWC, giving you a front row seat on the kind of knowledge, inspiration, laughter, and meaning that we are known for.⁠
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To listen to other talks from the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference, subscribe now on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or listen directly on our website.⁠
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📸 : @rayjgadd

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We believe the future of literature depends on young readers and writers—and cost shouldn’t be a barrier to belonging. Our Next Generation Pass ($550 for those 35 and under) offers full access to the entire Sun Valley Writers’ Conference at half the price. Whether you’re a student, emerging writer, or lifelong reader, this pass is designed to make SVWC more accessible for the next generation.⁠
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REMINDER: We're moving to a pass lottery system for 2026! Learn more and sign up at svwc.com/attend. Sign-ups close February 24 at 5pm MST.⁠
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Photos: @rayjgadd & @photorama2

17 1

We’re honored by the extraordinary enthusiasm for SVWC—each year, hundreds of readers attempt to purchase passes the moment our sale opens, and they sell out in minutes. To create a more relaxed, equitable experience for our community, SVWC is introducing a pass lottery system for 2026. This approach gives everyone a chance to participate during a multi-week sign-up window and makes the process fairer, more inclusive, and more enjoyable for all.⁠
⁠
You must enter the lottery to be eligible to purchase passes. Sign-ups close February 24 at 5pm MST, and names will be drawn at random on February 25. All entrants will be emailed on February 25 either with purchase instructions or waitlist information. Learn more and sign up at svwc.com/attend (LINK IN BIO).

11 0

This Black History Month, we’re celebrating journalist, author, and #SVWC2026 speaker Abby Phillip—a powerful voice shaping today’s conversations around culture, leadership, and public life. Her latest book, “A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power," offers a deeply reported, thoughtful look at a pivotal moment in our political history, shedding new light on an American icon.⁠
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We’re honored to welcome Abby to the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference in 2026 and can’t wait to hear her insights live in conversation. Join us in celebrating her work and the many Black writers whose stories continue to expand our understanding of history, identity, and possibility.⁠
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#BlackHistoryMonth @abbydphillip

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"Is generative AI eroding our humanity?" Our friends over at LitHub are asking important questions. Read more from Nick Ripatrazone on the importance of the creative ego (and the problem of generative AI) at the link in bio. @literaryhub⁠
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#LiteraryConversation #CreativeProcess #GenerativeAI #ArtificialIntelligence #HumanCreativity #CreativeEgo #WritersAndReaders #LiteraryCulture #IdeasThatMatter #ReadingAndWriting #TheFutureOfArt #SVWC

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It's not too late to get early access and guarantee your 2026 passes! Become a donor by January 31 and enjoy the benefits of the Donor Priority Pre-Sale. Although the pre-sale closes January 31, we gladly accept donations all year round. Learn more at svwc.com/support.⁠
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#SunValleyWritersConference #SVWC #SVWC2026 #DonorPriority #EarlyAccess #SupportTheArts #LiteraryCommunity #NonprofitSupport #CulturalEvents #SunValleyIdaho #WritersAndReaders #GiveBack

22 0

Already counting down the days until we can share laughs like this again! 🙂 Can't wait to welcome back our incredible community for #SVWC2026, July 18-20.⁠
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Passes on sale February 24—mark your calendars!⁠
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📸 : @rayjgadd⁠
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#SVWC2026 #SunValleyWritersConference #SVWC #LiteraryFestival #WritersCommunity #BookLovers #SunValley #IdahoArts #AuthorEvents

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Have you heard?! Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns is our 2026 Writer in the World Prize recipient! He will receive his award and give a presentation at #SVWC2026, happening July 18-20. Stay tuned for more information at svwc.com/witw (link in bio).⁠
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#SunValleyWritersConference #SVWC #WriterInTheWorld #KenBurns #LiteraryEvents #DocumentaryFilmmaking #Storytelling #Nonfiction #AmericanHistory #WritersCommunity #IdeasThatMatter #CulturalConversation #SunValleyIdaho

22 0

Exploring the theme, "Currents of Change," with the voices who define them. This July, we welcome a legendary lineup to Sun Valley. From the sweeping histories of Ken Burns to the startling poetry of Ada Limón, our 2026 presenters are ready to dive deep. Who are you most excited to hear? See the full list of writers & presenters at the link in bio.⁠
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#SVWC2026 #SunValleyWritersConference #SVWC #CurrentsOfChange #LiteraryFestival #AuthorTalks #PoetryAndProse #WritersCommunity #BookLovers #SunValley #IdahoArts

28 0

The best way to guarantee your seat under the tent at #SVWC2026? Become a donor by January 31. ⁠
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When you donate by Saturday, January 31, you’ll be eligible for our Donor Priority Pre-Sale—an exclusive opportunity to purchase passes ahead of the public pass sale in February, when they typically sell out in minutes. Learn more about all the advantages of our Donor Benefit Program at svwc.com/support.⁠
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📸 : Ray Gadd @rayjgadd⁠
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#SunValleyWritersConference #SVWC #SVWCDonors #SupportTheArts #LiteraryFestival #WritersCommunity #AuthorTalks #BookLovers #SunValley #IdahoArts

34 3

Get ready for #SVWC2026! 🎉 Join us this summer in @sunvalley, for an unforgettable three-day literary celebration. From July 18–20, readers and writers from around the world will gather at the 32nd annual Sun Valley Writers' Conference to honor today’s most compelling voices—including iconic documentarian Ken Burns, Harvard historian Jill Lepore, British nature writer Robert Macfarlane, Susan Orlean, Atul Gawande, Beth Macy, Amor Towles, and many more.⁠
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As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, the 2026 theme, “Currents of Change,” invites us to explore important questions: What forces shape our writers’ work? What changes have shaped, and are shaping, our country and world? And what role does literature play in helping us navigate them? Join us as we consider how stories both reflect and drive the political, social, and technological currents of our time, helping us understand both where we’ve been… and where we’re headed.⁠
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PASSES ON SALE FEBRUARY 24. See the full line-up and learn more about pass sales at svwc.com.

14 1

In this episode, recorded live at #SVWC2025, Doris Kearns Goodwin, one of America’s most acclaimed and beloved historians, chronicles her and her late husband Richard’s experiences working with Presidents Kennedy and Johnson during the tumultuous 1960s, using personal archives to explore pivotal moments and their own relationship. Her bestselling book, “An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s,” offers an intimate, up-close look at figures like JFK, LBJ, and RFK, weaving together their personal lives with major events like the Civil Rights Movement. But the heart of this wonderful, deeply moving memoir is unquestionably the enduring bond of mutual love and respect between husband and wife across the decades, a bond that embraces their differences as much as their similarities. “Dick was more interested in shaping history,” Doris has said, “and I in figuring out how history was shaped.”⁠
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#SunValleyWritersConference #DorisKearnsGoodwin #AnUnfinishedLoveStory #LiteraryPodcast #AuthorTalk #WritersOfInstagram #BookConversation

22 1

We love it here in the summer, but winter looks good on @sunvalley. #letitsnow⁠
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📸 : @talroberts

Your support ensures that we can continue to bring today’s leading writers and thinkers to the Sun Valley community, maintaining the same high standard of quality, intimacy, connection, and community outreach that we have for over 30 years. We are grateful for any and all contributions — please consider joining our family of donors today.

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