Sun Valley Writers Conference Brings Creative Minds to Idaho

Each summer in the Idaho resort town of Sun Valley, writers and avid readers gather to explore letters, share laughs and tears, and discuss challenging aspects of life and the world. The Sun Valley Writers Conference takes place in July and features four days of activities aimed at fueling creativity. Whether looking for some inspiration or need to spend time with like-minded people, the conference ranks as a must for writers. Learn more about the event.

Experience the Sun Valley Writers Conference

This intimate festival celebrates the world’s most renown authors, editors and thinkers. This isn’t just a festival for literary professionals. Anyone eager to expand their literary knowledge and enjoy the Rocky Mountain landscape are welcome.

Readers Unite

Avid readers fit right in with this crowd. While some attendees are famous readers, editors and media, most people traveling to Idaho for the event simply love literature in many shapes and forms.

Fill days with books, conversations, hiking, presentations and food. Browse new releases and independent authors, then get books autographed. The conference provides a place to find new authors and meet new people.

A Writers’ Haven

Park City’s awe-inspiring scenery resonates deep withing visitors, encouraging writers to put pen to paper. In addition, over 30 writers present and bring their stories to life for enthusiast audiences. Hear what inspires them, get tips and share life experience.

Have children? No problem. The conference provides a Kids’ Club, known among the most fun aspects of the festival. During the event, children can eat ice cream, go ice skating, take hay rides, hike and bike, and swim. The day camp keeps them entertained, so parents can take time to see speakers and try new activities.

Notable Speakers and Participants

The Sun Valley Writers Conference features an all-star crowd each year. Here are a few past presenters, and get the updated SVWC schedule.

Sarah Koenig: Longtime investigative reporter and producer on the radio show This American Life. She is an award-winning journalist, and launched her own podcast, Serial, ranks among the most famous podcasts in history.

Mary Roach: Author of numerous provocative books covering contemporary scientific topics such as sex, cadavers and colonizing Mars. She has won many awards and has written for a number of national magazines.

Lawrence Wright: Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Thirteen Days in September. He often writes about the Middle East and his book, The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 was named one of the top 100 works of non-fiction ever published.

Hampton Sides: Editor-at-large for Outside Magazine and author of books such as In the Kingdom of Ice and Blood and Thunder. He is also a journalist in residence at Colorado College where he teaches narrative non-fiction.

Stephen King: Known as a horror legend, King has published over 50 books and ranks among the most successful writers in the world. Popular books include the Dark Tower series, IT, The Shining and The Stand. He has also won several awards for writing and philanthropic activities.

Looking for more creative inspiration? Check out the Sun Valley arts scene.