This is a Conference for curious minds — booklovers, readers, thinkers, and writers. For lovers of the written word and its craft. For both literary buffs and casual book nerds. And for those who want to hear from the best minds in science, media, humor, politics, poetry, the environment, world events, and more.

To get a sense of the types of talks, peruse a list of our past presenters over the last 30 years or browse our digital media library of archived talks.

Over the course of three days, you’ll experience a jam-packed schedule of talks, readings, presentations, and sometimes performances or demonstrations. Each year, our literary directors curate a mix of compelling voices, both established and emerging, covering today’s top issues and the best in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
Talks are held at the outdoor Sun Valley Pavilion and Pavilion Lawn, within an easily walkable space of about 300 yards. Some talks are held in buildings throughout the Sun Valley Resort village. You can download a pdf of the SVWC Venue Map to get a sense of important locations.

Some of the larger Pavilion Talks, held at the outdoor Sun Valley Pavilion, are available for single event tickets and/or free lawn seating for our local community. Smaller, more intimate Breakout Sessions are held in open-air tents around the resort and closed to the public. You must sign-up for these Breakout Sessions in advance, as there is limited space. After each talk, there is an audience Q&A followed by book signings by the author.

Each day, a buffet lunch is served on the grounds of the Pavilion Lawn. Relax under the umbrellas and mingle with fellow attendees, catch up on your reading, or grab something to go. Keep an eye on the schedule for coffee pop-ups, cocktail hours, and opening and closing receptions.

In between talks, you can browse our on-site bookstore tent—full of books by presenting authors and a selection of Sun Valley Writers’ Conference branded items like bags, hats, and water bottles.

You can also stroll the charming and easily walkable Sun Valley Resort village, complete with its own lodging, dining, retail stores, and coffee shops.

For access to private donor events, including dinners, breakfasts, and coffee talks, please inquire about becoming a donor.

SVWC is an annual event, held each summer (typically in July or August) for three to four days. Passes go on sale in the spring. For more pass information, visit our Pass Page.

If you are a passholder unable to attend in-person for any reason, we also have options for livestreaming events or watching them later in our digital media library.

SVWC takes place at the Sun Valley Resort & Pavilion in the small and stunning mountain town of Sun Valley, Idaho each year. For more information about what makes Sun Valley so magical, visit our Sun Valley Info & Activities page.