What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Sun Valley Writers' Conference

Home
United States
Ketchum, ID
Sun Valley Writers' Conference

Engage with writers. Reflect on ideas. Be astonished. Mark your calendars: July 19-21, 2025 We call ourselves SVWC for short. You bet.

We are a once-a-year community of discerning readers and writers who come together to consider ideas set forth in fiction, nonfiction, journalism, poetry, and film making. While covering a great breadth of subjects, the conference is always anchored by important literary figures and frequently includes policy makers who have authored respected books. We often liken SVWC to a four-day literary hous

e party that takes place in Sun Valley, Idaho, a gorgeous Western resort nestled under the snow-capped Rocky Mountains. As the weekend unfolds you will become aware of our unique staff, which is a never-say-no group that makes all things possible; if you ask for help you’ll get a guiding hand and a big smile. You’ll meet the members of our exceptional audience – generous individuals who flock here from all over the country. Like you, they believe in the importance of books in all forms, of civil discourse and teaching, of coming together to laugh, cry, listen and learn from the authors of the written word. And you will get to know some of our generation’s finest writers. Are we different from other literary events? Until you have had “the Sun Valley experience” you won’t know what the best writers’ conference in the country is all about.

09/03/2026

Since the publication of his first novel, writer Amor Towles has been on everyone’s list of favorite novelists. The world immediately recognized the irresistible new voice of a natural storyteller, someone with an innate instinct for drama and a tenderness for the foibles of his all-too-human characters. His novels, including Rules of Civility, A Gentleman in Moscow, and The Lincoln Highway, have collectively sold more than six million copies and been translated into 30 languages. At , he spoke with Jeffrey Brown, of the PBS NewsHour, about the genesis of the novels and his latest work of fiction, Table for Two, six stories based in New York City and a novella set in Golden Age Hollywood, all marked by his gift for acute observations of people and places.

Watch the full talk now at svwc.com/video.

📸 :

09/01/2026

At this year's Writers' Conference, local high school students gathered for our annual Student/Author Luncheon with award-winning journalist and author Beth Macy.

The author of Factory Man, Dopesick, and Paper Girl, Macy writes about outsiders, underdogs, and communities navigating a changing America. For students who had spent the school year reading Paper Girl through our Next Chapter Program, the luncheon offered a chance to hear directly from the writer behind the book—and to ask their own questions.

Thank you, Beth, for sharing your stories and perspective with our students. We hope you inspired a few future writers, readers, and storytellers along the way.

📸 : .sheehan.photography

08/27/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year's Live Watch Party!

For three days, readers gathered together to experience just across town—watching from The Argyros' big screen, in the comfort of theater seats, with great sound, great company, and all the magic of the Conference happening live.

We're so grateful to everyone who made the Watch Party part of their SVWC experience. We loved sharing it with you!

📸 :

08/25/2026

🫶

08/20/2026

To our SVWC donors: thank you for believing in our mission. Your generosity helps bring world-class writers, inspiring conversations, and community access programs to Sun Valley each year. And to those who have been with us since the very beginning—more than 30 years ago—our deepest gratitude. 🙏

📸 :

08/18/2026

Three days. Thousands of people. One community brought together by a love of stories.

As a nonprofit, one of our guiding goals is to make sure everyone who loves literature can find a place here—expanding access to great writers, big ideas, and important conversations, whether at the Writers’ Conference, throughout the Wood River Valley, or from anywhere in the world.

Here’s what that looked like at :
• 11,700 people welcomed in person and online
• 3,200 participants in our free and low-cost community programs
• 500 students, teachers, librarians, and young writers engaged through our educational programs
• 10 fellowships awarded to emerging writers and 8 scholarships provided to community members
• Nearly $100K raised to support the Boise State University MFA scholarship fund

With pass sales covering only 33% of our budget, none of this would be possible without our donors, volunteers, partners, authors, and attendees. Thank you for helping us create a Conference that belongs to—and benefits—the entire community.

📸:

08/14/2026

Who took home a custom poem from Typewriter Rodeo at (or the Live Watch Party)? 🙋‍♀️📖

We're still thinking about the joy they brought to the Conference. If they wrote you a poem, we'd love to see it—share it in your stories or posts and tag us! ❤️

📸 :

08/12/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year's free Community Speaker Series! Together, more than 600 people attended in person and online to hear unforgettable conversations with Julian Brave NoiseCat and Virginia Evans. .l.evans

We're especially grateful to our partners at The Community Library for helping make these events possible, and to Julian and Virginia for sharing their time and stories with our community. And a special thank you to Julian's adorable baby, who may have been the youngest (and cutest) audience member of the series. ❤️

If you missed Virginia Evans' conversation, want to share it or watch it again, you can now find the recording in our digital media library at svwc.com/media.

📸: Adri Meyer

08/10/2026

The Sun Valley Writers' Conference honors one of its original founders, Bill Tooley.

More than 30 years ago, Bill and his wife, Reva, helped bring the Conference to life. What began as a gathering of just 10 writers and 100 attendees has grown into the thriving literary community we know today—a testament to their vision and belief in the power of bringing writers and readers together.

Those who knew Bill remember his wisdom, quiet leadership, generous mentorship, and unmistakable sense of humor. He had a way of making people feel welcome, offering thoughtful guidance, and reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously. His influence can still be felt in every corner of the Conference.

Robin explains it best: "It's amazing how often I find myself asking, 'What would Bill tell me to do?'" We imagine many others who knew Bill have asked themselves the very same question.

Though Bill is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through the Conference he helped build, the family he loved, and the countless lives he touched along the way. We're grateful for all he gave to SVWC, and we'll continue carrying his vision forward for years to come.

08/07/2026

Together, we made a real difference. 🌿💚

At , we diverted 83.4% of Conference waste from the landfill and generated nearly 1,000 fewer pounds of waste than in 2025. That means we're not just diverting waste—we're creating less of it.

From choosing reusable and compostable products to carefully sorting and recycling, every small action added up. Thank you to our attendees, volunteers, vendors, staff, and our partners at Sun Valley Resort for helping protect the extraordinary place we call home.

Read more about our sustainability efforts and this year's environmental partnerships at svwc.com.

📸: Steve Dondero

Address

PO Box 957
Ketchum, ID
83340

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12087265454

Website

http://www.svwc.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sun Valley Writers' Conference posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Sun Valley Writers' Conference:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Ketchum?