BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Sun Valley Writers’ Conference is debuting a new pass lottery system for its 2026 Conference, responding to years of unprecedented demand.

The Conference, which will be held July 18-20 at Sun Valley Resort, will feature such speakers as Ken Burns, who has told America’s history from the Civil War to the American Revolution through his mini-series, which are aired on PBS, and Michael Pollan, a leading voice on food, health and the environment with such books as “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and “The Botany of Desire.”

“We’re honored by the extraordinary enthusiasm for SVWC,” said Marketing & Communications Manager Kate Elgee Haase. “Each year, far more readers want to attend than our venues can accommodate. The new lottery system creates a calmer, fairer, and more inclusive way for everyone to participate.”

 The lottery is now open at https://svwc.com/attend. Entries will be accepted through 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time Tuesday, Feb. 24.

On Feb. 25, names will be selected at random by database software, using encoded entries. Those chosen will be invited to purchase passes. Selected participants will receive an email with a secure purchase link and will have a limited time to complete their transaction.

Those not initially selected will automatically be added to a waitlist pool, with additional drawings held as passes become available.

Pass Options

Full Conference Pass ($1,100): Includes access to all Pavilion talks, breakout sessions, book signings, Q&As, meals, and the closing reception on the Pavilion lawn.

Next Generation Pass ($550, ages 35 & under): Offers full Conference access at half price, making SVWC more accessible to students and educators, emerging writers, young readers, and more.

SVWC will also offer Special Series Pavilion Passes and Live Watch Party Passes and  for select events, along with a wide range of free programming.

Passes are sold online only. For assistance, participants may contact info@svwc.com or call 208-726-5454.

As one of the nation’s most sought-after literary gatherings, SVWC continues expanding free and community programming to make the Conference accessible to all. Options include free lawn talks, free library talks in partnership with The Community Library, free livestreaming, Live Watch Party passes at The Argyros Performing Arts Center, and a digital media library of past talks.

 “Whether in person or online, we want as many people as possible to engage with great writers, ideas, and conversations,” said Elgee Haase. “This lottery system is one more way we’re working to welcome more readers into the SVWC experience.”