By Writers,
for Writers
UNDERSTORY is a writers’ conference located in beautiful Park City, Utah, conceived to explore and celebrate the art and craft of storytelling.
Thursday–Sunday, July 16–July 19, 2026
Park City, UT
A Purist Approach
At the many writers’ conferences we have attended, we have always gained new knowledge, new inspiration, and new connections. What we haven’t found is a conference that honors the art of book writing in its purest form, rather than emphasizing the business side of things. Understory is by and for writers who embrace the craft of storytelling and want to hone their skills at this multilayered, fluid, sometimes messy, and ultimately joyful process.
An Inspiring Location
Park City is the ideal setting to ignite your creativity. Summertime here is magical—the Wasatch Mountains are at their greenest, the weather is dreamy, and outdoor activities abound. Understory is designed specifically to give participants continuous access to this extraordinary natural environment through daily guided hikes, open-air evening events, picnic lunches, and plenty of room to roam.
Intimacy and Access
The most memorable writers’ conferences bring about new friendships and collaborations. By limiting Understory’s attendance to one hundred participants, we ensure an intimate experience that gives participants more meaningful access to one another and to presenters, to workshops that allow for more specialized instruction, and to social gatherings that facilitate valuable conversations.
SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
BROOKE WARNER,
Stuart Horwitz,ANNIE TUCKER,
LIz Hines, Grant FauLkner, felice laverne, candice mays, april bosshard, RACHEL WEAVER, AND MORE…
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
YOSHA GUNASEKERA
Yosha Gunasekera is a staff attorney and supervisor at the Innocence Project, where she investigates claims of innocence and represents individuals seeking relief from wrongful convictions. In addition to her legal work, Yosha teaches a course on wrongful imprisonment at Princeton University. Her debut novel, which explores similar themes, was published by an imprint of Penguin Random House in February 2026. Yosha was named a Publishers Weekly Writer to Watch and featured in The New York Times, Marie Claire, People.com, WNYC, CBS New York, The Christian Science Monitor, Goodreads, LitHub, Book Riot, CrimeReads, and more.