Welcome to the 2026 Sonoran Writers Conference Panels Schedule. Below is a complete list of all the panels being offered this year. A long list, but you can also break it down into smaller lists.
Lists by Room
SWC this year utilizes FIVE rooms of programming, all producing great opportunities to improve your writing. Visit the Panels listed by room:
ROOM ONE | ROOM TWO | ROOM THREE | ROOM FOUR | ROOM FIVE
Lists by Time
Get the smaller lists of the panels that are staring at a given time. This make planning much easier.
- 9:00AM Start
- 10:00AM Start
- 11:00AM Start
- 12:00PM Start
- 1:00PM Start
- 2:00PM Start
- 3:00PM Start
- 4:00PM Start
Lists by Presenter
Coming Soon
Panel
Room Three
2:00pm- 50 minutes
Brick Cave Media will accept pitches for Science Fiction and Fantasy manuscripts during this session. Authors should prepare:
- A 2 minutes verbal pitch
- A one page summary
- Their first three chapters available to provide if asked.
Each pitch will be timed to 5-7 minutes, and pitches will be taken ONLY during the panel time. Authors are strongly encouraged to review the press' Manuscript Submissions page prior to attending.
Panel
Room Five
1:00pm- 50 minutes
Childrens Books, Adult works, Nebulas, Hugos, you name them. A discussion around the books that are winning awards.
Panel
Room Three
1:00pm- 50 minutes
In December of 2017, I went with a friend to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walk in Phoenix. One of the speakers at the event noted our community is like a patchwork quilt. And it hit home because in late 2017, I was feeling empty and lonely. I was single, childless and over forty. So, I decided to make a change.I set a New Year’s Resolution in 2018 to meet one new person a week or 52 new friends. This book is the diary of that journey. All profits from this book will be donated back to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Panel
Room FourRoom Four
4:00pm- 50 minutes4:00pm- 50 minutes
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here. It is a very hot and debatable topic. But is it all negative? Does AI offer opportunities for the publishing industry?
Panel
Room Five
11:00am- 50 minutes
For this panel, we would discuss what it is like to attend the Tucson Festival of Books as a vendor, strategies on promoting/marketing your book, and strategies getting into book festivals.
Presentation
Room Four
11:00am- 50 minutes
For self-published authors, choosing the right print-on-demand partner can be confusing. Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, BookBaby, and other services each offer different advantages in cost, distribution, quality, and control. In this 50-minute panel, publishing professionals and experienced authors break down the major POD options, explain how each platform works, and discuss how writers can choose the printing and distribution approach that best fits their goals. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the print-on-demand landscape and practical guidance for making the right publishing decision.
Presentation
Room Three
11:00am- 50 minutes
Between social media, busy schedules, and the constant pull of everyday life, staying focused on writing can feel harder than ever. In this open and honest panel discussion, writers share practical strategies for protecting creative time, overcoming distractions, and maintaining momentum. The session includes audience participation and open discussion, giving attendees a chance to share challenges, ask questions, and discover that every writer struggles with distractions—and none of us are facing them alone.
Presentation
Room 4
10:00am- 50 minutes
Presentation on the real effects of trauma and injury, not the Hollywood version. Discussion of head injury, penetrating trauma, falls, motor vehicle crashes and why people don't bounce back by the end of the episode.
Presentation
Room Four
10:00am- 50 minutes
Marketing- one of the hardest tasks indie authors face. Erica shares a number of tips and tricks to help you in your book marketing journey. Erica's been a part of the marketing industry for over thirty years now. Her expertise is in helping others create a brand that runs through all of their marketing to psychologically resonate with their audience and drive word of mouth advertising. She is the author of two books.
