Since 1990 I’ve attended writers conferences, first as a student and once published, as a workshop leader. For me, the highlight of conferences has always been the evening keynote speakers. Back in the early days, sometimes our dinner breaks spilled over into the keynote speaker time and when that happened, we’d occasionally skip the keynote or arrive a bit late and sometimes tipsy. Hey, we were writers.

But for me, those ‘days gone by’ are long gone. When you get the opportunity to listen to stories told by keynote speakers, all of them significantly further down publishing’s road, you listen and learn. Some of my best ‘learning craft’ and ‘the business tethered to craft’ came from the usually sage advice and oftentimes brilliant insight keynote speakers willingly shared at the podium.

I have always found successful authors generous with their time; influenced perhaps by the demigod status they earn by having their book (or books) sell well enough to be invited to writers conferences to speak to auditoriums filled with writers also hoping to become authors. Whatever the motivation, takeaways from listening to many of these authors remain with me long after conferences end.

Keynote speakers are not easy to book nor do they typically work for free. There are exceptions, of course. Back in the day, SBWC founder Barnaby Conrad could pick up the phone and call most any of that day’s bestselling authors. If they were promoting a book, they showed up. As Barnaby Conrad said so often, authors most enjoyable writing? Autographing books. At this year’s SBWC, the keynote speaker line-up was exceptional; four well published authors navigating their way through the 21st century publishing maze.

For the first time ever, I heard authors at the podium speak candidly about their own publishing paths and for some, how these times we are living in influence/drive their storytelling. I did my usual videoing but could only capture short clips of content they shared. I wish I had the entire segments to watch and rewatch, a testament to the words delivered by four notable authors and I’m not even counting Fannie Flagg who opened the 2026 SBWC’s keynote speaker series.

For a good amount of time spent at the podium, Ms. Flagg shared bits of her journey into this writing life. Her first love, writing, she believed unattainable because of her severe dyslexic that had no name in her youth.  She was already a well known TV star when she attended her first SBWC in the late 1970’s. Winning a SBWC writing contest that year opened up the doors of possibility; the affirmation bolstering her belief. She was storyteller. Here’s a short video of Fannie sharing the arc of ‘Fried Green Tomatoes and the Whistle Stop Cafe,’ her second novel that went from best selling to a major motion picture. (sorry for the coughing) Fannie Flagg Opening Night

Kerri Schlottman, author of Daytime Moon, 2026 and Tell Me One Thing, winner of 2024 Penn Craft Literary Fiction Award, has traveled down a few publishing roads. An indie author, as so many are in our 21st century publishing world, Kerri shared her gratitude that she is well published by excellent small publishers. She also shared her anxieties during her climb up, only now feeling comfortable enough to see her future in literary life. Kerri’s experience tells a story so many of us understand, figuring out all the options and the publishing roads to take. It can be so overwhelming. And with no guarantees, of course.

Kerri Schlottman, 26 (sorry4thenoseblowing)

Then the third night’s keynote speaker, Jess Walter, made a good point as he began his address, “It’s never been easy to get published.” Jeff came to storytelling through journalism. A prolific author of eight novels, this Edgar Award and National Book Award finalist spent some time talking about writers responsibilities and the public good. Again, I was quite surprised by his frankness but that was before I realized his latest novel,‘So Far Gone’ zooms in on the destruction the current regime in DC has done to family life. Jess Water SBWC 2026

Jess Water is right. If you’ve been in this biz for a long time, pitching year after year and hooking occasionally, (which keeps you hooked), you know it’s never been easy to get published.  One difference that makes a big difference? The number of books published/year. Before the internet seized control of just about everything related to the printed word, 100,000-125,000 (- ish ) books were published annually by six publishers that shrunk to five in early 2000’s. Since the advent of the internet, the number of self-published books has inched up each year and in 2026, Publishers Weekly reported about four million books were self published. Not sold. Published. That volume makes it harder for good stories to pop above the noise.

The SBWC fourth keynote speaker, Rachel Howzell Hall, multi published romance/suspense novelist, hit several roadblocks enroute to her publications that include traditional and self publishing roads. She’s quite resourceful, which helps in promotion of her books.  Through no fault of her own, the timing of one novel published by a traditional publisher was ill-timed and sometimes, timing is everything. Rachel Howzell Hall, SBWC 26

Adriana Trigiani, SBWC’s last keynote speaker, made a ruckus when she entered the auditorium following her dear friend.  “Fannie Flagg’s in the house!” Ms. Trigiani roared as they zig-zagged their way up the aisle to the stage. Fannie had returned to introduce her friend and spoke briefly at the podium, all of it in praise of Ms. Trigiani who she’s known for many years. “She truly loves to help writers,” citing Trigiani’s well watched podcast, ‘You Are What You Read’ as testament. Fannie Flagg introduces Adriana Trigiani SBWC 2026

After  Fannie sat down, Ms. Trigiani took over the stage and I do mean took over! I’m embarrassed to say I had not read her works though how the hell I missed them, I’m still wondering. Since the early 2000’s she’s published 21 novels, one memoir, written and produced her play, directed and produced a film also written by her, established a writing program for young writers and hosts a popular podcast, You Are What You Read. Interviews she’s been conducting since 2023 on her podcast includes a Who’s Who of the literary world. Her most recent? Multiple award winning Ann Patchett.

Ms. Trigiani’s opening remarks. Ms. Trigiani’s attitude about 21st century publishing options reflected what the previous keynote speakers said. Go for it! She was specific. “Get your stories out there. Use any option available.” Ms. Trigiani’s advice to writers:. In the several iterations of ‘Do Not Stop! she exclaimed during her keynote, Ms. Trigiani reminded me of Ray Bradbury. Each year until a few years before he passed, Mr. Bradbury opened SBWC with words meant to inspire. Like Adriana Trigiani, he was adamant about protecting our writing and exclaimed often: Get rid of any person in your life not supporting your writing! Also like Ms. Trigiani, Mr. Bradbury was funny, too.

If you have the opportunity to listen to authors whose careers are further along than yours, you owe yourself the opportunity to learn what you may not know. At this conference, each author illuminated the current state of the publishing industry by using their own climbs up 21st century publishing’s many tiers. A rough climb to be sure, but I so appreciated the  honesty they offered about their own experiences in publishing. I found it so refreshing and each evening I left feeling inspired. For sure.

If you’re a writer hoping to be an author, it’s not hard anymore. All you have to do is upload and press PUBLISH. But if you want to be published and read, then do your best to write compelling prose.  Learn all you can.  Often, the best lessons are delivered by authors who have written stories worthy of invitations to writers conferences.

My thanks to author Marianne Dougherty for delivering this line up of keynote speakers at 2026 Santa Barbara Writers Conference. Well done!