2026 Open Secrets Live Personal Storytelling Summit Details

Join over 30 memoir authors, plus book, magazine, and newspaper essay editors for a day of panels on writing and publishing personal essays

May 7, 2026 update: Thank you to everyone who attended Open Secrets Live 2026. We’ll be posting audio from select panels and talks as soon as we can. Subscribe to Open Secrets to be the first to know about future events, and see our about page to see our latest virtual and in-person events. To contact Open Secrets Magazine, email opensecretsmag at gmail.com

The event will take place Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Symphony Space’s Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre, 250 W. 95th Street, New York (95th and Broadway). Seating is general admission. Independent bookstore Kew & Willow Books is our official onsite bookseller. We will hold a raffle with prizes related to writing and the writing life, with half the proceeds going to mutual aid group Community Aid Network MN (CANMN). Winners must be present to win.

There’s a lunch break in the schedule (lunch not provided) and attendees will receive a swag bag. All ticket sales are via Symphony Space’s website and are final sale.

Our keynote speakers are comedian youngmi mayer (follow her on Substack!), author of memoir I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying, plus Somebody Somewhere costars, Emmy-award winner Jeff Hiller, author of memoir Actress of a Certain Age, and drag king Murray Hill, author of forthcoming memoir Showbiz! My Life as a Middle-Aged Man.

VIP tickets are sold out as of March 9, 2026.

The full lineup is below, and we’ll be spotlighting each of our 7 amazing panels on family, LGBTQIA life, mental health, physical health, relationships, identity, and getting published in separate posts.

Independent bookstore Kew & Willow Books is our official onsite bookseller. All ticket sales are via Symphony Space’s website and are final sale. There’s a lunch break in the schedule (lunch not provided) and attendees will receive a swag bag.

Media sponsors include Empress Editions, Face Fluf, Graywolf Press, Tawny Lara, Let’s Talk Memoir, The Memoirist, Next Big Idea Club x Author Insider, Powerhouse Writers, Prose Playground, Reductress, and Tiny Reparations Books.

Can’t attend? We’ve got you covered! We’ll be recording audio of all panels and keynotes and will release those on the Open Secrets Magazine podcast and emailing them to subscribers (pending speaker approval). You can shop books by our authors for mail order via our Bookshop affiliate storefront.

We will be updating details as needed on this page.

Open Secrets Live 2026 Speakers and Schedule

Times are subject to slight changes and any programming updates will be made on this page):

10-10:15 Check-in

10:15-10:25 Welcome

From Open Secrets Magazine Editor-in-Chief Rachel Kramer Bussel

10:25-11:05 Panel 1: Family

Panelists: Wilbert L. Cooper, Francesca Fontana, Nikkya Hargrove, Aymann Ismail, Dorothy Roberts

Moderator: Elizabeth Austin

11:10-11:50 Panel 2: LGBTQIA Life

Panelists: Komail Aijazuddin, Jackie Domenus, Jerry Portwood, Oliver Radclyffe

Moderator: Samantha Mann

11:55-12:35 Panel 3: Mental Health

Panelists: Stefan Merrill Block, John DeVore, Tawny Lara, Benoit Denizet-Lewis, Peter Mendelsund

Moderator Genevieve Nierman

1:10-1:50 Panel 4: Physical Health

Panelists: Jocelyn Jane Cox, Greta Morgan, Carla Sosenko, Kimberly Warner

Moderator: Melisse Gelula

1:55-2:35 Panel 5: Relationships

Panelists: Mike Albo, Lilly Dancyger, Jesse James Rose, Susan Shapiro, Nina Sharma

Moderator: Alex Alberto

2:40-3:20 Panel 6: Identity

Panelists: Sari Botton, Athena Dixon, Sarah Hartshorne, Sangamithra Iyer, Joseph Lee

Moderator: Rachel Kramer Bussel

3:30-4:20 Editors panel

Panelists: Alessandra Bastagli (One Signal/Atria, Simon & Schuster imprint), Emi Ikkanda (Tiny Reparations Books, Dutton imprint), Miya Lee (The New York Times‘ Modern Love and Tiny Love Stories columns), Shannon Palus (Slate), Sarah Robbins (Abrams), Kendall Storey (Catapult)

Moderator: Rachel Kramer Bussel

4:25-5:05 Keynote Talk 1: Youngmi Mayer, “Laughing is Crying”

5:10-5:50 Keynote Talk 2: Jeff Hiller and Murray Hill, “Putting It All Out There”

After-party (for VIP ticket holders and speakers) from 6-8 p.m. in Bar Thalia.

Note: We aren’t accepting speaker pitches for this event.

For those who can’t attend the live event, panels will be recorded for podcast release, pending speaker approval. Open Secrets Magazine subscribers will receive all panel recordings via email and they will be posted on the Open Secrets website.

Open Secrets Live Sponsorship Opportunities

We’re offering four sponsorship tiers: platinum, gold, silver, and media sponsorships. For those interested in sponsoring Open Secrets Live 2026, email opensecretsmag at gmail.com with “Open Secrets Live sponsorship” in the subject line and we’ll respond ASAP.

Speaker Testimonials from Open Secrets Live 2025 and 2026

Sari Botton, author of And You May Find Yourself… and editor of Memoir Land and Oldster magazines:

“Two years in a row now I have had the good fortune to participate in Rachel Kramer Bussel's Open Secrets conference. I am so impressed with the qualified experts she culls, and the breadth of interesting topics she creates panels around. There are so many smart, thoughtful people sharing interesting ideas for writers, editors, publishers—and readers. I can't recommend it more highly.”

Lu Chekowsky, author of Don't Buy What I'm Selling: On Breaking Up with Advertising and Finally Learning to Love My Whole, Fat Self

“Many days, writing memoir and personal essays can feel like the world's loneliest, most solo sport, but at the Open Secrets event last weekend, I realized I'm not alone at all. I'm on a great, big, quirky, hilarious, strange, thoughtful, creative, reflective and hopeful team of people who, like me, are relentlessly driven to make art from some of the most challenging stories of our lives. I left feeling uplifted and inspired, but above all, connected.”

Karina Corrao, comedian

“Rachel brought her signature intellect, curiosity, and heart to the inaugural Open Secrets Live. It was a true honor to be a panelist alongside such remarkable talent and discussions. I left inspired, recharged, and sparked with ideas!”

Ella Dawson, author of But How Are You, Really

“I got so much out of this one-of-a-kind gathering of personal essayists and memoirists. I left the event with new motivation to write and a stack of new books to read ASAP. This event introduced me to brilliant and generous authors who have stayed in contact and become friends.”

Veena Dinavahi, author of The True Happiness Company

“Open Secrets Live introduced me to a wonderful writing community, opened doors to a myriad of writing and reading opportunities, and left me a little smarter and more hopeful than I started. Deeply, strongly, truly recommend.”

Athena Dixon, author of The Loneliness Files:

“Open Secrets Live was amazing! The entire day felt like a warm conversation with like-minded friends and fellow writers. Every panel was engaging in a way that encouraged attendees to lean in and linger between the sessions and even longer afterwards to keep the feeling going!”

Kelli Dunham, comedian and host of Cared For podcast

“Participating in an Open Secrets panel was beyond delightful. Listening to the other writers painstakingly and thoughtfully choose their words and discuss their interaction with the creative process was a balm for my tiktoked brain and soul. I also met great interesting people!”

Estelle Erasmus, NYU professor, author of Writing That Gets Noticed, TEDx speaker, and host of the Freelance Writing Direct podcast

“Open Secrets Live was one of the most engaging and well-run conferences I’ve attended—a vibrant mix of insight, honesty, and community. As a speaker on the Relationships panel, I loved being part of an event that amplifies writers’ voices and celebrates meaningful storytelling.”

Edgar Gomez, author of Alligator Tears

“Open Secrets Live is so much fun, it’s like your book club on steroids. You get to hear and meet so many greats, all in one day, discover new writers, learn something surprising and cool during one of the many thoughtfully curated panels. I left with a bag full of books, a couple new friends, and an itch to go write!”

Rob Hart, author of Assassins Anonymous

“Rachel hosted a phenomenal event, featuring a wide range of speakers and topics that felt both big, and intimate. It was an honor to be a part of that, but frankly I felt lucky just being in the audience.”

Jeff Hiller, Emmy Award winner, author of Actress of a Certain Age, 2026 Open Secrets Live keynote speaker

“The hardest part about writing is that it is such a solitary activity. What a joy to come together with other writers of memoir to have community and talk about this art form we love so much.”

Minda Honey, author of The Heartbreak Years, 2025 Open Secrets Live keynote speaker

“Open Secrets Live won’t be a secret for long — open or otherwise. This is the conference to attend for anyone just stepping into the world of professional writing and any who needs a reminder for why they put their pen to paper in the first place. It’s a nourishing community where authors, editors and journalists can speak candidly about their experiences.”

Nasrin Jafari, fashion designer and founder of fashion brand Mixed

“Sitting beside the other writers, listening to them speak about how they tell stories, what stays private, how they land on the right words—I felt deep resonance. It was refreshing to be in community with people who asked similar questions. I was so grateful for the opportunity to show up as something other than “founder”—and to see myself a little differently too.”

Maris Kreizman, author of I Want to Burn This Place Down

“Telling your own story can be a lonely endeavor, so it was a joy to find community among all of the wonderful panelists and attendees at Open Secrets.”

Youngmi Mayer, comedian, author of I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying, 2026 Open Secrets Live keynote speaker

“Open Secrets Live was an amazing way to meet with other writers and promote my book among people who would’ve not heard of my work otherwise in an intimate, friendly and warm environment.”

Molly McCloy, author of Nine Grudges: The Spiteful Origins of the Happiest Dyke on Earth:

“I loved this writing conference! I've been telling people it's the best writing conference ever because it was so perfectly tailored to my needs. I have a memoir coming out and all the panels were packed with memoirists with recent books published, answering all the crucial questions about writing and publishing. Many of the memoirists were performers like me, comedians and storytellers Mike Albo, Murray Hill, and Jeff Hiller. The event was easy and streamlined as there is only one track and one venue. Open Secrets Live was a heartfelt, smart conversation about everything nonfiction writers care about most.”

Greta Morgan, musician, author of memoir The Lost Voice:

“This is like a literary Coachella.”

Deesha Philyaw, author of The Secrets Lives of Church Ladies, 2025 Open Secrets Live keynote speaker

“I left the Open Secrets Live Festival with a happily buzzing brain and a full heart. I got to reconnect with writer friends and meet some of my favorite writers for the first time. The panel discussions left me inspired and doubled my TBR list! An excellent experience all around, and I hope this event was the first of many from Rachel and Open Secrets.”

Jane Pratt, editor, Another Jane Pratt Thing, former editor of Sassy, Jane, and xoJane, 2025 Open Secrets Live keynote speaker

“Last year’s Open Secrets event was beyond incredible and it looks like you’ve done it again plus plus plus. I hope everyone has as much fun and gets as much great information out of it as I did…

[T]he number of assignments I made based on writers I met at your Open Secrets Magazine event last year was huge and continues to this day. Please make sure to let anyone there know that I would be honored to get an opportunity to publish their work, as I’m sure the other editors on the panels this year will agree. You attract a stellar group of editors and writers so count me in with a lifetime invitation to any attendees at your events who want to send pitches or manuscripts my way.”

Sarah Robbins, associate editor, Abrams Press

“I loved how the panels I saw really showcased the breadth and depth of memoir.”

Jesse James Rose, author of memoir sorry i keep crying during sex

“Open Secrets Live is the gateway ticket to becoming the writer you want to be. I loved that the panels were a great mix of craft discussion, humor, and industry shop talk. I walked away from Open Secrets Live feeling confident, motivated, and more connected than ever before in the NY literary scene. Rachel does a fantastic job of bringing an array of voices to the table — there’s something here for everyone.”

Carla Sosenko, author of I’ll Look So Hot in a Coffin: And Other Thoughts I Used to Have About My Body

“Getting to sit in a room with other memoir writers — and memoir lovers! — to talk about what we do was a unique, amazing experience. Pure joy.”

Kimberly Warner, author of Unfixed: A Memoir of Family, Mystery, and the Currents That Carry You Home

“Working with Rachel Kramer Bussell and participating in Open Secrets Live 2026 was an exceptional experience from beginning to end. The event surpassed my expectations in every way, from the thoughtful organization and seamless communication to the caliber of panelists, moderators, press, photography, and creative assets. Rachel cultivated an environment that felt both deeply professional and genuinely connective, creating meaningful visibility and conversation for authors. I left feeling energized, supported, and grateful to have been included, and I will enthusiastically recommend Open Secrets Live to other writers and creators in the future.”

Jamia Wilson, author, podcaster, and executive editor at Random House

“Participating in the Open Secrets Conference was a transformative experience. The conversations were powerful, inspiring, timely, and deeply practical, uniting a dynamic group of brilliant minds. It was an opportunity to engage with bold ideas that will shape and impact the work ahead.”

Carmen Rita Wong, author of Why Didn’t You Tell Me?

“Writing personal stories can be such a solo-effort but with Open Secrets I found a community of writers and readers who were filled with support. I made such great new author-friends and look forward to next time!”

Zachary Zane, author of Boyslut: A Memoir and Manifesto

“Being able to hear the stories of other authors, activists, and storytellers from all walks of life wasn’t just informative, it was also inspiring—necessary for anyone looking to hone their own craft as a writer.”

Attendee Testimonials and Media Coverage for Open Secrets Live 2025 and 2026

CJ Clouse, creative nonfiction author

“What a fantastic event! Excellent panels as good as anything you find at a large conference, but with an intimacy that made it easy to connect with the panelists and other attendees.”

Jocelyn Jane Cox, memoirist and essayist

“This summit was the perfect mix of informative, inspiring, and connecting. I came away with so many new things to think about. I also discovered a bunch of new authors in this one action-packed and nonfiction-packed day.”

Jennifer Dines, freelance writer

“Open Secrets Live was my favorite day of 2025. As a busy mother and teacher, my relationships with editors and other writers exist almost exclusively online. And I felt nervous about coming from Boston to a New York event where I did not know a single person, at least not in real life. But the pull of an exclusively creative non-fiction event is strong for a confessional essayist, and so I went.

The warmth and enthusiasm I felt the second I walked into Open Secrets Live erased my doubts and killed the butterflies in my stomach. There is something to be said about a group of people who commit to putting the rawest parts of their lives in writing coming together in one space.

All day long I scribbled down the quotations of the panelists on my program. Sadly, I did not write down who said this, but it speaks to the value of writing the most challenging parts of your life: “Memoir exists to destigmatize.” And then, from someone else, whose name I also failed to record, there was advice on the how: “Lean into fear and uncertainty. Approach a subject with curiosity. Spend time in ambiguity.”

And I would be remiss not to mention my star-strucked-ness. I had no qualms about cheesily asking for photos with two of my favorite editors Jane Pratt and Sari Botton. And, at the end of the day, I even got some snaps with the absolutely adorable and supremely talented and sparkling Edgar Gomez. I’d read his memoir-in-essays Alligator Tears only a few weeks before, and it stands as the best book I’ve read this year.

I left with a bag full of autographed memoirs and a badass black baseball cap with Woman of Interest (the title of Tracy O’Neill’s film noir-like memoir) stitched on the front. (I wear that hat with a huge pair of black sunglasses for grocery shopping and picking up my daughter from school. I like to pretend I’m mysterious.)

The most important thing I took away with me that day, however, was the belief that I could write a book. I love writing for online, the quick hit of an essay going live and the adrenaline rush when I see shares and comments. But seeing so many writers with book-length works in one place got me believing that I really could write a book.”

Tara Jabbari, freelance writer

“I wasn’t sure what to expect but I met participants from Boston, Chicago and NYC. Writers, editors, and aspiring creators were brought together to learn, inspire and encourage! I’m so glad I came!”

Victoria Lo Blue, freelance writer

“Open Secrets Live is an in-person manifestation of the online community that Rachel Kramer Bussel created — an honest place to gather and connect. There is something fantastically bold about feeling comfortable enough to nod along with strangers to say, 'yes, me, too.'“

Lisa O’Neil-Guerci, poet and author

“Open Secrets Live provided certain ‘coming full circle’ moments for me, as I first became acquainted with Rachel Kramer Bussel's work decades ago during a time of pivotal change in my life. My innate creativity and need to tell stories requires abolishing shame. This event celebrated fearless self-expression and I walked away feeling like my soul was nourished.”

Genevieve Nierman, Senior Content Manager - Books, Pix Media

“Open Secrets Live is a wonderful event for those of us in the media looking to discover exciting new voices and hear more from seasoned pros. I left the 2025 event feeling inspired to read more widely and even pick up a pen myself!”

Lisa O’Neil-Guerci, poet and author

“Open Secrets Live provided certain ‘coming full circle’ moments for me, as I first became acquainted with Rachel Kramer Bussel’s work decades ago during a time of pivotal change in my life. My innate creativity and need to tell stories requires abolishing shame. This event celebrated fearless self-expression and I walked away feeling like my soul was nourished.”

Paulette Perhach, author and writing coach

“What I remember most from last year is just how alive I felt by the end of the day. In the same way my playlists can be stocked for the year from one music festival, I discovered so many of the writers and publications I ended up reading last year at Open Secrets Live. The whole day gave me that rare, giddy feeling of having spent hours surrounded by brilliant minds who understand that wild impulse to write truthfully about the topics most people hide. This is the kind of event where you take furious notes, buy a dozen books, and leave thinking, ‘Oh right, this is why I do this.’”

Have questions about Open Secrets Live?

Email opensecretsmag at gmail dot com with “Open Secrets Live” in the subject line.