Volunteering is All-Pro, No Con

Published April 8, 2025

By Bowen Gillings

I have never attended a Pikes Peak Writers Conference. Oh, I have been to every PPWC since 2016. Even co-created our 2020 virtual experience, the Colorado Writers Collaborative, in partnership with Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and Northern Colorado Writers (now Writing Heights Writers Association). And yet I have never attended a single PPWC…as an attendee. 

I have always served as a volunteer.

In fact, over the last nine years, I have only ever attended one professional writers conference as a registered attendee, and it felt weird (it was in Utah, so…). All I could think about was how can I help? Volunteering has become so ingrained in me that participating in any professional function, be it a book festival, workshop, conference, or public sale/book signing and not being deeply involved in the planning and operations of that event puts me on edge. It’s not a control thing, it’s a put-me-to-work thing.

It is also an I-want-to-know-these-folks-better thing.

By volunteering I got to know the people that make conferences and other events happen. I gained a glimpse into the hard work, commitment, and sacrifice it takes to pull off an event involving hundreds of people, each with their own agenda. I also got to participate in staff-only functions, which is the gravy of volunteering.

Volunteering opens ALL the doors.

Volunteering is the secret to making deeper, richer connections within the writing world. Giving of yourself to the greater cause of promoting, lifting, and educating fellow writers is not only noble, it is its own reward. By volunteering, I have established and maintained relationships with New York Times bestselling authors, agents, editors, influencers, and gatekeepers across the industry. I don’t include this to point out people I know, but to show that these people know me because they met me as a volunteer on staff at an event, not as someone pitching them a novel or begging their advice. That gains me access, and friends in the know. Friends I cherish.

Not convinced volunteering is for you? Then let me hit you where it counts: your wallet.

Volunteering saves you money. Guaranteed that any professional event (especially those run by a non-profit like Pikes Peak Writers) offers a discounted registration cost to volunteers. Some positions may get perks as a reward, like preferred seating at meals or one-on-one time with certain faculty. Others get the full registration fee compensated. I have participated in some that even comp your hotel stay! Bottom line, volunteering saves you money.

So, let’s do the list. Volunteering gains you insight, connections, relationships, access, and discounts on the cost of entry to the professional writing industry. Volunteering asks nothing but the best of you and offers the world in return. So what are you waiting for? Volunteer already!

Pikes Peak Writes (PPW) operates entirely thanks to the hard work and talent of our incredible volunteers. Everything you see and experience with Pikes Peak Writers is the result of the collective dedication of writers like you! We would be thrilled to have you join us. Click here for more information on volunteer opportuntities.

P.S. There’s still time to register for this year’s conference (Until April 19th, 2025)! 

Trista Herring Baughman, WftP Managing Editor

Bowen Gillings writes to keep fiction fun. Known for his thrillers and fantasy fiction laced with snark, wit, and characters you could share a beer with, Bowen’s quirky, offbeat style “boggles the genre mind.” He loves giving back to fellow writers through media engagement and by leading workshops on the craft, business, and lifestyle of writing. He holds a Master of Education, five martial arts black belt certifications, and is an Army veteran. Travel enthusiast, lover of the outdoors, and habitual volunteer, Bowen’s secret joys include quiet moments by the fireplace and cooking big meals for family and friends. Find out more at storiesbybowen.com.