PPWC 2026 - Volunteer

The Pros of volunteering at a writers conference:
Forces you to overcome your introvert nature. Get to chat with big-name authors, editors, and agents without appearing creepy and stalker-like. It's your job to talk to them!

Cons: As a representative of the organization, you need to act professionally. (That may be a challenge for some.)
Make-up and dressing up every day are advisable, as opposed to slopping in looking like a down-on-her-luck hippie granny. Actually, this was more of a Pro this year. I needed to remember how to dress in something other than sweats and a bathrobe.

The Pikes Peak Writers Conference was a huge success. More attendees. Top-tier speakers. Workshops guaranteed to teach even an old hand like me.

I volunteered to be a moderator. This involves making sure the room and speaker are ready, introducing him or her to the audience, reminding people to silence their phones, and keeping track of the time.

At first, I was alarmed at how many sessions I was assigned: six! By the end of the conference, I realized I enjoyed being a moderator. ​Like good waitstaff in a restaurant, it's vital you be there, but also critical that you be semi-invisible. We've all had waitstaff that barged into the middle of our conversations, or asked questions right after you stuffed food in your mouth. Then are nowhere to be found when you want to settle your bill and leave.

As a moderator, I felt it was my duty to be available at a moment's notice, yet remain non-intrusive. I was there to make the presenter look good.

Volunteer moderators did get to request speakers and sessions they wanted to attend. I was assigned a couple I might not have chosen otherwise. Those turned out to be good experiences.

​The first thing I learned at PPWC 2026? Volunteering is a great way to experience a conference. You get a behind-the-scenes glimpse, and get to rub elbows with big names.

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