Vancouver Writers Fest Volunteer Call (Oct 20-26, 2025)

Do you love books, ideas, and dialogue about literature? Consider volunteering with the 38th annual Vancouver Writers Fest this fall! From October 20 to 26, 2025, the Vancouver Writers Fest will welcome more than 20,000 attendees to Granville Island and thousands more from around the globe through our online streaming platforms. Featuring 87 events at venues of all sizes, and 128 authors from Canada and points around the world, the Writers Fest offers audiences the opportunity to listen to world-leading writers in conversation about a range of themes. The Vancouver Writers Fest is made possible through the support of amazing volunteers. This is the perfect opportunity for those who enjoy exceptional books, ideas, and dialogue.

Some of things our wonderful volunteers do include: 
-Administration (Reception desk) 
-Author Hospitality 
-Author Transportation 
-Book Sales 
-Box Office (Ticket Sales) 
-Distribution/Delivery of program guides 
-Event Assistants 
-Food & Beverage 
-Festival Ambassadors 
-Front of House 
-Production 
-Raffle Ticket Sales 
-"Ready for anything" Floaters 



Key Volunteering Information:
The Vancouver Writers Fest welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds and experiences. We are proud to work with a diverse team. Thank you for considering joining us.

A detailed overview of policy, expectations, and key volunteering information will be able to be found in the volunteer handbook, which should be accessible to accepted volunteers by early October. Volunteers are expected to review the handbook in full before their first shift.

Commitment:
A 12 hour minimum commitment for Festival Week volunteers is strongly preferred, though not necessary. Please note that volunteers can only be entered into the ticket lottery when they commit to 12 hours.

Full-time students are only expected to commit to a minimum of 6 hours of shifts, but are not entered into the ticket lottery unless they commit to 12 hours.

Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. 

*Volunteers who work all of their hours prior to the Festival are asked to serve at least 15-20 hours. This is because they will be free during Festival Week to see events, whereas Festival Week volunteers will be busy fulfilling their assignments.
Shift times vary depending on your assignment. Some shifts start as early as 7:30 am (even on Saturday and Sunday) and evening shifts can run until (and occasionally past) midnight!