Events & Announcements

Volunteering for the Crime Writers of Canada can be a rewarding experience for members, offering opportunities to give back to the community, develop professionally, and find personal fulfillment.

As a volunteer, you'll be on the front lines, helping to organize events, judge awards, and promote the incredible talent within our country. This is an opportunity to directly contribute to the recognition and celebration of the genre you love, ensuring that Canadian crime writers get the attention and acclaim they deserve.

Crime Writers of Canada volunteers also:

• Gain experience and develop new skills: Volunteering can provide valuable experience in areas such as event planning, marketing, communications, or board governance, which can be beneficial for career development.

• Engage and cultivate meaningful connections: Volunteering allows writers to meet other writers, publishing experts, and industry leaders, helping to expand their professional networks. This can foster lasting friendships and a sense of community within the writing field.
  
  
• Increase your visibility as an author: Taking on a volunteer role can help you raise your profile within the writing community. By being active in the organization and connecting with other members and industry professionals, you can become a more recognizable figure. This increased visibility can lead to opportunities for speaking engagements, collaborations, and a stronger reputation as an author.

OPEN VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Want to help identify the next great Canadian crime writer? Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence seeks jurors with:

• A passion for the world of crime and mystery writing, whether fiction or non-fiction.
• The time and focus between December and April to read and evaluate numerous books or short stories.
• The ability to work collaboratively with fellow jurors to identify a shortlist and winner.
• Fluency in English or French to judge works in the corresponding category.
• Ability to download and read submissions in digital format (PDFs).

Our jurors are librarians and booksellers, writers and justice professionals, readers and academics. We welcome applications from Canadian and international readers.

CWC membership is not a requirement.

Interested? Request the Juror Guidelines and Juror Information Form by email below:

Ludvica Boota, Awards Manager at awards@crimewriterscanada.com

or Jayne Barnard, Jury Chair at awardsjudging@crimewriterscanada.com

DEADLINE TO VOLUNTEER: 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

Awards Committee: Be a part of celebrating literary excellence!

Want to celebrate the best in the genre? The Crime Writers of Canada Awards Committee is seeking new members! We oversee the prestigious Awards of Excellence, meeting monthly (except July & December) to champion outstanding Canadian crime writing.

Join us and help recognize the next generation of talent!

Jury Selection Committee: Ever wondered how the best crime books in Canada are chosen?

The Crime Writers of Canada Jury Selection Committee (JSC) is your chance to get involved!

The JSC comprises CWC members from across Canada who are tasked with recruiting passionate readers and industry professionals who will sit on Jury panels and select the winners of the prestigious Awards of Excellence.

This is a short-term commitment, approximately 1-2 hours per week from early August to early November. If you're passionate about crime fiction and want to contribute to the literary community, we encourage you to apply!

Crime Writers of Canada Mentorship Committee: Invest in the Future of Writing - Volunteer with Us!

Exciting news! We're building a mentorship program to connect experienced writers with emerging talent, and we need YOUR help! Share your wisdom, guide the next generation, and be a part of something amazing. We're seeking 2 passionate volunteers to help develop and launch this program by January 2026. Want to make a real difference? Join us!

Ready to get more involved?

To express your interest in volunteering for any of the above positions, please contact Executive Director Ludvica Boota at ed@crimewriterscanada.com.

Your contribution will help us continue to build a strong and vibrant community for Canadian crime writers!