Below is the current Panel, Workshop, and Event Schedule for Imaginarium 2026 with rooms, times, participants, and hosts!
For full descriptions of all the panels and workshops, please visit our Panels and Workshops page at: https://www.entertheimaginarium.com/2026-panels-workshops-and-events/
Download the digital edition of our Official Program here: (updated 7/18)
http://www.entertheimaginarium.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Imaginarium2026_DigitalEdition_V6.pdf
Thursday, July 16h
Room/Time
TURFWAY
5 PM – Marathonarium 4 Premium Anthology Workshop presented by Stephen Zimmer – 3 hrs
Ashford (Film Festival Screening Room)
9 PM NIGHT OF THE TURKEYS: A Celebration of Misfit Monster Movies! Hosted by S.A. Bradley & James Sabata (3 hrs+)
FRIDAY, JULY 17th
Room/Time
TRIPLE CROWN
12 PM Using Timelines to Tighten Plot – Presented by Chad Elliot (60 min)
1:15 PM Illustrating for Online Presentations – Presented by Jill Baker (60 min)
2:30 PM How to Be Creative When All I Want to Do Is Take a Nap Presented by Kimberly Hoffman (60 min)
3:45 PM The Art of Co-Writing – Presented by K.L. Bone (60 min)
5 PM Crafting Cross-Genre – Presented by Sara Marian
7 PM Humor on the Page vs Humor on the Stage (MOD- Brent Terhune) James Sabata & Brian Haas, Steve Farris, Ed Downes
DERBY
12 PM Create Memorable Characters – Presented by Rebecka Vigus (60 min)
1:15 PM Whispered Rituals and Sentimental Alchemy – Presented by Jocelyne Waddle (60 min)
2:30 PM “Micro Publishing” and Niche Nonfiction (MOD – Kevin Carey) Amy Leigh McCorkle, Elizabeth Donald, Maxwell Gold, Melissa Allen, Morgan Hazelwood
3:45 PM What’s Next- After the First Draft presented by Jeri Fay Maynard (RM Calumet) (60 min)
5 PM Action! How to Break into Independent Film Acting (MOD – Christopher Stevens) Claude D. Miles, Jim Weter, Paula & Gavin Kelly, Todd Padgett, Robert “Hollywood” Gobelet
7 PM Echoes & Ink / An Open Reading and Poetry Session
CALUMET
12 PM Never Listen to Anyone Offering Advice On How to be a Writer – Presented by Aaron Drown (90 min)
1:45 PM Diversification Strategies to Build an Ironclad Author Career presented by Lydia Sherrer (90 mins)
3:30 PM Building Mythology into Speculative Fiction – Presented by Gabiann Marin. (60 min)
4:45 PM Building Metadata in Ebooks – Presented by Gregg Bridgeman (60 min)
7 PM Writing the Frontier: Grit, Justice, and the Modern Western (MOD-Joe Isenberg) Dave Creek, Dylan A. Young, Jesse James Fain, Richard Cartwright, Michael Knost
8:15 PM Creative Collaborations: How Writers & Filmmakers Can Work Together Presented by Roxanne Warren and Jonathan Knosp (60 min)
9:15 PM Practice Lab: Practice Your Film/Book Pitch Presented by Roxanne Warren and Jonathan Knosp (60 min+)
Winner’s Circle (Restaurant Area)
12 PM Ask The Agent: Part I – Presented by Cherry Weiner (2 hrs)
2:15 PM Build Out Your Book: Make Your Promotion Uniquely Yours – Presented by Renmeleon (2 hrs)
CARRIAGE
12 PM Technical Writing: A Path to Becoming an Author and Speaker (MOD – D. Mark Haynes) Carma Haley Shoemaker, Barbara V Evers, Nate Hoffelder, Laurissa Rex, Rebecka Vigus
1:15 PM Realism in Fiction (Even Speculative Fiction) (MOD- James O. Barnes) H David Blalock, Kathy L. Brown, Tom Wing, Eric Calvert, Ryan David Jahn, S. Lee Davis
2:30 PM Double Trouble: Crafting Iconic and Dynamic Duos (MOD – Caitlin Bias) T. Lee. Harris, Tony Acree, James O. Barnes, Mick Williams, Michael LaVoice
3:45 PM The Romantasy Revolution: Blending Magic and Heart (MOD-Annette Miller) S. Cinders, Alyssa Davis, Marilyn Barr, Trysh Thompson, Caitlin Bias
5 PM Grimoires and Gravy – (MOD – Michael Knost) KB Carlisle, Jesse James Fain, Logan Stovall, Michael Lavoice, “KB Carlisle, Jesse James Fain, Logan Stovall, Michael Lavoice, Katherine Hale Stringfield
7 PM The SF Ethics of the Future (MOD- Dan Kemp) Lydia Sherrer, Alan Goldstein, Brick Marlin, Dave Weller, Brian D. Anderson
8:15 PM Has Ireland become the new Transylvania? Evolving Vampire Origins – (Mod – Dan Klefstad & Eva Vertrice) Jennifer Barnes, JM Celi, Dacre Stoker, Christina Kieffer, K.L. Bone
CLAIBORNE
12 PM Defining Genre and Why it Matters – Presented by LJ Mack (60 min)
1:15 PM The Producer’s Playbook: Funding and Packaging Your Indie Film (MOD- Christopher Stevens) Drew Dennis, Ashley Moreno, joAnn Hess, Tim Miller, Myles Jordan
2:30 PM Nuclear Heat (MOD – James Sabata) (90 + mins) John Palisano, Dwan Hearn, Brian Haas, S.A. Bradley, Brent Terhune
4:15 PM The Great Debate: Vampires vs. Werewolves (MOD – Da’Rell Miller) Jennifer Barnes, Eva Vertrice, Dan Klefstad, Carl R Moore, Maria Eidenback
7 PM Authenticity & Representation in Film and Television (MOD – Santiago Cirilo) Da’Rell Miller, Maria Eidenback, David Dominé, Jeffery Lynch, Beecher Reuning
8:15 PM Horrors Against Humanity (MOD – James Sabata) (90 min) Brent Terhune, S.A. Bradley, Brian Haas, KB Carlisle, Logan Stovall, Jesse James Fain
ELLIS
12 PM Conflict & Plot – Presented by Cassandra Morgan (60 min)
1:45 PM Writing Neurodivergent Characters (MOD – Diana Morgan) S. Cinders, Rebecca Besancon, Nate Hoffelder, Missy Goodman, Arlan Andrews, Sr.
3 PM Talk is Cheap: Subtext, Dialect, and the Unspoken (MOD- Tommy B. Smith) A. G. Mock, Clayton Barnett, Jim Weter, J. Patrick Lemarr, Lynn Slaughter
4:15 PM AI: From “Will it Replace Us?” to “How Do I Use It?” (MOD – David E. Graham) Darlene Campbell, David Sherrer, WC Turck, Jayson William Allen, Melissa Allen
7 PM Building Irresistible Chemistry in Romance (MOD- Rose Maefair) Jessica Minyard, Talitha Gholston, Molly Daniels, Randi Perrin, K.L. Bone, Misty Parker
8:15 PM The Architecture of Anxiety: Crafting Unputdownable Thrillers (MOD – Mick Williams) Don Bentley, Riley Scott, Dan Kemp, Jeri Faye Maynard, Ryan David Jahn, Tony Acree
TURFWAY
12 PM Developing Deep Point of View – Presented by DiAnn Mills (90 min)
1:45 PM Stoker on Stoker Multimedia Presentation Presented by Dacre Stoker (90 min)
3:30 PM Horrific Sci-Fi – (MOD – Scott Sigler) Brick Marlin, Stephanie Lanham, Nate Hoffelder, J.M. Clark, Logan Stovall, Vaughn Jackson
4:45 PM Understanding the Basics presented by Don Bentley (60 min)
6 PM Opening Ceremonies
6:15 PM Keynote Speech – Barbara V. Evers
7 PM Vamp Chat LIVE Podcast With Dan & Eva Featuring Guest Dacre Stoker (60 min)
8:15 PM Midnight Oasis featuring Sako Tumi & Jennifer Noran aka the Queenbee
10 PM The Music of Jayson William Allen and Poetry of the Dead
SATURDAY, JULY 18th
Room/Time
TRIPLE CROWN
9 AM Memoir Writing – Presented by Jill Baker (60 min)
10:15 AM Descriptive Writing & Tea Presented by Jen Mulvihill (60 min)
12:30 PM Self Editing Like A Pro – Presented by R.C. Reid (60 mins)
1:45 PM The Writer’s Guide to the Apocalypse: Building the Ultimate Bug-Out Bag Presented by Tim Bischoff (60 min)
3 PM Accounting for Creatives Presented by James O. Barnes (60 min)
4:15 PM Short Story Contest Readings presented by Arlan Andrews (60 min)
8:15 PM Understanding Distribution Contract Legalese Presented by Roxanne Warren and Jonathan Knosp (60 min)
DERBY
9 AM The Poet’s Guide to Publishing: How to Conceive, Arrange, Edit, Publish, and Market a Book of Poetry – Presented by Katerina Stoykova
10:15 AM Exploring the Art of Dialogue Presented by DiAnn Mills (60 min)
12:30 PM The Poetic Journey: Writing for a Deeper Life – Presented by Lee Pennington (60 min)
2 PM Jungian Psychology (with a little Joseph Campbell thrown in) for Character Development, presented by Darlene Franklin Campbell (60 min)
3:15 PM Amazon’s Coveted #1 Bestseller Flag—How to Achieve One for Your Book! Presented by A.G. Mock (2 hrs)
8:15 PM Anatomy of a Scene: Breaking Down Special Makeup Effects Presented by The Ky Creature FX Crew (60 min)
CALUMET
9 AM Podcasting Your Fiction: Presenter – Scott Sigler. (60 min)
10:15 Semiauto Magic – An Exploration of Urban Fantasy: Presenter – Jennifer L. Barnes. (60 min)
11:30 AM Horror & Comedy: Adding levity to the darkness, Presented by Scott Sigler (60 min)
12:45 PM The Alchemy Framework – Presented by Rob Thompson (60 min)
2 PM Getting Started Self-publishing Your Children’s Book – Presented by Carol June Franks. (60)
3:15 PM How to Plot Out Your First or Next Best Seller: Presented by Eva Vertrice. (60 min)
5 PM Mastering Facebook Marketing presented by David Sherrer (60 min)
8:15 PM Sizzling Prose – Presented by Ariella Talix (60 min)
CARRIAGE
9 AM Mind the Gap: Identifying and Closing Plot Holes (MOD – Ava Cuvay) Carol Preflatish, James O. Barnes, Kathy L. Brown, H. R. Raymer, Mark S. Avery
10:15 AM Interactive Worldbuilding Jam – (MOD – W. Jade Young) (90 mins) David Sherrer, Jon R Osborne, Sara Marian, Teri Kay Jobe, Renmeleon, William Lehman
11:30 AM The Final Encore: Michael Williams Reads Farewell Tour (60 min)
12:30 PM Amelia: The Largest Self-Own In History and How She’s Changed the World (MOD – Clayton Barnett) Lydia Sherrer, T.R. Benjamin
1:45 PM Slushfest (MOD – Barbara Evers) (90 mins) Aaron Drown, Liz Carey, Rose Betancourt, Kelly Ferguson, Cherry Weiner
3:30 PM The Anatomy of a Cold Case: Structuring and Researching True Crime (MOD – Ashley Moreno) Carol Preflatish, Gregg Bridgeman, Jayson William Allen, David Dominé, S. Lee Davis
4:45 PM Leveling Up Your Narrative: The Art of LitRPG Writing (MOD – W. Jade Young) Michael LaVoice, Stephanie Lanham, Angelia Sparrow
8:15 PM The Skeptic vs. The Believer: Navigating Paranormal Evidence (Michael Castro) Jeff Witham, Paranormal Theory, Leah McKain, Sean & Amanda Durkin, Vince Kelien
CLAIBORNE
9 AM The Pilot Puzzle: Structuring for Television and Streaming (MOD- Rebeka McCauliffe) Devin Hylton, Amy Leigh McCorkle, Kermet Merl Key, joAnn Hess, Rick Pate
10:15 AM Tech, TV, & Cinema (MOD – Kathlene Ashcraft) D. Mark Haynes, Paula & Gavin Kelly, Michael Castro, Myles Jordan
12:30 PM Special Effects Horror Makeup: Mastering the Art & Adapting on the Fly – Presented by Stephanie Lanham (90 min)
2:15 PM Cosplay 101: Crafting & Character (MOD – Da’Rell Miller) Maria Eidenback, Jennifer Noran ‘Queen Bee’, Rebecca Besancon
3:30 PM Scene, Sequence, Story: Building Visual Momentum (MOD- Steve Farris) Jason Tanamor, Rose Marie Machario, Les Murphy, Missy Goodman, Russ Emanuel
4:45 PM The Soundtrack to the Story: Crafting Book Playlists (MOD- Jennifer L. Barnes) Fred Phillips, Annette Miller, Jesse James Fain, Logan Stovall, Rebekah McAuliffe
8:15 PM From Muskets to Manuscripts: Chronicling the Birth of the Republic – (MOD- Joe Isenberg) Thomas M. Wing, Ron McMillan
ELLIS
9 AM Breathing Life Into Tired Tropes (MOD- Kathryn Sullivan) Gregg Bridgeman, Riley Scott, Marian Allen, Dan Klefstad, Annie Jones
10:15 AM The Evolving Craft of 21st Century Writing (MOD – Aaron Drown) John Palisano, Brian D. Anderson, Laurel McKinley, R. C. Reid
12:30 PM A Match Made In Hell (MOD – James Sabata) Dwan L. Hearn (MOON), Brent Terhune, Brian Haas, Darius Jones, H. R. Raymer
1:45 PM Navigating Sensitive Topics In Your Writing (MOD-Diana Morgan) Angelia Sparrow, Leah Pugh, Ariella Talix, Chris Helvey, Santiago Cirilo
3 PM Researching Clothing & Setting for Historical Realism (MOD- WC Turck) T. Lee Harris, Angelia Sparrow, J.M. Celi, Ariella Talix, Mangala McNamara
Winner’s Circle (Restaurant Area)
12:45 PM AMA: Film Distribution and Post-Production presented by Roxanne Warren and Jonathan Knosp (2 hrs)
2:45 PM Pitch to an Agent Session – Presented by Cherry Weiner (2 hrs)
TURFWAY
9 AM Legends & Lattes: The Rise of Cozy Fantasy & Low-Stakes Storytelling (MOD- Jennifer L. Barnes) KB Carlisle, Alyssa Davis, Marilyn Barr, Katie Fitzgerald
10:15 AM What’s Vlad Got to do With It? Presented by Dacre Stoker (60 min)
Guests of Honor and Imaginator 30 min Interviews by Michael Knost 12:00 PM A.G. Mock – 12:30 PM Scott Sigler – 1:30 PM Don Bentley – 2:00 PM Dacre Stoker
3 PM Special Presentation: From Royal Scandals to Lost Time: Telling Stories for a Living & Book Signing – Presented by Barry Maher (75 min)
6 PM Seating Starts for the Awards Ceremony
6:30 PM Sako Tumi performs followed by the musical artistry of RockPaperFox and Carl R. Moore / Meal Served
7 PM Awards Presentation Begins
8:15 PM Costume Contest
9 PM Imaginarium Karaoke Ball
Game Hall Area
4 PM The Queen Bee’s Tea Duel of Composure and Crumb Presented by The Queen Bee (Jennifer Noran)
SUNDAY JULY 19th
Room/Time
TRIPLE CROWN
9 AM Crafting Critters – Presented by Barbara Evers (60 min)
10:15 AM Writing the Ancestors presented by Christina (Tea) Marrocco (90 min)
1 PM Live Round Table Pitch Session (MOD – Talitha Gholston) Cherry Weiner, Kelly Ferguson, Kevin Carey, Tony Acree, R. C. Reid
2:15 PM Agent Pitches with Rose Betancourt (2 hrs)
DERBY
9 AM Writing Stories of Transformation and Community (MOD- Kathy L. Brown) Christina L Marrocco, Michael Williams, Alisa Childress, Lawrence Weill, Robert Thompson
10:15 AM Interviewing Your Characters – Unlock Their Deepest Secrets – Presented by Lynn Tincher (60 min)
11:30 AM Creating a Marketing Plan When You Don’t Have a Marketing Degree – Presented by Hallee Bridgeman (60 min)
1 PM Creative Writing Through Grief and Trauma (MOD – Tim Bischoff) Amy Leigh McCorkle, Carma Haley Shoemaker, Scott Macmann
2:15 PM Sequential Storytelling: The Architecture of Comics and Graphic Novels (MOD – Renmeleon) Da’Rell Miller, Christopher Stevens, Dan Kemp
3:30 PM The Craft of Short Story Writing (MOD- Jon R. Osborne) David Sherrer, Dave Creek, Terry Hooker, Alisa Childress.
CALUMET
9 AM What Indie Booksellers Wish Authors Knew (MOD- Sarah Ramsey) Liz Carey, Lynn Tincher, Caitlin Bias, Eric Calvert, J.M. Clark
10:15 AM Ask The Agent: Part II Presented by Cherry Weiner (90 min)
11 AM Direct to Consumer (D2C) Mastery (MOD- Ed Downes) Da’Rell Miller, Maria Eidenback, Nate Hoffelder, Dan Kemp
1 PM Crafting and Connecting through Poetry (MOD – Christina Marrocco) Darlene Campbell, Jayson William Allen, Michael Williams, Sheridan C. Hall, Maxwell Gold
2:15 PM Navigating the New Age of Young Adult Fiction (MOD- B.A. Williamson) KB Carlisle, Jennia D’Lima, Jeri Maynard, Laurel McKinley, Lynn Slaughter
3:30 PM Automating and Systemizing Social Media for Authors and Book Marketing Presented by Ed Downes (60 min)
CARRIAGE
9 AM Navigating Publishing Scams (MOD – Jessica Minyard) J.M. Celi, Elizabeth Donald, Michael Small, Rebecca Besancon
10:15 AM Beyond the Beats: Exploring Non-Linear and Alternative Story Structures (MOD- Alison Weaverdyck) A. G. Mock, Devin Hylton, Darius Jones, Marian Allen, Mark S. Avery, Tommy B. Smith
11:30 AM Future-Proofing Your Career: The Multi-Platform Creator (MOD- Eva Vertrice) Scott Sigler, Rose Marie Machario, Les Murphy,Michael Ignacio Jr, Sako Tumi, Morgan Hazelwood
1 PM The Imposter in the Room: Overcoming Self-Doubt and the “Fraud” Factor” (MOD – Teri Kay Jobe) Erynn Crittenden, Jason Tanamor, Ron McMillan, Diana Morgan, Fred Phillips, Dave Weller
2:15 PM Crafting Irresistible Romance Arcs (MOD-Andrea Jenelle) Talitha Gholston, Caitlin Bias, N.V. Haskell, Annie Jones
3:30 PM Building and Sustaining a Successful Writing Group (MOD – Alan Goldstein) Chris Helvey, Barbara V. Evers, Marian Allen, T.R. Benjamin, Scott Macmann
CLAIBORNE
9 AM Telling Bold Stories in a Restricted World (MOD- Kathelene Ashcraft) Andrea Jenelle, Angelia Sparrow, Tony Acree, Rebekah McAuliffe
10:15 AM 9:16 Vision: The Art of Vertical & Short Form Cinema (MOD- Silvio Wolf Busch) Drew Dennis, Tim Miller, Missy Goodman, Beecher Reuning
11:30 AM Crafting Songs for Story and Stage (Carl R. Moore) M.L. McIntosh
1 PM Horror and Humor: Two Sides of the Same Coin (MOD – James Sabata) Scott Bradley, Dr. Christina Kieffer, Terry Hooker, Stephanie Lanham, Douglas diMonda
2:15 PM Mastering the Magazine and Periodical Market (MOD – Dave Creek) H David Blalock, Carma Haley Shoemaker, Rebekah McAuliffe
3:30 PM The Mystery Wrestling Experience (MOD – James Sabata) Dwan L. Hearn (MOON)
ELLIS
9 AM Bulletproofing Your Plot: Building Inconsistency-Free Worlds (MOD – Marilyn Barr) Ava Cuvay, Gabiann Marin, Molly Daniels, Tommy B. Smith, Katie Fitzgerald
10:15 AM Crafting Stories for the Next Generation (MOD- Kathryn Sullivan) Heather-Rose Thompson, Carol June Franks, Jen Selinsky, Jennia D’Lima
11:30 AM The Mechanics of Faith (MOD- Leah Pugh) Clayton Barnett, DiAnn Mills, J. Patrick Lemarr, Caroline Peterson, Todd Padgett
1 PM The Art of Illustrating Literature (MOD- Sako Tumi) T. Lee Harris, Jen Selinsky, Graham and Joy Ganson
2:15 PM Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing (MOD- Lydia Sherrer) Lady Erynn Crittenden, Ed Downes, Sarah Ramsey, Nate Hoffelder, Michael Knost
3:30 PM Gears, Goggles, and Gaslight: The Steampunk Aesthetic (MOD- Chad Elliott) Jennifer Noran ‘Queen Bee’, Sara Marian, B. A. Williamson, Jen Mulvihill
TURFWAY
9 AM Church Service
10:15 AM The Future of Creative Integrity – (MOD – Chad Elliot) Renmeleon, Dwan L. Hearn (MOON), Kermet Merl Key, Elizabeth Donald
12 PM The Art of Cross-Genre Writing (MOD- Rose Maefair) Alison Weaverdyck, W. Jade Young, David E Graham, Lawrence Weill, Caitlin Bias, Marian Gosling
1 PM Where the Wild Books Are: A Magical Reading Adventure! Presented by Alyssa Davis (60 min)
2:15 PM Adding Intrigue & Action to Your Writing presented by Don Bentley (60 min)
3:30 PM Rewrite the Century: An Interactive Alternate History Panel (MOD- W. Jade Young) Teri Kay Jobe, JD Currie, Mangala McNamara, Richard Cartwright, Walt Williams, Will Neely
