Imaginarium 2026 is proud to announce the addition of fourteen new Panels and one new Workshop to our programming! There will be over 135 panels and workshops hosted in our 13th year, so make sure to check back regularly on our official site to see all new additions!
The titles, presenters, and descriptions for these new programming additions are as follows:
New Panels Added:
9:16 Vision: The Art of Vertical & Short Form Cinema: Moderator – TBA. Let’s explore how to treat the 9:16 frame as a legitimate artistic canvas rather than just a marketing tool. Our experts will discuss the “Haiku of Cinema,” crafting high-impact emotional hooks in under 60 seconds, and the technical challenges of vertical composition, lighting, and sound design for mobile-first audiences. From shorts to viral microdramas, learn how to capture that “thumb stop” moment. (60 min)
AI: From “Will it Replace Us?” to “How Do I Use It?”: Moderator – TBA. This panel explores the ethical “Human in the Loop” approach to AI, focusing on how authors can use these tools to enhance outlining, marketing copy, and social media campaigns rather than replacing the human spark of the prose itself. We will discuss protecting your digital identity, navigating the current copyright landscape, and maintaining your creative voice in an increasingly automated industry. (60 min)
Direct to Consumer (D2C) Mastery: Moderator – TBA. This panel dives into the strategies for bypassing traditional retailers and selling directly to your readers. Our experts will discuss the mechanics of personal website stores, subscription models like Patreon and Substack, and how to use short-form video (TikTok/Reels) as an e-commerce engine rather than just a discovery tool. Learn how to turn “followers” into a dedicated, direct customer base. (60 min)
From Muskets to Manuscripts: Chronicling the Birth of the Republic: Moderator – TBA. This panel explores the unique challenges and rewards of writing historical fiction set during the American Revolution and the early Federal period. We will discuss how to balance factual accuracy with compelling narrative, finding “untold” stories within well-known history, and capturing the authentic voice of a nation in its infancy. (60 min)
Gears, Goggles, and Gaslight: The Steampunk Aesthetic: Moderator – TBA. This session will cover the craft of building retrofuturistic worlds where Victorian aesthetics meet advanced steampowered technology. We will discuss the “Punk” in Steampunk: exploring themes of social commentary, colonialism, and the Industrial Revolution, alongside the technical challenge of writing “Analog Sci-Fi.” Whether you are writing a sky-pirate adventure or a clockwork mystery, learn how to keep your world-building grounded while reaching for the clouds. (60 min)
Legends & Lattes: The Rise of Cozy Fantasy & Low-Stakes Storytelling. Moderator TBA. We’ll discuss the art of “Low Stakes, High Comfort” storytelling, where the goal is building a community or opening a shop rather than saving the world from an ancient evil. Our experts will dive into the mechanics of building warmth, the importance of sensory atmosphere (and coffee!), and how to maintain narrative tension when your protagonist just wants a peaceful life. (60 min)
Leveling Up Your Narrative: The Art of LitRPG Writing: Mooderator – TBA. This panel explores how to integrate “crunchy” stats and level-up systems without stalling the plot’s momentum. Our experts will discuss building consistent game worlds, balancing “Blue Boxes” with narrative flow, and the evolution of the genre from VRMMO tropes to “System Apocalypse” and “Progression Fantasy”. Whether you are a veteran of the grind or a “noob” to the genre, learn how to craft a story where every experience point feels earned. (60 min)(
“Micro Publishing” and Niche Nonfiction: Moderator – TBA. The “one big book” model is evolving. This panel explores the rise of micro-publishing: the art of producing short, highly targeted nonfiction guides (20-50 pages) that solve specific problems for a niche audience. We will discuss how to identify underserved markets, the logistics of creating supplementary workbooks and journals, and strategies for using these “microbooks” as powerful lead magnets or steady streams of passive income. (60 min)
Navigating the New Age of Young Adult Fiction: Moderator – TBA. This panel explores how to navigate the shift from classic tropes to high-stakes YA thrillers, speculative romance, and contemporary social commentary. We will discuss the nuances of writing for today’s sophisticated teen audience, balancing age-appropriate realism with commercial appeal, and how to stand out in an increasingly crowded market. (60 min)
Telling Bold Stories in a Restricted World: Moderator – TBA. This panel explores the state of freedom of expression in the 2026 film landscape, moving from traditional government restrictions to the “quiet” censorship of digital algorithms and self-regulation. We will discuss the impact of “shadow banning” on independent film marketing, the legalities of the Digital Services Act (DSA), and strategies for protecting your First Amendment rights while still reaching a global audience. (60 min)
The Art of Cross-Genre Writing: Moderator – TBA. The Art of Cross Genre Writing. This discussion will cover the technical and marketing challenges of blending distinct genres, like a “System Apocalypse” Western or a “Historical Romantasy.” Our experts will discuss how to satisfy the core expectations of multiple audiences simultaneously, avoid “tonal whiplash,” and effectively pitch a “mashup” story to agents and publishers who might be looking for a single shelf to put it on. (60 min)
The Evolving Craft of 21st Century Writing: Moderator – TBA. This panel explores the cutting-edge craft techniques required to thrive in a “Too Long; Didn’t Read” culture. From mastering “Minimum Viable Exposition” to balancing the emotional depth of “Hopepunk” and “Romantasy,” our experts will discuss how to structure stories for modern consumption without sacrificing literary quality. Learn how to use “episodic” pacing in full-length novels and how to maintain an authentic human voice in a world of AI-assisted drafting. (60 min)
The Producer’s Playbook: Funding and Packaging Your Indie Film: Moderator – TBA. This panel explores the business of independent cinema, from crafting a bulletproof business plan and identifying tax incentives to the art of “packaging” (securing key talent or locations to attract investors), how to bridge the gap between a creative vision and a commercially viable product, and protecting your intellectual property during the development phase. (60 min)
The Romantasy Revolution: Blending Magic and Heart: Moderator – TBA. We will explore the delicate balance of high-stakes world-building and intimate character arcs. Our experts will discuss the “Rules of Magic” vs. the “Rules of Attraction,” the evolution of the “Chosen One” trope into “Found Family” romance, and how to navigate the spicy to sweet spectrum while maintaining narrative tension. Whether you’re writing about fae courts, star-crossed sorcerers, or urban fantasy flings, learn how to craft a story where the magic is as real as the love. (60 min)
New Workshop Added
From Royal Scandals to Lost Time: Telling Stories for a Living: Presented by Barry Maher. How does a simple press question lead to you being accused by global media of driving Prince Harry and Meghan Markle out of their home? Join author, syndicated columnist, and 2026 Imadjinn Nominee Barry Maher for a fast-paced, humorous look at the unpredictable world of a professional writing career. Hear the “too-weird-to-be-true” stories behind some of the strangest headlines Barry’s ever generated. He’ll also share the deeply personal turning point when, at the height of a successful speaking career, he lost the ability to tell time, which eventually led him back to his true calling as a novelist. This session explores how the most bizarre obstacles often lead to our best stories. Featuring a lively Q&A with a man who’s written six books, gone through five agents, and has somehow made a very good living telling stories for over twenty-five years. (60 min)