Below is the current Panel and Workshop Schedule for Imaginarium 2025 with rooms, times, and participants!
For full descriptions of all the panels and workshops, please visit our Panels and Workshops page at: https://www.entertheimaginarium.com/2025-panels-and-workshops/
Or view our digital program! (latest update July 18th)
Imaginarium 2025 Digital Program Link (Download or view as a PDF file)
Advance Event Ticket availability has been extended through tonight, if you need them visit: https://www.entertheimaginarium.com/2025-event-tickets/
Thursday, July 17h
Room/Time
TURFWAY
5 PM – Marathonarium 3 Premium Anthology Workshop presented by Stephen Zimmer – 3 hrs
FRIDAY JULY 19th
Room/Time
TRIPLE CROWN
12 PM Public Speaking For Creatives Workshop Presented by Barbara Evers (60 min)
1:15 PM Writing With Mechanical Keyboards Workshop Presented by T.R. Benjamin (60 min)
2:30 PM Syllabic Poetry Writing Challenge Presented by Erynn Crittenden (90 min)
4:15 PM Film & Music Distribution Hybrid Interviews with Roxanne Warren & Jonathan Knosp (Green Apple Distribution)
7 PM Build Out Your Book: Make Your Promotion Uniquely Yours Workshop Presented by Renmeleon (2hrs)
DERBY
12 PM All You Need Is Word” Workshop Presented by R.C. Reid (60 mins)
1:15 PM Battle of the Word Counts Workshop Presented by Rebecca Johnson (60 min)
2:30 PM Writing for Change: Weaving Social Justice into Fiction with Care and Impact Synopsis: Presented by Jay VanLandingham (2 hrs)
4:45 PM Better Beta Reading: Both Sides of the Pen’ Workshop Presented by Morgan Hazelwood (90 mins)
6:15 PM Clockwork Canons: Navigating the Gears and Glory of Steampunk Writing (MOD- Jennifer Noran ) Stephanie K Clemens, J L Mulvihill (60 min)
8 PM Skeletal Analysis for Authors Workshop Presented by Sara Marian (60 min)
CALUMET
12 PM Pump up Your Prose Workshop Presented by Ava Cuvay (60 min)
1:15 PM How to Plot Out Your First or Next Best Seller Workshop Presnted by Eva Vertrice (60 min)
2:30 PM – Interviewing Your Characters – Unlock Their Deepest Secrets Workshop Presented by Lynn Tincher (60 min)
3:45 PM – Military Ranks and Structure: A Primer for Fiction Writers Workshop presented by John Bukowski DVM, MPH, PhD
5 PM How to Write and Create an Audio Drama/Fictional Podcast Presented by Devin Hylton & Tim Miller (60 min)
6:15 PM Firearms & Film Workshop- Presented by Silvio Wolf Busch (90 min)
8:00 PM Create Your One-Person Show: A Step-by-Step Guide – Presented by Terry Chambers (60 min)
CARRIAGE
12:00 PM Self-Editing (MOD – John A Bukowski) TL Shively, Hallee Bridgeman, Marilyn Barr, Paul Stansbury (60 min)
1:15 PM Using AI Ethically (MOD-Molly McDonough) Lynn Tincher, Chad Elliott, Dwan L. Hearn, Lydia Sherrer, Clayton Barnett, Craig Urquhart (60 min)
2:30 PM Forging New Worlds: Crafting Epic and Engaging Fantasy (MOD- Cassandra Morgan) A.P. Zenk, Jason Cordova, Malinda Andrews, Alan Goldstein (60 min)
3:45 PM Heart-Pounding Pages: Building High-Stakes Thriller Novels (MOD- Michael Houtchen) H. R. Boldwood, Mick Williams, Carol Preflatish, R. C. Reid, Kayla Perkins (60 min)
5:00 PM Beyond Plot: Crafting Profound and Resonant Literary Fiction (MOD- W. Jade Young) RE Bunch, Lawrence Weill, Jay VanLandingham, Sharon Lacour, Jill Baker, Lindsey Goddard (60 min)
6:15 PM D20 Plot Generator Workshop Presented by Amanda-Grace/Amethyst Drake
8:00 PM One Man’s Trash (MOD Stephanie Lanham) Brian Haas, Kathlene Ashcraft, Merak Von Noctem, L. Marie Wood (60 min)
CLAIBORNE
12:00 PM Thriving as an Indie Actor (MOD -Terry Chambers) Da’Rell Miller, Kathlene Ashcraft, Rose Marie Machario, Les Murphy, Eliot Parker, Claude D. Miles (60 min)
1:15 PM Writing the Past: How to Create Believable Historical Fiction Presented by Vonn McKee (60 min)
2:30 PM Distribution & Marketing in the Evolving Film Landscape – (MOD- Herschel Zahnd) Amy Leigh McCorkle, Michael Fitzer, Jonathan Knosp, Barry Koch, Jeremy Fothergill (60 min)
3:45 PM Songwriting Secrets: Where Craft Meets Magic Presented by Micki Fuhrman (60 mins)
5:00 PM Crafting Your Novel’s Story Structure Workshop Presented by Angie Andriot (60 min)
6:15 PM Audiobook Narration Vs AI (MOD- Glenn Porzig) Michael Ignacio Jr., Teri Kay Jobe, Rich Frazier (60 min)
8:00 PM Author Readings (10 minutes each)
8:00 PM Ronald Lloyd
8:15 PM Lori Briley Fairchild
8:30 PM Kelly Brakenhoff
8:45 PM Barbara V. Evers
9:00 PM Ava Cuvay
9:15 PM Michelle Bennington
9:30 PM Stephen H. Provost
9:45 PM R. C. Reid
10:00 PM Morgan Hazelwood
10:15 PM Teri Kay Jobe
10:30 PM Carma Shoemaker
10:45 PM W. Jade Young
11:00 PM Rebecca Cuthbert
ELLIS
12:00 PM Crafting Cross-Genre (MOD – W. Jade Young) Lee E. E. Stone, Sara Marian, Carma Haley Shoemaker, Mick Williams, J. Patrick Lemarr, WC Turck (60 min)
1:15 PM Crafting Compelling Graphic Novels & Comics (MOD – Eric Roper) M.H. David, Sako Tumi (60 min)
2:30 PM Psychology in Fiction (MOD- Eleni McKnight) Robert (Bob) Yoho, Lydia Sherrer, Lynn Slaughter, Tommy B. Smith, L. Marie Wood (60 min)
3:45 PM Writing Habits That Stick Workshop presented by Elizabeth Donald (60 min)
5 PM The Evolving West: Beyond Cowboys and Covered Wagons (MOD – Michael Knost) Robert (Bob) Yoho, Johnny Boggs, Vonn McKee
6:15 PM The Literary Underworld (MOD- Elizabeth Donald) Jimmy Gillentine, Angelia Sparrow (60 min)
8:00 PM Show, Don’t Tell (and When to Break the Rule!) (MOD-Michelle Bennington) W. Jade Young, Dan Kemp, Angie Andriot / Iris Applewood, Paul Stansbury, R. C. Reid (60 min)
TURFWAY
12:00 PM Ask The Agent: Part I – Presented by Cherry Weiner (2 hrs)
2:15 PM What the Hell is Hopepunk? (MOD- Adam Gaffen) Sara Marian, Morgan Hazelwood, T. Lee Harris (60 min)
3:30 PM Creating Compelling Young Adult Fiction (MOD- Rose Garcia) Molly Ann McDonough, TL Shively, Riley Hunt, Kimberly Hoffman, Meadoe Hora (60 min)
4:45 PM Unleashing the Darkness: Crafting Terrifying and Thought-Provoking Horror (MOD-Dr. Mary Leoson) Lee E. E. Stone, Brick Marlin, Bryan “B.D.” Prince, Jayson William Allen, Sako Tumi, John Palisano (60 min)
6:30 PM Opening Ceremonies (30 min) Toastmaster Michael Knost INTROs Stephen Zimmer & Holly Phillippe
7:00 PM Keynote Speech Presented by Dan Klefstad
9 PM Friday Night Dance Performance with Queen Bee aka Venus, Sako Tumi, and Miss Bette Lamb
10 PM The Music of Jayson William Allen and Poetry of the Dead
RESTAURANT (WINNERS CIRCLE)
2:00 PM Revealing Character Through Active Setting Workshop Presented by Dr. Mary Leoson (2 hrs)
SATURDAY JULY 19th
Room/Time
DERBY
9:00 AM How to Make Your Book a Pleasure to Read Workshop Presented by Dan Eveland (60 min)
10:15 AM Being Creative During Times of Grief & Trauma presented by Tim ‘Cajun’ Bischoff
11:30 AM Supercharge Your Sales by Mastering the “Emotional Promise” Presented by Lydia Sherrer (2 hrs)
1:45 PM Creating a World-Class Workshop Presented by Paul Stansbury (90 mins)
3:30 PM Sories That Sparkle Workshop Presented by Virginia Smith (60 min)
4:45 PM Crafting a Sympathetic Protagonist from Scene One Workshop Presented by Zac Sherman (60 min)
8:15 PM Worldbuilding in 60 Minutes: The Collaborative Map” (MOD-Marilyn Barr) Dave Creek, Jason Cordova, Cassandra Morgan, J.M. Celi, Renmeleon, L. Marie Wood ( (60 min)
TRIPLE CROWN
9:00 AM Essay Me This: Crafting Compelling Narrative Nonfiction Workshop Presented by Alisa Childress (60 min)
10:15 AM What Your Fight Scenes Are Missing and How to Punch Them Up Workshop Presented by Meadoe Hora (60 min)
11:30 AM Short Story Writing Workshop Presented by Arlan Andrews (60 min)
12:45 Like, Love, Lust: The Art of Romance Presented by B.A. Richards (90)
2:30 PM Unique Poetry Workshop by Lee Pennington (2 hrs)
4:30 PM Story to Table: A Game Design Workshop for Creators Presented by David Sherrer (60 mins)
8:15 PM It Came From the Lemur Throne (MOD- Clayton Barnett) Donovan Croft, Page Zaplendam, Donovan Croft, Page Zaplendam, A. P. Zenk,Benjamin T. Rittger, Joe Isenberg, Rich Frazier (60 min)
RESTAURANT (WINNERS CIRCLE)
12 PM Direct Animation Filmmaking Interactive Workshop – Presented by Lexi Bass (2 hrs)
2:00 PM Pitch to an Agent Session – Presented by Cherry Weiner (2 hrs)
CALUMET
9:00 AM Pitfalls on the Pathway to Publication Presented by R.G. (Bob) Yoho (90 min)
10:45 PM The West Memphis Three Case: A Case Study in Wrongful Convictions presented by Dan Stidham (2 hrs)
1:00 PM Firearms: A Primer for Fiction Writers presented by John Bukowski DVM, MPH, PhD (90 min)
2:45 PM Weaving Multiple Narratives into One Great Story Workshop Presented by Michael Knost (90 mins)
4:30 PM Writing the Real West Versus the Hollywood West Presented by Johnny D. Boggs (60 mins)
8:15 PM Author Readings (10 minute blocks)
8:15 PM Lynn Tincher
8:30 PM W.W. Mitchell
8:45 PM Michael Williams
9:00 PM Sharon LaCour
9:15 PM Heather-Rose Thompson
9:30 PM Erynn Crittenden
9:45 PM Lynn Slaughter
10:00 PM Page Zaplendam
10:15 PM Dan Kemp
10:30 PM Jayson William Allen
10:45 PM Stephanie Lanham
CARRIAGE
9 AM Confessions of a Plot Hole: Where Our Stories Go Awry (and How We Fix Them!) (MOD- Alira Coffman) L. Marie Wood, S. Cinders, J.M. Celi, Wayland Smith, Molly Daniels, Ross Killey (60 min)
10:15 AM Leveraging YouTube As an Indie Creator (MOD- Drew Graber) Jimmy Gillentine, Sako Tumi (60 min)
11:30 AM Creating Culturally Diverse Characters (MOD- Dwan L. Hearn) L. Marie Wood, Michael Ignacio Jr., Rose Garcia, Hallee Bridgeman, Trysh Thompson, Tenita Johnson (60 min)
12:45 PM Fangs, Fates, and Forever: Forming Irresistible Paranormal Romance (MOD – HR Boldwood) Malinda Andrews, Trysh Thompson, Ava Cuvay, Morgan Hazelwood, Eva Vertrice, Dan Klefstad
2 PM The Collaborative Story Challenge (MOD – Tenita Johnson) Lori Fairchild, Teri Kay Jobe, Beth Dotson Brown, J. Patrick Lemarr, Ivy Wilde (60 min)
3:15 PM What’s Your Character’s Playlist? Music as Muse & Method (MOD- Stephanie Lanham) Jonathan Walson / Nightsaber47, KB Carlisle, Sara Marian, Jayson William Allen, Mysti Parker (60 min)
4:30 PM Santiago’s Healing Mental Health with Motivation and Humor through Entertainment Presented by Santiago Cirilo (60 min)
8:15 PM Vamp Chat LIVE podcast with hosts Dan Klefstad & Eva Vertrice
CLAIBORNE
9 AM Idea Tree Outlines Workshop Presented by Amanda-Grace / Amethyst Drake (60 min)
10:15 AM Devising Irresistible Romance Novels (MOD- S. Cinders) Elizabeth Bevarly, Riley Hunt, Kelly Ferguson, Jessica Minyard, Melissa Goodman, P.E. Craven
11:30 AM Crowdfunding Can Still Work (MOD – Brian Haas) Chase Dudley, Eric Roper, Tony Acree
12:45 PM So You Want to be a Filmmaker? (MOD- Brian Haas) Michael Fitzer, Merak Von Noctem, Jonathan Knosp, Herschel Zahnd, Antonio Pantoja (60 min)
2 PM Writing Your Screenplay Synopsis Workshop Presented by Michael Fitzer (90 mins)
3:45 PM The Art of Writing Weapons Workshop Presented by B.A. Richards (60 min)
5:00 PM Beyond the Board: Crafting Engaging Game Modules & Rulebooks – (MOD- Joseph Isenberg) Da’Rell Miller, David G. Martin, Dave Mattingly, Bridget D. Brave (60 min)
8:45 PM Dr. Moreau’s Laboratory : Animal Mashups and Chaos – (MOD – Barbara Evers) Mysti Parker, Herika R Raymer, J L Mulvihill, LJ Mack (90 min)
ELLIS
9 AM The Engine of Story (MOD- Lynn Slaughter) Clayton Barnett, Tommy B. Smith, A.J. Spencer, Crystal Allen, Rebecca Cuthbert (60 min)
10:15 AM Assembling Worlds: The Art & Business of Anthology Writing (MOD- B. D. Prince) Jason Cordova, Alira Coffman, Marilyn Barr, Herika R Raymer, Ross Killey (60 min)
11:30 AM The Art of the Whodunit: Creating Gripping Mystery Novels (MOD-Stephanie K. Clemens) Michelle Bennington, M.H. David, Angie Andriot / Iris Applewood, Michael Houtchen, Carol Preflatish
12:45 PM Indiepublife: Make a Short, Easy Book Trailer Workshop Presented by Page Zaplendam and Rich Frazier.
2:00 PM Slushfest – (MOD – Barbara Evers) Tom Deady, H David Blalock, Morgan Hazelwood, Marian Allen, Tony Acree (60 min)
TURFWAY
9:00 AM Crafting a Marketing Blueprint for Book Success (MOD – Ed Downes) Heather Graham, Hallee Bridgeman, David Sherrer, Kimberly Hoffman, Sandy L. Sullivan (60 min)
10:15 AM Your Book, Your Path (MOD – Ed Downes) Robert (Bob) Yoho, M.H. David, Amanda-Grace/Amethyst Drake, Marian Allen, Dave Mattingly, Paul J. Hoffman (60 min)
11:30 AM Steve Alten Virtual Interview by Rebecca Cuthbert (30 min)
12 PM Guest of Honor – Imaginator Intros and Open Q & A Sessions hosted by Imaginarium Toastmaster Michael Knost 12 PM Johnny D. Boggs – 30 min – 1 PM Cherry Weiner – 30 min / 1:30 PM Robert (Bob) Yoho – 30 min .
2:15 PM The Rapture at Silver Coin – Audio Movie World Premiere, followed by a Q&A with the writer Devin Hylton, and director Tim Miller (90+ min)
6:00 PM Seating Begins for Award Ceremony
6:30 PM Award Ceremony Entertainment Begins with a musical performance from Hershel Zahnd (20 mins)
6:50 PM Dan Klefstad and Eva Vertrice announcing ‘Vamp Chat’ – followed by Sako Tumi Dance Performance (10 mins)
7:30 PM Award Ceremony Begins
8:15 PM Costume/Cosplay Contest Starts
9:00 PM – 12 AM Costume/Cosplay Winners Announced / Immediately following will be the Back to the 90s Imaginarium Karaoke Ball
SUNDAY JULY 20th
Room/Time
DERBY
9:00 AM Pantheism and Theology in Fantasy Presented by A.P. Zenk (60 min)
10:15 AM Death, Taxes, and Freelancing Workshop presented by Elizabeth Donald (60 min)
11:30 AM Killing Off Your Characters Workshop Presented by Barbara Evers (60 min)
12:45 PM How to Write Funny Workshop Presented by Virginia Smith (60 min)
2 PM Diversification Strategies to Build an Ironclad Author Career Presented by Lydia Sherrer (60 min)
3:15 PM Crafting a Career in Non-Fiction Workshop Presented by Anthony Taylor (90 mins)
5:00 PM Build It and They Will Come: Launching an Author Platform that Attracts Readers Workshop presented by Ed Downes (60 min)
TRIPLE CROWN
9 AM Point of View Workshop Presented by Sharon Lacour (60 min)
10:15 AM Draw Me a Story Workshop Presented by J. C. Daniels (30 min)
11:00 AM Film & Music Distribution Hybrid Interviews with Roxanne Warren & Jonathan Knosp II(Green Apple Distribution) (2 hrs)
1:15 PM Manifesting Your Journey: Developing a Philosophy on Writing Preented by Tom Skaggs (60 min)
3:00 PM Little Lemur on the Prairie (MOD- Joseph Isenburg) A.P. Zenk, Benjamin T. Rittger, Maeve Brooks (60 min)
CALUMET
9:00 AM Interviewing Your Location – Bringing Your Setting to Life Workshop Presented by Lynn Tincher (60 min)
10:15 AM Building Believable Worlds for All Genres Workshop Presented by Ava Cuvay (60 min)
11:30 AM Victorian Slang and Wordsmithing Workshop Presented by “The Queen Bee” Jennifer Noran (60 min)
12:45 PM That’s Heavy, Doc: Using Timelines to Tighten Plot Workshop presented by Chad Elliot (60 min)
2 PM How to Successfully Make a Short Film Workshop (60 min)
3:15 PM Historical recreation of late Victorian and Edwardian ladies’ garments Presented by Dr. Conni Spotts (2 hrs)
CARRIAGE
9 AM Using Email Marketing to Convert Casual Acquaintances into Superfans Workshop Presented by Marilyn Barr & S. Cinders (60 min)
10:15 AM Writing Through ‘Blocks’ (MOD – Cassandra Morgan) KB Carlisle, TL Shively, Barbara V. Evers, Jessica Minyard, Tom Skaggs, Brian K. Morris (60 min)
11:30 AM Modern Sub-Genres (MOD – Dan Kemp) Carma Haley Shoemaker, Marilyn Barr, Morgan Hazelwood, H.L Hines, T. Lee Harris (60 min)
12:45 PM The Writer’s Mind: Nurturing Mental Health in a Creative Life (MOD -Carma Haley Shoemaker) Amy Leigh McCorkle, Rebecca Johnson, Mysti Parker, S. Donovan Croft, Sheridan Hall (60 min)
2 PM Barbarians at the Gate: Book Banning and What It Means for Writers Presentation by Elizabeth Donald (60 min)
3:15 PM Echoes of the Past (MOD- Virginia Smith) Johnny D. Boggs, Dan Kemp, Terry Chambers, Molly Daniels, Carl R. Moore
4:30 PM Beyond the Algorithm: Building Your Brand’s Platform with Social Media (MOD – Dan Klefstad) David Sherrer, Page Zaplendam, Glenn Porzig, BEEF, Lindsey Goddard
CLAIBORNE
9:00 AM Clash of the…Egos? Collaborating with a Partner Workshop Presented by Elizabeth Bevarly & Lorena Peter ( 60 min)
10:15 AM Language Barriers in Dialogue (MOD – Maeve Brooks) H David Blalock, Clayton Barnett, Tim “Cajun” Bischoff, Tony Acree (60 min)
11:30 AM Sci-Fi Through the Ages (MOD – Zac Sherman) Jonathan Walson / Nightsaber47, Brick Marlin, Arlan Andrews, Dave Weller, Jill Baker (60 min)
12:45 PM Screenplays for Page & Screen (MOD- John Morgan Risner) Jayson William Allen, Devin Hylton, Melissa Goodman, Antonio Pantoja, Craig Urquhart (60 min)
2:00 PM Weaving the Past: Using Historical Elements in Fiction Workshop presented by T. Lee Harris and Sara Marian (60 min)
3:15 PM Once Upon a Time… and Beyond: Crafting Engaging Children’s Books (MOD- Alan Goldstein) Lori Fairchild, Malinda Andrews, Jen Selinsky, Renmeleon, Kelly Brakenhoff
4:30 PM Auditioning for Indie Projects (MOD- Stephanie Lanham) Herschel Zahnd, Chase Dudley, Claude D. Miles, Lexi Bass, Sven Granlund (60 min)
ELLIS
9 AM Final Drafts – (MOD – Alira Coffman) Cherry Weiner, Lawrence Weill, Kelly Ferguson, H David Blalock, Stephanie Hansen
10:15 AM Critique Groups: A Writer’s Friend or Waste of Time? (MOD- Alan Goldstein) Benjamin T. Rittger, Tom Deady, Virginia Smith, Rebecca Johnson, Stephanie Hansen (60 min)
11:30 AM Writing & Wrestling II: Everything Comes Back to Wrestling – (Mod- Dwan L. Hearn) BEEF, W.W. Mitchell, Bentley Phillippe, Brian Haas, Ron McMillan, S. Donovan Croft (60 min)
12:45 PM Researching Myths & Legends (MOD- RE Bunch) Stephen H. Provost, Joseph Isenberg, H. R. Boldwood, A.J. Spencer
2:00 PM Forming Compelling Urban Fantasy (MOD – Wayland Smith) Michael WIlliams, Ivy Wilde, Kayla Perkins, LJ Mack, Rebecca Cuthbert, WC Turck
3:15 PM Powerful Short Stories (MOD- W. Jade Young) Dave Creek, Michael Knost, Teri Kay Jobe, David G. Martin, Tim “Cajun” Bischoff (60 min)
4:30 PM The Truth, Beautifully Told: Writing Compelling Non-Fiction Books (MOD – Ron McMillan) Stephen H. Provost, Lorena Peter, Barry Koch, Jason Zamer (60 min)
TURFWAY
9:00 AM Church Service presented by Dave Mattingly (60 min)
10:15 AM Inspiring Poetry (MOD- Molly McDonough) Michael WIlliams, Erynn Crittenden, Tenita Johnson, Jen Selinsky, Darlene Franklin Campbell, Lee Pennington (60 min)
11:30 AM Synopsis to Song (MOD – Carl R. Moore) Jayson William Allen, John Palisano, Rose Marie Machario, Les Murphy (60 min)
12:45 PM Ask The Agent: Part II – Presented by Cherry Weiner (90 min)
4:15 PM Interactive Direct Animation 16 mm Filmmaking Screening – Presented by Lexi Bass (20 min)