Imaginarium Book Festival

05/26/2026

We’re down to 10 DAYS! ⚡️ Are you ready?

05/22/2026

Less lines, more fun. ✨ At Imaginarium, we’re so happy to provide you with our virtual queue! Located on the back of every badge is a QR code that will take you to a list of authors that you can sign up to meet.

This means no standing in long lines! You can visit other exhibitors, explore the Apothecrafty artist market, grab something to eat, then return when your number is called. You’ll get a text/email! It’s a great way to make the most of your time with us.

This year, several authors will be grouped together in one queue, giving you the opportunity to visit multiple authors in a single stop, if you wish. To help keep the queue organized and moving smoothly, you will be asked to visit each author in order. If you’re in the queue to only see 1-2 specific authors, simply let the volunteer know, and they will hold your spot until that author becomes available.

You’re also welcome to join multiple queues at once; however, we recommend limiting yourself to 2–3 at a time so they’re easier to keep track of. You can join the queues from individual browser windows on your mobile device. No need to refresh—it is automatically refreshed for you.

As a friendly reminder, many of our queued authors will be appearing on both Day 1 and Day 2, so there will be plenty of opportunities to visit them throughout the weekend.

💜 Important Notes:
• FOR CHLOE AND HOLLY: They will only be signing for 4 hours on Friday, June 5. Their signing will begin at 12PM, but their queue will open early enough to let you know where you are in line. We can’t guarantee that they will be able to sign for everyone. All photos must be taken from in front of their booths, no posed photos. An IBF volunteer will be on standby to snap a pic for you. There is a 3-book limit: one personalization, two signatures only. Thank you for understanding!

• The 3-book limit applies to ALL queued authors, but you may ask those signing in the student center if they are open to posed photos and multiple personalizations. Authors may become queued day-of. If this is the case, you will be notified via email.

You can find this information on our website as well! 💜 See you soon!

05/21/2026

We’re answering your burning questions about IBF registration! 🔥

GOT BADGE SHIPPING?
If attending the festival with your badge and add-on ribbons already in-hand, you will enter the theater/ student center when doors open for those Friday morning events. i.e. Gilded Gears / Inking Lore.

NO ADD-ONS?
Doors will open for the general signing at 2PM on Friday, June 5. You can still participate in the social meetup / food truck alley if you wish. Author queues will be available to all attendees and exhibitors, regardless of ticket tier / add-ons.

DAY-OF REGISTRATION
If attending day-of registration for a Friday morning event, or the general registration at 2PM, you must have all your ticket PDFs available to be scanned by our staff. This includes your add-on tickets. If attending with a group, please assure every person has digital copies of their own tickets.

PLEASE NOTE that the Gilded Gears registration location will be the student center. The Inking Lore registration location will be the theater.

The first staff member will scan just your entry tickets. For Celestial VIP, you will receive your badge and lanyard in your tote. The second staff member will scan your add-ons, and the third will pass sponsored gifts to Celestial VIP ticket-holders.

We recommend saving all tickets to your Apple/Google Wallet for quick access!

Finally, Inking Lore tickets will become available again Friday, June 5, at 7 AM ET. All drink tickets will be issued at the door.

Lit Feud will remain on-sale through Saturday, June 6. You can purchase online at any time, then claim your badge ribbon at registration. All add-ons must be accompanied by an entry ticket.

Stay tuned for more info about our author queues and the food truck alley! ⚡️ SEE YOU IN 15 DAYS!

05/19/2026

Today’s vendor Apothecrafty spotlight goes to KILTED JEWELER, owned by daughter and father duo, JB and Michael! ⚡️

Michael is the main jeweler and designer, and JB is the apprentice and sales/social media coordinator. Together, they craft bold, handmade pieces inspired by fantasy. Their chainmail jewelry blends a little bit of old-world artistry with modern creativity!

Their most popular item, the purple DRAGON EARCUFFS, can be pre-ordered for IBF! See the pre-order page on our website! 💜 And make sure to stop by and visit JB and Michael in the Apothecrafty—Floor A!

05/17/2026

Today we’re spotlighting artist/illustrator REYNA ROCHIN, who will be in the vendor Apothecrafty on Floor A this year! ✨

Reyna Rochin is an illustrator and fine artist in the book community, who creates stunning artwork for many of your favorite fantasy authors. She is also the designer of our 2025 clack fan and our 2026 tote bag! We’re so excited to welcome her for the first time, in-person! Reyna will be showcasing a ton of her work at the festival, including those gorgeous event exclusives.

Floor A — Apothecrafty! We can’t wait! 💜

05/17/2026

05/15/2026

We’re so thrilled to spotlight artist MARTA - INTO THE FOREST today, who will be traveling all the way from Italy to showcase her work at Imaginarium this year! ✨

Marta is the artist behind Into The Forest, who hand-draws whimsical fantasy-inspired artwork that blends nature, storytelling, and imagination. Three of our favorite things! Her work is known for its atmospheric detail and enchanting aesthetic, drawing inspiration from folklore and magic. From fantasy maps to ornate chapter headings, she loves it all.

Marta is also the illustrator of the Of Tomes and Nocturne fantasy reading journal included within each IBF Celestial book sleeve, and the gorgeous art print that came with it!

Make sure to stop by and visit Marta in the Apothecrafty artist market—Floor A! She’s happy to sign your journal! 💜

05/12/2026

A closer look. ✨

Our exclusive fantasy journal is here and finally in your hands! Of Tomes and Nocturne, and its TBR Token companion, are an IBF-sponsored treat for all Celestial VIP ticket-holders.

However, you may find a few extras for purchase at the Imaginarium Bazaar booth this year. 👀

Designed by .intotheforest and 💜

05/10/2026

Next up in the Apothecrafty vendor spotlight is PINSTORY, owned by artist Margo! ✨

Pinstory is a Black-owned, woman-owned brand for the bookish babes who yap about their favorite books, obsess over fictional characters, and want reminders of the stories they love in their everyday life.

Margo creates bookish merch, collectibles, and accessories designed to help you wear, carry, and display your favorite stories, tropes, and characters. You can find her at IBF this year—Floor A!

05/09/2026

Continuing our 2026 Apothecrafty vendor spotlights: Let’s talk about YGG THREADS! ✨

YGG Threads (“You Go Girl”) is a bookish apparel & accessories small business that creates everything from magnetic bookmarks, embroidered tees and sweatshirts, stickers, and drink sleeves for iced coffee lovers!

The best part? She will be taking custom orders right at her booth this year!

Be sure to visit Colleen in the Apothecrafty—Floor A! 💜

05/07/2026

We’re heartbroken to share that Cassandra Clare is unfortunately no longer able to attend Imaginarium Book Festival this year due to family scheduling.

Gilded Gears will now be headlined by authors Scarlett St. Clair, H.M. Wolfe, and Danielle L. Jensen! The conversation will be moderated by Cosmopolitan Magazine’s entertainment editor, Tamara Fuentes.

You can still expect the elegant atmosphere, the curated treats, and the beautifully immersive setting we have prepared for you. We are also incredibly grateful to Cliché Teas for sponsoring this activity event, so you can expect a special surprise, too—among many others!

All Gilded Gears add-on tickets remain valid.

We appreciate your understanding, kindness, and continued support as we work to make this year’s festival an unforgettable experience for everyone attending. 💜

To see our most up-to-date lineup, you can check our website.