Code of Conduct

The primary purpose of Midwest Bookish Fest events is for the attendees to have a wonderful time. To make this happen, Midwest Bookish Fest has established certain rules of conduct. These rules were created to ensure the behavior of any one individual or group of attendees does not disturb the enjoyment of another attendee, nor detract from the relaxed, inclusive, and comfortable atmosphere of the events. Midwest Bookish Fest welcomes everyone; however, the Midwest Bookish Fest’s staff reserves the right to deny or revoke the attendance of any individual, at any time, for any reason. This action may be undertaken when an individual's presence or behavior causes significant interference with event operations or adversely affects the organization's relationship with its guests or with its venue. Midwest Bookish Fest also reserves the right to amend these rules at any time without prior or posted notice. If you have any questions, please contact Midwest Bookish Fest staff for assistance.

Anyone who accepts a Midwest Bookish Fest ticket agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Midwest Bookish Fest LLC from any claim for personal injuries or other damages or equity arising out of any individual's activities at the event, even if such injury or damage is caused by negligence by or on the part of Midwest Bookish Fest LLC.

Harassment Policy

Midwest Bookish Fest LLC has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY of harassment and/or discrimination of any kind. Our team is dedicated to providing an event that is fun, safe, inclusive, and open to all authors, vendors, attendees and staff. Harassment and/or discrimination will result in immediate removal from the event, without a refund. Consideration of being banned from future events will occur to an individual that breaks this policy.

Examples of harassment are but not limited to: stalking, offensive or unwanted verbal comments and/or physical gestures, physical assault, unwanted sexual comments or gestures, bathroom policing, inappropriate and unwanted physical contact or attention. This extends to those that enjoy cosplay: Cosplay is not consent.

Examples of discrimination are but not limited to: race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, age, body size, disability, appearance, religion, and/or citizenship.

If a person is engaging in harassment and/or discriminatory behavior, please report it to Midwest Bookish Fest staff and security immediately, via in person or at the phone number located on your badge at the event.

Accessibility Policy

Midwest Bookish Fest LLC is committed to providing a fun, safe, and enjoyable experience for everyone. If you have questions/concerns regarding our accessibilities and/or if you’re planning to attend Midwest Bookish Fest and require specific assistance, please contact hello@midwestbookishfest.com.

Please note: In order for us to better accommodate attendees with special requests, we ask that you contact us via email no later than three months prior to the event for us to have enough time to accommodate your request.

Sales of Merchandise & Soliciting Policy

The offering for sale of any merchandise, services, and/or businesses at our events may be undertaken only in the Signing Hall or Vendor Hall or by special arrangement with Midwest Bookish Fest staff. All sales will be governed by the rules applicable to the Signing Hall & Vendor Hall approved authors & vendors. Anyone wishing to sell merchandise, services, and/or businesses must first obtain pre-approval from Midwest Bookish Fest LLC. Please note that it is illegal to sell merchandise, services, and/or businesses in any area of the venue not designated for such activity. Such actions constitute "illegal solicitation," and may result in the perpetrator being removed from hotel grounds.

Soliciting of merchandise, services, and/or businesses is not allowed within the event venue. Any individual reported to Midwest Bookish Fest staff of soliciting will be given one warning. If they are reported to have continues solicitation after given their one warning, this individual will be asked to leave the venue and will have their ticket revoked.

Use of Video or Audio Recordings & Media Relations

For the purposes of this section, Midwest Bookish Fest denotes any private happenings as all areas are only open to attendees with valid tickets. The term "recording" means any media capturing medium or devices, audio, visual, or otherwise.

You, the videographer, retain full copyright rights to the recordings you shoot but not to the content contained within Midwest Bookish Fest. Midwest Bookish Fest LLC grants you, the videographer, a creative commons share-alike non-commercial attribution license to any recordings you make at or of Midwest Bookish Fest. Uses beyond this license require permission from Midwest Bookish Fest LLC. You agree to grant Midwest Bookish Fest a non-exclusive, sub-licensable, irrevocable, perpetual, and universal license to use, distribute, perform and/or incorporate your video in other works in any form, media, or technology, including for-profit use.

Midwest Bookish Fest attendees may be photographed or otherwise recorded by other attendees. By accepting a Midwest Bookish Fest ticket, you are consenting to having your image published. If you prefer not to have your picture taken, please inform Midwest Bookish Fest Staff. If anyone continues to photograph or record you against your will, it will be treated as harassment (see above).

Midwest Bookish Fest permits (and encourages) attendees to share photographs of their event experience on personal web pages. Video and audio recordings, however, are subject to the above provisions. Parties interested in making recordings or performances for public interest uses should contact Midwest Bookish Fest staff via email at hello@midwestbookishfest.com.

Photographs & Promotional Material Policy

Participants at Midwest Bookish Fest or other Midwest Bookish Fest LLC events are granting their permission to be photographed or recorded by authorized Midwest Bookish Fest individuals. By purchasing your ticket, you inherently grant Midwest Bookish Fest LLC permission to use such images or footage for archival or promotional purposes.

AI Usage Policy

Midwest Bookish Fest LLC does not support the use of AI. Midwest Bookish Fest LLC does not support authors or vendors that use AI in their art, books, works, etc.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

Tickets are non-refundable. Refunds will not be given unless the event is cancelled due to an unforeseen circumstance (pandemic, war, etc) or by the decision of Midwest Bookish Fest LLC.

This event will go on by any means necessary unless there is an unforeseen circumstance out of Midwest Bookish Fest LLC’s control. Under the circumstance of the event being cancelled, refunds will be made entirely and in full.

Ticket Resale & Transfer Policy

Ticket resales and transfers must occur with Midwest Bookish Fest staff approval. Our team will ensure that all ticket resales and transfers are legitimate and we must be informed via email that a resale is going to happen and/or has occurred. Those reselling or transferring tickets must complete a Google Form process for our team to transfer tickets to the new buyer/ticket holder.

Please contact our team if you need resell or transfer a ticket to begin the process: hello@midwestbookishfest.com

COVID-19 Policy

Midwest Bookish Fest LLC will be following all local, state, hotel, and federal guidelines in regards to masking and vaccinations. At this time, masks and vaccinations are not required at Midwest Bookish Fest 2025. Should anything change, we will immediately alert all authors, vendors, attendees, and staff of our new guidelines. We will be offering hand sanitizer and masks on site for those that would like to use them.

Privacy Policy

Any personal information provided via our ticket sales will not be shared or used for any other purpose beyond our event. This includes any other event-related correspondence pertaining to Midwest Bookish Fest LLC.