IMC 2025 Interview: Exhibitor and Professional Bookbinder Linette Withers

As IMC 2025 draws closer, and the administrative team pull together the nuts and bolts of the conference, we would like to take a moment to share and celebrate the IMC voices of those who make valuable contributions to the congress. We know that IMC would not be the incredible, immersive experience that it is without the contributions and efforts of every delegate, bookseller, artist, craftsperson, performer, and events/excursions leader at the conference.

In our latest interview feature, we had a conversation with the lovely Linette Withers, who is one our staple Craft Fair Exhibitors, and has been binding books since 2005. Since 2012, Linette has worked as a professional book binder, producing codices and stationery inspired by historical examples. Linette also shares this knowledge with others as a workshop leader in her ever-popular bookbinding workshops at the IMC.

How did you first learn about the IMC?

"I discovered the IMC while preparing my MA at the Institute for Medieval Studies. I had seen the street signs around Leeds - but never really known what it was until that point. I applied to work at the IMC and was one of the congress assistants looking after the meeting rooms in the summer before I started my MA back in 2005. I later worked for the IMC full-time, first as Congress Officer and eventually as Senior Congress Officer."

How many International Medieval Congresses have you attended?

"I have attended every IMC since that first one, as a staff member, once as a delegate, and as an exhibitor at the craft fair / Making Leeds Medieval."

What has been your best purchase or sale?

Purchase: "Probably at the publisher’s book fair in my last year as Senior Congress Officer - when I picked up a copy of J. A. Szirmai’s The Archaeology of Medieval Bookbinding. I have used Szirmai’s book continuously ever since. Alternatively, I bought a little mug and bowl at the craft fair and sometimes bring them back to Making Leeds Medieval, as a part of my medieval bookbinding equipment and I’m never without some of Mulberry Dyers threads to sew my books with."

Sale: "Whatever I sold to the person who asked me if I made bookplates - I didn’t then, but I told them to check back at the following IMC. Twelve years later, bookplates remain one of my best sellers - with seven designs and two more coming. I love how people react when they pick them up for the first time."

What do you wish you had known before your first IMC?

"There’s something for people at all stages of their career or study. As a student who hadn’t started her course yet, I quickly discovered there was plenty to engage with - and I still do now, as an independent scholar and bookbinder."

What is your favourite thing about the IMC?

"I love meeting people from incredibly different fields - all of whom share an enthusiasm for their topic. It’s never a dull time and I’ve had so many ideas for things to make from chatting to people at the craft fair."

What was the best interaction you’ve had at the IMC?

"Every IMC has fantastic interactions. One favourite was during Making Leeds Medieval when I decided to bind a facsimile copy of Beowulf over the course of one day as part of a charity auction. During the demonstration, several people asked questions about the process, and at one point we had three or four delegates actively involved in helping trim the pages and get the text block ready to bind into its cover."

Most surprising thing you’ve learnt at the IMC?

"It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but I am constantly delighted by how enthusiastic people are about crafting and binding as part of the workshops and getting hands on with historical techniques."

How has the IMC helped you?

"While I had established my brand before I joined the IMC craft fair, I was still a very new business when I started attending as a seller. Anachronalia would look very different without the input and inspiration I get from the attendees and the rare talks I manage to attend. A recent example is the historically-inspired roleplaying games I have added to my range, partly inspired by IMC talks."

What keeps you coming back to the IMC?

"Of the many Craft Fairs I attend, it’s the one that I enjoy the most. Whilst the run-up is often a hectic whirlwind of making, the fair itself is one of the highlights of my year, in large part due to the delegates who come up and talk about their work and interests, whether they buy anything or not."

Describe the IMC in 3 words

"Full, Interdisciplinary, Fun."