Our story
About us
Illumicrate was born in 2015, inspired by our founder Daphne’s love of reading. It was her history of book blogging that eventually led her to connections within the publishing industry and launching a book subscription box.
We wanted to create something that resonated with book fans, offering them the very best curated content that represented their dreams, needs and desires, and innovating the book receiving experience.
Over the years, Illumicrate has expanded as a business and its following, with authors, genres, products and merchandise offered growing, and continuing to innovate. But through all the growth and change, the one thing that has stayed the same is an unwavering belief in the power of books and their ability to inspire us.
Books that inspire
Our motto is ‘books that inspire’.
To be inspired is to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. The origin of Illumicrate’s name is ‘illuminate’: talking about books, learning and being enlightened.
At Illumicrate we are:
- Inspiring community: one that is dynamic; constantly growing, expanding and interacting.
- Inspiring change: in the way books are consumed, as well as which stories are told.
- Inspired by stories: Our entire team’s love for books and what stories can do for others.
- Inspired by books: The unique beauty, artistry and value that they offer to both collectors and fans.
About Daphne
I’m Daphne, and I consider myself a life long bibliophile and fangirl. I started Illumicrate because I wanted to curate something for book lovers–the ideal gift package to share all my new favourite books and fandoms.
My goal with Illumicrate was always to send the best new reads and create beautiful bookish things that I would love to own and I know that others would too. A perfect package that brings joy to our customers.
I started Illumicrate on my own, but now have a team of 28 passionate individuals who help Illumicrate brighten all your days!
I’d like to sincerely thank you for supporting Illumicrate so far, and we look forward to creating more books that inspire!
Daphne
Meet Our Team
Daphne (she/her)
Founder & CEO
- Lives in: London
- Favourite authors: V.E. Schwab, Jay Kristoff, Laini Taylor, Leigh Bardugo, Pierce Brown, R.F. Kuang
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 6 – Athena’s cabin
- A book that represents me: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Caitlin (she/her)
Chief Operating Officer & Head of Communications
- Lives in: Manchester
- Favourite authors: Tamsyn Muir, Leigh Bardugo, V.E. Schwab, R.F. Kuang, Ali Hazelwood, Chloe Liese
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 20 – Hecate’s cabin
- A book that represents me: Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Bec (she/her)
Publisher Liaison
- Lives in: Manchester
- Favourite authors: Sarah Maria Griffin, Laini Taylor, Leigh Bardugo, Samantha Shannon, Ava Reid, Ali Hazelwood
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 20 – Hecate’s cabin
- A book that represents me: Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente
Ellie (she/her)
Social Media Manager
- Lives in: London
- Favourite authors: Donna Tartt, Katherine Arden, Madeline Miller, Roshani Chokshi, Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 3 – Poseidon’s Cabin
- A book that represents me: A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee
Imi (she/her)
Senior Marketing Executive
- Lives in: Manchester
- Favourite authors: Samantha Shannon, V.E. Schwab, Becky Chambers, K. Ancrum, Olivia Dade, Chloe Liese
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 3 – Poseidon’s cabin
- A book that represents me: The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon
Zoë (she/her)
Personal Assistant
- Lives in: London
- Favourite authors: Jane Austen, Terry Pratchett, Robin Hobb, Catherynne Valente, R. F. Kuang
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 6 – Athena’s Cabin
- A book that represents me: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Bianca (she/her)
Finance Manager
- Lives in: East Sussex
- Favourite authors: Leigh Bardugo, V. E. Schwab, Jay Kristoff, Joe Abercrombie, Martha Wells
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 20 – Hecate’s Cabin
- A book that represents me: Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Romie (she/her)
Social Media Executive
- Lives in: Edinburgh
- Favourite authors: R.F. Kuang, Ava Reid, Helen Hoang, Sally Rooney, Ali Hazelwood, Chloe Liese, Jane Austen
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 3 – Poseidon’s cabin
- A book that represents me: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
Katie (she/her)
Head of Curation
- Lives in: Yorkshire
- Favourite authors: Robin Hobb, Elizabeth Peters, R.F. Kuang, S.A. Chakraborty, Ali Hazelwood, S.A. MacLean
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 8 – Artemis’ cabin
- A book that represents me: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Yas (she/her)
Curation Associate
- Lives in: Cornwall
- Favourite authors: Laini Taylor, Georgia Summers, Sangu Mandanna, Alix E. Harrow, T Kingfisher, Ali Hazelwood, Krystal Sutherland, S.A. MacLean
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 20 – Hecate’s cabin
- A book that represents me: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Jane (she/her)
Lead Designer
- Lives in: North Yorkshire
- Favourite authors: Holly Black, T J Klune, Jay Kristoff, Andrew Joseph White, R.F. Kuang
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 4 – Demeter’s cabin
- A book that represents me: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Steph (she/her)
Curation Designer
- Lives in: South Wales
- Favourite authors: Lynette Noni, Travis Baldree, Emily Henry, Holly Black
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 20 – Hecate’s Cabin
- A book that represents me: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Layla (she/they)
Curation Assistant
- Lives in: South East London
- Favourite authors: Leigh Bardugo, Fonda Lee, Robin Hobb, Tillie Walden, Travis Baldree
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 6 – Athena’s Cabin
- A book that represents me: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Debbie (they/she)
Head of Operations
- Lives in: London
- Favourite authors: V.E. Schwab, Becky Chambers, Nina LaCour, Martha Wells
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 4 – Demeter’s cabin
- A book that represents me: A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
Lena (she/her)
Operations Manager
- Lives in: Glasgow
- Favourite authors: Emily Henry, Talia Hibbert, Mhairi McFarlane
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 11 – Hermes’ cabin
- A book that represents me: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Tiffany (she/her)
Senior Operations Associate
- Lives in: Midwest United States
- Favourite authors: Tamsyn Muir, Stephen Graham Jones, Leigh Bardugo, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Jason Reynolds, Martha Wells, Alice Oseman
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 20 – Hecate’s cabin
- A book that represents me: Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Akash (he/him)
Operations Associate
- Lives in: Wiltshire
- Favourite authors: Adrienne Tooley, V.E. Schwab, Rick Riordan, Andy Weir, Saara El-Arifi, S.A. MacLean
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 6 – Athena’s cabin
- A book that represents me: Sofi and the Bone Song by Adrienne Tooley
Frankie (he/him)
Operations Assistant
- Lives in: London
- Favourite authors: V. E. Schwab, Susan Dennard, Wesley Chu
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 7 – Apollo’s cabin
- A book that represents me: Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Cody (she/they)
Operations Assistant
- Lives in: Bristol
- Favourite authors: CS Pacat, Mary Renault, Alice Winn, James Islington, Madeline Miller
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 6 - Athena's cabin
- A book that represents me: The Charioteer by Mary Renault
Lauren (she/they)
Head of Support
- Lives in: Manchester
- Favourite authors: Sarah Maria Griffin, Rin Chupeco, Laini Taylor, V.E. Schwab, Junji Ito, Stephen Graham Jones
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 20 – Hecate’s cabin
- A book that represents me: Other Words for Smoke by Sarah Maria Griffin
Hannah (she/her)
Senior Customer Support Associate
- Lives in: Nottingham
- Favourite authors: Terry Pratchett, Holly Black, Maggie Stiefvater, Becky Chambers, Robin Hobb, V.E. Schwab, Leigh Bardugo
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 9 – Hephaestus’ cabin
- A book that represents me: Sabriel by Garth Nix
Nel (she/her)
Customer Support Associate
- Lives in: Greater London
- Favourite authors: Laini Taylor, S.A. Chakraborty, Intisar Khanani, R.F. Kuang and S.K. Ali
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 6 – Athena’s cabin
- A book that represents me: The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
Atiya (she/her)
Customer Support Associate
- Lives in: West Midlands
- Favourite authors: Tahereh Mafi, Holly Black, S.A. Chakraborty, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Ana Huang
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 9 – Hephaestus’ Cabin
- A book that represents me: We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
Rayna (she/her)
Customer Support Associate
- Lives in: Norwich
- Favourite authors: R.F. Kuang, Samantha Shannon, Chloe Gong, Olivie Blake, Ana Huang, Laini Taylor
- Camp Half-Blood Cabin: Cabin 13 – Hades’ Cabin
- A book that represents me: Babel by R.F. Kuang
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