Guests of Honor Jim Butcher Author Guest of Honor Jim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and a new steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite badly. Read More Hayley Gelfuso 2026 Compton Crook Winner Hayley Gelfuso won the 2026 Compton Crook Award for her novel The Book of Lost Hours Read More Samantha Mills 2025 Compton Crook Winner Samantha Mills won the 2025 Compton Crook Award for her novel The Wings Upon Her Back Read More Frank Wu Artist Guest of Honor Frank is a two-time AnLab Award winner for outstanding science fiction writing, six-time Analog contributor, and a four-time Hugo Award winner. Read More The Faithful Sidekicks Music Guest of Honor The Faithful Sidekicks are the husband and wife Geek Rock duo of Eric and Jen Distad. Read More Andy Weir 2026 Robert A. Heinlein Award Andy Weir, novelist, is the 2026 winner of the Robert A. Heinlein Award. Read More Jennifer Blackstream Special Guest Jennifer Blackstream is a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy and fantasy romance. Read More

Programming Miniature Painting Workshops By Kron! Come learn to paint miniatures of all kinds with our esteemed Master miniature painter, Lord Kron! Read More Friday Night Filk Circle TBA Read More

Gaming RPG Gaming Balticon 60 will have 3 tables now, 40+ game sessions, and round-the-clock tabletop role-playing games (RPG) where attendees can join one of our scheduled sessions. We also have a rpg library that has over 650 rpg books available. Games will take place between 4 p.m. Friday and Noon Monday. Throw for damage! Read More Board Gaming We will have a wide selection of board games to play and over two dozen scheduled games to join. You can also bring your own games and sit down at a table. Our staff will be familiar with most of the available games. In addition to our scheduled game demos, we can usually teach or demo almost any of our games if you’d like. Read More Video Gaming We're still working on the full details of our video gaming room this year. Unfortunately, there will be no video game tournaments this year. But that doesn't mean that we wont have any video games, we do. Read More

Masquerade Rules and Guidelines The Marty Gear Memorial Masquerade Rules and Guidelines This page contains the rules for the competition, registration and sign-in process, and what to expect during the show (logistics). We are still tweaking some specifications, so watch this space for changes. Please email masquerade@balticon.org with any questions. Balticon strongly recommends vaccination for all eligible in-person convention attendees. Masking requirements will be based on the Baltimore City/County Community Risk Level in the week prior to Balticon. A Yellow or Green Community Risk Level will require masking in Meeting Rooms, Maryland Ballroom C/D, Art Show, and Dealers Room. Masks will not be required in Con Suite, Hallways and Atrium, but are encouraged. If the Community Risk Level rises to Red, masking will be mandated in all public places at Balticon. Masks will only be required on stage if the Risk Level is Red. All entrants must agree to our Code of Conduct to be part of the Balticon 60 Masquerade. Rules The goal of these rules is to facilitate a fair and safe experience for all contestants. 1. The Marty Gear Memorial Masquerade (Masquerade) will be run according to the Costumers Guild “Division System”. The Division Qualifications for Balticon are not identical to those used for Worldcons. The purpose of having this system is so beginning costumers need not compete with an experienced winner unless they want to do so. We can all compete on our own level against our costuming peers. Contestants will be registered according to the following Divisions: Young Fan, Novice, Journeyman, Craftsman, and Master. The Balticon Division definitions are defined in the Divisions section below. 2. All entrants, including all members of a group entry, must be members of the convention and will be required to show their badges in the Green Room. 3. There will be no live microphones for the contestants’ use. You are not allowed to speak from the stage even without a microphone. See the registration information for providing a script or an audio file. 4. The weapons policy of the con will be strictly adhered to. Weapons that are a part of the costume may be displayed only on stage and only in a safe manner. All weapons must be approved by the Masquerade Director before use. 5. Due to hotel fire regulations, no fire, open flame, flash paper/powder may be used. Electronic sealed flashes are permissible for use by the contestants. 6. Nudity. Since you asked, our general feeling is that if you are comfortable with your skin, so are we…with certain reservations: “No costume” is no costume and won’t win any prizes. Our Judges are of all genders, and are artists, authors, or costumers. They will be judging costumes not bodies. There will be children present (also mundanes). If you feel that nudity is essential to your costume, please limit it to the Masquerade, and keep it covered in the public areas of the hotel. 7. NO FLASH PICTURES WILL BE PERMITTED DURING THE MASQUERADE COMPETITION! Not only does flash photography interfere with the enjoyment of the show, but it can also cause injury to a contestant whose vision or concentration is affected by a flash of light during their presentation. An opportunity to photograph the costumes will be available during judging. 8. Each contestant may appear only once in the competition. 9. Costumes presented as Not In Competition (NIC) will not be eligible for judging or awards, regardless of past history for that costume. 10. Be on time for your call. If you have a good reason for wanting to go on early or late, please tell us when you register, and we will try to accommodate you. If you arrive after you have been called, you may not go on. 11. Groups of from one to four contestants will be permitted a maximum of 60 seconds on stage. Groups of five or more will be permitted a maximum of 120 seconds. Short is better than long. Let your costume speak for itself. If you have any questions about the length of your presentation, please discuss it with the Masquerade Director in advance. 12. Contestants in costume must remain in the Green Room until they go on stage. Any contact with the Presentation Judges prior to the masquerade while a contestant is in costume may be grounds for disqualification of the entrant. 13. You must be able to enter and leave the stage without help in order to appear. Our steps are six feet wide, one foot deep and eight inches high. We will have people available to steady you but not to lift or completely support you. 14. TECH REHEARSAL: Everyone appearing on stage must participate in a tech rehearsal. This gives you practice being on stage and lets the Masquerade Team rehearse lighting, pronouncing your name, and other technical details. You can sign up for a rehearsal time slot when you register online or at con. 15. The Masquerade Director and backstage staff will have full authority to eliminate anyone from the competition based on taste, danger to the audience or other contestants, or for any other reason deemed sufficient.

< Back Charity Auctions Fandom has a history of giving. At Balticon, you will have opportunities to contribute to several causes. BSFS also maintains a Little Free Library in front of its building in East Baltimore. Books for Kids money is used to purchase books to be distributed through the LFL. Over 900 books have been distributed this year. BSFS Books for Kids raises money at Balticon in several ways. BSFS Books for Kids Balticon holds two auctions to raise money for the BSFS Books for Kids program: Saturday evening during the Masquerade intermission and Sunday afternoon after the Art Auction. Funds raised will be used to purchase books for students to keep on their own. BSFS Books for Kids also collects book donations for local school libraries. Items for the auction are donated by individuals and companies and generally have a Science Fiction or Fantasy theme. To donate items for the auction, contact booksforkids@balticon.org .

< Back Jack L. Chalker Young Writers Contest The Jack L. Chalker Young Writers Contest honors local writers aged 14 - 18 who reside in Maryland. Submission deadline is March 31. The Jack L. Chalker Young Writers Contest results will be announced during the Masquerade. Contestants are local young writers aged 14 to 18 who reside in or attend school in Maryland. The winners will receive cash prizes, Balticon T-shirts, and membership in Balticon. CONTESTANT REQUIREMENTS: Contestants shall be no younger than 14 and no older than 18 years of age as of May 29 in the contest year and shall reside in, or attend school in Maryland. Winners will be required to provide their proof of age. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Submissions must be in the field of science fiction or fantasy. Submissions shall be no more than 2,500 words in length. All submissions should include a title page with the title of the story, the entrant's name or note Home schooled, home address, evening phone number, and e-mail address if possible. Also, please include your English teacher's name. Paper submissions must have numbered pages - all submissions must have a footer with the title and page number. They should not have the entrants name or other identifying information on the individual pages. Paper submissions should be typed or printed, double-spaced, on 8.5 x 11" paper. Electronic submissions must be sent as an attachment to email in either Microsoft Word, PDF or Wordperfect format. Otherwise they must be printed out and submitted on paper. One contestant may submit multiple entries, but only one prize may be won by any one entrant. Submission deadline is March 31. See the BSFS web site for details. OTHER RULES: Judges shall be drawn from the membership of BSFS, Inc. The winners will be contacted before the convention and their names will be announced to the public at the next Balticon on Memorial Day

< Back Short Film Festival The Balticon Sunday Short Science Fiction Film Festival (BS³F³) features independently produced short films from around the world, including live action and animated films in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. Awards are given based on audience preferences. Winners of the 20 25 BS³F³ Thank you to all the filmmakers who submitted their films to our festival, we are pleased to announce the winners: 1) Stephen Kings's The Reach (2024) - Italy Director: Luca Caserta 2) Invasion '53 (2024) - United States of America Director: Danielle Weinberg 3) Dad in The Echo (2023) - China Director: Jacky Heng Sun Commiserations to the rest of our entries. The 2026 Balticon Sunday Short Science Fiction Film Festival (BS³F³) will take place on Sunday evening at 7:00pm. We will thrill festival attendees with independently produced short films from around the region and across the globe. BS³F³ features live action and animated films in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror from some of the best independent filmmakers this side of the Crab Nebula. Awards will be given in both the Live Action and Animation category based upon audience preferences. Some of the history of this film festival can be found on the BSFS website . Balticon 60 Short Film Preview Did you miss our event? Check out our archived selections. Balticon 59 Short Film Festival Balticon 58 Short Film Festival For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact us at: filmfestival@balticon.org

< Back Compton Crook Award The Compton Crook Award is presented to the best of each year’s English language first novel by an author in the field of science fiction, fantasy, or horror. The 2025 Compton Crook Award winner will be announced in Spring 2025. The Compton Crook Award is presented to the best of each year’s English language first novel by an author in the field of science fiction, fantasy, or horror by the members of the Baltimore Science Fiction Society at our annual science fiction convention, Balticon, the Maryland Regional Science Fiction Convention. Awards have been presented since 1983. The award is also known as the Compton Crook/Stephen Tall Award. The list of eligible books is published in the monthly newsletter so all club members will have a chance to read and vote. The winning author is invited to Balticon (BSFS pays transportation and lodging) for two years, and presented with the cash award of $1,000 and an award plaque. Compton Crook, who wrote under the name of Stephen Tall, was a long-time Baltimore resident, Towson State University professor, and science fiction author. He died in 1981. The 2025 Compton Crook Award Finalists

< Back Marty Gear Memorial Masquerade Balticon’s Cosplay Contest, the Marty Gear Memorial Masquerade, is the opportunity for fans to present their science fiction- and fantasy-related costumes to delight our audience. While some costumers may simply model their costumes on stage, most entries present dramatic or comedic skits. A team of judges reward costume design and workmanship to encourage our costumers’ efforts. Cosplay, or the practice of dressing up as a character from a movie, book, or video game, is a strong component of Balticon. Many attendees choose to wander around the con dressed as their favorite character. Anonymous judges will award Hall Costume Contest ribbons throughout the weekend. The costuming highlight of the weekend is the Masquerade held on Saturday evening. Balticon offers hours of costuming panels, workshops, and presentations. We try to schedule the majority before the Masquerade so that novices can pick up last minute coaching, if desired. The Marty Gear Memorial Masquerade The Marty Gear Memorial Masquerade will be held in the Main Ballroom. Individual and group contestants take the stage for a short presentation showcasing their costumes. Children will get to show off their favorite characters before the adults strut their stuff. Our team of expert judges award points in several categories, including creativity, craftsmanship, and presentation. Winners are announced at the end of the evening. The goal of the Masquerade is to give our costumers a chance to share their talent and put on a good show for the enjoyment of all. Everyone is invited to enjoy the display of creativity and artistry that will be on stage. Balticon 60 Masquerade Results Young Fan Most Energetic: Jacks of the Amazing Digital Circus - Arwen Best Routine: SDX: Mission Star - Hayden Welsher Best Fan Pop: Avatar Kyoshi - Annaliese Dinstad Best Characterization: Wednesday - Samantha Olszowka Novice – Presentation Third Place: Kiko the Kitsune - Liore Sipple Second Place: Lara Raith - Jessika Rovell First Place: Zade Meadows from Haunting Adeline - Noir Bryant Novice – Workmanship Spirit of Con Crunch Award: In Space the Moon is Always Full - Joshua Stern Best in Class: Kiko the Kitsune - Liora Sipple Judge’s Award, Most Improved: Thal Soldier from Genesis of the Daleks - Alexander George Arthur Meranski Journeyman – Presentation Second Place: The Countess of Orinoco Goes Fishing- Rachel McClelland First Place: Steampunk Librarian -Melissa Joslin Journeyman - Workmanship Best Documentation: Jaskier - Jennifer Frederick Best in Class: Amethyst the Dragon Warrior - Elyzabeth Morgan Master -Presentation Third Place: A Ball with the Fae - Misha Bushyager Second Place: To the Stars - Evelyn Lewis First Place: Danny Phantom - Tori Suggs Master – Workmanship Fantastic Rigging and Detail Work: Captain Zeon Bones - Joe Delmanico Incredible Crochet Design: Princess Beatrice, Darling of Balticon 60 - Rachel Ahrens Beautiful Book Interpretation: To the Stars - Evelyn Lewis Cleanest Beading Award: Black Halo - Lisa Ashton Best in Class: A Ball with the Fae - Misha Bushyager Best in Show Workmanship: The Countess of Orinoco Goes Fishing - Liz McClelland Presentation: Jaskier - Jennifer Frederick Masquerade Rules and Guidelines

Activities & Events Gaming RPG, Board, and Video games are available for all...let the adventures begin. Read More Concerts and Filk Balticon is home to one of the East Coast’s strongest tracks of filk and fannish music, featuring a variety of concerts, panels, and workshops, plus open circles all three nights. Read More Robert A. Heinlein Award The Baltimore Science Fiction Society will present the Robert A. Heinlein Award during the Opening Ceremonies. Read More Jack L. Chalker Young Writers Contest The Jack L. Chalker Young Writers Contest honors local writers aged 14 - 18 who reside in Maryland. Submission deadline is March 31. Read More Marty Gear Memorial Masquerade Balticon’s Cosplay Contest, the Marty Gear Memorial Masquerade, is the opportunity for fans to present their science fiction- and fantasy-related costumes to delight our audience. While some costumers may simply model their costumes on stage, most entries present dramatic or comedic skits. A team of judges reward costume design and workmanship to encourage our costumers’ efforts. Read More Short Film Festival The Balticon Sunday Short Science Fiction Film Festival (BS³F³) features independently produced short films from around the world, including live action and animated films in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. Awards are given based on audience preferences. Read More Compton Crook Award The Compton Crook Award is presented to the best of each year’s English language first novel by an author in the field of science fiction, fantasy, or horror. Read More Charity Auctions Fandom has a history of giving. At Balticon, you will have opportunities to contribute to several causes. Read More

< Back Robert A. Heinlein Award The Baltimore Science Fiction Society will present the Robert A. Heinlein Award during the Opening Ceremonies. Sharon Lee Wins 2025 Robert A. Heinlein Award The award will be formally presented during opening ceremonies of Balticon 59 Friday, May 23, 2025 8:00 p.m. Sharon Lee , novelist, is the 2025 winner of the Robert A. Heinlein Award. The award is bestowed for outstanding published works in science fiction and technical writings that inspire the human exploration of space. This award is in recognition of Ms. Lee’s body of work of over 38 novels and short stories. A majority of her space themed work is in the Liaden Universe, written with her late husband Steve Miller, and features merchant families trading across the galaxy. The next Liaden Universe novel, Diviner’s Row, is forthcoming from Baen Books in April 2025. The award will be formally presented during opening ceremonies on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM for Balticon 59, the 59th Maryland Regional Science Fiction Convention. Balticon will take place at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore Maryland. Ms. Lee will participate in the Balticon program across Memorial Day Weekend. Balticon and the Robert A. Heinlein Award are both managed and sponsored by The Baltimore Science Fiction Society, Inc. BSFS thanks The Heinlein Society and the family of Dr. Yoji Kondo for providing funding for this award. The Robert A. Heinlein Award is a sterling silver medallion bearing the image of Robert A. Heinlein, as depicted by artist Arlin Robins. The medallion is matched with a red-white-blue lanyard. In addition, the winner receives two lapel pins for use when a large medallion is impractical, and a plaque describing the award for home or office wall display. The Robert A. Heinlein Award selection committee consists of science fiction writers and was founded by Dr. Yoji Kondo, a long-time friend of Robert and Virginia Heinlein. Members of the original committee were approved by Virginia Heinlein. Virginia Heinlein authorized multiple awards in memory of her husband. Other awards include the Heinlein Prize, which is fully funded by Virginia Heinlein's estate, and a National Space Society award for volunteer projects. More information on the Robert A. Heinlein Award, including past winners, can be found at www.bsfs.org/bsfsheinlein.htm Sharon Lee maintains an official website at https://sharonleewriter.com/ To contact the Heinlein Award liaison at BSFS, email dale@bsfs.org Sharon Lee lives in the town of Waterville in the state of Maine, USA. The Robert A. Heinlein Award was founded by Dr. Yoji Kondo, a long-time friend of Robert and Virginia Heinlein. A grant from the Heinlein Society funds half of the costs associated with the award with additional funding provided by the family of Dr. Kondo. Balticon and the Robert A. Heinlein Award are annual activities of the Baltimore Science Fiction Society. More information on the Robert A. Heinlein Award, including past winners, can be found at https://www.bsfs.org/bsfsheinlein.htm .

Whether you love science with your fiction or costumes with your books, at Balticon we do too! Join 1500+ fans of all backgrounds to celebrate Science Fiction and Fantasy with 300+ hours of diverse programming: meet authors, publishers, editors, cosplay experts, Twitch live-streamers, renowned scientists and tech innovators. Sing along with our filkers, see our stunning Art Show and Masquerade, laugh and cry at our Film Festival. We’ve got something for everyone A four day celebration of Science Fiction and Fantasy! Get your geek on Profoundly uncool since 1967 Balticon 60 Program Schedule Whether you love science with your fiction or costumes with your books, we do too! While our central theme is writing, literature, and authors, our dynamic program has something everyone can appreciate. Join over fifteen hundred fans of all backgrounds as we gather to celebrate Science Fiction and Fantasy with more than 300 hours of diverse programming, from award-winning authors and publishers to twitch live-streamers, from cosplay experts to renowned scientists and tech innovators. Sing along with our filkers, soak in our stunning Art Show and Masquerade, laugh and cry at our Film Festival. We’ve got something for everyone. Balticon exists to celebrate the creation and appreciation of science fiction and fantasy in all its expressions, by bringing together fans of all backgrounds in a warm, welcoming environment. Marty Gear Memorial Masquerade Scroll through our gallery to view our judges and contestants. A list of this year's winners can be found here. Guests of Honor Jim Butcher Author Guest of Honor Frank Wu Artist Guest of Honor Andy Weir 2026 Robert A. Heinlein Award Hayley Gelfuso 2026 Compton Crook Winner The Faithful Sidekicks Music Guest of Honor Jennifer Blackstream Special Guest Samantha Mills 2025 Compton Crook Winner "Balticon Anywhere" plans to return in 2026! Buy your Membership Adult (25+) $89 Young Adult (13 - 24) $45 Child (12 and under) ALWAYS FREE Virtual Only $30 Workshops FOUR DAYS OF EVENTS TRINKETS FOR SALE Dealers Room & Artist Alley Balticon’s Dealers Room is like a pop-up mini mall of geeky goodness. You’ll find an assortment of vendors with all sorts of fannish delights, including books, games and gaming accessories, collectibles, clothing, jewelry, and more! Just outside the Dealers Room, you’ll find Artist Alley , where you can meet the artists behind the tables, browse a selection of fine art and handcrafted goods, and even commission custom art! GAMES TO PLAY RPGs, Board Games, and Video Games With three full rooms of gaming, there's sure to be something you'll like! Our RPG room has drop-in round-the-clock tabletop role-playing games, including demos of new systems and scheduled games with old favorites. The Board Games room has scheduled drop-in games as well as our game library where you can pick for yourself. And our Video Game room brings you both modern and retro video gaming! COME IN COSTUME Cosplay Contest The Marty Gear Memorial Masquerade is a cosplay contest with history! Individual and Group contestants take the stage for a short presentation showcasing their costuming skills. We'll also have panels all weekend long on how to craft your own costumes, and a chance to interact with some of our cosplay experts! Partners STAY IN THE KNOW Enter your email here Sign Up Thanks for submitting!