< Back George Hrab Music Filk Best known in his home town of Bethlehem, PA as the longtime drummer for The Philadelphia Funk Authority, George Hrab is also an accomplished guitarist, pianist, and songwriter; having written and released nine albums. His larger works include, “Occasional Songs for the Periodic Table”—a 118-song cycle featuring one tune for each element of the periodic table as well as “The Broad Street Score,” a re-imagining of his most popular compositions arranged for string quartet and voice. His streaming series entitled “Seven Songs with George Hrab,” has him expounding on the theory, history, and trivia of seven songs around a common theme. George is also the sparkling personality behind more than 900 episodes of “The Geologic Podcast.” Ranging in tone from incredibly serious to unbearably silly, his award-winning show features weekly musings about science, music, comedy, and life at large. After nearly two decades of producing the show, he was recently inducted in The Podcast Hall of Fame. Other Socials

< Back Daniel M. Kimmel Literary Author Daniel M. Kimmel is the 2018 recipient of the Skylark Award, given by the New England Science Fiction Association. He was a finalist for a Hugo Award for Jar Jar Binks Must Die… and other observations about science fiction movies and for the Compton Crook Award for best first novel for Shh! It’s a Secret: a novel about Aliens, Hollywood, and the Bartender’s Guide. In addition to short stories, he is the author of Time on My Hands: My Misadventures in Time Travel, Father of the Bride of Frankenstein, Can Your Heart Stand the Shocking Facts? and (with Deborah Cutler-Hand) Banned in Boston. He is also a working film critic (NorthShoreMovies.net) and writes the “Take Two on the Movies” column for Space and Time magazine, spotlighting classic (and not so classic) SF films. Other Socials

< Back Jo Miles Literary Author Jo Miles writes optimistic science fiction and fantasy, including the Gifted of Brennex space opera trilogy beginning with Warped State. Their short stories have appeared in magazines including Uncanny, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Lightspeed, and more. They live in Maryland. Find a complete list of Jo’s books and short stories at www.jomiles.com. Other Socials http://www.jomiles.com

< Back Dr. Eric Haag Science Scientist Eric Haag, PhD, is Professor of Biology at the University of Maryland, College Park, and author of The Other Big Bang: The Story of Sex and Its Human Legacy (2024, Columbia Univ. Press). His lab conducts research on the evolution of animal reproduction and the genes that regulate it. A Nevada native, he attended Oberlin College and earned a Ph.D in molecular, cell, and developmental biology at Indiana University. In his postdoc at the University of Wisconsin he began a long-standing project on the evolution of self-fertile hermaphroditism in nematodes. This work has explored the genetics causes and reproductive consequences of adopting self-fertility. In 2015, Haag’s group began working with the only self-fertile vertebrate, the mangrove killifish. You can read more about the Haag Lab's NIH and NSF-supported research at his website. Other Socials http://www.haaglab.org

< Back Mitch Bustillos Gaming Designer Creator of tabletop role-playing games. What games , who knows. You might have to visit the game room to find out. Other Socials

< Back Dana Bell Literary Author/Editor Owned by two cats Taj and Esther, Dana Bell often creates tales that include her four footed overlords. Most of her stories and books feature felines, but a few contain dogs and wolves. Raised in rural Idaho she had the advantage of having been on farms, ranches and part of small town life. In later years she moved from Idaho to Oregon, then Boston, MA until settling in Denver, Colorado. Her travels include national parks, both east and west coastlines, a cruise to the Bahamas, ghost towns and animal rescues or zoos. All of her journeys allowed her to create unique settings for her characters to explore. Books authored by her: Winter Awakening, Winter Emergence, God's Gift, Bast's Chosen Ones and Homefall Search. Romance is under her pen name Belle Blukat, her first book in this genre Blood Bride. Also an editor she's worked with many up and coming authors including their stories in anthologies. Hobbies include dollhouses, flower arrangements, and candle holders. Other Socials

< Back Carolyn Ives Gilman Literary Author Carolyn Ives Gilman is a Hugo, and Nebula, and Sturgeon Award-nominated author of science fiction and fantasy. Her books include Dark Orbit, a space exploration adventure; Isles of the Forsaken and Ison of the Isles, a two-book fantasy about culture clash and revolution; and Halfway Human, a novel about gender and oppression. Her short fiction has appeared in Analog, Tor.com, Lightspeed, Clarkesworld, Fantasy and Science Fiction, Interzone, Realms of Fantasy, and others. Her work has been translated into a dozen languages and appeared in numerous Best Science Fiction of the Year anthologies. Gilman lives in Washington, D.C., and works as a freelance writer and museum consultant. She is also author of seven nonfiction books about North American frontier and Native history. Other Socials

< Back David Simms Literary Author David Simms now lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with his family after escaping decades of chaos in New Jersey and Massachusetts. A psychology teacher and college professor, counselor, music therapist, and ghost tour guide, he has survived a long tenure in the Slushpile band on lead guitar after co-founding the Killer Thriller Band with several best-selling ITW and HWA authors. He gives workshops on using music to help students of all ages to learn and de-stress, getting teens to write, and combating burnout for teachers in schools.His novels include PIERCE THE VEIL (thriller), FEAR THE REAPER (historical thriller) AMERI-SCARES: New Jersey - CURSE OF THE BARRENS (middle grade horror), DARK MUSE (YA/MG dark fantasy) all through Crossroads Press. His piece in YOU'RE NOT ALONE IN THE DARK from Cemetery Dance Publications is one of many from several writers in speculative fiction who share their battles with mental heath. Other Socials

< Back Jana Brown Literary Editor Jana S. Brown entered the world of publishing in the mid-90s and has never looked back. She’s worked as a fiction writer, technical writer, editor, presenter, author coach, and a host of other positions. In the last several years, she’s assisted in the creation of bestselling and award-winning novels in the self-publishing space as well as working as an editor with small presses and as an acceptance editor for Book Cave, a book promotion company. She has twenty books published across three pennames, as well as a host of articles and award-winning anthology tales, and adores helping other creators reach their goals. Her amazing family and fuzzy sidekicks provide her with support, inspiration, and amusement, sometimes not in that order. Other Socials

< Back Lisa Hodorovych Literary Author Writing has always been a constant for Lisa. Ever since she was little, she knew she was going to be an author and now, she is living her dream. When she is not working on her own writing, she is working with others on their stories through her company, Quoth the Writer. She currently lives in New Jersey with her husband, John. When she is not working at all, she is either watching her favorite movies or TV shows, reading, or spending time with her family, friends, and husband. Other Socials

< Back Michelle Hymowitz Gaming Staff Michelle is the former president of the Games Club of Maryland. She has been involved in the boardgaming community for over 25 years, been a High School teacher even longer, attended Balticon even longer, and arranged the Gaming Track panels for over five years. Her husband is lying when he says she is forcing him to attend. Other Socials

< Back Beyond the Score When a conductor of the stars tries to enforce order, an innovative star leads him to discover the beauty of creativity within structure. When a conductor of the stars tries to enforce order, an innovative star leads him to discover the beauty of creativity within structure. Previous Next