< Back Compton Crook Selections 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. BSFS is proud to present the Finalists for the 2026 Compton Crook Award for best debut novel in the SF, Fantasy, and Horror genres: The Finalists are All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall The Book of Lost Hours by Hayley Gelfuso ~ Winner The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory by Yaroslav Barsukov A Song of Legends Lost by M. H. Ayinde Splinter Effect: A Novel by Andrew Ludington Select the image to find more information about each book and the author.

< Back Dr. Tom Holtz Science Scientist Thomas R. Holtz, Jr. is Principal Lecturer in Vertebrate Paleontology at the Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park. His research focuses on the origin, evolution, adaptations, and behavior of carnivorous dinosaurs, and especially of tyrannosauroids (Tyrannosaurus rex and its kin). He received his Bachelors at Johns Hopkins in 1987 and his Ph.D. from Yale in 1992. He is also a Research Associate of the Department of Paleobiology of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and serves on the Scientific Council of Maryland Academy of Science (which operates the Maryland Science Center (Baltimore, MD)). In addition to his dinosaur research, Holtz has been active in scientific outreach. He has been a consultant on museum exhibits documentaries. He is the author of the award-winning Dinosaurs: The Most Complete, Up-To-Date Encyclopedia for Dinosaur Lovers of All Ages (Random House). Other Socials

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< Back Jeanne Adams Literary Author Jeanne Adams writes award-winning romantic suspense, paranormal and urban fantasies, as well as space opera that’s been compared to the works of Robert Heinlein and Jack McDevitt. She’s also a sought-after speaker, teaching classes on body disposal for writers, worldbuilding and collaboration, plotting for pantzers and how to write a fight scene that works! Jeanne lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two growing sons, as well as three dogs – two Labs and an Irish Water Spaniel. Don’t tell, but she’s prone to adopting more dogs when her husband isn’t looking. Featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine, and other publications, her books have been consistently hailed as “One of the best Suspense Books of the Year!” by Romantic Times and “Stunningly realistic space adventure” by Amazon reviewers. You can find her books on all major platforms, and connect with her on the web at her website, Other Socials http://www.JeanneAdams.com

< List of Vendors Dealers Wanted Dealer's Room Balticon’s Dealers Room is a curated selection of vendors catering to fandom. We offer space for everything from games and gaming paraphernalia to jewelry, booksellers, authors, and more. While Artist’s Alley focuses on artists and their creations, our Dealers Room is open to creators and resellers alike. We work hard to offer the members of Balticon a variety of selections so we’re careful to curate our vendor applications. This means we try not to have duplicate vendors. Please select the following button to be added to the email list: Balticon Dealers Room Registration We are only accepting vendors related to Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror literature and geek culture to ensure a good fit for our event (Companies not currently being accepted include but are not limited to: travel, home improvement, direct/home sales, etc.). Thank you for your understanding. Half Table (authors only) $100 6’ x 8’ space $190 10’ x 10’ space $330 To register for an Dealers Room table: Fill out the Dealers Room Application Form. After being accepted, you will receive an email with the Dealers Information Packet and a Square invoice. For more information, email dealers@balticon.org . Check out our list of confirmed vendors closer to the con! Read more to learn about becoming a Dealer!

Exhibits Dealers Room 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! Read More Art Show The Balticon Art Show spotlights unique creations from all the genres dear to our geeky hearts. Science fiction and fantasy fans can enjoy a display of paintings, prints, sculptures, and jewelry. Try your luck in the silent auction, or ensure your success with a quick sale purchase! Our show is open to artists of all ages and talent levels. If you’re interested in showcasing your own work, take a look at our Art Show Guidelines & Rules page (see the button below). Read More Artist Alley Our Artist Alley is home to original artwork and crafts of all kinds, and the artists who create them. Read More

< Back Father John Robison Fan Fan A Native of Maryland, John is a lifelong fan of Science Fiction and Fantasy. He loves Star Wars, both versions of Battlestar Galactica, and anime. He holds degrees in History, and Philosophical Theology, with a particular interest in the history of ideas, and paradigm shifts in thought. He is sarcastic, opinionated, and has a deep dislike of a particular long running television program. He is also a Priest in the Old Catholic Church, Provence of the United States a Progressive denomination, with roots in the Netherlands. No, he doesn't say Mass in Latin. Unless you ask really nicely and promise not to make fun of his pronunciation. Other Socials

< Back Diana Peterfreund Literary Author Diana Peterfreund has published fifteen novels for adults, teens, and kids, including the four-book Secret Society Girl series, the “killer unicorn novels” Rampant and Ascendant, For Darkness Shows the Stars (a post-apocalyptic retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion), and Across a Star-Swept Sea (inspired by the classic series The Scarlet Pimpernel). Her middle grade trilogy, Omega City, are contemporary adventure novels for younger readers set in a secret bunker city somewhere under modern Maryland. Her CLUE mysteries were written in partnership with Hasbro to bring the classic board game to life for the modern teen. Diana lives in Maryland with her family. Other Socials

Fan Tables Balticon Besties! Fan Table Request We are now accepting applications for fan tables. Please fill out our Fan Table Request form. Or if you have any questions about Fan Tables, please contact fantables@balticon.org . The Fan tables are located on the 5th floor of the hotel right next to the main elevators (before you get to the registration table). A listing of Fan Tables will be provided when the list is finalized.

< Back Andrew Lillien Literary Author My name is Andrew, and I have been playing RPGs since 2005. I started out with D&D 3 and 3.5, and fell in love with participating in stories. I started GMing in 2008, and have run all sorts of campaigns, one shots, and outright ridiculousness. I currently run Blades in the Dark as a permanent campaign, and I am running The Rules of the Deep as the Pathfinder 2e campaign I am in just wrapped up a four year long campaign. My favorite game designers are GS Howitt, Spencer Moore, and Avery Adler. I have got married in 2011, have three kids, two of which like to play RPGs as well. When their busy schedules allow, we play Chasing Adventure. I like to read science fiction, fantasy, and the history of pretty much anything if it is well written. Other Socials

< Back Sara Itka Literary Author Sara Itka is a born and raised South Floridian, meaning she believes “Fall” is when a hurricane comes and blows leaves off the trees. She is an alumna of the Superstars Writing Seminar, and she has a sci-fi short story featured in Once Upon a Future Time Vol. 4 by the Brothers Uber, and a comedy contemporary short story in Weird Wilderness by WordFire Press. Her Jewish paranormal rom-com short story will be in the upcoming Chaotic Cupids by WordFire Press. When she isn’t working through her seemingly infinite “to be read” list, she can usually be found procrastinating working on her seemingly infinite “to be written” list. Her favorite procrastination methods include procrasti-linguistics, procrasti-making-YouTube-playlists-for-projects, procrasti-dancing-to-the-playlists, and procrasti-brewing-tea. If you want to help her procrastinate, find her at saraitka.com. Other Socials

< List of Vendors Mahali Pengine Ent LLC Dealer's Room Rod Van Blake is a Marine veteran who loves science fiction and fantasy novels. After publishing his debut novel Ancient Illumination in 2016, he published sequels in 2018 and 2020, and most recently released a fantasy novel Nyumbani Chronicles: The Return Home in 2021. He is now working on his fifth literary novel to be published later this year. There are also illustrated comics and graphic novels of the series available in print, on Kindle and ComiXology. Novels, Graphic Novels, Comics, Art Prints, and Stickers. https://ancientillumination.net/