The Baltimore Science Fiction Society is a literary society focusing on science fiction, fantasy and related genera. Based in Baltimore, Maryland, the BSFS sponsors Balticon, the Maryland Regional Science Fiction Convention, and a young writers contest for Maryland students named "'The Jack L. Chalker Young Writers Contest." It maintains a free lending library, and conducts other public outreach events promoting literacy. Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ... haha For other meanings see Fantasy (disambiguation) Fantasy is a genre of art that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. ... Nickname: Monument City, Charm City, Mob Town, B-more Motto: Get In On It (formerly The City That Reads and The Greatest City in America; BELIEVE is not the official motto but rather a specific campaign) Location of Baltimore in Maryland Coordinates: Country United States State Maryland County Independent City... Balticon is the Maryland Regional Science fiction convention in the same way that the Worldcon is the World Science Fiction Convention. ... Jack Laurence Chalker (December 17, 1944 - February 11, 2005) was an American science fiction author. ...

The BSFS has presented "The Compton Crook Award" each Balticon SM (since 1983) for "... the best first novel in the genre published during the previous year ...". 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 SM (BSFS pays transportation and lodging) and presented with the cash award. Compton Crook, who used the nom de plume Stephen Tall, died in 1981. He was a long time Baltimore resident, Towson University professor, and of course, a science fiction author. The Compton Crook Award is presented to the best first novel of the year in the field of Science Fiction, Fantasy, or Horror by the members of the Baltimore Science Fiction Society, Inc, at their annual Baltimore-area science fiction convention, Balticon, held on Memorial Day weekend in downtown Baltimore... Stephen Tall (1908-1981) was an American science fiction writer who published under the pseudonym Compton Crook. ... Stephen Tall (1908-1981) was an American science fiction writer who published under the pseudonym Compton Crook. ... Towson University, located in Towson in Baltimore County, Maryland, is part of the University System of Maryland. ...

History

The Baltimore Science Fiction Society was first formed on January 5, 1963, on the back seat of a Trailways bus, by people returning from a meeting of the Washington Science Fiction Association (WSFA). It went into suspended animation as an organization after an election of officers which proved disastrous on October 12, 1968, on a (non-functioning) streetcar. Its only production of consequence was starting Balticon SM (1966) and it has in common with the present group only the name, spirit, Balticon and continuity of the same three founding members. January 5 is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ... The Trailways Transportation System is a group of 63 independent bus companies that have entered into a franchise agreement. ... The Washington Science Fiction Association (WSFA) is the oldest science fiction club in the Washington, D.C. area. ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... a historic postcard showing electric trolley-powered streetcars in Richmond, Virginia, where Frank J. Sprague successfully demonstrated his new system on the hills in 1888 A streetcar is a railway vehicle designed to carry passengers on tracks, usually laid in city streets. ...

There was no formal BSFS during the intervening years, but several fans managed to keep the Balticon SM tradition alive by holding Balticons SM number 3 through 8.

Present

The present Baltimore Science Fiction Society was re-started in 1974 when it was incorporated in the State of Maryland. It applied for and was granted IRS tax exempt status. State nickname: Old Line State; Free State Other U.S. States Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Official languages English Area 32,160 km² (42nd)  - Land 25,338 km²  - Water 6,968 km² (21%) Population (2000)  - Population 5,296,486 (19th)  - Density 165 /km² (5th) Admittance into... Seal of the Internal Revenue Service The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the United States government agency that collects taxes and enforces the tax laws. ...

BSFS is the third Science Fiction society in the country to own their own meeting place. LASFS (Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society) and NESFA (New England Science Fiction Association) are the other two. The former theater at 3310 East Baltimore Street, in the Highlandtown section of Baltimore, is being slowly renovated as time and money allow. On December 15, 2004 after a long fight by BSFS the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled favorably on the tax exemption status of the BSFS building reversing a ruling by the Maryland State Department of Assessment and Taxation forcing a revision of the Maryland Property tax code for literary organizations and other non-profit organizations. BSFS maintains a popular SF resources website with something for everyone who likes science fiction in any of its cultural art forms. The Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society or LASFS is a private club in North Hollywood, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, California. ... The New England Science Fiction Association, NESFA, is a science fiction club, founded in 1967. ...

External links

• Baltimore Science Fiction Society Official Website