Program Participants Featuring 150+ Panelists from all over the world. Authors, Publishers, Editors, Artists, Scientists, Musicians, Cosplayers, and more! Check back as our list of confirmed Participants grows! Our Panelists are kinda the best D.H. Aire Author D.H. Aire has published more than 20 books, most recent are Knight's Blood and Bigfoot Hunting. His love of history & archaeology found... Read More John Appel Author John Appel's debut novel ASSASSIN’S ORBIT was published by Rebellion in July 2021 and was a finalist for the 2022 Compton Crook Award... Read More Martin Berman-gorvine Author After an eventful youth living in Israel and fathering 3 sons, I live with my wife and 2 of my now-grown sons in Potomac, Maryland... Read More Paul Bove Gamer Paul Bove is a Maryland based World History Teacher with an M.A, in International Relations. An author with articles published on... Read More Suzanne A Buck Author When Suzanne A Buck was a girl, her older sister bet she would end up working with animals because even as a toddler she had a natural... Read More Iver Cooper Author Iver Cooper has been an active contributor to Eric Flint's "1632" shared universe, with more than 20 short stories and more than 40... Read More Galen Dara Artist Galen Dara has created art for Uncanny Magazine, Lightspeed Magazine, Fireside Fiction Magazine, Fantasy Flight Games... Read More Tom Doyle Author Tom Doyle is the award-winning author of the American Craftsmen trilogy from Tor Books, and the Agent of Exiles series... Read More Charles Gannon Author Dr. Charles E. Gannon’s best known work is in the best-selling Caine Riordan hard sf series and the Vortex of Worlds epic fantasy saga... Read More Lee Hawkridge Author A budding streamer, compulsory world-builder, and a occasional author of short stories, Lee has been in the fandom for nearly fifteen... Read More Larry Hodges Author Larry Hodges is an active member of SFWA with over 220 short story sales, with 56 "pro" sales, including four novels... Read More George Hrab Musician Best known in his home town of Bethlehem, PA as the longtime drummer for The Philadelphia Funk Authority, George Hrab is also an... Read More A. L. Kaplan Author A. L. Kaplan’s love of books started as a child and sparked a creative imagination. Born on a cold winter morning in scenic northern New... Read More Mike Luoma Author Mike Luoma writes and publishes science fiction and comics, narrates audiobooks, creates the long-running "Glow-in-the-Dark Radio"... Read More Gail Z. Martin Author Gail Z. Martin writes epic fantasy, urban fantasy & more for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, and Falstaff Books. She also writes as Morgan... Read More Chidumebi Njoku-Brown Researcher I have been a researcher of African History since 2011. I have a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and... Read More Sydney Olivia Author Sydney Olivia is a soon-to-be traditionally published author who writes fantasy, romance, fantasy romance, romantasy, and anything... Read More Ann Pollack Engineer Ann Pollack, Principal Professional Staff member at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (APL), brings 35+ years of engineering... Read More Dr. Karen Purcell Masquerade Director Dr. Karen Purcell obtained her Bachelor's in Biology from Pace University, Pleasantville Campus. She graduated with the Class... Read More Robert J. Sawyer Author Robert J. Sawyer, the 2017 recipient of the Robert A. Heinlein Award, has been called “The dean of Canadian science fiction” by both the CBC... Read More Alex Shvartsman Author Alex Shvartsman is the author of Kakistocracy (2023), The Middling Affliction (2022) and Eridani’s Crown (2019) fantasy novels... Read More Mary G. Thompson Author Mary G. Thompson is the author of the sci-fi novella One Level Down (Tachyon, 2025). She is also the author of The Word, Flicker... Read More David Walton Author David Walton hails from Philadelphia, where he lives with his wife and eight children. An engineer by day and an author by night... Read More T. C. Weber Author T. C. Weber has pursued writing since childhood, and learned filmmaking and screenwriting in college, along with physics and ecology. His latest... Read More Yoshi Director of RPG and Tabletop Programming Hello fellow nerds, I am Yoshi! I am the Director of RPG and Tabletop Programming for Balticon 59... Read More Ken Altabef Author A SFWA and HWA member, Ken Altabef's short fiction has appeared in magazines such as F&SF, Interzone, Daily Science Fiction... Read More Sarah Avery Author Sarah Avery's first book, Tales from Rugosa Coven, won the 2015 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award. Her short fiction has appeared in Beneath... Read More Joshua Bilmes Agent Joshua Bilmes is the President of JABberwocky Literary Agency, which he founded in 1994, and hopes to discover another new client this year... Read More Walt Boyes Editor Walt Boyes is a journalist, analyst, and recognized authority on 21st Century manufacturing and automation. He is a Fellow of... Read More Misha Bushyager Designer I’m a longtime gamer and designer working on making sure the next generation of geeks sees themselves represented. I’m a panelist... Read More Tyaz Cosplay Cosplay Tyaz Cosplay has been sewing since she was 10 and cosplaying for 10 years. Although sewing is her original focus, she has also expanded into... Read More Randee Dawn Author Randee Dawn is a Brooklyn-based SFF/H author at night and an entertainment journalist during the day for publications including... Read More Christiana Ellis Author Christiana is an engineer, podcaster, writer and streamer from the Boston area. She is the author of the fantasy novel, "Nina Kimberly the... Read More Eric Hardenbrook Author Eric is a fan, an author and an artist, usually in that order. Eric lives in central Pennsylvania with his amazing family. He writes... Read More Morgan Hazelwood Author Morgan Hazelwood has been sharing “Writing Tips & Writerly Musings” with writing tips from the pros and her own writerly musings since 2015... Read More Anastasia Holt Cosplay Anastasia has enjoyed costumes and Halloween and being in plays since I was a baby. My love for this only grew as I immersed myself more... Read More hymie! Gamer hymie! is here because his wife is making him. She has involved him in the boardgaming community for over 20 years. She has also... Read More Daniel M. Kimmel Author Daniel M. Kimmel is the 2018 recipient of the Skylark Award, given by the New England Science Fiction Association. He was a finalist... Read More Shahid Mahmud Editor Shahid Mahmud created Arc Manor; a Maryland based small press in 2006. Since then, the company has become a significant small SF... Read More Jo Miles Author Jo Miles writes optimistic science fiction and fantasy, including the Gifted of Brennex space opera trilogy beginning with Warped State... Read More Chris Oakley Book Seller Chris Oakley owned and operated Oakley’s Gently Used Books, a bricks & mortar used bookshop with a specialty in Sci Fi/Fantasy, for more... Read More Dr. Neil Ottenstein Physicist Neil Ottenstein obtained a PhD in theoretical nuclear physics in 1990 and since then has been workingin flight dynamics for one of... Read More Andrija Popovic Author Andrija Popovic is a native of the Washington DC metropolitan area who indulges in photography, spends entirely too much on books, and... Read More John Robison Fan A Native of Maryland, John is a lifelong fan of Science Fiction and Fantasy. He loves Star Wars, both versions of Battlestar Galactica... Read More Ken Schrader Author Ken Schrader writes Science Fiction, Steampunk, Fantasy, Weird Westerns, and anything else he can get away with. He’s a... Read More Morgan Stallard LGBT+ and Disability Programming Morgan Stallard is an autistic trans man, local convention regular and LGBT+/Disability activist. He's been involved in running LGBT+ and... Read More Michael R. Underwood Author The Ree Reyes books: Geekomancy (2012), Celebromancy (2013), Attack the Geek (2014), Hexomancy (2015), Genrenauts The Shootout Solution... Read More Jean Marie Ward Author Jean Marie Ward writes fiction, nonfiction and everything in between, including novels, art books, and military strategy... Read More Martin Wilsey Author Martin Wilsey is a full-time author and creator of the bestselling SOLSTICE 31 SAGA. Mr. Wilsey's first novel, STILL FALLING... Read More Scott H. Andrews Editor Scott H. Andrews is Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of the ten-time Hugo Award finalist fantasy magazine Beneath Ceaseless Skies... Read More Jim Beall Engineer Jim Beall (BS-Math, MBA, PE) has been a nuclear engineer for over 50 years and an avid science fiction reader for even longer. His... Read More Liz Bosarge Author I'm a STEM Librarian passionate about eco-criticism, Indigenous justice in the library, and comic books. In my free time, I write... Read More C. D. Brown Author C.D. Brown is a writer and filmmaker from New Orleans. He edits and publishes the fantasy magazine Dirty Magick and is the author... Read More Doc Colman Author Doc Coleman never dreamed of being a writer. He dreamed of being an actor, of making movies. Unfortunately, that didn't happen... Read More Elwin Cotman Author Elwin Cotman is a storyteller from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is the author of three collections of speculative short stories... Read More Virginia DeMarce Author Virginia DeMarce, since retiring as a historian in 2004, has been an active participant in the 1632 alternate history series founded by Eric Flint... Read More Ruthanna Emrys Author Ruthanna Emrys is the author of the Innsmouth Legacy series, including Winter Tide and Deep Roots, and A Half-Built Garden. She writes... Read More Bjorn E. Hasseler Author Bjorn was in a library looking for Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy when he found David Weber's Honor Harrington books. Once he read... Read More Dr. Inge Heyer Astronomer Born and raised in Berlin, Germany, Dr. Inge Heyer completed her secondary education there before accepting a language... Read More Dr. Tom Holtz Scientist Thomas R. Holtz, Jr. is Principal Lecturer in Vertebrate Paleontology at the Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park... Read More Michelle Hymowitz Gamer Michelle is the former president of the Games Club of Maryland. She has been involved in the boardgaming community for over 25 years... Read More Emily Anne Lewis Musician Emily got hooked on filk as a member of Sassafrass. Having played Baldur in Sassafrass' production "Sundown" at... Read More Elora Malat Gamer Elora Malat (she/her) has been volunteering at Balticon since 2010 since she graduated from Cumberland County College... Read More LH Moore Author LH Moore’s speculative fiction has been published in all three Dark Dreams anthologies of Black horror writers; Bram Stoker Award Finalist... Read More Bob Oliver Gamer I am a professional historian with some 25 years of experience, 17 with the U.S. Air Force. I have been a sci-fi/fantasy fan since the 1970s, and... Read More Sarah Pinsker Author Sarah Pinsker is the Hugo, Nebula, Sturgeon, Philip K Dick, Locus, and Eugie Award winning author of A Song For A New Day, Sooner or... Read More Jennifer R. Povey Author Jennifer R. Povey lives in Northern Virginia with her husband. She writes a variety of speculative fiction, whilst following... Read More Christopher Mark Rose Author Christopher Mark Rose is an engineer for NASA spacecraft by day, a writer of speculative fictions by night. His work has appeared... Read More Melissa Scott Author Melissa Scott has published more than thirty original novels and a handful of short stories, most with queer themes and characters... Read More R. Taylor Author Library worker by night—crafter, author, artist, voice actor, and sometime podcaster by everywhen else. His stories have appeared in... Read More Mark L. Van Name Author Mark L. Van Name is a writer, technologist, and spoken word performer. He has published five novels (One Jump Ahead... Read More Joy Ward Editor Joy Ward has been a pro writer and editor for over thirty years. She has several science fiction books including a novel. and several... Read More Sherri Cook Woosley Author Sherri Cook Woosley has a Master's Degree in English with a focus on comparative mythology from the University of Maryland. She drew... Read More

< Back hymie! Operations Gamer hymie! is here because his wife is making him. She has involved him in the boardgaming community for over 20 years. She has also forced him to work on the Balticon web site and run the Hal Haag Memorial Game Room. Yes, he does indeed spell his name with an exclamation point, and prefers the lowercase 'h'. Other Socials

< Back Chidumebi Njoku-Brown Science Researcher I have been a researcher of African History since 2011. I have a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and History along with a Master's Degree in Public Administration and Public Policy. I have been on several Paleontological digs and volunteered as an educator for the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. I have been a Lobbyist, Teacher, Amateur Paleontologist, City Policy Planner, IRS agent, Tax agent and now, panel speaker. I have presented at 2 previous Balticon events and I run a podcast going in depth about West African History and Mythology. Other Socials

< Back Liz Bosarge Literary Author I'm a STEM Librarian passionate about eco-criticism, Indigenous justice in the library, and comic books. In my free time, I write book reviews and articles for School Library Journal. Other Socials

< Back LH Moore Literary Author LH Moore’s speculative fiction has been published in all three Dark Dreams anthologies of Black horror writers; Bram Stoker Award Finalist anthology Sycorax's Daughters; Black Magic Women; the collaborative Chiral Mad 4 anthology, as well as in Apex, FIYAH, and Fireside Magazine. A DC native exiled in Maryland, Moore is a historian with an M.A. in historic preservation and loves classical guitar, graphic novels, and video games. She is a member of the Diverse Writers and Artists of Speculative Fiction creatives group. Other Socials

< Back Suzanne A Buck Literary Author When Suzanne A Buck was a girl, her older sister bet she would end up working with animals because even as a toddler she had a natural gift. Her sister would have won, during her career she has worked as a Veterinary technician with large and small domesticated animals, exotics and as a zoo keeper at Smithsonian's national zoo adventally specializing of big cats. Ms. Buck holds a dual Bachelors of science in zoology and veterinary science from University of Maryland College park. Due to health issues, she has medically retired but champion's the cause of her beloved big cats, ecology, and education. In her free time, she dabbles in writing, both gaming with computers and pen and paper role playing, fishing, music, and helping Big Cat Rescue. Other Socials

< Back John Robison Literary 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 Lee Hawkridge Literary Author A budding streamer, compulsory world-builder, and a occasional author of short stories, Lee has been in the fandom for nearly fifteen years. Other Socials

< Back Paul Bove Gaming Gamer Paul Bove is a Maryland based World History Teacher with an M.A, in International Relations. An author with articles published on military history, and social studies education, He has more than 30 years of experience has a game master primarily running various editions of Dungeons and Dragons with a strong interest in campaign world design. He currently lives in Maryland with his wife Meredith and two dogs. Other Socials

< Back Michael R. Underwood Literary Author The Ree Reyes books: Geekomancy (2012), Celebromancy (2013), Attack the Geek (2014), Hexomancy (2015), Genrenauts The Shootout Solution (2015), The Absconded Ambassador (2016), The Cupid Reconciliation (2016), The Substitute Sleuth (2016), The Failed Fellowship (2016), Genrenauts: The Complete Season One (2016), The Wasteland War (2021), Shield & Crocus (2014), The Younger Gods (2014), Born to the Blade (2018) – written with Malka Older, Cassandra Khaw, and Marie BrennanAnnihilation Aria (2020), TTRPGs The Only Logical Solution is Hijinx (2022), Candela Obscura (2023 - consulting designer & additional writing), and Daggerheart (2025 - additional designer) Other Socials

< Back Mike Luoma Literary Author Mike Luoma writes and publishes science fiction and comics, narrates audiobooks, creates the long-running "Glow-in-the-Dark Radio" podcast, and curates the Adult Alternative music mix on WBKM.org radio out of Burlington, Vermont. His Vatican Assassin introduced BC, a killer for the New catholic Church whose story unfolds in Vatican Ambassador and Vatican Abdicator. He recently released a 15th Anniversary Edition of the novel, with an audiobook featuring voice cameos from podcasting luminaries. Info at MikeLuoma.com / glowinthedarkradio.com. Other Socials

< Back Iver Cooper Literary Author Iver Cooper has been an active contributor to Eric Flint's "1632" shared universe, with more than 20 short stories and more than 40 articles published so far. Iver's 1632 universe braided story anthology 1636: Seas of Fortune was published by Baen 2014-15. He is the co-author, with Eric Flint, of 1636: The China Venture, set in Ming China and expected to be published in 2019. Iver is an intellectual property law attorney with Browdy & Neimark, Washington, DC. He has received legal writing awards from the American Patent Law Association, the US Trademark Association, and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and is the sole author of Biotechnology and the Law, now in its 20-something edition. In his spare time he teaches swing and folk dancing, and participates in local photo club competitions. Iver is married, with a son who is a public policy analyst, and a daughter working at Universal Orlando as a copywriter. Other Socials