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Baltimore Science Fiction Society
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.