TheCompton Crook Award is presented by theBaltimore Science Fiction Society (BSFS) to the year's best English language debut novel in thescience fiction,fantasy, orhorror genres, as voted by its members. BSFS confers the award at their annual science fiction convention,Balticon, held inBaltimore onMemorial Day weekend. The award, also known as theCompton Crook/Stephen Tall Award, has been presented since 1983.[1][2][3] Compton Crook, who wrote under the name ofStephen Tall, was a long-time Baltimore resident,Towson University professor, and science fiction author who died in 1981.
The list of eligible books is published in the monthly newsletter so that all club members will have a chance to read and vote. The winning author receives a cash award of $1,000 as well as a plaque, and their Balticon attendance is sponsored for two years; in the second year, the author presents the award to their successor. The invitation to Balticon is intended in part as a professional networking opportunity for the new author.[4]
