Presented by NEXTERUS and
BookCAMP by Printed Word Reviews
2027 Vendor Applications will open this fall.
Meet the Executive Committee
Ariel Barbera | Author
Ariel Barbera is a dystopian fiction writer and explores anything within the speculative fiction genre. Fire in Flight is her debut novel. She graduated from Penn State with a BA in English, and lived in southern Pennsylvania for most of her life. She currently lives in Virginia with her family and three cats.
Ariel is also the co-owner of Gemini Valley Publishing, a small press that explores speculative fiction.
Ariel Barbera is a dystopian fiction writer and explores anything within the speculative fiction genre. Fire in Flight is her debut novel. She graduated from Penn State University with a BA in English and lived in southern Pennsylvania for most of her life. She currently lives in Virginia with her family and three cats. Ariel is also the co-owner of Gemini Valley Publishing, a small press that explores speculative fiction.
Alana Beall | Artist Photographer
Alana Beall is a fine artist and photographer. She paints original and commissioned paintings, commercial murals as well as photography packages.
Alana Beall is a fine artist and photographer. She paints original and commissioned paintings, commercial murals as well as photography packages.
Larry Garnett | Artist
Larry Garnett is self-taught multi-media artist and writer of speculative fiction, who is inspired by the joy and wonder of nature, the imaginative realms of speculative fiction, and bringing new perspective on the world around us.
Art has always been part of his life, though not always in the most conventional sense. During his early school years, he resisted becoming a professional artist because he felt having to do so to make a living would take all the joy out of it. For many years Larry worked in building trades, from installing walkway pavers with fancy designs to interior finish carpentry to painting houses. He also instructed art classes for homeschoolers and was the parent leader for props and sets development for student plays. It was only later in life Larry realized he had been working as an artist all along, just on a larger canvas. Finally, when COVID-19 struck and time was available, he began to paint, draw, sculpt and do other artwork on a regular basis, and opened up to art becoming a full-time pursuit. In the Fall of 2023, Larry established the website Art by Larry Garnett and offered his first collection of acrylic painting prints for sale.
Currently he has offerings in three different series: Back Roads & Quiet Waters, Dragon Town, and Different Perspectives, with the first of the Transformations series due out in 2026.
He is also an active member of the Harford Artist Association and the Cecil County Arts Council, where he had featured artist exhibits in March and July 2025.
Larry lives and creates out of his home in Elkton, MD with his mini-Australian shepherd named Chewie.
Larry Garnett is self-taught multi-media artist and writer of speculative fiction, who is inspired by the joy and wonder of nature, the imaginative realms of speculative fiction, and bringing new perspective on the world around us. Art has always been part of his life, though not always in the most conventional sense. During his early school years, he resisted becoming a professional artist because he felt having to do so to make a living would take all the joy out of it. For many years Larry worked in building trades, from installing walkway pavers with fancy designs to interior finish carpentry to painting houses. He also instructed art classes for homeschoolers and was the parent leader for props and sets development for student plays. It was only later in life Larry realized he had been working as an artist all along, just on a larger canvas. Finally, when COVID-19 struck and time was available, he began to paint, draw, sculpt and do other artwork on a regular basis, and opened up to art becoming a full-time pursuit. In the Fall of 2023, Larry established the website Art by Larry Garnett and offered his first collection of acrylic painting prints for sale. Currently he has offerings in three different series: Back Roads & Quiet Waters, Dragon Town, and Different Perspectives, with the first of the Transformations series due out in 2026. He is also an active member of the Harford Artist Association and the Cecil County Arts Council, where he had featured artist exhibits in March and July 2025. Larry lives and creates out of his home in Elkton, MD with his mini-Australian shepherd named Chewie.
Steven Landry | Author
Dr. Steven Landry is the author of the novels The Legend of Indian Stream and The Elohim, as well as the upcoming Rock. He co-authored, with Katie Rae Sank, of the novel The Maids of Chateau Vernet, and edited and co-authored the comic anthology Old Farts in Space. He is a retired U.S. Army officer and chemical engineer. Steve is a graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Stanford University. He lives in Bel Air, Maryland with his wife Diane.
Dr. Steven Landry is the author of the novels The Legend of Indian Stream and The Elohim, as well as the upcoming Rock. He co-authored, with Katie Rae Sank, of the novel The Maids of Chateau Vernet, and edited and co-authored the comic anthology Old Farts in Space. He is a retired U.S. Army officer and chemical engineer. Steve is a graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Stanford University. He lives in Bel Air, Maryland with his wife Diane.
Ted Olczak | Entrepreneur
Ted Olczak is the publisher of Printed Word Reviews magazine, and runs the BookCAMP event. He manages the marketing for the Independent Press Award and the NYC Big Book Award. Olczak launched a quarterly magazine BookCAMP, which addresses authors and publishers' challenges of book publishing.
He is a career-long publishing professional with a Master Degree in Marketing Management in Book and Magazine Publishing from New York University.
He started in the 90's working with book & magazine publishing, and has personally worked with thousands of books, and hundreds of publishers and authors on how to position their book and create successful marketing plans including:
Penguin Random House; Simon & Schuster; Readers Digest; Scholastic; Inner Traditions; Macmillan; St. Martin's Press; Weldon Owen; Workman; Chelsea Green; Abbeville (art books); American Express Publishing; Berrett-Koehler (Nonfiction); Charlesbridge (childrens); Chronicle Books; SOHO Publishing (Crime/Mystery); Candlewick (childrens); Dark Horse Comics; Harvard Business Press; Kensington Books (Young Adult/ Romance); Microcosm Publishing; New Harbinger (Psychology/Mental Health); North Atlantic Books (MBS/Cook/lifestyle); Sterling (Publishing arm of Barnes & Noble); Osprey (Military); Viz Media (Manga); etc.
His experience includes Independent Book Publishers Association, Independent Press Award, NYC Big Book Award; BookCAMP magazine; Publishers Weekly; National Business/Lifestyle Magazines (FORTUNE, Money, Delta, United, and 14 others); helped New York Magazine create its sister visitor publication IN-New York Magazine; Publisher of NYC Weddingpages for four years, created playbill and newsstand products and later sold business; managed News Communications Tribco's newspaper sales department with over a dozen representatives. Forecasting, budgeting, excellent sales, marketing and event sales track history. Motivated by and interested in "the challenge" & building businesses to succeed.
Ted Olczak is the publisher of Printed Word Reviews magazine, and runs the BookCAMP event. He manages the marketing for the Independent Press Award and the NYC Big Book Award. Olczak launched a quarterly magazine BookCAMP, which addresses authors and publishers' challenges of book publishing. He is a career-long publishing professional with a Master Degree in Marketing Management in Book and Magazine Publishing from New York University. He started in the 90's working with book & magazine publishing, and has personally worked with thousands of books, and hundreds of publishers and authors on how to position their book and create successful marketing plans including: Penguin Random House; Simon & Schuster; Readers Digest; Scholastic; Inner Traditions; Macmillan; St. Martin's Press; Weldon Owen; Workman; Chelsea Green; Abbeville (art books); American Express Publishing; Berrett-Koehler (Nonfiction); Charlesbridge (childrens); Chronicle Books; SOHO Publishing (Crime/Mystery); Candlewick (childrens); Dark Horse Comics; Harvard Business Press; Kensington Books (Young Adult/ Romance); Microcosm Publishing; New Harbinger (Psychology/Mental Health); North Atlantic Books (MBS/Cook/lifestyle); Sterling (Publishing arm of Barnes & Noble); Osprey (Military); Viz Media (Manga); etc. His experience includes Independent Book Publishers Association, Independent Press Award, NYC Big Book Award; BookCAMP magazine; Publishers Weekly; National Business/Lifestyle Magazines (FORTUNE, Money, Delta, United, and 14 others); helped New York Magazine create its sister visitor publication IN-New York Magazine; Publisher of NYC Weddingpages for four years, created playbill and newsstand products and later sold business; managed News Communications Tribco's newspaper sales department with over a dozen representatives. Forecasting, budgeting, excellent sales, marketing and event sales track history. Motivated by and interested in "the challenge" & building businesses to succeed.
Sam Polakoff | Author
Sam Polakoff is the chairman of the board and third-generation owner of Nexterus Inc. Sam has played an integral role in transforming Nexterus into a supply chain engineering and technology firm, helping small and mid-sized companies to position themselves for growth since his start in 1975. In 2022, he founded BrillDog, Inc., a supply chain software platform focused on the needs of smaller companies. Sam has spoken and conducted workshops around the country. He has been a guest lecturer at many area colleges, Sam is also a former adjunct faculty member at Penn State – York and his alma mater, Towson University. At Towson University, Sam served as chairman of the Advisory Board for the College of Business & Economics and taught “The CEO Simulation,” a course he designed for advanced business students aspiring to run a company after graduation. Sam graduated from Towson University in 1986 with a degree in Marketing. After dreaming of a career as a novelist for nearly forty years, Sam finally embarked on his writing journey after a challenge from a mentor. Today, he is the award-winning author of thrillers, Hiatus, Shaman, Escaping Mercy, and An Inch from Oblivion. In 2024, Sam released the first book in a historical fiction trilogy entitled The Diary of Essie Lassiter. In 2007, Sam wrote a children’s book entitled “A Christmas Tale,” Sam and his wife, Denise are longtime Harford County residents. They enjoy spending time with their children, grandchildren and four “furry” kids. Maddie, the energetic Golden Retriever and her three feline friends.
Sam Polakoff is the chairman of the board and third-generation owner of Nexterus Inc. Sam has played an integral role in transforming Nexterus into a supply chain engineering and technology firm, helping small and mid-sized companies to position themselves for growth since his start in 1975. In 2022, he founded BrillDog, Inc., a supply chain software platform focused on the needs of smaller companies. Sam has spoken and conducted workshops around the country. He has been a guest lecturer at many area colleges, Sam is also a former adjunct faculty member at Penn State – York and his alma mater, Towson University. At Towson University, Sam served as chairman of the Advisory Board for the College of Business & Economics and taught “The CEO Simulation,” a course he designed for advanced business students aspiring to run a company after graduation. Sam graduated from Towson University in 1986 with a degree in Marketing. After dreaming of a career as a novelist for nearly forty years, Sam finally embarked on his writing journey after a challenge from a mentor. Today, he is the award-winning author of thrillers, Hiatus, Shaman, Escaping Mercy, and An Inch from Oblivion. In 2024, Sam released the first book in a historical fiction trilogy entitled The Diary of Essie Lassiter. In 2007, Sam wrote a children’s book entitled “A Christmas Tale,” Sam and his wife, Denise are longtime Harford County residents. They enjoy spending time with their children, grandchildren and four “furry” kids. Maddie, the energetic Golden Retriever and her three feline friends.
Carrie Tipperreiter has spent most of her career in the finance sector. Upon the start of her family, she was given a glimpse into the world of pottery and was hooked. This glimpse started a fifteen year journey where her continued love of the craft has led to a successful pottery business and the opportunity to be part of the memories and celebrations created when each pot she makes is used.
Carrie Tipperreiter | Ceramic Artist
Carrie Tipperreiter has spent most of her career in the finance world. Upon the start of her family, she was given a glimpse into the world of pottery and she was hooked.
This glimpse started a 15-year journey where her continued love of the craft has led to a successful pottery business and the opportunity to be a part of the memories and celebrations each pot she makes is used.
Cindy Trostle | Artist
Cindy Trostle is an artist and owner of The Mandala Dot Shop. She is a self-taught mandala dot painting artist and instructor who loves sharing this relaxing, meditative art form with others. She offers both public and private workshops throughout Harford County and the surrounding areas, inspiring creativity in every class.
"Some people only dream of meeting their favorite artists - I teach mine."
Cindy resides in Perryman, Maryland and has worked fulltime for over ten years as an office manager for Five Star Plumbing Services. In her spare time, she enjoys boating, kayaking, dog rescue, and spending time with her sons and granddaughters.
Cindy Trostle is an artist and owner of The Mandala Dot Shop. She is a self-taught mandala dot painting artist and instructor who loves sharing this relaxing, meditative art form with others. She offers both public and private workshops throughout Harford County and the surrounding areas, inspiring creativity in every class. "Some people only dream of meeting their favorite artists - I teach mine." Cindy resides in Perryman, Maryland and has worked fulltime for over ten years as an office manager for Five Star Plumbing Services. In her spare time, she enjoys boating, kayaking, dog rescue, and spending time with her sons and granddaughters.