Hire Ethan!

I love to teach, speak to groups, inspire people to be creative and help you tell great stories.
I look forward to working with you! Contact me at ethan [at] ethangilsdorf [dot] com.

Experience:

I’ve appeared on NPR, The Discovery Channel, PBS, CBC, BBC, Mortified, and the TED stage and podcast. I have given talks, readings and led workshops at Harvard, MIT, USC, Notre Dame, Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival, La Sorbonne, the New York Public Library, and at conventions, bookstores, libraries, schools (elementary, middle and high), festivals and writing centers. I have been a keynote speaker; taught researchers and scientists to write their stories; moderated panel discussions and interviewed celebrities; and appeared at hundreds of events throughout the North America, Europe, and Middle-earth.

Hire me if your corporate team, bookstore, book group, school, library, or other group would like me to:

  • give a talk

  • organize a discussion

  • teach a writing class

  • teach you how to play Dungeons & Dragons

  • moderate a panel or Q&A

These events can be held in person, or online via video conference.

EVENTS AND SERVICES PACKAGES

Some of the events and writing services I can bring to your lecture hall, writing class or dungeon (in person, or online via video conference): 

Telling your story:

I offer three-hour, one-day, and multi-day creative writing workshops for elementary, middle school and high school aged kids, and adults, on a variety of topics, including "Telling your personal story," storytelling, memoir, personal essay, and journalism and op-ed writing, for all skill and experience levels. 

Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks, The Lecture: 

An overview presentation of my award-winning book, with a reading, and (if you want) a slide-lecture that encapsulates my journey into fantasy and gaming subcultures (D&D, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, World of Warcraft, medieval re-enactors), explains the appeal of these fantasy worlds, and my own journey to accept my inner geek. 

How Dungeons & Dragons Saved My Life

An inspiring and motivational talk about my personal history playing D&D and other role-playing games, and how they influenced me, changed my life, and helped me become a creative, socialized, and (mostly) full-adjusted human being I am today. With images from my personal gaming collection and the history of role-playing games.

I've Always Wanted to Play D&D, But ... A Three-Hour Fantasy Role-Playing Game Experience

Using a quick-start method and simplified version of the rules, I've developed a 3 to 5 hour D&D experience that even non-nerds can understand. In one session, you and your pals can play characters, go on an adventure, solve problems and defeat evil in your unique way, help tell a memorable story -- and have a great time. Doritos and Mountain Dew can be arranged.

Stranger Things Happened: A Life of Literary Adventure

A slide-lecture talk that tells of my nerdy and creative childhood and teenage experiences, and how they shaped my lifelong interest and career in writing, reading, and storytelling, followed by Q&A.