FOLLOW ETHAN ON HIS QUEST:
Book Tour/Events/Speaking & Teaching Engagements/Media Appearances/etc
The Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks bandwagon could come to your town!
My fall 2009 tour took me throughout New England, New York, the South, the Midwest, the West Coast. More dates have been booked for 2010. I'm also teaching writing classes in Boston. (See below.)
If you'd like me to read from my book, give a lecture or organize a discussion, I'm open to suggestions for the best and coolest bookstores, reading series, writers conferences, libraries, college campuses, prep schools, book fairs, fantasy and gaming conventions, game shops, geek fests, etc, in your area. Contact me with suggestions.
Check back --- new events being added all the time.
all best,
UPCOMING EVENTS: READING/PANEL APPEARANCES: Fri January 15-Mon Jan 18, 2010 Sunday 10pm: Reading from "Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks" Monday 1:00pm, Panel: "Metaphors, Memes, and the Mainstreaming of SF" IMDB had a list of the 15 top movies of the past 15 years and over half either won or were nominated for the Hugo. Phrases from Star Trek and Star Wars are still referenced today in the mainstream. Many of the devices conceived of in SF stories (mobile communicators, global tracking, voice command devices) are now commonplace. Are the SF/geek memes taking over? What happens when we win? Monday 2:00pm, Panel: "Nerdus Americanus: The American Nerd" From McFly to McLovin, nerds of all kinds are an undeniable force in America. What makes someone a nerd? How has the image of the nerd changed over the years, and does the popular image reflect reality? TEACHING: PANEL APPEARANCES, READING: >Friday, 6pm, Schools for Magicians (with Bruce Coville, Sarah Beth Durst, Lev Grossman and Jane Yolen) >Friday, 8pm, The "Lord of the Rings" Films: 5 Years Later (with Laurie Mann, Tom Shippey and Michael Swanwick) >Saturday, 1pm, Avatar! (with Bob Devney, Bob Eggleton, Daniel Kimmel and Michael Swanwick) >Saturday, 2pm, reading from Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks >Saturday, 4pm, Virtual Worlds (with Charles Stross and Vernor Vinge) >Sunday, 10am, Geeks are Chic lecture (for Teens and Kids) >Sunday, 1pm, Autographing session, Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks READING: TALK/TEACHING: Tues Feb 23, 2010, Brighton High School, Brighton, MA READING: READING: Please join us for the next Four Stories Boston event, "The Places We Go: Tales of voyage and discovery!"
Featuring readings by: • Ethan Gilsdorf, journalist, teacher, poet and critic; writer for the New York Times, Boston Globe and National Geographic Traveler; author ofFantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms • Tara L. Masih, freelance book editor, author of several chapbooks and Where the Dog Star Never Glows: Stories, and editor of the acclaimed Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction • Ladette Randolph, author of the novel A Sandhills Ballad and the short story collection This Is Not the Tropics; Editor-in-chief of the journal Ploughshares ; and faculty member in Emerson College's Writing, Literature, and Publishing department • Jeff Talarigo, author of the novels The Pearl Diver and The Ginseng Hunter as well as a novel-in-progress set in Gaza, where he lived on two occasions. More @ www.jefftalarigo.com
With the luminous Elizabeth Searle as guest-host-hottie, inaugurating the first-ever Four-Stories-Most-Fabulous-Shoes contest!
Plus mingling, eating, drinking, and the Four Stories style of literary investigation: ask the best question; win a free drink!
All Four Stories events are free and open to the public. PANEL APPEARANCES: Fri, March 26-Sun March 28 I'll be moderating two panels: >"MMO gamer behavior 101" GROUP READING: April 6th at 7pm PANEL APPEARANCES: April 7-10, 2010 HOSTING/READING: Geek Week events, Thurs April 29, Fri April 30 TEACHING: Sat, May 1 & Sun, May 2 FEATURED POET: Every Sunday, the Lizard Lounge Poetry Jam begins with a Poetry Slam at 7:30pm, then starting at 9:00pm, the Featured Poet and ending with an Open Mic, both accompanied by the Jeff Robinson Trio . There’s a $5 cover and you must be 21 to enter the venue. Sultry red lights, intimate tables, and wooden church pews give this small room one of the best ambiances in town. Bring a poem to read or enter the slam. 2010: Sat, Jan 16-Sun, Jan 17, 2010 2009: Aug 13-16 Indianapolis, IN Gen Con Indy http://www.gencon.com/2009/indy/default.aspx 100 South Capitol Ave. Event to include: selling/signing my book at the Troll Lord Games booth (# 221), readings and signings. Reading schedule: Friday 8/14, 3-4pm, Marriott Phoenix & Sat 8/15 4-5pm, Marriott Phoenix Book Signing schedule: Friday 8/14, 4-5pm & Saturday 8/15, 5-6pm, location: Author’s Avenue (contacts: Jeannette LeGault, Director of Event Programming, direct: 206.957.3801, mobile: 206.399.9572; Megan Culver, Director of Marketing, 206.909.3383 cell, megan.culver@gencon.com) Tues, Sept 1, 2009 7 pm Cambridge, Mass. http://www.harvard.com/ Harvard Square, 1256 Massachusetts Avenue 617-661-1515 This spectacular event will include: * trivia contest with prizes * prizes for anyone arriving in costume as their favorite fantasy character or creature (elf, orc, warrior, wizard, harry potter, etc), *a brief reading and Q&A *a book signing *a catered in-store reception *a live performance by local brother duo Harry Potter "wizard rock" band Harry and the Potters, in a rare "unplugged" set *and other surprises! (contact: Heather Gain, Marketing Coordinator, hgain@harvard.com, 617-66-1515, direct: 617-661-1424 ext 5) ***Official book launch --- part deux!*** Wed, Sept 2, 2009 7pm Portsmouth, NH http://www.riverrunbookstore.com 20 Congress Street 603-431-2100 This spectacular event will include: * trivia contest with prizes * prizes for anyone arriving in costume as their favorite fantasy character or creature (elf, orc, warrior, wizard, harry potter, etc), *a brief reading and Q&A *a book signing *refreshments *and other surprises! (contact: Michele Filgate, riverrunevents@gmail.com, 603-431-2100) Fri, Sept 4-Mon Sept 7 Atlanta, GA http://www.dragoncon.org/ Event to include: Various panel appearances and book signings Books available at: LARRY SMITH, BOOKSELLER (Marquis Ballroom/Exhibitor Hall 2; booth #308-310) Tentative book signing schedule (at: LARRY SMITH, BOOKSELLER (Marquis Ballroom/Exhibitor Hall 2; booth #308-310): Panel appearances (final times, locations, exact titles TBA): Fri 9/4, 11:30am-12:30pm, Centennial I - Hyatt, Tolkien’s Middle-earth track: An Unauthorized Peek at the 'The Hobbit' films with the TheOneRing.Net -- raffle for a free copy of my book Fri 9/4, 4pm, Manila Singapore Hong Kong room, Hyatt, Writers Track, Writing for gaming panel Sat 9/5, 11:30-12:30, Athens Room, Sheraton, MMORPG Track: Lord of the Rings Online panel Sat 9/5, 2:30 p.m., Hilton Room 201, Electronic Frontiers Track: Marketing with Twitter Sat 9/5, 5:30-6:30 PM, Athens Room, Sheraton, MMORPG Track: "Guildie as Charged” gaming guild panel Sun, 11:30am, Marriot L506-507 -- my solo panel on the Tolkien Track: "Tolkien Geeks and other Fantasy Freaks"---Come to a reading and Q&A by Ethan Gilsdorf, author of the new travelogue-memoir "Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms." Gilsdorf is a journalist, gamer and Tolkien fan whose new book explores and celebrates fantasy and gaming subcultures. Join him on his quest to visit Tolkien's hometown of Oxford, England; to meet Tolkien fans at Dragon*Con and Tolkien Society gatherings; and to see the New Zealand filming locations of the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. More information on the book at http://www.fantasyfreaksbook.com/. Sun 9/6, 4-5pm, Regency VI - VII - Hyatt, Tolkien’s Middle-earth track: An Unauthorized Peek at the 'The Hobbit' films with the TheOneRing.Net --- raffle for a free copy of my book 2:30 pm Decatur, GA http://www.decaturbookfestival.com/2009/schedule/event-details.php?id=101 Eddie's Attic Stage 515-B North McDonough St. (upstairs) Event to include: prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing, surprise guests! (contact: Tom Bell, Program Director, tom@decaturbookfestival.com, 404-964-5548; Will, will@decaturbookfestival.com, Jennifer Elrod, liaison, jennifer@decaturbookfestival.com) Tues Sept 8 7pm Chattanooga, TN http://www.rockpointbooks.com 401 Broad Street 423.756.2855 Event to include: "geek trivia contest" with prize giveaways, reading,Q&A, book signing (contact: Angela Bobbitt, Manager, angela@rockpointbooks.com) Wed Sept 9, 2009 7pm Asheville, NC http://www.malaprops.com/ 55 Haywood St 828.254.6734 Event to include: "geek trivia contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing (contact: Alsace Young-Walentine, Events Coordinator, alsace@malaprops.com) Sat, Sept 12th -- Southern New Hampshire doubleshot! 11am in Milford, NH 2pm Peterborough, NH http://www.toadbooks.com Milford: Lorden Plaza, 586 Nashua St, 603-673-1734 Peterborough: 12 Depot Square, 603-924-3543 Event to include: "geek trivia contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing (contact: Tammy McCracken, Events Coordinator, Milford Toadstool Bookshop, tammyattoadstool@aol.com; Willard Williams, owner; Peterborough Toadstool Bookshop,603-924-3543) Sun, Sept 13 10am-6m (exact reading time TBA) http://www.brooklynbookfestival.org/ Brooklyn Borough Hall and Plaza, Main Stage (Borough Hall Plaza) 209 Joralemon St Mon, Sept 14 (cable TV show, Boston Neighborhood Network Channel 9) 6-7 p.m. Live! http://itsallaboutarts.com/cableshow.htm (contact: Julie Flynn, booking agent, flynnjg@comcast.net) Thurs, Sept 17 8-9am Boston http://www.bu.edu/academy/ One University Road, 617-358-5111 Event to include: lecture/Q&A for students/faculty (open to school only) (contact: Jeff Small, headmaster, Jeff_Small@buacademy.org) Thurs, Sept 17 5-7 pm Cambridge, Mass MIT Comparative Media Studies program CMS COLLOQUIUM & COMMUNICATIONS FORUM LECTURE SERIES | FALL 2009 http://cms.mit.edu/ 4-231 (huh? building 4 room 231) Event to include: prize giveaways, lecture, Q&A, book signing "Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks": Ethan Gilsdorf will discuss some of the themes of his new book, Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms, a blend of travelogue, pop culture analysis, and memoir as forty-year-old former D&D addict Gilsdorf crisscrosses America, the world, and other worlds—from Boston to Wisconsin, France to New Zealand, and Planet Earth to the realm of Aggramar. He asks: Who are these gamers and fantasy fans? What explains the irresistible appeal of such "escapist" adventures? How do the players balance their escapist urges with the kingdom of adulthood? Gilsdorf will talk about the culture's discomfort with the geek/nerd/gamer stereotype and will look at society's ambivalent relationship with gaming and fantasy play, and the origins of that prejudice, as well as the author's own past misgivings and final acceptance of his "geek" identity. download cool lecture series poster Fri, Sept 18 7 pm Providence, RI http://www.booksq.com/ 471 Angell Street 888-669-9660 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing Tues, Sept 22 7pm Exeter, NH http://www.waterstreetbooks.com/ 125 Water Street 603-778-9731 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing (contact: Stefanie Kiper, wsbevents125@gmail.com) Wed, Sept 23 --- Brattleboro Homecoming! 6pm Brattleboro, VT The Book Cellar 120 Main Street 802-254-6810 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing Thurs, Sept 24 7pm Manchester, VT http://www.northshire.com/ 4869 Main Street 802-362-2200, 800-437-3700 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing (contact: Linda Elingsworth, events coordinator, events@northshire.com, lellingsworth@northshire.com, 802-362-3565) Sat, Sept 26 8 pm Nashua, NH http://www.studio99nashua.com/ 115 Main St Event to include: reading, Q&A, book signing (contact: Elise MacDonald,elise.m2@gmail.com) Thurs, Oct 1 7pm Madison, CT RJ Julia Independent Booksellers http://www.rjjulia.com 768 Boston Post Road 203.245.3959, 800.74.READS Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing Fri, Oct 2 5:30-7:30 pm Hartford, CT Ballroom Pre-Function Area (6th floor), Connecticut Convention Center http://www.newenglandbooks.org/ Event to include: Authors’s reception book signing (open to booksellers only) (contact: Executive Director Steve Fischer steve@neba.org; Assistant Executive Director Nan Sorensen nan@neba.org, 781/316-8894) Tues, Oct 6 7pm Cambridge, Mass http://www.portersquarebooks.com Porter Square Shopping Center, 25 White Street 617-491-2220 The event is co-sponsored by Grub Street, Inc., who will host a reception at Christopher's Restaurant & Bar (1920 Massachusetts Ave) afterwards. (contact: Ellen Jarrett, ellen@portersquarebooks.com) Thurs Oct 8 7:30 pm New York, NY 31 Third Avenue *** note: event at: Solas Bar,232 E. 9th Street *** http://www.stmarksbookshop.com/ Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing Download poster and press release for this event Sat, Oct 10 1:30 pm Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis Community & Technical College http://www.raintaxi.com/bookfest/ Event to include: Gilsdorf will introduce some of the characters he encountered in his journeys across this world and other worlds. Audience members are invited to share their "geekiest moment" onstage and/or attend in costume. Prizes will be awarded! Followed by reading, Q&A, book signing, (contact: Eric Lorberer, director, 612 825 1528, info@raintaxi.com) Tues, Oct 13 7pm Milwaukee, WI http://boswell.indiebound.com 2559 N. Downer Avenue 414-332-1181 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing Wed Oct 14 7pm Chicago, IL http://quimbys.com/ 1854 W. North Ave. 773-342-0910 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing Thurs Oct 15 7pm Madison, WI University Bookstore at Hilldale http://www.uwbookstore.com/ 702 N. Midvale Blvd. Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing Fri Oct 16 7pm Iowa City, IA http://www.prairielights.com/ 15 S Dubuque Street Iowa City, Iowa 319-337-2681 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing Mon, Oct 19 7pm Princeton, NJ http://www.trinitychurchreadingseries.blogspot.com/ Trinity Church, The George Thomas Room 33 Mercer Street Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing (contact: Lauren Davis, series director, lauren@laurenbdavis.com) Wed, Oct 21 7 pm Rockport, MA Meet the Author series/Toad Hall Books in collaboration with Rockport Public Library http://www.toadhallbooks.org/ Rockport Public Library meeting room 17 School Street 978-546-7323 Event to include: reading, Q&A, book signing Sat, Oct 24 11:30am Boston http://www.bostonbookfest.org/ Trinity Church Forum, 700 Boylston Street Part of an entire day of events with dozens of other invited authors, including: Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk, Richard Russo, Anita Diamant, Robert Pinsky, Dennis Lehane, David Gergen, Cornel West, actor Alicia Silverstone, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Ken Burns, Chris van Allsburg Mon, Oct 26 --- Marlboro Homecoming! 7 pm Marlboro, VT http://www.marlboro.edu/ Ragle Hall College Road (off Route 9) 802-251-7644 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading/presentation, Q&A, book signing Tues, October 27 --- Northampton Homecoming! 7 pm Northampton, MA http://www.broadsidebooks.com 247 Main Street 413-586-4235 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing Wed, Oct 28 --- Hampshire Homecoming! Noon Amherst, MA http://www.hampshire.edu ASH lobby Wed, Oct 28 7 pm Hampshire College http://www.hampshire.edu ASH auditorium reception beforehand with refreshments from 6:30 to 7pm, then reading and Q&A followed by book signing. "Fantasy Freaks and Writing Geeks: How a Hampshire Alum and Gamer Became a Poet, Journalist, and Author." Ethan Gilsdorf 84F talks about his new travel memoir Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms and discusses his path from Dungeons and Dragons addict to Hampshire film studies geek to MFA in poetry to journalist for the New York Times, Boston Globe, and National Geographic Traveler. Thurs Oct 29 7pm Salem, MA http://www.cornerstonebooks-salem.com/ 45 Lafayette St 978-744-1831 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" and costume contest with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing. Come test out your Halloween costume early and win cool prizes! (contact: Beth Simpson, Event Coordinator, bsimpson@cornerstonebooks-salem.com) Tues, Nov 3 7pm Brookline, MA http://www.brooklinebooksmith.com/ 279 Harvard St 617-566-6660 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing Wed, Nov 4 2-4:20pm; 4:30-6:50pm Los Angeles, CA University of Southern California, writing workshop classroom visits Thurs, Nov. 5 7:30 pm Los Angeles, CA http://www.skylightbooks.com 1818 N. Vermont Ave. 323-660-1175 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing Mon, Nov 9 7pm San Francisco, CA http://therumpus.net/sections/rumpus-events/ Part of a group reading with Tamim Ansary (author of Destiny Disrupted); Melanie Gideon (The Slippery Year); Chelsea Martin (Everything Was Fine Until Whatever) and Po Bronson (NurtureShock). With comedy by Nato Green, music by Michael Mullen of The Size Queens and a short film from Wholphin. $10 cover The Makeout Room, 3225 22nd Street at Mission (contact: Stephen Elliott, stephen@stephenelliott.com, Isaac Fitzgerald, isaac@therumpus.net) Tues Nov 10 7pm San Francisco, CA http://www.greenapplebooks.com 506 Clement Street 415-387.2272 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing Thurs, Nov 12 7pm Portland, OR Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing http://www.powells.com/ 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd.,Beaverton 800-878-7323 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing michal.drannen@powells.com) Fri, Nov 13 12:30pm Seattle, MA in-school event (public not invited) Fri, Nov 13 3pm Seattle, WA corporate event/ Wizards of the Coast (invite only) Sun Nov 15 2pm Seattle, WA http://www.elliottbaybook.com/ 101 S. Main St. 206-624-6600, 800-962-5311 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing Tues, Nov 17 Wed, Nov 18 4pm Storrs, CT University of Connecticut / UConn Co-op bookstore http://www.bookstore.uconn.edu/ 2075 Hillside Rd Unit 1019 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing Wed, Dec 2 7pm Arlington, MA Prose restaurant, 352 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington MA (781)-648-2800 Arte Dominum is proud to present featured artist Ethan Gilsdorf on Arts Night. The night also includes a performance by featured artist Ethan Gilsdorf; Entry into our Arts Night Lottery to win a free book; An opportunity to "Meet Our Featured Artist" following the performance and ask questions. Visit www.artedominum.com for more information/to purchase tickets. Thurs, Dec 3 7:30pm Concord, MA http://www.concordlibrary.org 129 Main St., Concord 978-318-3300 Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing Wed, Dec 9
Hyatt Regency Cambridge Hotel, Cambridge, MA
The Grub Sampler, a 6 week class at Grub Street, Boston
6 Thursdays in Boston
NOTE: 10:30am-12:30pm. Begins January 21st. Can’t decide between fiction and memoir? Secretly want to write poems but feel the pull of prose when you call Grub to sign up for a course? Sherman Alexie, Raymond Carver, and Sandra Cisneros didn’t choose, so you shouldn’t either! In this new workshop, you will write stories, essays, and poems. We will discuss published work with a focus on overlapping craft elements, such as image, voice, language, dialogue, audience, as well as facets specific to their genres, such as form, plot, and narrative arc. Each week, you will be given unique in-class writing exercises, and you’ll spend a little bit of time workshopping and getting in-class feedback from the instructor and your classmates. The goal is to leave the class with new beginnings in all genres, and at least one revised piece. Level: All; $195/$170 members; Registration Deadline: January 15th. More info: see Grub Street.
Boskone 47 February 12-14, 2010
Westin Waterfront Hotel, Boston
New England Science Fiction Association's regional science fiction convention. Ethan will be on several panels (speaking and moderating), and will be giving a reading, a lecture and a book signing.
Sun, Feb. 21, 2010
7 pm
New York, NY
Sunday Salon
7th Street Stage at Jimmys 43 in the East Village (7th St. b/w 2nd & 3rd Aves)
(this is also a benefit for the Haitian Health Foundation)
Event to include: Reading with Hettie Jones (poet and prose writer, author of "How I Became Hettie Jones"); Spring Ulmer (poet and non-fiction writer, author of "Benjamin’s Spectacles"); Mitch Levenberg (essayist and fiction writer, author of "Principles of Uncertainty and Other Constants"); and musical guest Sophie Herbert (Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter); followed by book signing
(contact: Nita Noveno, askus@sundaysalon.com)
English and Journalism classes 9am-1pm
Fri, March 5, 2010
Dire Reading Series
Cambridge, MA
Out of the Blue Gallery
106 Prospect Street, Cambridge; five 15-minute open mike slots at 8pm, sign-up at 7pm, follow by featured writers Ethan Gilsdorf, Lewis Robinson and Daniel Nester
TEACHING:
Monday March 15
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Crash Course in Guerrilla Book Promotion
at Grub Street, Boston
$65/$50 members; Registration Deadline: March 10th; Level: Advanced
If you're about to publish a book, you've probably got questions about how to best publicize and sell it --- as well as wondering what to expect. In this seminar, Ethan Gilsdorf reports on the lessons learned from his 50+ city budget book tour and six month guerilla effort to promote his book Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms. Whether you have a big or small publisher, or chose self-publishing, there are both traditional and non-traditional methods to identify and reach your target audience and build an audience in various potential book-buying communities. We'll discuss setting up a promotional budget; creating a book tour (and not just at bookstores but other venues) and brainstorming special contests, promotions and giveaways unique to your book; establishing yourself as an expert and tying in your book to current events; using traditional media like print, TV and radio; and jumping on social media like Facebook and Twitter to develop a fan base and create buzz about your book. We'll also over what your publisher should do and what you can do (and how you can work with your publicist), and the problems that self-publishing creates. Finally, managing expectations is the crucial mental element to book promotion. Come with questions. at Grub Street, Boston
READING:
Sun, March 21, 2010
5pm
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Dodson Auditorium
Louisiana State University Readers & Writer series
In celebration of LSU's Sesquicentennial and the LSU MFA program's first 25 years, appearing with novelist Clarence Nero (contact: Laura Mullen, (225) 578-3023, lmullen@lsu.edu)
Mon, March 22, 2010
Four Stories
The Enormous Room
7-9pm,
567 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA
(Central Square, Red Line subway stop)
Pax East, a three-day game festival for tabletop, videogame, and PC gamers.
Boston, Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street
>"'Geek' is no longer a four-letter word"
Sunday, March 28th, 3:00pm – 4:00pm, Wyvern Theater. What explains the rise of geek culture? As geeks go mainstream, how do they maintain their "geek cred"? Come join in a lively discussion about the changing social perception of fantasy, gaming, science fiction, and fandom communities. Learn about what is lost and gained in the gradual acceptance of geeks and the evolving/evolved geek. Panelists include Ethan Gilsdorf (author, "Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geek"), Michael Harrison (Wired.com's GeekDad blog), and for Natania Barron (GeekDad blog, Amazon.com's End User blog).
Saturday, March 27th, 6:00pm – 7:00pm, Wyvern Theatre.
Why do people love WoW and other MMOs so much? What exactly is it about these games --- killing stuff? feeling powerful? --- that explains their massive appeal? And how do individual player and guilds behave online, and why might their behavior differ online versus the real world? Come join the discussion of gamer behavior, both good and bad, with moderator Ethan Gilsdorf (author of Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks), Sean Stalzer (guild master, The Syndicate) and Juan Carlos Piñeiro Escoriaza and Victor Pineiro (directors and writers, Second Skin)
Museum of Art, Paul Creative, Arts Center, 30 Academic Way, University of NH, Durham, NH
a reading from the poetry anthology THE OTHER SIDE OF SORROW with discussion and refreshments to follow. This reading is in a conjunction with an exhibit, War and Remembrance, currently on display at the museum. Museum open one hour before the reading, at 6PM, so people can look at the exhibit prior to the reading. More info on the exhibit at www.unh.edu/moa
Denver, CO
Associated Writing Programs conference
http://www.awpwriter.org/conference/2010awpconf.php
Hyatt Regency Denver & Colorado Convention Center, 650 15th Street, 303-436-1234, http://denverregency.hyatt.com;
Event to include: 2 panel appearances:
>Thursday, April 8, 9:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
--- Room 113,
Colorado Convention Center, Street Level
R111. Teaching Working Adult Writers. (Michelle Hoover, Lisa Borders, Ethan Gilsdorf, Rebecca Morgan Frank, Tim Horvath, Allison Adair) This panel examines the challenges and advantages of teaching working adult writers the craft of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction writing. Instructors of Grub Street, Boston's Independent Writing Center, will address how to deal with various skill levels and interests; how to help these writers with time and energy constraints and use their unique backgrounds to forge a dynamic classroom environment; and how to support self-study and continued involvement with the local writing community. (contact: Michelle Hoover, 617-947-8272, mdhoover@bu.edu).
>Saturday, April 10, 9:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
--- Room 110, Colorado Convention Center, Street Level
S191. The Journey is (Not) the Destination: Travel Writing in the Memoir Age. (Alden Jones, Ethan Gilsdorf, Oona Patrick, Tim Weed) Traditionally, travel writing has primarily concerned itself with educating a reader on a specific place, not on the writer him- or herself. But in the age of the memoir, has travel itself become secondary to a larger personal journey? What are the best outlets for writing on travel for travel's sake vs. memoirs that involve travel? As travel writers, memoirists, and editors, we will discuss how recent trends affect us in our writing process and in the publishing industry. (contact: Alden Jones, 617-216-2293, aldenjones@mac.com) more info: http://www.awpwriter.org/conference/2010sched
Cambridge, MA, details TBA
Grub Street's The Muse and the Marketplace writers conference
The Park Plaza Hotel
50 Park Plaza at Arlington Street
Boston, MA 02116
Ethan will be leading a session or two and be on a panel; schedule TBA. More info
Sun, June 6
Lizard Lounge Poetry Jam, Lizard Lounge, 1667 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Mass.SORRY I MISSED YOU AT THESE PAST EVENTS:
Invited speaker, SnowCon, "the best weekend of social, face-to-face, gaming in Maine!" Black Bear Inn Conference Center & Suites, Orono, Maine.
11am Saturday: reading from "Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks"; Noon Sunday: "Ethan Gilsdorf's Journey to Middle Earth" photo presentation and storytelling about his quest to New Zealand to see the sights of Middle Earth. Other special events during the weekend include: >fanboy comedian, Sax Carr, who's a gamer, a geek and a funny guy; >genre films, including the new Shadowrun short "Crossing Shadows" by Olivier Bonenfant, who will join us for the weekend; >Steampunk Cosplay, a chance for the creative to meet and mingle; >extra family activities on Sunday, in addition to the regular happenings; >and games, games, and more games of all kinds, for all ages, all weekend! more info
***Official book launch -- part one!***
Harry and the Potters in action!
A bookstore we love!***SOUTHERN TOUR ***
Friday 9/4: 2-4pm
Saturday 9/5: 9-11am; 1-2:30; 4:30-5:30
Sunday 9/6: 9-11am
Monday 9/7: probably am (TBA)
Sun Sept 6
http://www.eddiesattic.com
Ethan Gilsdorf's book "Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks" is a travel-memoir quest that plumbs, explains and celebrates fantasy and gaming subcultures like Lord of the Rings, World of Warcraft, Harry Potter, the Society for Creative Anachronism, live-action role-playing games and old-fashioned fantasy games like Dungeons & Dragons. First there will be a short round of fantasy and gaming trivia, with prizes to be given out to those in the audience with the deepest geek trivia knowledge. Then, the arrival of special guests will bring fantasy gaming worlds alive. Gilsdorf will end with a brief but lively reading from his book, followed by Q&A and book signing. Come and join Ethan, and commune with your inner geek and freak.***NEW ENGLAND/NY TOUR PART 1***
I'll be part of this session:
4:00 P.M. Obsessive Fun. Rabbis who write, gamers, comics and karaokiest?! Authors Reverend Simcha Weinstein (Shtick Shift: Jewish Humor in the 21st Century), Ethan Gilsdorf (Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks), Brian Raftery (Don’t Stop Believin’) and Eddie Sarfaty (Mental) let their obsessions entertain you.
(contact: Katharina Wilts, karina@visitbrooklyn.org)
(contact: William Uricchio, uricchio@MIT.EDU)
(contact: Carol, events@booksq.com)
(contact: Tashina Fielding, tashina@bookcellarvt.com)
featured reader at Fourth Saturday Open Mic
(contact: events: Heather MacDonald, hmcdonald@rjjulia.com)
Event to include: "Geek Trivia Contest" with prize giveaways, reading, Q&A, book signing
***PLUS a live action sword-play demonstration from Guard Up! Family Swordsmanship of Burlington MA (http://guardup.com/)
212-260-7853
(contact: Greg Purcell, noslander@gmail.com)*** MIDWEST TOUR ***
(contact: Daniel Goldin, proprietor, daniel@boswellbooks.com, rebecca@boswellbooks.com)
(contact: Liz M, info@quimbys.com
(Contact: Greg Hoff (608) 310-5988 / ghoff@uwbookstore.com)
(contact: Paul Ingram, paul@prairielights.com)*** NEW ENGLAND/NY TOUR PART DEUX***
(contact: Amy Pierson, amy.e.pierson@comcast.net; Hope Coffman, Director of the Library, 978-546-6934)
"From Book Worms to Net Crawlers" with Ben Mezrich, Ethan Gilsdorf and host Jeffrey Howe.An examination of the ubiquitous internet and the explosion of social media. Ben Mezrich, author of Bringing Down the House, talks about his new book The Accidental Billionaire, a look at the origins of Facebook. Ethan Gilsdorf tells about Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks, a chronicle of his own travels through the worlds of online gaming and live-action role-playing. Hosted by Wired Magazine contributing editor Jeffery Howe.
(contact: Chris Lenois, clenois@marlboro.edu)
(contact: Roxie Mack, roxie@broadsidebooks.com)
Cognitive Science Wednesday Noon Talk: "Geeks, Fantasy Play and Gamer Stereotypes": Join Hampshire College grad Ethan Gilsdorf, f84, who will discuss some of the themes of his new book, "Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms." In "Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks" ---Who are these gamers and fantasy fans? What explains the irresistible appeal of such "escapist" adventures? How do the players balance their escapist urges with the kingdom of adulthood? Gilsdorf will talk about the culture's discomfort with the geek/nerd/gamer stereotype and will look at society's ambivalent relationship with gaming and fantasy play, and the origins of that prejudice, as well as the author's own past misgivings and final acceptance of his "geek" identity. Since the origins of D&D, the culture has widely embraced gaming and role-playing as an "acceptable" activity since, a shift largely brought on by the digital revolution. The shame of being a gamer and social isolation are gone, but in their place are other concerns: the loss of "place" and "hereness," and the way games with richly-textured digital landscapes may demand less of the imagination.
Amherst, MA
(contact: Genie Williamson, Events Director, events@brooklinebooksmith.com, 617-739-6002)***WEST-COAST TOUR***
(contact: Mary Williams, events manager, skylightbook@earthlink.net)
The Makeout Room, 3225 22nd Street at Mission
$10 cover
(contact: Kevin Hunsanger, heykev@greenapplebooks.com)
(contact: Michal Drannen, Regional Marketing & Publicity Manager, 503-228-4651 x5889
(contact: Karen Maeda Allman, kmallman@elliottbaybook.com, 206-624-6600 x 115New England tour part 3!
5:30pm
Manchester, NH
Southern New Hampshire University, speaking to the Creative Writing Club
Storrs, CT 06269
Phone (860)-486-3537
Thurs, Nov 19
5-7pm
Greenfield, MA
Greenfield Games (in association with World Eye Bookshop)
228 Main St Greenfield, MA 01301, 413-774-5225; toll free 866-774-5223(contact: Jessica Mullins- Manager, World Eye Bookshop 413-772-2186)
"Arts Night" Dinner Event
$35 Per Person
Ethan will challenge the audience’s “geek cred” with a ”geek trivia contest”- with prizes that test the audience’s knowledge of all things Tolkien, Harry Potter, Dungeons & Dragons and more. Ethan will then read an excerpt from his new travel-memoir “Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks,” followed by a Q&A and book signing.
Your Arts Night evening includes a dinner spread of seasonal foods, for vegetarians and carnivores alike, with dessert (tax , gratuity and beverages not included). Chef/Owner Debbie Shore provides unique preparations that proudly represent the local growing season and the bounty of the regions finest independent farms. Here’s the menu for this delicious event:
(contact: Melissa Saalfield, author programs coordinator, MSaalfield@emersonhosp.org, 978-287-3583)
one-night seminar, 7-10pm
Grub Street, Inc in Boston
Mapping the Hybrid Memoir
Many memoirs plumb the depths of childhood, coming of age, trauma andfamily. But what if your life story alone doesn't seem all that memorable? You can still write a book-length "not all me" memoir (or series ofconnected essays) that combines the personal with travel, pop culture, some quirky interest, passion or quest. In this jam-packed seminar, Ethan Gilsdorf (Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: One Man's Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms) will discuss how to use and adapt your personal history and life experiences in memoir, how to establish your expertise and turn articles into a full-fledged book idea, and how to shape a raw idea into a real story and find a structure for telling the story. We'll also look at(briefly) the marketplace for publication. Come to class with 15 copiesof three "pitches" for potential memoirs (title and 2-3 line summaries) andwe'll critique them in class. More info