Ethan Gilsdorf

Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks (Lyons Press)
We're happy to host Gilsdorf, whose book about geekdom promises not only to tell us about the life of geeks, but also to illuminate they whys behind the pursuit of geeky pasttimes. We know a few geeks, and we're pretty sure you do, too. Come by and learn ... (more)more about the geek in your life!
After playing Dungeons & Dragons religiously in the 1970s and 1980s, Ethan Gilsdorf went on to become a poet, teacher, and journalist. In the U.S. and in Paris, he's worked as a freelance correspondent, guidebook writer, and film and restaurant reviewer. Now based in Somerville, Massachusetts, his travel, arts, and pop culture stories appear regularly in the New York Times, Boston Globe, and Christian Science Monitor, and have been published in other magazines and newspapers including National Geographic Traveler, Psychology Today, and the Washington Post. He has also been a guest on talk radio as a fantasy and escapism expert. He does not own elf ears, but he has kept all his old D&D gear, and has been known to host a Lord of the Rings party or two. Follow Ethan's adventures at http://www.ethangilsdorf.com.

Come in costume as your favorite alternative life form – or your favorite geek, whether wizard, elf, orc, or Bill Gates, and join this celebration of the intersection of fantasy and so-called “real life”. In FantasyFreaks and Gaming Geeks (The Lyons Press, September 2009, ISBN 978-1599214801, $24.95), ... (more)Gilsdorf examines the desire to escape, and the desire to belong. Reading and book signing, plus a prize for best costume! “This book—part memoir and part insider’s guide—is both poignant and hilarious, baffling and informative, disturbing and entertaining. It is a must read for anyone whose idea of a good night involves dragons, spaceships, or one-eyed monsters dripping with slime.”—Jake Halpern, NPR Commentator and author of Fame Junkies

Come commune with your inner fantasy fan or gaming geek with Ethan Gilsdorf, author of the travel memoir / pop culture narrative "FANTASY FREAKS AND GAMING GEEKS: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms." The book is an exploration and celebration ... (more)of fantasy and gaming subcultures. On a quest that begins in his own geeky teenage past and ends in our online gaming future, former D&D addict Gilsdorf crisscrosses America, the world, and other worlds—from Boston to Wisconsin, France to New Zealand, and Planet Earth to Middle-earth to the realm of Aggramar. He asks game-players and fantasy fans---old, young, male, female, able-bodied and disabled—what attracts them to fantasy worlds, and for what reasons. The event begins with a "geek trivia contest" with prizes that tests the audience's knowledge of all things Tolkien, Harry Potter, Dungeons & Dragons and more. “Witty, downright funny, poignant, honest and ... well, wistful.”
—R. A. Salvatore, New York Times bestselling author of The Dark Elf Trilogy

Calling all D&D geeks, World of Warcraft addicts and other gamers, come meet Ethan Gilsdorf, author of "Fantasy Freaks & Gaming Geeks." Check out his website and enter his 'The Great Geek Giveaway! Contest.
www.ethangilsdorf.com

Malaprop’s welcomes author Ethan Gilsdorf, who will read from and sign his new book, Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms. Gilsdorf’s work weaves interviews with gamers from across the globe with the author’s ... (more)own “geeky” past to explore what lures people to the fantastic world of gaming and how they reconcile the escapism with the responsibilities of adult life. Gilsdorf is a film critic for the Boston Globe and also teaches writing at Emerson College and Boston Grub Street, Inc.

Part memoir, part commentary, part travelogue, this book is for anyone who enjoys stories that take readers beyond this world and into a new and different life. Join us for a book signing that is truly out of this world! About the Book... Fantasy. Sci-Fi. Role-playing games. Tens of millions of people ... (more)around the globe today turn away from the "real" world to inhabit others. The online game World of Warcraft has alone lured nearly twelve million users. Who are these game-players and fantasy fans? What explains the irresistible appeal of such escapist adventures? And what could one man find if he embarked on a quest through fantasy world after fantasy world? In an enthralling blend of travelogue, pop culture analysis, and memoir, former role-player Ethan Gilsdorf crisscrosses America, the world, and other worlds -- from Boston to California, New Zealand to France, Planet Earth to the realm of Aggramar. He asks gaming and fantasy geeks how they balance their escapist urges with the kingdom of adulthood. He seeks out those who dream of elves, long swords, and heroic deeds. He hangs out with Harry Potter tribute bands. He goes to fan conventions. He battles online goblins, trolls, and sorcerers. He camps with medieval reenactors. He becomes Ethor, Ethorian, and Ethor-An3. What he discovers is funny, poignant, and enlightening. About the Author... After playing Dungeons & Dragons religiously in the 1970s and 1980s, Ethan Gilsdorf went on to become a poet, teacher, and journalist. Now based in Somerville, Massachusetts, his travel, arts, and pop culture stories appear regularly in the New York Times, Boston Globe, and Christian Science Monitor, and have been published in other magazines and newspapers including National Geographic Traveler, Psychology Today, and the Washington Post.

Harvard Book Store is happy to welcome journalist ETHAN GILSDORF for the first author event of the fall, a discussion of his new book Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks...and more! In addition to the usual reading, Q&A, and book-signing, for this event there will be a trivia contest with prizes; prizes ... (more)for anyone arriving in costume as his or her favorite fantasy character or creature (elf, orc, warrior, wizard, Harry Potter, etc); a reception with snacks and beverages; and an acoustic performance by Harry and the Potters that will start around 8:30.