Genese Davis's Blog, page 17
March 27, 2013
MMORPG Interviews Author Genese Davis
MMORPG.com is a world renowned video game website, podcast, and community forum, which strives to bring its readers the best, most informative, high quality news in the MMO genre.
Som Pourfarzaneh interviewed author Genese Davis and they had a very intriguing discussion about video games, MMOs, novel writing, and publishing, plus exclusive secrets behind the creation, origins and influences that MMORPGs have today. They also discuss Davis’s new gamer fiction titled: The Holder’s Dominion
Click below and listen to this exclusive podcast!
MMORPG.COM Interviews Author Genese Davis about The Holder’s Dominion
March 26, 2013
Artist Spotlight: David Luong
For the past 8 years, David has been working in visual effects and is currently a Senior Cinematic Artist for Blizzard Entertainment. As a video game industry veteran who possesses extraordinary talent in matte painting, lighting, compositing, and photography, it is my pleasure to present this exclusive interview where David and I discuss the allure of art and how his projects blossom from concept to completion.
1. What do you love most about photography? What about for your artwork in matte painting, lighting, and compositing?
David Luong: I really love how you can view the world so differently through a set of tools. The mechanical and digital aspect of the camera, a lens, the conditions of your surroundings, a little bit of luck, and your skills as an artist all play into how you can present the same thing differently. This reality augmented to what you feel it is sometimes, and what is there in reality, is the combination that I love about photography. A little crop, color change, or composition through lighting and shadow can tell a totally different story from one photo to another. Bringing photography as an art form and into my other branches of work has really helped me understand what can be duplicated in the computer generated era.
Observations through reality, and the manipulations of it, can also be done using matte painting, lighting, and compositing. It’s through the digital frames on the computer that we change this in the CG world, much like how you could change something in the photographic world through the variables stated. For matte painting, photography gives me references, textures, and a visual base for what could become a whole new world that never existed. For lighting, photography plays a role of direct visual reference on how to mimic light and shadow, which we try to capture in the 3D realm to fool the eye into believing it is real. For compositing, photography gives us this base reference, in which we can make even better through change in color, additions of other photographic objects, and manipulations of the image data that seem as if it were shot on the same location, even though it was not. All of this ties into being a visual effects artist, where we are the magicians in the digital realm.
2. What has been your most memorable photoshoot, or artwork project?
David Luong: My most memorable photo shoots are those that allow me to share with the people they affect the most. It could range from big party events where it covers a wide establishing area, and catching what people are doing in that event, to little intimate moments of photographing my dog Xena, to some family photos with other family. It’s really about who I can share those memories with that make the photo shoot more memorable. Photographs, and art in general, is meant to be shared! Here are some photos I took at The Holder’s Dominion novel release event, and of the book itself:
Click to view slideshow.
3. How would you describe your ideal photography and artwork goals?
David Luong: My ideal goals for art and photography would be to give me a subject and idea, and allow me to execute that with my own vision. Getting some feedback with the person who wants an idea executed in a nice frequency would also be good if the vision isn’t my own.
4. If you could change two things in the world of photography, or the world of artwork, would you change anything?
David Luong: Something I would change is how highly expensive some of the equipment can be when one wants to pursue art. Sometimes cameras costs thousands of dollars, or lenses for the cameras. Then there’s software for digital art work, which can also cost as much as a car. I think lowering the price points for some equipment would help anyone wanting to pursue the art.
5. How do you prepare for a photoshoot? What about for an art project?
David Luong: To prepare for a photoshoot, I try to survey the location, and an idea of what time I would be shooting so I know the angles, and who is involved to know where they can be compositionally. If many of these things are out of my hand, I usually prepare with a nice zoom lens like my 17-55mm f2.8 lens that can cover wide and medium shots. It would give me the opportunity to catch a lot of serendipitous moments on the camera. For an art project, I would want to know the subject, the use of the final art work, and the references for the subject. Similarly to a photoshoot, knowing certain variables ahead of time will help me in managing the project as well as keeping costs to a minimum.
6. What’s been your most challenging photography shoot and/or art project to date?
David Luong: My most challenging photoshoots have been at events where lots of these variables that you want to know ahead of time, are unknown. Events such as the champagne toasts at Blizzard, where people spray champagne on each other wildly, and I have to be there to catch it, as well as avoid the sprays as collateral damage. It would affect my camera gear, and my ability to shoot if my eyes were covered with alcohol! Moving around lots, and zooming in and out frequently makes it very challenging, and also being lucky as something happens for me to catch it.
My most challenging art project would have to be back in school for my senior year at Academy Art University because I had to do everything, from shooting live action green screen shots, to the matte paintings, compositing, FX, direction, it was full of passion and very tight in schedule. Luckily it all came out ok! Professionally, I think the hardest project would be on Wrath of the Lich King, where I helped find the look of the cinematic, as well as the look of Arthas with Sheng Jin, Jeff Chamberlain, and the other cinematics crew. It was a very tight knight cinematic team and I loved it. Here’s a few samples of my work: (view more on my website at www.DavidLuong.net)
Click to view slideshow.
7. What photography or artwork projects are you working on right now, or are excited about working on in the future?
David Luong: I just finished working on our latest cinematic, Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, which is Blizzard’s latest game announcement based on the trading card game. It was a small team, with lots of fun compositing and paint projection on 3D geometry.
I’m also working on creating new matte paintings and tutorials for the upcoming D’Artiste: Matte Painting vol. 3 book in which I’m one of the three authors to be featured. I was very honored and humble that they asked me to be a part of that legendary book series. The art book should be out some time in October of 2013!
8. How long have you been teaching matte painting online, and how has it been?
David Luong: I’ve been teaching online for CGSociety.org and Ballistic Media since the beginning of 2008. I actually got my start there by submitting about 4 personal matte painting art works that got included in the D’Artiste: Matte Painting vol. 2 book. Chance worked out that they liked my work and I was recruited to be the matte painting teacher there ever since! So again very grateful that it came almost full circle for me to be working on the next installment of the D’Artiste: Matte Painting book.
9. How can people follow you and all that you’re doing?
David Luong: People can follow my photography at http://flickr.com/ackdoh, http://facebook.com/ackdoh, and my personal website at http://davidluong.net
Thanks David! Outstanding interview! Your insights and passion continue to inspire everyone around you. Your enthusiasm and avid support for artists and their artwork is a rare gift, and I simply cannot thank you enough.
Over to you, readers—how do you prepare for your art projects?
If you are interested in a visual effects career, I highly recommend following artists like David Luong and enrolling in digital art schools like CG Society, Gnomon, Full Sail and Cal Arts.
March 22, 2013
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft
Right now at PAX East, Blizzard Entertainment is presenting their new game, Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft
It’s an online version of TCG!
“A charming collective strategy game set in the Warcraft universe.”
Knowing Blizzard, I’m sure it’s going to be epic quality and I’m really excited to play it!
Click here for more info:
Host, author, and columnist, Genese Davis is a thought leader in video game culture and its social development. Her novel, The Holder’s Dominion, aims to bridge the gap between families and friends of gamers who wonder about the allure behind their loved ones’ fascination with video games. She lives in Irvine, California, where she advocates for her other passion: animal rescue. For more information visit: www.GeneseDavis.com | www.TheGamerInYou.com
March 21, 2013
Writing with Creative Project Management
Having a creative producer is the number one advice I would offer any writer looking for a breakthrough approach to writing. Whenever I get stuck or lost in the minutia of writing, I schedule meetings with my producer and we have production one on ones, or creative one on ones. These are meetings where the author and producer can brainstorm, also known as “blue sky sessions,” and where we plan out small tangible goals using project management tools like Scrum. Project management doesn’t have to be solely for corporate environments anymore. Use these methods to develop your artistic projects, too! In fact, I’ll be talking more in depth about how we invented this breakthrough method to writing novels at a number of upcoming workshops this year: the first being in San Diego on April 21st! Join me and my spectacular producer, . Here is the link to sign up!
Writing with Creative Project Management: San Diego Writers, Ink
San Diego Writers, Ink is a nonprofit organization that offers classes, groups, workshops, readings and other literary events at The Ink Spot and other locations throughout San Diego County. With a mission to nurture writers and foster the literary community, the San Diego Writers, Ink, facilitates artistic collaboration, and promotes literature and artistic development for writers at all levels.
The Ink Spot
Art Center Lofts
710 13th Street, Studio 210
San Diego, CA 92101
(Open only during events)
Course Title:
Writing with Creative Project Management!
Course Bio:
Join author Genese Davis and creative director/producer Eric Kieron Davis for a breakthrough approach to writing. By adding a little bit of structure to your routine you can complete your novel and other artistic projects now! In this course you’ll learn how creative producers and project management can add that missing element you need to complete your novel. Conventional wisdom is wrong. Project management doesn’t have to be solely for corporate environments anymore. In this exclusive workshop, you’ll discover solutions for completing a novel using project management tools such as Scrum and Waterfall. For those moments when you feel stuck or lost in the minutia of writing, find out how production one on ones, creative one on ones, user stories, and goal setting can revolutionize your writing process!
Author Genese Davis Bio: Genese Davis graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in English. She is the author of The Holder’s Dominion, a new adult gaming novel heralded as a breakthrough story by Publishers Weekly. Genese, and her production team, invented a new approach to writing novels using project management tools. On her national book tour, Genese will be sharing how to use project management tools for writing novels, the benefits of MMORPGs, and how to successfully launch and run book campaigns. To find a city near you, visit the “News & Appearances” section at www.GeneseDavis.com. Davis is also the owner of The Gamer In You, an online movement offering new meaning to the word ‘gamer.’ As a thought leader in video game culture and its social development, Davis aims to bridge the gap between families and friends of gamers who wonder about the allure behind their loved ones’ fascination with video games. She lives in Irvine, California, where she advocates for her other passion: animal rescue.
Creative Director/Producer Eric Kieron Davis Bio: Eric Kieron Davis has been producing projects for video games and films for over a decade. As an integral producer for premium projects, Eric has led teams from concept to completion on a number of award-winning projects. With his extensive experience in the entertainment industry, Eric invented a breakthrough approach to completing projects for artists of every entertainment medium. Using project management tools, Eric has extended this approach to novel-writing, and is helping authors develop their creative visions and artistic goals to complete books. Using his innate ability to manage projects (from macro department visions to micro personnel goals of one artist) Eric ensures on-time deliverables, proper work-flow, a highly motivated team, positive morale, and premium, completed projects that reflect impeccable results. Eric specializes in communication, relationship and structure creation, project completion, process improvement initiatives, employee relations, personnel management, artist management, crisis management, asset tracking, and scrum/agile project management.
Over to you! What are your favorite workshops?
Don’t forget to sign up and meet me in San Diego, April 21st!
March 17, 2013
Genese Davis at WonderCon
For Immediate Release
Genese Davis will appear at WonderCon, Anaheim, CA: March 29-31, 2013
Genese Davis
ANAHEIM, CA—Novelist, host, and video game promoter, Genese Davis will be at Wondercon with her literary gaming novel, THE HOLDER’S DOMINION. From March 29th – 31st, 2013, Davis will be signing books and reading from what many sources are calling a “breakthrough novel.” Publishers Weekly praised the book and featured a full-length article about its new adult classification that is changing the entire publishing industry. The Holder’s Dominion is being heralded as the first novel written about the world of gamers by an internationally respected gamer, Timothy Mitchell and world-renowned actor, Kristian Nairn.
Also at WonderCon, the artist who designed The Holder’s Dominion book cover, Fabio Barretta Zungrone, Senior Matte Painter, will be signing his artwork in this exclusive opportunity. Meet Genese and Fabio in the Exhibit Hall at the Small Press Area: Booth #SP-57 with Beaver’s Pond Press. Don’t miss this extraordinary weekend!
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March 14, 2013
Recap: Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm Launch Event
IRVINE, CA—Blizzard Entertainment celebrated the official launch of Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm at the Irvine Spectrum on March 12th, 2013. This extraordinary event boasted special guest appearances, live competitive Starcraft matches hosted by Day 9 & Team Liquid, exclusive swag giveaways, in-depth looks into the cinematics for the expansion Heart of the Swarm, and autograph signings by the developers themselves!
Click to view slideshow.
Thousands of fans gathered for this incredible event, and even though it was quite a chilly night for Southern California, these loyal patrons stayed all through the night, some till 5:00 a.m. to snag their favorite developers autographs. This loyalty from fans reflects the quality and heartfelt attention that Blizzard Entertainment gives their games.
Thank you Blizzard Entertainment! Your games are a blast to play and your events exceed our expectations every time.
Over to you internet! What video game launches have been your favorite?
*Some Photos Provided by: David Luong
March 13, 2013
#1 US Ranked World of Warcraft Raider Interview
Interview with #1 US Ranked World of Warcraft Raider, Timothy Mitchell – Raiding Team: Gag Reflex
#1 US Ranked Guild: Gag Reflex: World of Warcraft
Raiding is the epitome of what online games are about: Collaborative and arduous teamwork on a planetary scale.
Exclusive to online gaming, this team-effort produces ingenuity, and a supportive, trusting atmosphere where you and your team can accomplish goals. I’ve met some of the most passionate individuals while raiding in Final Fantasy XI and World of Warcraft, and these raiders are not only successful, free-thinking, brilliant people who have diverse interests in global social networks, creativity, art, and technology, but they are also fierce competitors whose rankings speak for themselves. And I got to sit down with one of these raiding legends—the extremely talented player, Timothy Mitchell. Tim plays on a PvP server in World of Warcraft with the incredibly prominent, world-renowned guild, Gag Reflex. Let’s dive in to this exclusive interview for a glimpse of what this raiding team has accomplished!
Timothy Mitchell-Raid Leader: Gag Reflex-Guild: World of Warcraft: #1 US Ranked Group
1. In the past year (2012 – to present) what goals did you and your guild have?
Timothy Mitchell: We had hoped to finish higher than #10 US 10man back in Dragon Soul. We had started week one of DS 6/8 heroic, then we had a lot of turmoil from one raider’s schedule changing, to another having to have an emergency surgery, to another’s PH.D. program shifting his availability. We felt like #1 US 10man was possible back then, but it wasn’t in the cards for us. We dedicated ourselves to laying out a plan to do better in T14, the first tier of MoP. We wanted #1 US, and we got it just a bit before Christmas!
2. Congratulations on ranking #1! Amazing job! How did you and your guild accomplish those goals?
Timothy Mitchell: We set up a very ambitious sales program that our entire guild took part in. We were selling three Firelands runs a week (mostly heroic Rag kills for the orange firehawk, but sometimes metas), and two heroic Madness of Deathwing kills a week too for the Lifebinder’s Handmaiden Mount (sometimes for gear or achieves, but mostly mounts). This filled up the coffers well, and got us into a great position to help raiders power level professions, get every raider their DMF Trinkets right out of the gate, and buy all the gear that showed up on the Dark Iron BMAH, although sometimes we had to world PVP for it. We also had started running a shadowrun in late Dragon Soul: basically that means we had our mains clearing our farm heroics, then our Alt runs with the other mains not in for the heroic kills, to try to get them upgraded gear in the slots where they still had some FL items. We continued this in T14, boosting the Average Item Level of our raiders as much as we could.
3. What moment in the past year (2012 to present) are you most proud of or is most memorable to you?
Timothy Mitchell: I would say our Sha of Fear Kill. It was a wonderful reward to a long and painful grind through MoP and T14. US #1 was nice, but just getting that Sha kill was the big thing.
Sha Victory: #1 US Ranked Guild-Gag Reflex
4. What was it like having a Blizzard Entertainment Game Master (GM) watch you play the beta?
Timothy Mitchell: It was pretty great having a GM watch us do some testing. The encounter was pretty buggy, so we would take some time between pulls, analyze combat logs, and point things out that we thought were wrong—and we were thanked for pointing many things out. It was a great experience to have some give and take actually. Most of my interactions with employees of Blizzard have been a bit negative in the forums, and marginal from the GMs. Sometimes things are super easy fixes, and happen instantly, while other things have been mind-numbingly complicated on their side, which defied logic.
5. What have been your highest or most memorable rankings in the past year (2012 – present)
Timothy Mitchell: I think we were all very pleased to get our Spine kill pre-nerf, although we would have loved to have gotten it earlier than we did. And of course Sha as I’ve already said. Some DPS parses here and there, but those always wash away the more gear gets out there and guilds then decide to stack for a player to parse. Parsing is only fun the first month or so, then I don’t even look anymore.
Jin’Rokh Victory: World of Warcraft: #1US Ranked Guild-Gag Reflex
6. If you could change any three things in World of Warcraft Raiding, what would they be?
Timothy Mitchell: Three things I would change about WoW raiding:
1. The amount of frequent direction-changes from developers. Every six months, one could track the number of firm convictions expressed by blue posters, which after the next few months completely change. I believe this happens because of the group-think aspect of balancing PVP, encounters, and classes for PVE. But to players, it is beyond bewildering at times. Most recently we’ve watched the game change significantly in 2 of the last 3 tiers that caused major detriments to the game and to players worldwide. For example: Asian players got double lockouts at the end of Firelands, which allowed them to grab the top kill by virtue of having almost double the number of legendary staves for T13. Now Asian players have higher ilvl gear. This forced the leading guild rankings site to make two separate sets of rankings for T15—hence, a huge detriment to the game and its players.
2. In MoP, the grind was the worst it’s ever been. I can’t speak for all raiders, but I’m definitely burning out on capping VP across my main and raiding alts, lesser charms for coins, in addition to all the old stresses. On top of that, the wonderful guild perks that made raid prep easier on officers and Raid Leaders were all reverted, so now in order to make flasks and pots for the entire guild, it takes a tremendous amount of time compared to the cauldron days. Add in being on a PVP server, and the grind of dailies becomes almost unbearable.
3. Despite all of the above, raiding in WoW is still one of the most fun things to do. My only wish is that one day PVE and PVP become detached. What I mean is that if PVE could just happen in a vacuum away from PVP (think separate talent trees, or talents that behaved one way in PVE and another in PVP, or worked in PVE but not in PVP, or something similar), the encounters could really go to a place they’ve never been. As the game stands, there cannot ever be PVE abilities that are too outrageous, because you couldn’t balance them for PVP. I get it, I’m sure all top end raiders get it, but I also wish someday PVE could really go off into a magical place and the encounter team could really go crazy without having to worry about PVP balance.
7. What are you currently working on?
Timothy Mitchell: We’re currently working on T15. Plans within plans: trying to take it easy, get some strats developed from our time on the PTR, consider any final additions we want to make to our roster, etc.
8. How can people follow you and keep up with your updates?
Timothy Mitchell: At the moment we have our guild website: http://gagreflexguild.com/ and we’re on Wowprogress. I check out the realm forums on Dark Iron a lot, and my guild and I try to do what we can to improve the realm. We’ve done a lot of giveaways, and we have recently increased our guild to having three raid teams instead of just the one. We’re often doing alt runs with people from other guilds we’re friends with, or offering advice on which fights to do next, or strat tips when we’re asked. I’ve been tossing around the idea of a blog for T15, and have a domain registered where I had wanted to explore coaching, but T14 really took a lot out of me, so we’ll see. To watch our videos click here. And here is the Heroic Sha US 1st video:
9. What do you enjoy the most about online games?
Timothy Mitchell: Raiding is still one of the most fun and enjoyable things going on today, I wish more experienced it. So much can be learned about oneself if one reflects on their experiences raiding. Leading is richer still. Best of luck to everyone next Tier.
Special thanks to Tim! We really appreciate your time. And congratulations to you and your entire team on all your rankings and accomplishments. Fantastic job. Your talent and passion do not go unnoticed.
Over to you fellow netizens! What are your most memorable raiding moments?
Author note:
Tens of millions of people play MMOGs. Think about how much competition that is for a team of ten or twenty-five players: Ten players against thousands of other teams all competing against each other to rank. Talk about the ultimate team sport!
NFL: 32 teams x 53-man roster = 1,696 players
NBA: 30 teams x 12-man (minimum) roster = 360 players
NHL: 30 teams X 23-man (minimum) roster = 690 players
MLB: 30 teams x 25-man (minimum) roster = 750 players
World Cup: 204 teams x 23-man roster = 4,692 players
Indian Premier Cricket League: 9 teams x 33-man roster = 297 players
National Rugby League: 16 teams x 25-man (minimum) roster = 400 players
World of Warcraft Raids : 61,000 teams x 25-man roster = 1,525,000 players
As you can see, no other sports have to compete against that many opponents. That is why when we rank in an MMOG it is a huge accomplishment, and deserves more than just a little praise. Game on, Raiders! Your accomplishments astound and amaze!
March 8, 2013
Recap: The Holder’s Dominion Book Launch – Video and Pictures!
Click to view slideshow.
This incredible event, hosted by Howie’s Game Shack, brought fans together from all over the nation. From Illinois, Minnesota, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, New York, Georgia, and of course California, flew audience members jazzed and ready for the anticipated release of the new adult gaming novel, The Holder’s Dominion.
And judging the event’s reception and after-party, this event did not disappoint! Enjoy these epic photos by photographer Zack Podratz and the exclusive interview by Pixel Legends‘ founder and lead writer, Matt Atkinson:
About The Holder’s Dominion:
“The Holder’s Dominion is a heartfelt, fast-paced thrill ride that will appeal to gamers and non-gamers alike.” –Micky Neilson, New York Times-bestselling author
“You fall at once into Kaylie’s world. . . . It will keep you turning the pages.” –Christie Golden, bestselling author of Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi—Ascension
Transforming the representation of the video game industry worldwide, The Holder’s Dominion is the only new gamer fiction of its kind. Following a newcomer to the world of online role-playing games, this book sidesteps stereotypes and reveals a tight-knit community facing a very real threat.
Davis brings her own online experiences and insider knowledge to a story that engages dedicated players and non-gamers alike in Kaylie’s quest to protect the ones she loves from a power-hungry manipulator. Along the way she realizes that the problems she hoped to forget are right there in her escapist fantasy—but so are the solutions. This fast-paced story aims to bridge the gap between families and friends of gamers who wonder about the allure behind their loved ones’ fascination with video games.
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About the Author:
Genese Davis grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and went on to the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a degree in English. She taught and competed in dressage, studied fashion, and then took her competitive instincts to the fast-paced world of finance. She discovered the world of PC and console games as an adult and started playing MMOs almost a decade ago; she experienced more serious gaming while playing with competitive guilds in Final Fantasy XI and World of Warcraft and cracked the top 100 in the world for her class in the latter. During her time in-game, she gained a passion for the community as well as a vast admiration for video games and their artists, culture, and development. These experiences laid the foundation for her novel, The Holder’s Dominion, where Davis brings her own experience and insider knowledge to a novel that engages dedicated players and non-gamers alike.
Davis is also the owner of The Gamer In You, an online movement offering new meaning to the word ‘gamer.’ As a thought leader in video game culture and its social development, Davis aims to bridge the gap between families and friends of gamers who wonder about the allure behind their loved ones’ fascination with video games. She lives in Irvine, California, where she advocates for her other passion: animal rescue. For more information, visit her websites: www.GeneseDavis.com | www.TheGamerInYou.com
March 1, 2013
Game Master Press Release – Genese Davis Book Signing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“New Adult” Gaming Novel Book Signing at Game Master, Laguna Hills, CA: March 3, 2013
LAGUNA HILLS, CA—Debut novelist, Genese Davis, will be celebrating an official book signing for her literary “gaming novel,” The Holder’s Dominion, at Game Master in Laguna Hills Mall, on Sunday, March 3rd, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Davis will autograph books and read from what is being called a “breakthrough novel” about the world of gamers. The book is geared toward a new trend of readers who are beyond high school and into their early 20s, earning a “new adult” classification. The author brings her own experience and insider knowledge to a novel that engages dedicated players and non-gamers alike. The fast-paced story aims to bridge the gap between families and friends of gamers who wonder about the allure behind their loved ones’ fascination with video games. Publisher’s Weekly praised Ms. Davis for sticking to “her new adult guns” and not classifying her work as either “young adult—Y/A,” which is usually directed toward high school readers, or “adult,” the more mature classification.
This official book signing is appropriate for the whole family: there will be refreshments, a live-action book trailer viewing, and even raffle and door prizes. In addition to the author question and answer session and refreshments, this exclusive event will have signed artwork from the internationally recognized artist who designed her book cover, Fabio Barretta Zungrone, raffled and available for purchase.
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About the Author:
Genese Davis grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and went on to the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a degree in English. She taught and competed in dressage, studied fashion, and then took her competitive instincts to the fast-paced world of finance. She discovered the world of PC and console games as an adult and started playing MMOs almost a decade ago; she experienced more serious gaming while playing with competitive guilds in Final Fantasy XI and World of Warcraft® and cracked the top 100 in the world for her class in the latter. During her time in-game, she gained a passion for the community as well as a vast admiration for video games and their artists, culture, and development. She lives in Irvine, California, where she advocates for her other passion: animal rescue.
About The Holder’s Dominion:
“The Holder’s Dominion is a heartfelt, fast-paced thrill ride that will appeal to gamers and non-gamers alike.” –Micky Neilson, New York Times-bestselling author
“You fall at once into Kaylie’s world. . . . It will keep you turning the pages.” –Christie Golden, bestselling author of Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi—Ascension
Transforming the representation of the video game industry worldwide, The Holder’s Dominion is the only new gamer fiction of its kind. Following a newcomer to the world of online role-playing games, this book sidesteps stereotypes and reveals a tight-knit community facing a very real threat.
Davis brings her own online experiences and insider knowledge to a story that engages dedicated players and non-gamers alike in Kaylie’s quest to protect the ones she loves from a power-hungry manipulator. Along the way she realizes that the problems she hoped to forget are right there in her escapist fantasy—but so are the solutions. This fast-paced story aims to bridge the gap between families and friends of gamers who wonder about the allure behind their loved ones’ fascination with video games.
February 28, 2013
Alakazam Comics Press Release – Genese Davis Book Signing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“New Adult” Gaming Novel — Book Signing at Alakazam Comics, Irvine, CA: March 2, 2013
IRVINE, CA—Debut novelist, Genese Davis, will be celebrating an official book signing for her literary “gaming novel,” The Holder’s Dominion, at Alakazam Comics. From 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 4237 Campus Drive B162, on March 2nd, Ms. Davis will be signing books and reading from what many sources are calling a “breakthrough novel.” Publisher’s Weekly praised Ms. Davis for sticking to “her new adult guns” and not classifying her work as either “young adult—Y/A,” which is usually directed toward high school readers, or “adult,” the more mature classification. The whole publishing industry is just beginning to recognize the huge audience of readers who are beyond high school and into their early 20s, thus the “new adult” classification. The Holder’s Dominion is also being heralded as the first novel written about the world of gamers by an internationally respected gamer.
This official book signing is appropriate for the whole family: there will be refreshments, a live-action book trailer viewing, and even raffle and door prizes. In addition to the author question and answer session and refreshments, this exclusive event will have signed artwork from the internationally recognized artist who designed her book cover, Fabio Barretta Zungrone raffled and available for purchase.
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About the Author:
Genese Davis grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and went on to the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a degree in English. She taught and competed in dressage, studied fashion, and then took her competitive instincts to the fast-paced world of finance. She discovered the world of PC and console games as an adult and started playing MMOs almost a decade ago; she experienced more serious gaming while playing with competitive guilds in Final Fantasy XI and World of Warcraft and cracked the top 100 in the world for her class in the latter. During her time in-game, she gained a passion for the community as well as a vast admiration for video games and their artists, culture, and development. These experiences laid the foundation for her novel, The Holder’s Dominion, where Davis brings her own experience and insider knowledge to a novel that engages dedicated players and non-gamers alike.
Davis is also the owner of The Gamer In You, an online movement offering new meaning to the word ‘gamer.’ As a thought leader in video game culture and its social development, Davis aims to bridge the gap between families and friends of gamers who wonder about the allure behind their loved ones’ fascination with video games. She lives in Irvine, California, where she advocates for her other passion: animal rescue. For more information, visit her websites: www.GeneseDavis.com | www.TheGamerInYou.com
About The Holder’s Dominion:
“The Holder’s Dominion is a heartfelt, fast-paced thrill ride that will appeal to gamers and non-gamers alike.” –Micky Neilson, New York Times-bestselling author
“You fall at once into Kaylie’s world. . . . It will keep you turning the pages.” –Christie Golden, bestselling author of Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi—Ascension
Transforming the representation of the video game industry worldwide, The Holder’s Dominion is the only new gamer fiction of its kind. Following a newcomer to the world of online role-playing games, this book sidesteps stereotypes and reveals a tight-knit community facing a very real threat.
Davis brings her own online experiences and insider knowledge to a story that engages dedicated players and non-gamers alike in Kaylie’s quest to protect the ones she loves from a power-hungry manipulator. Along the way she realizes that the problems she hoped to forget are right there in her escapist fantasy—but so are the solutions. This fast-paced story aims to bridge the gap between families and friends of gamers who wonder about the allure behind their loved ones’ fascination with video games.
