My signing at Kokomo-Con is now confirmed, as I have paid my dealer's fee and reserved my table. Again, unless another event pops up in the very near future, this will be my first public appearance on behalf of Virtuous Worlds.
Well, sort of. Some of you may have seen this little video I posted on YouTube soon after my first shipment of books arrived.
John Stanifer Book Victory Dance
The view count has topped 100 now, thanks in large part to my coworkers at Ivy Tech Community College. My supervisor started passing it around the office, and today at one of our regional full-time staff meetings, they surprised me by showing this video in front of an audience of...oh, about 200 people or so. Even Chancellor Daily, who used to be the mayor of Kokomo, made a joke about it when he got up to speak afterwards (I'm still employed, so I'm guessing he wasn't offended). So now it seems I'm famous (or infamous, depending on how you look at it) to most of my fellow Ivy Tech employees in this region of the state (representing Kokomo, Logansport, Wabash, and Peru). It felt like the time I danced across the stage at my high school graduation!
This leads me to a preliminary announcement about my SECOND signing. The event will be sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College and will take place sometime before the end of this semester. The date has yet to be announced. However, I'm told the publicity for this signing will be boosted by the marketing folks at Ivy Tech, so I'm honored and very excited to see how it all turns out!!!
Kokomo-Con takes place on Saturday, Oct. 8. The fee to get in is $5, a very small investment in return for so much fun.
Kokomo-Con Website
Kokomo-Con Facebook Page
Check it out, and stay tuned for new developments and further information!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Level 17: Gen Con 2011 and First Signing
Greetings VW Readers,
It's been a while since I've posted. As you might have guessed, things have been pretty busy around here. I wanted to give you a small taste of my trip to Gen Con 2011 and a heads-up about my first public signing for Virtuous Worlds.
First, Gen Con. If you have never been to this convention, YOU NEED TO GO. If you have a single nerdy bone in your body, this is the place to be. According to a press release, this year's attendance broke 36,000. Wow! That's a lot of gamers in one place!
As I point out in my book, events like Gen Con go a long way to remind us we're not alone. Gaming, as much as it has been stereotyped over the years as a solo activity, is very much a team sport. Whether your thing is tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons, card games like Dominion, sci-fi and fantasy literature like J.R.R. Tolkien and Tracy Hickman, or video games like The Legend of Zelda, you will find your people at Gen Con.
"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near" (Hebrews 10:25, NLT).
Sure, this was addressed to church people, but it applies just as much to gamers. We need each other. If you're feeling down, don't give up on finding your crew. They're out there, and they may be closer than you think.
It's been a while since I've posted. As you might have guessed, things have been pretty busy around here. I wanted to give you a small taste of my trip to Gen Con 2011 and a heads-up about my first public signing for Virtuous Worlds.
First, Gen Con. If you have never been to this convention, YOU NEED TO GO. If you have a single nerdy bone in your body, this is the place to be. According to a press release, this year's attendance broke 36,000. Wow! That's a lot of gamers in one place!
As I point out in my book, events like Gen Con go a long way to remind us we're not alone. Gaming, as much as it has been stereotyped over the years as a solo activity, is very much a team sport. Whether your thing is tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons, card games like Dominion, sci-fi and fantasy literature like J.R.R. Tolkien and Tracy Hickman, or video games like The Legend of Zelda, you will find your people at Gen Con.
"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near" (Hebrews 10:25, NLT).
Sure, this was addressed to church people, but it applies just as much to gamers. We need each other. If you're feeling down, don't give up on finding your crew. They're out there, and they may be closer than you think.
Soon, I'll try and post this to Google so I can replace my 2010 album on the bottom of the page. But this should give you an idea of just how epic the Con was this year.
First Signing for VW
Unless something else pops up in the meantime, my first public signing for Virtuous Worlds will occur at Kokomo-Con, a pop culture convention located at the Event Center in Kokomo, IN. This is a one-day convention (sort of a smaller version of Gen Con) that takes place on October 8, 2011.
Check out their website for more information or to buy a badge. Admission is $5 for the whole day. Last year was a blast, and I hope to see some of you there!
Take care!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Level 16: VW Officially Goes On Sale!!!
Big news tonight.
Amazon is now taking orders for Virtuous Worlds!
I'm tempted to leave it that, but I should mention that Barnes & Noble will also have the book on sale later this week if you prefer that route.
Also, my first UPS shipment of the book will arrive Thursday afternoon. That means, for those of you who live in the neighborhood, you'll be able to purchase a copy from me directly by the end of this week. Once again, I encourage you to contact me if you live in the area and would like to purchase a copy (or more than one, if you know someone else who might be interested in the book). I will do my best to accomodate you. Although I can't sell the book to you through the Internet, I am happy to meet you in person if there is a time and place agreeable to us both.
Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your neighbors!
Speaking of Amazon, I would be forever grateful to anyone who is willing to take the time to write a customer review of the book. The more, the better, because the book will get more exposure if it gets a lot of reviews. It will show higher up in the search results, especially if the reviews are positive =).
Happy reading. I look forward to hearing what you think!
Amazon is now taking orders for Virtuous Worlds!
I'm tempted to leave it that, but I should mention that Barnes & Noble will also have the book on sale later this week if you prefer that route.
Also, my first UPS shipment of the book will arrive Thursday afternoon. That means, for those of you who live in the neighborhood, you'll be able to purchase a copy from me directly by the end of this week. Once again, I encourage you to contact me if you live in the area and would like to purchase a copy (or more than one, if you know someone else who might be interested in the book). I will do my best to accomodate you. Although I can't sell the book to you through the Internet, I am happy to meet you in person if there is a time and place agreeable to us both.
Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your neighbors!
Speaking of Amazon, I would be forever grateful to anyone who is willing to take the time to write a customer review of the book. The more, the better, because the book will get more exposure if it gets a lot of reviews. It will show higher up in the search results, especially if the reviews are positive =).
Happy reading. I look forward to hearing what you think!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Level 15: VW at the Printers!
こんにちは!
That's "hello" in Japanese for all you fans of Japanese video games out there. Virtuous Worlds has finally been sent to the printers. My publisher and I are both happy with the manuscript and overall book design. Okay, "thrilled" is probably more accurate.
Here's where things go from here. Now that it's at the printers, I'll be receiving a "proof" copy in the mail sometime in the next week or two. This is a physical copy of the book that serves as a sample that I get to approve before they really start rolling the presses.
Again, those of you who live nearby or who are interested in arranging to meet to buy a copy, I will have a certain number of copies on hand that I can sell to you in person. Otherwise, you will be able to buy it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. If you would like a signed copy but cannot meet me in person, get in touch with me, and we'll try to work something out.
Thanks, everyone!
John
P.S. Steve, the book won't actually appear on Amazon or B&N for a few more days, so don't panic (^v^).
That's "hello" in Japanese for all you fans of Japanese video games out there. Virtuous Worlds has finally been sent to the printers. My publisher and I are both happy with the manuscript and overall book design. Okay, "thrilled" is probably more accurate.
Here's where things go from here. Now that it's at the printers, I'll be receiving a "proof" copy in the mail sometime in the next week or two. This is a physical copy of the book that serves as a sample that I get to approve before they really start rolling the presses.
Again, those of you who live nearby or who are interested in arranging to meet to buy a copy, I will have a certain number of copies on hand that I can sell to you in person. Otherwise, you will be able to buy it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. If you would like a signed copy but cannot meet me in person, get in touch with me, and we'll try to work something out.
Thanks, everyone!
John
P.S. Steve, the book won't actually appear on Amazon or B&N for a few more days, so don't panic (^v^).
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Level 14: Advance Praise for "Virtuous Worlds!"
If you've been waiting for a second opinion before you decide whether to buy Virtuous Worlds, or if you're just plain curious what other folks think, let me introduce you to a very special group of people. These are five of the most intelligent human beings on the planet. Okay, I may be a little biased here, but seriously, I'm honored to introduce the five individuals who agreed to read and endorse the manuscript of Virtuous Worlds some months ago before it was even close to hitting the market.
Here's what they had to say upon finishing the book:
____________________________________________________________
~Michelle “Akuriko” Morse, award-winning cosplayer, featured in Nintendo Power and showcased on Cosplay.com, http://akuriko.deviantart.com/
If they ever do a Zelda movie, Michelle has the look of the character down pat. She knows. What. She's. Doing.
____________________________________________________________
“While video games are often seen as immoral influences, Stanifer takes a more nuanced look. Analyzing a variety of games, Stanifer discusses how they support Christian beliefs. This will be a fun read for any Christian gamer and a reassuring one for many parents.”
“I was surprised and impressed at the number of spiritual lessons John drew from a variety of games. Members of any faith can find tremendous worth in reading this book. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has the misconception that video games are just for entertainment purposes.”
“In Virtuous Worlds, Stanifer will teach you to play video games better by understanding the spiritual truths of this world. He will also do the reverse: he will teach you to play your life better by understanding the truths of the video gaming world.”
“So often Christians are fighting against culture, but John has utilized one of those rarely used gifts: the ability to see God’s Grace working in the world and through the lives of others even when they least expect it.”
Here's what they had to say upon finishing the book:
____________________________________________________________
“Virtuous Worlds is just what anyone would need to bridge the gap between video games and Christianity. Even someone like me who isn’t really a part of any religion can find this book uplifting and supportive.”
If they ever do a Zelda movie, Michelle has the look of the character down pat. She knows. What. She's. Doing.
____________________________________________________________
“While video games are often seen as immoral influences, Stanifer takes a more nuanced look. Analyzing a variety of games, Stanifer discusses how they support Christian beliefs. This will be a fun read for any Christian gamer and a reassuring one for many parents.”
~Scott Jones, Ph.D., Associate Professor of New Media Communication, Indiana University Kokomo
Had it not been for this man, I would never have discovered Gen Con in the first place.
____________________________________________________________
“I was surprised and impressed at the number of spiritual lessons John drew from a variety of games. Members of any faith can find tremendous worth in reading this book. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has the misconception that video games are just for entertainment purposes.”
~Laura “Flute Link” Intravia, vocalist and flutist for Video Games Live, recipient of the Charles F. Hockett Scholarship for Composition, http://www.lauraintravia.com/
Video Games Live is an internationally successful concert tour that combines the music of video games with the talents of a live orchestra. Ever wanted to hear the Shanghai Symphony play the theme song from Super Mario Bros? VGL has you covered. I've been. More than once. It. Was. Awesome.
____________________________________________________________
“In Virtuous Worlds, Stanifer will teach you to play video games better by understanding the spiritual truths of this world. He will also do the reverse: he will teach you to play your life better by understanding the truths of the video gaming world.”
~Caleb Grimes, author of Star Wars Jesus, http://www.starwarsjesus.com/
The Force is with Caleb. Wise, he is. Generous, he is. You don't know the power of Jesus and Star Wars combined. It's deadly.
____________________________________________________________
“So often Christians are fighting against culture, but John has utilized one of those rarely used gifts: the ability to see God’s Grace working in the world and through the lives of others even when they least expect it.”
~Rev. Derek White, Christian Gamers Guild, http://www.geekpreacher.com/
Derek is a United Methodist Minister, a board member of the Christian Gamers Guild, and a frequent Gen Con attendee.
____________________________________________________________
All of these quotes will be appearing on the back cover of Virtuous Worlds, but like I said, I wanted you to see them here first.
Just a few more weeks. Hold tight!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Level 13: When & Where to Buy VW, How to Get a Signed Copy
Since we're coming down to the wire here and Virtuous Worlds is expected to be released within the next month, I thought it was about time to remind everyone when and where they can buy the book and how to get their copy signed.
Virtuous Worlds will be released in May. I don't have an exact release date, and even if I did, it could actually come out before then, as has happened in the past with some of my publisher's other books. I feel pretty safe saying that the book is a month away, give or take a few days.
When the book does become available, it will be sold online through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You might check with your local bookstore to see if they are able to order it, but the easiest way to get it will be through one of these two sites.
If you live in Indiana, I plan on doing a few signings in the Kokomo area and possibly in the Indianapolis area if that can be arranged. I'll post details as soon as they're worked out.
For anyone who wants their copy of the book signed, I'm more than happy to sign it! There are three main ways I see of doing this:
1. Come to a signing.
2. Arrange to meet me in person. As I don't know exactly when or where the signings will take place yet, you may decide you want your copy signed beforehand (or you may not be able to make it to a signing for whatever reason). Feel free to get in touch with me by email (j s t a n i f e AT a l u m n i DOT e d u) or on Facebook, and we'll try to work something out.
3. Send me your copy by mail. If all else fails and we can't meet in person, you're welcome to send me a copy of the book to sign and return by post. IMPORTANT: PLEASE INCLUDE RETURN POSTAGE IF YOU ARE GOING WITH THIS OPTION. Contact me by email (see above) or Facebook, and I'll gladly send you my postal address if you need it.
That's all for now. If I get wind that my publisher is ready to take orders for the book, or if anything else exciting comes up, I'll post it here. Keep watching, and thanks for reading!
EDIT: Technically, this falls under #2 above, but if you are someone I run into on a regular basis or you live in the Kokomo area (that includes you, Billy Wong), feel free to harangue me for a copy of the book, as I plan on carrying a small pile of them with me everywhere I go in case I meet someone who is interested.
Virtuous Worlds will be released in May. I don't have an exact release date, and even if I did, it could actually come out before then, as has happened in the past with some of my publisher's other books. I feel pretty safe saying that the book is a month away, give or take a few days.
When the book does become available, it will be sold online through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You might check with your local bookstore to see if they are able to order it, but the easiest way to get it will be through one of these two sites.
If you live in Indiana, I plan on doing a few signings in the Kokomo area and possibly in the Indianapolis area if that can be arranged. I'll post details as soon as they're worked out.
For anyone who wants their copy of the book signed, I'm more than happy to sign it! There are three main ways I see of doing this:
1. Come to a signing.
2. Arrange to meet me in person. As I don't know exactly when or where the signings will take place yet, you may decide you want your copy signed beforehand (or you may not be able to make it to a signing for whatever reason). Feel free to get in touch with me by email (j s t a n i f e AT a l u m n i DOT e d u) or on Facebook, and we'll try to work something out.
3. Send me your copy by mail. If all else fails and we can't meet in person, you're welcome to send me a copy of the book to sign and return by post. IMPORTANT: PLEASE INCLUDE RETURN POSTAGE IF YOU ARE GOING WITH THIS OPTION. Contact me by email (see above) or Facebook, and I'll gladly send you my postal address if you need it.
That's all for now. If I get wind that my publisher is ready to take orders for the book, or if anything else exciting comes up, I'll post it here. Keep watching, and thanks for reading!
EDIT: Technically, this falls under #2 above, but if you are someone I run into on a regular basis or you live in the Kokomo area (that includes you, Billy Wong), feel free to harangue me for a copy of the book, as I plan on carrying a small pile of them with me everywhere I go in case I meet someone who is interested.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Level 12: The Most Expensive Video Game Ever?
Most video games involve collecting a lot of "stuff." Among other things, Mario collects his golden coins and his Power Stars. Link collects his rupees and his Gold Skulltulas. Cloud collects his Materia. And so on.
Sometimes, collecting all the "stuff" in a game is optional. You don't have to collect all 120 stars in Super Mario 64 to rescue Princess Peach. You don't have to collect all the Gold Skulltulas in Ocarina of Time to save Hyrule. You don't have to obtain the elusive "Knights of the Round" Materia in Final Fantasy VII to stop Sephiroth from destroying the Planet.
Still, for most gamers, collecting the stuff is a major part of the overall experience of a game. That's part of what keeps us coming back and clocking in all those hours in all those virtuous virtual worlds.
Some stuff is harder to find than other stuff. Some stuff is more valuable than other stuff. Some players are so dedicated that they'll spend dozens of hours mastering the game just so they can snag whatever that object is that they're seeking.
This obsession with collecting can spill over into the world outside the game. Sometimes, the game itself is worth its weight in Gil (Gil being the popular currency in Final Fantasy for those of you who are scratching your heads).
Some rare games have been known to sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Consider the sealed copy of Stadium Events, an extremely hard-to-find game for the NES, that went for a reputed $41,300 on eBay. The story goes that the person who sold it bought it for $29.99 when it first came out. Then they realized that they couldn't play it, because it required them to purchase an extra peripheral called the Power Pad. Lucky for them, instead of returning the game to the store, they decided to let it collect dust for twenty years or so before they remembered it was there and found out it was worth a pretty penny.
Get more details here
Personally, as interesting as the seller's story is, I'd like to know more about the buyer. What sort of person would actually pay that much for an unopened copy of Stadium Events? Were they a rich geek who just needed it to complete their perfect collection? Did they have sentimental memories of playing the game as a child? Were they a salesperson who thought they could get even more money out of the game?
Who can say? One thing we know for sure: to pay that much money for a hard-to-find treasure takes some serious dedication.
Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven "is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it" (Matt 13:45-46, NLT). This fits the eBay story above nicely, although I'm assuming (hoping) the person who bought Stadium Events didn't have to sell everything they owned to buy it.
As ridiculous as it may seem to spend so much money on a video game, it's only ridiculous for those who don't have spiritual hungers.
Heckler: "Doesn't everybody have spiritual hungers?"
Exactly. Even Christ's parable of "The Pearl of Great Price" may seem ridiculous if taken literally. What idiot would spend everything he had to buy a single pearl?
It's not really about the pearl, though, is it? It's what the pearl represents. Spiritual hunger. Truth. Personal contact with God. Some things are worth seeking after. Some things are worth selling everything you have to obtain.
No, I don't recommend that you "go thou and do likewise," spending tens of thousands of dollars on a pristine copy of your favorite video game (although I confess I did spend about $40 once to obtain a boxed Collector's Edition of Ocarina of Time...go ahead and laugh, if you must). What I do suggest is that when it comes to the things that really are worthwhile, we spend ourselves to the max to obtain them. You know, things like "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt 22:37-39, NLT). Kingdom of Heaven stuff.
Taken symbolically, the Stadium Events purchase isn't so ridiculous after all, is it? If you still think so, just ask yourself this:
What would you spend everything you have to gain?
Sometimes, collecting all the "stuff" in a game is optional. You don't have to collect all 120 stars in Super Mario 64 to rescue Princess Peach. You don't have to collect all the Gold Skulltulas in Ocarina of Time to save Hyrule. You don't have to obtain the elusive "Knights of the Round" Materia in Final Fantasy VII to stop Sephiroth from destroying the Planet.
Still, for most gamers, collecting the stuff is a major part of the overall experience of a game. That's part of what keeps us coming back and clocking in all those hours in all those virtuous virtual worlds.
Some stuff is harder to find than other stuff. Some stuff is more valuable than other stuff. Some players are so dedicated that they'll spend dozens of hours mastering the game just so they can snag whatever that object is that they're seeking.
This obsession with collecting can spill over into the world outside the game. Sometimes, the game itself is worth its weight in Gil (Gil being the popular currency in Final Fantasy for those of you who are scratching your heads).
Some rare games have been known to sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Consider the sealed copy of Stadium Events, an extremely hard-to-find game for the NES, that went for a reputed $41,300 on eBay. The story goes that the person who sold it bought it for $29.99 when it first came out. Then they realized that they couldn't play it, because it required them to purchase an extra peripheral called the Power Pad. Lucky for them, instead of returning the game to the store, they decided to let it collect dust for twenty years or so before they remembered it was there and found out it was worth a pretty penny.
Get more details here
Personally, as interesting as the seller's story is, I'd like to know more about the buyer. What sort of person would actually pay that much for an unopened copy of Stadium Events? Were they a rich geek who just needed it to complete their perfect collection? Did they have sentimental memories of playing the game as a child? Were they a salesperson who thought they could get even more money out of the game?
Who can say? One thing we know for sure: to pay that much money for a hard-to-find treasure takes some serious dedication.
Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven "is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it" (Matt 13:45-46, NLT). This fits the eBay story above nicely, although I'm assuming (hoping) the person who bought Stadium Events didn't have to sell everything they owned to buy it.
As ridiculous as it may seem to spend so much money on a video game, it's only ridiculous for those who don't have spiritual hungers.
Heckler: "Doesn't everybody have spiritual hungers?"
Exactly. Even Christ's parable of "The Pearl of Great Price" may seem ridiculous if taken literally. What idiot would spend everything he had to buy a single pearl?
It's not really about the pearl, though, is it? It's what the pearl represents. Spiritual hunger. Truth. Personal contact with God. Some things are worth seeking after. Some things are worth selling everything you have to obtain.
No, I don't recommend that you "go thou and do likewise," spending tens of thousands of dollars on a pristine copy of your favorite video game (although I confess I did spend about $40 once to obtain a boxed Collector's Edition of Ocarina of Time...go ahead and laugh, if you must). What I do suggest is that when it comes to the things that really are worthwhile, we spend ourselves to the max to obtain them. You know, things like "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt 22:37-39, NLT). Kingdom of Heaven stuff.
Taken symbolically, the Stadium Events purchase isn't so ridiculous after all, is it? If you still think so, just ask yourself this:
What would you spend everything you have to gain?
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