Gavin Brown is an author, video game director, and video game producer. His novel Josh Baxter Levels Up shows how the stories and concepts from video games can be applied to school and family. His presentation is high energy, a bit silly, and provides a fresh perspective on video games and personal growth.
Gavin has designed video games and written short stories and novellas for the Spirit Animals and The 39 Clues series, and is the creator of the highly-rated iOS and Android game Blindscape. He is the winner of MTV University’s Digital Incubator grant, Lord of the Eastern Marches, Defender of the Throne, and generally considered to be a pretty okay guy.
Gavin lives in New York City’s East Village.
Praise for Josh Baxter Levels Up:
"Smartly paced and emotionally engaging, a book even those who have never held a controller will enjoy." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Brown includes countless gaming references that will delight in-the-know readers... It’s a light, fun approach to typical middle-school struggles from an author who gets his audience and knows his games." —Publishers Weekly
"The gamer theme and the inclusion of various digital diversions add a charge to this upbeat fitting-in story." —Booklist
For more information about the book, visit scholastic.com/joshbaxter.
Play to Win: How Games Can Level Up Your Life
20-30 minute presentation followed by a question and answer session
Video games are more than a time waster or a fun diversion. They can teach us about ourselves and the world around us, and motivate us to be better people. Experience points, levels, quests, allies, and loot can all be useful frames to help navigate real life. Invite Gavin Brown to share lessons from Josh Baxter Levels Up to motivate your students to see how the lessons learned in games can help them win at school and in life.
Featuring:
- Adorable wolf puppies
- A tiny man trapped in a box
- Important life lessons
Conference and Festival Appearances
Gavin would love to attend your conference or festival. He can discuss writing, video game design, and many other topics either in a presentation or on a panel. He is also experienced at moderating panels, having led interviewed many authors and editors on Scholastic’s live-stream channel.
Virtual Visits
Gavin makes video games and writes books for a living! His standard presentation can easily be made via Skype, FaceTime, or other livestreaming platforms, followed by a live Q&A.
Skype visits can be made on short notice, as little as one week.
AV and Tech Needs for In-Person Visits
Needed:
- Projector
- Audio system
Gavin will provide:
- Computer
- Video Adaptors
- Artificial Fun
Honorarium
$500 per presentation per day (up to 3 groups/presentations), plus expenses. Discounts available for New York City metro area.
Skype visits: Free
For more information, fill out the Author Request Form and view the flyer about Gavin's school visits.