Damon Brown | Freelance Writer http://damonbrown.net Welcome to the portfolio of pop culture author/journalist Damon Brown! Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:13:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Book signing at Portland’s Reading Frenzy (and gaming afterparty!) http://damonbrown.net/2009/08/29/book-signing-at-portlands-reading-frenzy-and-gaming-afterparty/ http://damonbrown.net/2009/08/29/book-signing-at-portlands-reading-frenzy-and-gaming-afterparty/#comments Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:48:21 +0000 Damon Brown http://damonbrown.net/?p=255

“Porn & Pong” readers – I’m coming to Portland! Catch me this Wednesday at Reading Frenzy, 7 pm, for an intimate reading from “Porn & Pong“. Hang out afterwards and head to the club Rumpspankers for a fun video gaming night hosted by Portland’s own Darklady.

It will be the first stop on my roadtrip up to Seattle for the awesome Penny Arcade Expo. I’ll speaking about the topic of sex and video games there on Sunday afternoon.

Hope to catch you at any or all of the events!

Wednesday, September 2nd

Porn & Pong signing and reading @ Reading Frenzy

7 pm – 8  pm

921 SW Oak St., Portland, OR

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Porn & Pong afterparty @ Rumpspankers

7 pm – 11 pm

700 NE Dekum, Portland, OR

Not necessary, but you can RSVP on Facebook and follow me on Twitter for the latest news (and maybe even some liveblogging).

]]> http://damonbrown.net/2009/08/29/book-signing-at-portlands-reading-frenzy-and-gaming-afterparty/feed/ 0 New Editor of About.com Mobile Games http://damonbrown.net/2009/07/30/new-editor-of-aboutcom-mobile-games/ http://damonbrown.net/2009/07/30/new-editor-of-aboutcom-mobile-games/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:29:56 +0000 Damon Brown http://damonbrown.net/?p=253 This week I’m starting as the new editor of About.com’s Mobile Games section!

As you may know, About.com is one of the most read knowledge sources on the web. From now on, you can come to my About.com website to learn about the latest and hottest games for your iPhone/iPod Touch, Android, Palm or other portable phones. There are already many reviews online as well as tips on finding the right gaming phone, where to find free games, and how to get started playing on your mobile.

Content will be fresh daily, so be sure and come through regularly (and let your favorite gamers know, too)! http://mobilegames.about.com

I also will be posting important About.com reviews and stories through my Twitter account: http://www.twitter.com/browndamon.

]]> http://damonbrown.net/2009/07/30/new-editor-of-aboutcom-mobile-games/feed/ 0 Coming to Penny Arcade Expo this Labor Day http://damonbrown.net/2009/07/10/coming-to-penny-arcade-expo-this-labor-day/ http://damonbrown.net/2009/07/10/coming-to-penny-arcade-expo-this-labor-day/#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:22:02 +0000 Damon Brown http://damonbrown.net/?p=250 Coming to the awesome Penny Arcade Expo this Fall? Catch our Sunday afternoon panel “Murder, Sex & Drugs“, about how vices are depicted in video games, with former Newsweek editor/tech writer N’Gai Croal, game designer Corvus Elrod and other interesting people.

More info is here at Corvus’ site.

Penny Arcade Expo is one of the largest video game conferences in America. This year it’s happening in Seattle over Labor Day.

Come through, give your opinion and get your copy of Porn & Pong signed (or grab it at one of the soon-to-be-announced book signings!).

]]> http://damonbrown.net/2009/07/10/coming-to-penny-arcade-expo-this-labor-day/feed/ 5 Meet me in New Orleans http://damonbrown.net/2009/06/02/meet-me-in-new-orleans/ http://damonbrown.net/2009/06/02/meet-me-in-new-orleans/#comments Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:09:59 +0000 Damon Brown http://damonbrown.net/?p=242

Join me this Saturday in New Orleans for my first Southern Porn & Pong book reading and signing! It will be at Faubourg Marigny Arts and Books, a cool indie book store just outside of the French Quarter.

As some of you know, the Faubourg Marigny is actually my old neighborhood – I lived on St. Roch street, a few blocks away from the park, and left when Katrina hit in ‘05. I wrote the majority of Porn & Pong while I was in New Orleans, so having my first Southern signing there is both a privilege as well as a homecoming of sorts.

Here are the details:
Faubourg Marigny Arts and Books
600 Frenchmen Street
Saturday, June 6th
7 pm

Come by, grab a book and say hi!

]]> http://damonbrown.net/2009/06/02/meet-me-in-new-orleans/feed/ 0 Start spreading the news http://damonbrown.net/2009/04/13/start-spreading-the-news/ http://damonbrown.net/2009/04/13/start-spreading-the-news/#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:27:31 +0000 Damon Brown http://damonbrown.net/?p=238 Next week I’ll be speaking at my favorite journalism conference, for the American Society of Journalists and Authors, at Manhattan’s Roosevelt Hotel. The conference will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 24th – 26th. The first day is for ASJA members only, while the remaining to are open to non-members and/or the general public.

Luckily, our talk will be on Saturday afternoon! The panel is “Make Your Web Site Add To Your Bottom Line” (April 25th, 2 pm). We’ll talk about using websites, blogs and social networks to help sell your work. I will be talking about using the ‘net to connect with book readers online.

More info about the wonderful organization and the conference can be found at the ASJA website.

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The San Francisco Examiner website gave Porn & Pong: How Grand Theft Auto, Tomb Raider and Other Sexy Games Changed Our Culture a hearty thumbs-up:

“Porn & Pong is a fascinating look at the history of pornography in video games and modern media… If you have any interest in history, you’ll find Porn & Pong a fascinating and enjoyable read.”

Check out the entire review at Examiner.com.

]]> http://damonbrown.net/2009/02/03/sf-examines-porn-pong/feed/ 0 On the life of a freelance writer http://damonbrown.net/2009/02/03/on-the-life-of-a-freelance-writer/ http://damonbrown.net/2009/02/03/on-the-life-of-a-freelance-writer/#comments Tue, 03 Feb 2009 07:18:24 +0000 Damon Brown http://damonbrown.net/?p=229 Fellow Bay Area writer Heather Boerner interviewed me for her Serenity for the Self-Employed blog. A rare inside view into the freelance writing life, we talk about cracking publications, surviving changing times and finding your writing focus.

For more insights, I’ll be speaking at the American Society of Journalists and Authors conference in New York the weekend of April 25th. The Saturday afternoon panel will be on how writers can use the web to connect, network and build audiences. Check out the details at the ASJA website.

]]> http://damonbrown.net/2009/02/03/on-the-life-of-a-freelance-writer/feed/ 0 Porn & Pong interview in games (TM) Magazine http://damonbrown.net/2008/12/19/porn-pong-interview-in-games-tm-magazine/ http://damonbrown.net/2008/12/19/porn-pong-interview-in-games-tm-magazine/#comments Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:51:30 +0000 Damon Brown http://damonbrown.net/?p=227

games Magazine interviewed me for a fun, two-page spread on the book, pornography and technology. Read the interview here.

]]> http://damonbrown.net/2008/12/19/porn-pong-interview-in-games-tm-magazine/feed/ 0 Publishers Weekly gives “Porn & Pong” thumbs up http://damonbrown.net/2008/12/03/publishers-weekly-gives-porn-pong-thumbs-up/ http://damonbrown.net/2008/12/03/publishers-weekly-gives-porn-pong-thumbs-up/#comments Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:14:15 +0000 Damon Brown http://damonbrown.net/?p=218

It was great meeting everyone at last month’s LA book signing! We literally shut the place down, and Freddy and Eddy were gracious hosts. More signings will be happening soon – stay tuned!

In other good news, Publishers Weekly, the main book industry trade publication, gives Porn & Pong a thumbs up!

Publishers Weekly says “this slim, fun read… looks at the young medium in context and finds that, even in its infancy, video games were already as influential, potentially dangerous, and worthy of dissection as any other art.”

You can read the review in its entirety at Porn & Pong HQ or the Publishers Weekly website.

And while you’re doing your (online) holiday shopping, pick up Porn & Pong as the perfect stocking stuffer for your favorite gamer, techie or pop culture lover.

]]> http://damonbrown.net/2008/12/03/publishers-weekly-gives-porn-pong-thumbs-up/feed/ 0 Meet me in Los Angeles, November 14th, and book excerpt online http://damonbrown.net/2008/11/04/meet-me-in-los-angeles-november-14th/ http://damonbrown.net/2008/11/04/meet-me-in-los-angeles-november-14th/#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:00:38 +0000 Damon Brown http://damonbrown.net/?p=213

The book signings continue! Catch me in Los Angeles on Friday, November 14th.

November 14, 2008

Freddy & Eddy

Book reading and signing, 8 pm

Come by, get your book signed and say hi! Fellow sex culture writer Regina Lynn had a great book signing at Freddy and Eddy there earlier this year.

Also, on Saturday, November 15, Jon M. Gibson – who wrote the awesome Foreword to Porn & Pong – will be having a signing for his annual Nerdcore calendar at Golden Apple comics. Info will be up soon on the Nerdcore website. I will be there as well. I wouldn’t miss it, as last year was a blast.

Finally, PlanetOut/Gay.com has run a hot excerpt from Porn & Pong. Check it out.

]]> http://damonbrown.net/2008/11/04/meet-me-in-los-angeles-november-14th/feed/ 1 On Maxim Sirius Radio today http://damonbrown.net/2008/10/28/on-maxim-sirius-radio/ http://damonbrown.net/2008/10/28/on-maxim-sirius-radio/#comments Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:05:37 +0000 Damon Brown http://damonbrown.net/?p=209

Sirius listeners,

Catch me on Maxim Radio today at 2 pm EST/11 am PST for the Level-Up video game show. Host Scott Pitek and me will be talking about – what else – Porn & Pong. It should be a fun discussion!

Sidebar: My critically-acclaimed Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Satellite Radio is still the only Sirius/XM book out there. Whaaaat? Check it out to learn about the best music option available today.

]]> http://damonbrown.net/2008/10/28/on-maxim-sirius-radio/feed/ 0 In a city near you http://damonbrown.net/2008/10/06/in-a-city-near-you/ http://damonbrown.net/2008/10/06/in-a-city-near-you/#comments Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:35:40 +0000 Damon Brown http://damonbrown.net/?p=205

Porn & Pong – and me - are on the road!

This week catch me at East Lansing’s MSU bookstores and next week in Chicago. Come by, get your book signed and say hi!

More dates and cities are being added every moment - keep abreast at Porn & Pong central.

October 10, 2008
MSU Meaningful Play Video Game Conference
Roundtable – When Will Video Games Grow Up?: Handling Adult Topics In Video Games

Michigan State University
Barnes & Noble (across from MSU)
Book reading and signing, 8 pm
East Lansing, MI

October 11, 2008
MSU Student Union (At the Entrance)
Book signing, noon to 1 pm
East Lansing, MI

October 16, 2008
Quimby’s Bookstore
Book reading and signing, 7 pm
Chicago, IL

October 19, 2008
Early 2 Bed
Book reading and signing, 6:30 pm
Chicago, IL

]]> http://damonbrown.net/2008/10/06/in-a-city-near-you/feed/ 2 Talking with Salon.com http://damonbrown.net/2008/10/06/talking-with-saloncom/ http://damonbrown.net/2008/10/06/talking-with-saloncom/#comments Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:00:08 +0000 Damon Brown http://damonbrown.net/?p=201 P&P cover

Salon.com has a fun Q & A with me about Porn & Pong. I was also lucky enough to be one of the first users of its new podcast office, so you can listen to the interview on the website as well. And be sure to check out the comment section, which, as Salon readers know, is where the fun really starts. Ha!

]]> http://damonbrown.net/2008/10/06/talking-with-saloncom/feed/ 0 Grab Porn & Pong at your favorite online bookseller now! http://damonbrown.net/2008/09/15/grab-porn-pong-at-your-favorite-online-bookseller-now/ http://damonbrown.net/2008/09/15/grab-porn-pong-at-your-favorite-online-bookseller-now/#comments Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:09:32 +0000 Damon Brown http://damonbrown.net/?p=198 P&P cover

It’s out – early! You can now grab a copy of Porn & Pong: How Grand Theft Auto, Tomb Raider and Other Sexy Games Changed Our Culture. It won’t be hitting bookstores until October 1st, but you can get it now from your favorite online bookseller:

And I’m packing my bags: We’re hitting East Lansing, Chicago, Los Angeles and other cities for The Official Porn & Pong tour! Things kick off next week with the big Porn & Pong San Francisco launch party on Friday, September 26th. Come by, say hello, get your book signed and party with us if you’re in the city.

If you aren’t in the Bay, grab the book online and find out when I’ll be visiting your neighborhood! I’ll be signing books the whole way. Keep an eye on Porn & Pong central – dates and cities are constantly being added.

]]> http://damonbrown.net/2008/09/15/grab-porn-pong-at-your-favorite-online-bookseller-now/feed/ 3 New book available for pre-order! http://damonbrown.net/2008/07/09/new-book-available-for-pre-order/ http://damonbrown.net/2008/07/09/new-book-available-for-pre-order/#comments Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:34:35 +0000 Damon Brown http://damonbrown.net/?p=197 P&P cover

My new book, Porn & Pong: How Grand Theft Auto, Tomb Raider and Other Sexy Games Changed Our Culture, is available for pre-order! It is the first book to use video games to look at how technology, sexuality and pop culture have evolved over the past three decades. Available in late September, Porn & Pong will be a fun read for fans of my magazine and newspaper articles, or anyone interested in modern pop cultural history!

Hit the great Powell’s Books, Barnes and Noble or Amazon to make sure you get your copy as soon as it is available.

However, if you’d like to wait and buy it directly from me, I can promise signed copies and other goodies. The best bet is to secure one now, and then grab a signed copy from me later for friends and fam. It should make the perfect gift for the sexy gamers in your life!

Visit the book website for more information (may be NSFW, depending on, ahem, where you work at).

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