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Speaking and Appearances

Through his work as an author, Michael has been featured on NPR's All Things Considered, spoken at Google, Pixar and Lucasfilm, and served as a featured speaker at many of the top gaming conventions and book festivals across the globe. His books have won many honors, including being selected as a Hugo Award finalist, a national bestseller (New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publisher’s Weekly), an Amazon "Best Book of the Month," a Diana Jones Award nominee, a Locus Award finalist, and a GeekDad "Best Book of the Year." He holds degrees from Northwestern University and the University of Chicago and has a diverse professional background that has ranged from his current position as head of communications of a national healthcare benefits company to the performing arts as well as significant work in the gaming market.

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Schools and Libraries

Michael's favorite appearances are those where he gets to talk to young people about the joy and power of writing. He is a frequent speaker at schools and libraries across the country, where he discusses his books and the writing process. His elementary/middle school presentation called "The Pen and the Sword," focuses specifically on the writing process and the power of words.

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Conventions and Corporate

Michael has been a featured speaker at many leading organizations, top gaming conventions, prominent bookstores (The Strand, Powell's, Elliot Bay, Book Soup, etc.) and large book festivals across the globe. His engagements have included, but are not limited to:

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  • NPR All Things Considered (2015)

  • Google Talks (2015, 2018, 2021)

  • Lucasfilm HQ (2018)

  • Pixar HQ (2018)

  • Penguin Random House HQ (2018)

  • San Diego Comic Con (2018)

  • Gen Con (2015 – 2019)

  • Miami Book Festival (2015, 2018)

  • Boston Book Festival (2015) 

  • Books by the Bank (2015)

  • Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library (2016)

  • Origins Game Fair (2016)

  • Kentucky Book Fair (2016)

  • Leipzig Book Fair (2017)

  • PAX Unplugged (2018)

  • Savannah Book Festival (2019)

  • Gary Con (2015 – 2023)

  • Gamehole Con (2018)

  • TwitchCon (2018)

  • Seattle Town Hall (2018)

  • Wizard World Chicago (2015, 2018)

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To book Michael for an event, you can contact him here.

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