Gilsdorf is the author of Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms.

[2] He writes about arts, culture, media and technology, and reviews books and films for The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Wired, and Salon.

[4] He read kids adventure books and works of fantasy and science fiction, and was a fan of Star Wars and Bugs Bunny.

"[6] Gilsdorf has said that the people who influenced him include filmmakers George Lucas[7] and Steven Spielberg, Warner Bros. cartoon animator Chuck Jones,[8] Mad Magazine, Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax,[9] cartoonist Saul Steinberg, comedian George Carlin[10] and writer J.R.R.

He is a contributor to the blogs "GeekDad" (formerly at Wired.com), "Geek Pride" on PsychologyToday.com, and Boston NPR affiliate WBUR's Cognoscenti and TheARTery.

Gilsdorf is the author of the travel memoir-pop culture investigation Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms, published by Lyons Press in 2009.

"[25] The subject matter ranges from Dungeons & Dragons gamers and live-action role-players, or LARPers, to Harry Potter wizard rockers and World of Warcraft players.

[26] Other subcultures and events the book investigates: the legacy of Gary Gygax, The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) and Pennsic War, DragonCon (aka Dragon*Con), a French castle-building project called Guedelon, J.R.R.

The Boston Globe wrote that "Ethan Gilsdorf ... brings a bit of international cachet as well as a lively, engaging reading style ... he is known for an eloquent yet accessible fusion of the natural world and urban culture."

Gilsdorf frequently appears on NPR stations such as WGBH,[35] WBUR, and Wisconsin Public Radio,[36] and has appeared on The Discovery Channel, PBS, CBC,[37] BBC, the Learning Channel, the French TV network Arte (the program La Revanche des Geeks/Revenge of the Geeks and La thérapie par le RPG/RPG therapy), in documentary films, on podcasts, and has been interviewed by publications in the UK, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, France and other countries.

Clausen, Elizabeth (March 18, 2010), "Event to showcase two alumni authors", The Daily Reveille, archived from the original on September 27, 2011, retrieved 2010-03-26