Geek Out!

LARPing, or live-action role playing, is one of the hottest hobbies today. Its devoted participants develop detailed characters, inventing names and personalities, as well as costumes and props. The improvisational nature and opportunity for creativity at LARP events makes for a new experience every time. Readers will dive headfirst into this fascinating pastime, guided by experienced LARPer and writer Michael Sciandra through the ins and outs of participation. Age-appropriate engaging text and full-color photography from actual LARPers brings readers into this whole new exciting world.

The detailed craft of creating a unique costume, props, and makeup to bring both beloved and reviled characters to life has become a serious art form in the past decade. Today, cosplay is one of the hottest hobbies around, with huge international conventions and competitions making headlines around the world. In this volume, filled with insider info, helpful tips, spectacular color photographs, and dynamic graphics, readers learn not only how to enter the world of cosplay, but how to conquer it.

Pro-gaming, or e-sports, has an enormous and dedicated following; almost a billion people worldwide. It's even covered on ESPN. It boasts international tournaments, big-name stars, massive prize money, and tons of action and excitement. This book unpacks the world of eSports for readers, encouraging them to enter, compete, and conquer by giving them insider knowledge directly from a real-life eSports journalist. Filled with essential terminology, bold graphic elements, and vivid photographs, this book is sure to be a hot commodity in any collection.

Drones, those radio-controlled flying machines that everyone's abuzz about nowadays, provide many people with an exciting opportunity to navigate and modulate. The newly developed sport of drone racing, however, brings excitement and competition to the air like never before. Live-streaming directly from a camera mounted onto the drone even makes drone racing a spectator sport. This colorful, dynamic book not only introduces readers to drone racing, but gives them tips and insider information about to how to participate themselves.

Robot battling is one of the hottest hobbies out there, with dedicated television shows, international stars, and crazy, freaky, metal creations. Now, the inside scoop on the wild world of robot battling is available to budding enthusiasts everywhere. Filled with insider know-how, action-packed graphics, and dynamic color photographs, this volume guides readers through this imaginative world of automated competition. The exciting yet accessible language inspires and engages with every turn of the page, ensuring this book will be a hit in any collection.

Steampunk isn't easy to define. Is it a literary genre, a fashion style, or a way of life? For many people, it's all three. The world of steampunk combines the look of the steam-powered 19th century with the technology of the present or ideas about the future. This fun way to bring history and STEM topics together is popular with people of all ages, and this helpful guide gives young readers essential information about steampunk, from its roots to ways to dress like a steampunk character. Vibrant photographs, detailed graphic organizers, and informative sidebars enhance this exciting reading experience.

Comic books have been popular for generations, and the success of films based on superheroes such as Wonder Woman and Black Panther has proven that their popularity shows no signs of slowing down. However, with so many series to choose from, the world of comic books can seem overwhelming, especially for young fans. This accessible guide is designed specifically for those fans. Featuring informative and engaging text, fun sidebars, and an eye-catching design that includes helpful graphic organizers, this essential resource encourages readers to appreciate the past, enjoy the present, and help shape the future of comic books.

Did you know that you can travel through time? You don't need a time machine or magical powers; you just need to visit a Renaissance fair. This book will introduce young readers to the wonderful world of Renaissance fairs and festivals, providing an age-appropriate peek into the history and background of these imaginative events. Through colorful photographs and intriguing graphics, readers will be immersed in these events, learning about exciting festival features such as jousting, music, characters, and artisans. They'll learn about how they can step into the history and magic themselves.

Where can fans meet up, get autographs from their favorite stars, and buy cool merchandise? They can do all these things at conventions. There are many things fans need to know before attending their first 'con,' and they'll find it all in this age-appropriate guide. The engaging text and eye-catching sidebars, graphic organizers, and colorful photographs highlight many kinds of fan conventions. Whether a young fan dreams of traveling to San Diego for Comic-Con International or plans to attend a smaller con in their city, this guide will make sure they're prepared.

Imagine loving a fictional world so much that you're inspired to continue creating stories about that world long after closing a book, exiting a movie theater, or watching a TV show. That's what fan fiction writers do. The world of 'fic' is introduced to young fans in this helpful guide to one of the most creative areas of fandom. The accessible text explains what fan fiction is, where people can find it, and how fans can begin writing it. Detailed sidebars, graphic organizers, and full-color photographs add an engaging visual component to this resource for young readers and writers.

There's no denying it: board and card games are hot right now. In fact, they're one of the most popular leisure activities around. Kickstarter, the largest funding platform for creative projects in the world, is packed with entrepreneurs developing new, innovative experiences, and the industry has become a multibillion-dollar giant in gaming and collectibles in a short amount of time. Readers no doubt have seen or heard of one or perhaps many of these games, but in this volume, they'll get the inside scoop needed to join, play, and win.

The world of miniatures is huge! People of all ages enjoy assembling and painting scale models of characters for their favorite tabletop games. From warriors and workers to monsters and other mythological creatures, there are unlimited possibilities. This book explores several different types of miniatures, with a focus on where to find them, how to design them, and where to play with them. Other miniatures, such as dollhouses, fairy gardens, and historical dioramas, are also discussed. Vivid images on each page give readers a chance to see these tiny creations in great detail. Captions and sidebars provide more information about how to get involved with this fascinating and fun hobby.