Bies is currently studying business at Georgetown University and wrote “Indie Gaming: Finding Entrepreneurial Success in Video Games” as part of an entrepreneurship course. After briefly hitting number one on Amazon’s competitive Computers Games Programming best sellers list, the book currently sits at #4 in the category.

“When I walked into my class this past fall, Professor [Eric Koester] said, ‘Instead of coming up with a business plan, each of you will write books. If they’re good enough, they’ll be published,’” Bies said. “If I was going to write a book, it was going to have to be on video games.”

He said he discovered his passion for videogames in middle school. But for Bies, it was about more than just playing games—he was fascinated by the culture and the business.

For his Oral History Project, he interviewed the late Ralph Baer, considered the Father of Video Games. Through alumnus Nate Mitchell ’05, Bies got the opportunity to attend E3, the video game industry’s biggest trade show.

Those experiences, as well as subsequent interviews with industry leaders, gave Bies the foundation for his book. He completed his manuscript just before Christmas, but the entire process, including revisions and publishing, took place over several months.

Bies said all his English teachers at St. Andrew's, but especially Morgan Evans, helped him elevate his writing ability.

"Mr. Evans was ultimately the most influential in helping me find my voice," Bies said. "All throughout junior year and especially in preparation for the AP exam, Mr. Evans challenged me and mentored me."

He wrote the book while juggling coursework in other classes and responsibilities as a peer ambassador and dancer. He is also a student leader with ESCAPE, the premier first-year retreat program at Georgetown, and is now a teaching assistant for Koester's entrepreneurship class.

He also credits St. Andrew's with helping him learn how to balance these commitments.

“At St. Andrew's I was as actively involved outside of the classroom,” Bies said. “My involvement in extracurriculars empowered me to take the lead on a number of these projects and really thrive at Georgetown and in the book publishing process. St. Andrew’s gave me a solid foundation that has allowed me to take my writing and experiences at Georgetown to new heights.”

“Indie Gaming,” which is now available for purchase as a Kindle e-book, offers strategies for independent game developers who hope to achieve success in the video game industry. So far, the book ranks in the top 50 on multiple Amazon best seller lists.

Bies’ goal, however, is to be the number one best seller in a category on Amazon.

“That type of challenge is a monumental feat,” Bies said. “I’m a firm believer that it takes a village to make a bestseller. The people who order now can help.”

To encourage people to buy “Indie Gaming,” the Kindle e-book is priced at 99 cents. His classmates, who wrote on a variety of topics, have also priced their books at 99 cents.

“It’s just enough of an investment that we’re all on the same team, but not so much that I’m asking for the moon and back,” Bies said. “It’s almost nothing for setting 15 people on their entrepreneurial paths and dreams for the future.”

Bies and his fellow authors will host a book signing tomorrow from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Georgetown’s Healey Family Student Center. Paperback copies will be available for purchase at the signing and on Amazon. For more information about “Indie Gaming” or to buy the book, visit indiegaminglaunch.com or search for Brian Bies on Amazon.