A local man widely known for his card-game development prowess will be spotlighting his second venture into the realm of novel writing later this month.

Tom Filsinger – game developer, author and philosophy professor at Jamestown Community College – will be holding a release party to promote his new book, “Shadows On The Road,” at the 3rd on 3rd Gallery, Saturday, June 28.

The new book chronicles Filsinger’s 2011 road trip from Jamestown to Los Angeles, and his subsequent two-month stay in Laguna Beach, in an attempt to pitch the use of fictional characters and worlds he had created in Hollywood movies and television. Although it sounds like a success story on the surface, Filsinger said the book is actually more a chronicle of events and experiences he had on the trip.

“This is more honest, reflective and personal than my last book,” Filsinger said, comparing the new title to his first release, the 2005 title “The Dark Menace of the Universe.” “Being a writer at heart, I thought I would keep a journal of this entire trip. And I didn’t only write about the high-profile things that happened to me – like meeting with producers and playing the Hollywood game – but I also observed all the things around me. For example, if I went to a bar, I wrote about the people I saw and the interactions I had. I like to observe people and observe life.”

Filsinger said he attributes the narration of his book to the inspiration he draws from novelist Milan Kundara, who is known not so much for his plots as for the use of his characters as vehicles for talking about the human condition.

“That’s what I’m doing,” Filsinger said. “When I meet a person, I don’t know what their name is. I’m just writing about these people, and it’s just from my observations. That’s the kind of writing I love to do because I’m fascinated by people – especially when people are doing quirky, real things rather than the staged things you see on TV.”

He also compared the book to Jack Kerouac’s 1957 book “On The Road,” which exemplifies a more spontaneous than linear plot.

“It’s about the journey,” he said. “The journey is everything, and the destination is the excuse.”

The title of the book, Filsinger said, came as he was searching for cover art for his book.

While staying in Laguna Beach, he was looking at original artwork created by Laguna Beach artists when he came across a painting depicting a solitary car traveling on a road with shadows extending across it. The piece was created by Mark Jacobucci, with whom Filsinger struck a deal securing the option of using the piece as cover art for the book.

Filsinger said he felt the painting accurately depicted the joys and travails of living on the road.

“I liked it because the sun’s out – since I’m a positive, optimistic person – but shadows are on the road,” he said. “And I don’t like us pretending that things are always easy or good. Sometimes it’s depressing, and not what you like; that’s the way life is. You have to embrace both. And I think that’s beautiful.”

“So when I say ‘shadows,’ I don’t mean that in a negative way,” he added. “I’m embracing shadows because they’re a part of life. It’s a celebration of spiritual wandering.”

The June 28 book release party will be held from 6-8 p.m. in the 3rd on 3rd Gallery located at 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown, above the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts. Filsinger will be available for book signing, and will read a passage from the book. He said hors d’oeuvres, wine and cheese will be provided.

The book was printed locally by Falconer Printing, and online orders will be shipped on June 30.

Filsinger’s game company, Filsinger Games, has produced fast-paced card and dice games for over 25 years. For more information on the games Filsinger has developed, visit www.filsingergames.com.