The Official Web Site of Author Robert Stanek

Huge THANK YOU to readers and all those who submitted my name for an award recognizing distinguished contributions in writing and American Letters. As a past recipient of honors for excellence in writing, merit, and distinguished accomplishments, I am deeply honored to be nominated for this Lifetime Achievement Award.

I began my writing career in 1986 and have since written over 250 full-length works. My breakthrough came in 1995 with a hit that established me as a bestselling author. I wrote those early books for Macmillan and have subsequently worked with Random House, IDG, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, Time Warner, Microsoft, O’Reilly, McGraw Hill, Pearson, and many others. To date, my books have sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 57 languages.

Industry Recognition and Giving Back
I am incredibly proud of my career not only for the success I’ve achieved but also for the ways in which I have given back. Over the years, I have supported my fellow writers by sharing my experiences through outlets like Writer’s Gallery, Internet Daily News, and later, by launching Go Indie to support independent writers and bookstores. My passion for giving is further reflected in my goal—which I reached in 2015—to donate $1 million in books to libraries and schools.

In the early days, I dedicated myself to learning every aspect of the publishing industry by starting my own publishing company in 1995. This venture allowed me to understand the business side of writing—a perspective that has proven invaluable as the industry evolved. By 2004, I had built a dedicated team that helped secure translations and bring my works to readers in nearly 100 countries.

Despite fierce resistance from traditional publishers who were skeptical of self‐publishing, my approach proved wildly successful. Keeper Martin's Tale quickly became a bestseller on Amazon.com in 2002, and The Kingdoms & the Elves of the Reaches soared to the top of Audible.com's Fiction list in 2005, remaining a Top 10 Kids & YA bestseller for over 180 weeks.

Today, the publishing landscape has shifted dramatically. What was once considered forbidden fruit is now recognized as one of the best ways for writers to earn a living. I remain immensely grateful to everyone who supported my journey.

Thanks for reading,
Robert Stanek